Virtual Jackpot Controller Segmentation for Linked Gaming Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
The configuration and implementation of linked gaming in electronic gaming machines require multiple individual linked jackpot controllers, making the process complicated and in need of a more efficient method for virtualization.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and device that enables configuration of multiple linked games via a single controller device by providing a user interface to select and associate electronic gaming machines with virtual jackpot controllers, allowing simultaneous execution of linked games across associated machines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple individual linked jackpot controllers are used to manage linked games, then each controller can independently manage its own linked game, but the overall system complexity increases and requires multiple hardware devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments a single physical controller device into multiple virtual jackpot controllers through software virtualization. Each virtual jackpot controller operates independently to manage a specific linked game, yet all run on the same hardware platform. This segmentation allows the system to handle multiple linked games without requiring multiple physical devices, thereby reducing hardware complexity while maintaining the ability to manage diverse gaming configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller device is designed with universal functionality to host multiple virtual jackpot controllers that can manage different types of linked games simultaneously. The single device performs the roles of multiple specialized controllers through software instantiation, enabling it to adapt to various game configurations, prize structures, and machine associations without requiring dedicated hardware for each game type.
2Device complexity
If a single controller device is used to manage multiple linked games, then hardware costs and system complexity are reduced, but the ability to independently configure and manage each linked game may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies of jackpot controller functionality within a single physical device. Each virtual jackpot controller is a software instantiation that replicates the independent configuration and management capabilities of a physical controller. These virtual copies can be independently configured, assigned to different game types, and managed separately, thereby maintaining full configuration independence while consolidating hardware resources.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a physical dimension of multiple separate hardware devices to a software dimension where multiple virtual controllers coexist on a single platform. This dimensional shift allows independent configuration and management capabilities to be preserved through software abstraction layers, while the physical hardware footprint is reduced to a single device.
3Reliability
If multiple physical jackpot controllers are deployed, then each controller can be physically dedicated to specific games, but installation, maintenance, and updates become more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple physical controller functions into a single integrated system through virtualization. Instead of installing, maintaining, and updating multiple separate hardware devices, the system consolidates these functions into one physical device running multiple virtual controllers. This merging simplifies installation to a single device deployment, reduces maintenance overhead to one hardware platform, and enables centralized updates to affect all virtual controllers simultaneously, while maintaining game-specific reliability through virtual isolation.
Data Source
AI summary
In overview, the technology is primarily directed to the implementation of linked gaming in respect of a plurality of gaming machines. In particular, a controller device is disclosed, this controller device being adapted to enable the management of a plurality of linked games via a single piece of hardware. This is achieved in part by virtualization of jackpot controllers within the controller device. More specifically, a user is enabled to configure a plurality of virtual jackpot controllers by way of interaction with a graphical user interface, and select compatible electronic gaming machines to participate in a linked game provided by a given one of the virtual jackpot controllers.