Rotating Bonus Wheel with Electronic Display Segments
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming machines and systems do not provide players with a continually updated progressive award amount displayed on a bonus wheel, limiting player engagement and excitement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rotatable bonus wheel with electronic display segments that continuously update to reflect a current progressive award amount, accessible after a triggering event during gameplay, allowing players to see the increasing award value in real-time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a traditional bonus wheel with static displays is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the player engagement and excitement are diminished due to lack of dynamic updating
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the Dynamics principle by transforming static display segments on the bonus wheel into dynamic electronic displays that continuously update to show scrolling progressive award amounts. This allows the wheel to adapt and change its display content in real-time, enhancing player engagement while maintaining the same physical wheel structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical display mechanisms (physical signs, windows, or static indicators) with electronic display technology. This substitution enables continuous updating of award amounts without increasing mechanical complexity, as the electronic displays can be controlled through software to show dynamic progressive values.
2Loss of information
If static display segments are used on the bonus wheel, then the manufacturing cost and complexity are reduced, but the progressive award information is not continuously updated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent substitutes mechanical or static display methods with electronic display technology on the bonus wheel segments. This allows progressive award information to be continuously updated and displayed dynamically without requiring complex mechanical updating mechanisms, thereby preventing information loss while maintaining ease of manufacture.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic display segments on the bonus wheel serve multiple functions: they display the segment's base value, continuously update to show progressive award amounts, and can change content dynamically. This multi-functionality prevents information loss while avoiding the need for separate mechanical systems for each display function.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a bonus wheel with continuously updating displays is implemented, then player anticipation and excitement are enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic electronic displays on the bonus wheel segments that continuously update to show scrolling progressive award amounts. This creates an engaging, anticipatory experience for players as they watch the values change in real-time, while the dynamics are managed through software control rather than complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the display function and the bonus wheel structure into a single integrated component. The electronic displays are incorporated directly into the wheel segments, combining the rotational mechanism with the display technology. This reduces overall device complexity compared to having separate mechanical display systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine includes a memory, a first display device configured to display a first game, a second display device configured to display a second game, and a processor coupled to the memory, to the first display device, and to the second display device. The second display device includes a plurality of segments, wherein at least one of the segments is an electronic display device. The processor is configured to enable play of the first game in response to a wager made by the player, enable play of the second game upon detection of a triggering event during play of the first game, and during play of the first game and the second game, update the electronic display device to reflect a current award value.