Directional Symbol Evaluation in Gaming Systems
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need to enhance player enjoyment and excitement in gaming machines by introducing new and different symbol evaluation features that diverge from traditional payline-based evaluations.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that generates and evaluates directional symbols, allowing players to wager on starting symbol display positions, where directional symbols with input and output directions are analyzed to form sets, chains, or sequences, providing awards based on compatible directional symbol combinations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional payline-based symbol evaluation is used, then the game mechanics are simple and easy to understand, but player enjoyment and excitement are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic symbol evaluation where the evaluation pattern changes based on the direction symbols generated on the reels. Instead of fixed paylines, the system dynamically determines winning patterns by following directional indicators (up, down, left, right) from starting positions, creating an adaptive and exciting gameplay experience that resolves the contradiction between simplicity and player engagement
2Adaptability or versatility
If directional symbol evaluation is implemented, then player excitement and enjoyment are increased, but the evaluation complexity and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the symbol evaluation process into distinct directional components (up, down, left, right) that can be independently tracked and evaluated. By dividing the evaluation into directional segments starting from specific positions and following directional indicators, the system manages complexity through structured segmentation while maintaining player excitement
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of evaluating symbols along fixed predetermined paylines from left to right, the patent inverts the approach by starting evaluation from selected starting positions and following directional indicators to determine the evaluation path. This inversion simplifies the evaluation logic while increasing player engagement through dynamic patterns
3Adaptability or versatility
If directional symbols with input and output directions are used, then dynamic symbol evaluation is achieved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring compatible symbol combinations increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the directional output of one symbol determines the input direction for the next symbol in the sequence. The system provides visual feedback through directional indicators that guide players and the evaluation system through compatible symbol combinations, reducing detection difficulty while maintaining dynamic evaluation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses directional indicators (arrows showing up, down, left, right) as intermediaries between symbols to establish compatibility relationships. These intermediary directional cues simplify the detection process by providing clear visual guidance on which symbols form compatible combinations, reducing measurement difficulty while enabling dynamic evaluation
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a gaming system which may randomly generate a plurality of directional symbols. Each directional symbol may have an input direction and an output direction. The gaming system may analyze the generated directional symbols to determine whether any formed sets, chains or sequences of compatible directional symbols are associated with any awards. More specifically, the gaming system may determine whether to form any sets of compatible directional symbols based on if one or more input directions of one or more of the generated directional symbols are compatible with one or more output directions of one or more of the generated directional symbols. The gaming system then may determine and may provide a player an award based on one or more of any formed sets of compatible directional symbols.