Bingo Gaming System with Dual Spatial and Sequential Award Evaluation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to enhance the excitement and entertainment of bingo-type gaming machines by providing new ways to increase the number of awards for players and improve gaming experiences, as existing systems primarily rely on spatial arrangements of symbols for awards without incorporating the order of symbol selection.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that allows players to wager on a game with multiple matrices of symbol positions, where symbols are randomly selected from a pool and displayed in a separate accumulation area, providing awards based on both spatial combinations and the order of symbol selection, including bonus symbols for additional winning combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If awards are based only on spatial arrangements of symbols in bingo-type games, then the game rules are simple and easy to understand, but the gaming experience becomes单调 and the number of awards is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the award evaluation into two independent parts: a first evaluation based on spatial arrangements of symbols (traditional bingo patterns) and a second evaluation based on the sequential order of drawn symbols (slot machine-style combinations). This segmentation allows each evaluation mechanism to operate independently, maintaining simplicity while adding versatility through multiple award pathways.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges two different gaming evaluation mechanisms (spatial pattern recognition from bingo and sequential combination recognition from slot machines) into a single hybrid game system. This combination enables the game to provide both traditional bingo spatial awards and new sequential order awards, significantly increasing the variety and number of possible awards without making the game unplayable.
2Productivity
If the number of symbols drawn from the pool is increased to provide more award opportunities, then the frequency of awards increases, but the game duration and player waiting time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic evaluation by continuously assessing both spatial patterns and sequential combinations as symbols are drawn in real-time, rather than waiting until all symbols are drawn. This dynamic approach allows the game to identify and award winning conditions immediately when they occur, increasing award frequency without extending the total game duration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains continuous evaluation of both spatial arrangements and sequential orders throughout the symbol drawing process. This continuous useful action ensures that award opportunities are constantly being assessed and can be realized immediately when conditions are met, maximizing award frequency within the existing game timeframe without requiring additional drawing time.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple evaluation mechanisms are implemented to increase award variety, then player engagement increases, but the complexity of determining awards increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the award determination process into two distinct evaluation streams: spatial pattern evaluation and sequential order evaluation. Each stream operates with its own independent rules and criteria, making it easier to program and execute. The segmentation allows the system to process both evaluations simultaneously without creating complex interactions between them, reducing the overall difficulty of award determination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the sequence of drawn symbols as an intermediary element that serves both evaluations. The same sequence data is used to determine both spatial patterns (by mapping symbols to grid positions) and sequential combinations (by tracking draw order). This intermediary approach eliminates the need for separate data collection processes, simplifying the overall determination mechanism while maintaining award variety.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system displays a plurality of bingo cards each containing at least one column, each column having at least one square. Each square includes a random number selected from a range associated with that column. The gaming system displays each bingo card and an initially-empty accumulation area. Balls are drawn from a pool of balls, each ball associated with a number. As the balls are drawn, any square on any of the bingo cards containing the number of the drawn ball is marked with a suitable indicator. A primary award is provided for combinations of marked squares on one or more of the bingo cards. The gaming system displays the balls in the accumulated area in the order in which they are drawn. The gaming system provides a secondary award for combinations of balls displayed in the accumulation area.