Dynamic Symbol Modification on Still-Spinning Reels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines often feature bonus trigger symbols that can block standard symbol combinations, reducing the likelihood of winning outcomes and player rewards, as these symbols are randomly displayed and not easily modifiable during gameplay.
Innovation Solution
An electronic gaming machine system that simulates rotating reels, allowing for the modification of bonus trigger symbols to standard symbols or vice versa based on the symbols displayed on a stopped reel, enabling dynamic adjustment of reel symbols during gameplay to enhance winning opportunities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If bonus trigger symbols are randomly displayed on reels, then the game maintains randomness and fairness, but the likelihood of achieving standard symbol combinations and winning outcomes is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by allowing reel symbols to change from static random displays to dynamic modifications during gameplay. The system modifies bonus trigger symbols to standard symbols or vice versa on still-spinning reels, enabling the symbol configuration to adapt and change in response to game state, thereby increasing winning opportunities while maintaining the original randomness through controlled modification rather than complete randomization
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of symbol type on the reels by modifying bonus trigger symbols into standard symbols or standard symbols into bonus trigger symbols during gameplay. This parameter change allows the system to alter the probability distribution of symbol combinations, increasing the likelihood of winning outcomes by changing the symbolic parameters on still-spinning reels after the initial random determination
2Device complexity
If bonus trigger symbols block standard symbol combinations, then the game structure remains simple, but player rewards and winning opportunities are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic modification capability where bonus trigger symbols can be changed to standard symbols or vice versa during gameplay on still-spinning reels. This dynamic adjustment allows the game to maintain its simple blocking structure during normal play but enable enhanced winning opportunities when symbols are actively modified, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and player reward frequency
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary modification of symbols on still-spinning reels before the final outcome is determined. By proactively changing bonus trigger symbols to standard symbols (or vice versa) during the spinning phase, the system prepares more favorable symbol combinations in advance, increasing the likelihood of winning outcomes without requiring complex real-time adjustments after the spin concludes
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine performs operations comprising: (i) simulating a rotating plurality of reels; (ii) stopping a first reel of the simulated rotating plurality of reels; (iii) determining whether of a first plurality of symbols displayed include i) all standard symbols, or ii) at least one bonus trigger symbol; (iv) on at least one remaining reel of the simulated rotating reels one of: i) modifying at least one bonus trigger symbol with a standard symbol if all standard symbols are displayed, or ii) modifying the at least one standard symbol with at least one bonus trigger symbol; (v) stopping the remaining reels; (vi) evaluating the symbols stopped and displayed; and (vii) determining whether to provide a game award.