Dynamic Reel Set State Management in Gaming Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming systems lack the ability to dynamically activate, deactivate, and reactivate reel sets in response to various events during a triggered sequence, limiting the complexity and engagement of gaming experiences.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that includes a processor and memory device, which executes instructions to manage reel sets by activating, deactivating, and reactivating them based on specific events, allowing for dynamic changes in reel set states during a sequence, independent of symbol accumulation at symbol display positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If reel sets are kept continuously active during a triggered sequence, then symbol accumulation can occur at all symbol display positions, but the gaming experience lacks dynamic engagement and volatility

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaming experience dynamicsVSAvoidreel set management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the operational state of reel sets during a triggered sequence by activating, deactivating, and reactivating them based on accumulated symbols. This creates volatility and engagement by transitioning reel sets between active and inactive states, rather than maintaining a static configuration throughout the sequence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary symbol accumulation at symbol display positions associated with inactive reel sets before reactivating those reel sets. This preliminary action allows symbols to accumulate in anticipation of future reel set activation, creating potential for enhanced award determination when the reel sets become active again.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If reel sets are deactivated to increase volatility and engagement, then award determination becomes more complex and less predictable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaward volatilityVSAvoidaward determination consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from symbol accumulation events to trigger reel set reactivation. When specific symbols are accumulated at symbol display positions, this feedback triggers the reactivation of associated reel sets, creating a responsive system that adapts to game state while maintaining predictable reactivation criteria.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple reel set states (active, inactive, reactivated) are implemented, then gaming engagement increases, but system control complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereel set state managementVSAvoidstate transition control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments reel sets into distinct operational states (active, inactive, reactivated) with specific transition rules for each state. This segmentation allows independent control of each reel set's lifecycle, managing complexity through clear state definitions and transition criteria rather than monolithic control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS20240127661A1Activating, deactivating and reactivating reel sets

Publication Date: 2024.04.18 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Gaming systems and methods that activate, deactivate and potentially reactivate reel sets responsive to different events during a triggered sequence.