Wagering Game Controller Segmentation for Progressive Jackpot Funding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current progressive wagering game systems often inequitably fund progressive jackpots, where players not eligible for the jackpot still contribute to its funding, leading to unfair margins for gaming machine manufacturers at the expense of players and operators.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that allows players to be eligible for a progressive jackpot by receiving a second type of wager, creating a distributable wager pool from both the first type of wagers for playing the game and the second type of wagers, which funds the progressive jackpot, ensuring fair contribution and increased player engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If players not eligible for progressive jackpot still contribute to its funding, then progressive jackpot pool increases, but player fairness and payback percentage decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the wagering system into two distinct wager types: first wagers for basic game play and second wagers for progressive jackpot eligibility. This segmentation allows the system to separately track and allocate funds from eligible players only to the progressive jackpot pool, preventing ineligible players from contributing to a pool they cannot win from.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary that receives and differentiates between first wagers and second wagers. It mediates the allocation by determining cumulative values for each wager type separately and creating a distributable wager pool derived specifically from second wagers, ensuring fair funding practices.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If players must make additional wager to be eligible for progressive jackpot, then fairness increases, but device complexity and operation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle both first wagers (basic game play) and second wagers (progressive eligibility) through a single integrated system. It performs multiple functions: receiving different wager types, determining cumulative values for each type, allocating funds appropriately, and managing the distributable wager pool, thereby reducing the need for separate complex systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically tracks and differentiates between first and second wagers without requiring manual intervention or complex external tracking. The controller self-manages the cumulative value determination and pool allocation based on wager type, simplifying operation while maintaining fairness.
3Productivity
If additional wager is required for progressive eligibility, then player engagement increases, but loss of energy (wager cost) increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the wagering structure by allowing players to choose between first wagers (lower cost, basic game access) and second wagers (higher cost, progressive eligibility). This dynamic approach lets players balance their wager costs against their engagement goals, optimizing their playing strategy based on their preferences and bankroll management.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming machines and a controller coupled to the gaming machines. The gaming machines are used for playing one or more wagering games having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. Each gaming machine includes at least one wager-input device for receiving a first type of wager, which allows the player to play the wagering game, and the second type of wager, which allows the player to be eligible for a progressive jackpot. The controller determines a first cumulative value of the first type of wagers, a second cumulative value of the second type of wagers, and a distributable wager pool that is derived from a portion of the first cumulative value and a portion of the second cumulative value. The distributable wager pool can fund the progressive jackpot.