Electronically Configurable Rotating Display for Gaming Machines

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional gaming machines with mechanized wheel-based bonus features are inflexible and require physical changes, leading to downtime and loss of revenue when reconfiguring the wheel values, as technicians must disassemble the machine to make adjustments.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of electronically configurable rotating displays using bistable, electroluminescent, LCD, or OLED elements that can be reconfigured via software, allowing for synchronization with stationary images to create a realistic simulation of a rotating wheel without physical changes, using power transmission methods like slip rings or self-generated power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If physical mechanical wheels are used in gaming machines, then realistic visual display and player engagement are improved, but reconfiguration flexibility deteriorates requiring machine disassembly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereconfiguration flexibilityVSAvoiddowntime for reconfiguration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical wheels with virtual representations displayed on electronic screens. The visual display device shows animated wheel graphics that can be reconfigured through software without any physical changes. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical disassembly and reconfiguration of physical components, allowing instant changes to wheel values and game parameters through digital programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The electronic display system serves multiple functions: it displays the wheel graphic, animates the rotation, shows the values/outcomes, and can be reconfigured for different games. A single electronic display component replaces what would traditionally require multiple physical mechanical wheels, allowing one device to perform various wheel-based game functions through software configuration rather than physical modification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If physical mechanical wheels are used in gaming machines, then realistic visual display and player engagement are improved, but device complexity increases requiring disassembly for changes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidstructural complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical wheels with virtual representations displayed on electronic screens. The visual display device shows animated wheel graphics that can be reconfigured through software without any physical changes. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical disassembly and reconfiguration of physical components, allowing instant changes to wheel values and game parameters through digital programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a visual copy or representation of the mechanical wheel using electronic display technology. Instead of modifying the actual physical wheel, the system displays a graphical replica that can be changed independently through software. This copying approach allows the visual appearance and functional parameters to be modified without touching the physical structure, maintaining the illusion of a mechanical wheel while achieving digital flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If electronically configurable displays are implemented, then reconfiguration flexibility is improved, but power transmission complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware reconfiguration capabilityVSAvoidpower transmission system

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical mechanical wheels with virtual representations displayed on electronic screens. The visual display device shows animated wheel graphics that can be reconfigured through software without any physical changes. This substitution eliminates the need for mechanical disassembly and reconfiguration of physical components, allowing instant changes to wheel values and game parameters through digital programming.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables dynamic reconfiguration of gaming machine displays for different game stages or bonus rounds without downtime, maintaining revenue generation and enhancing player engagement with realistic and adaptable visual experiences.

Implementation Method 1

Displays may use various different types of display elements including bistable elements, electroluminescent elements, LCD, LED, OLED etc.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectroluminescence: Electroluminescence

Implementation Method 2

power, which can be provided to a rotating display through slip rings

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrical conduction: Conduction (electrical)

Data Source

PatentUS8708820B2Movable mechanical display devices and methods

Publication Date: 2014.04.29 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

A gaming machine includes a rotating object that has at least one configurable surface that may be configured electronically. The rotating object may be synchronized with a video display. Configurable surfaces can use bistable materials, electroluminescent materials, LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs, projection, or other techniques. The appearance of the rotating object is changed without physically changing the rotating object.