Free Spin Count-Up and Count-Down Mechanics for Dynamic Bonus Play

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gaming machines lack engaging and dynamic bonus game mechanics that enhance player experience and variability, particularly in the awarding and utilization of free spins.

Innovation Solution

Implement a free spin count-up bonus game followed by a free spin count-down secondary bonus game, where a numerical indicium counts up to a final value indicating banked free spins, which can trigger a secondary game upon meeting threshold conditions and random outcomes, with portions of awards allocated before game initiation to reduce processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional single bonus round is implemented, then the game structure is simple, but player engagement and excitement are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidbonus game structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bonus game is divided into two distinct phases: a count-up phase where free spins are awarded and banked, and a count-down phase where the secondary bonus game is played. This segmentation creates multiple engaging moments within the bonus structure, increasing player excitement while maintaining manageable complexity through clear phase transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The bonus game employs dynamic elements including a counting mechanism that transitions from count-up to count-down, variable free spin awards, and conditional triggering of the secondary bonus game. These dynamic features keep the game engaging and unpredictable, addressing the engagement complexity trade-off.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of time

If free spins are awarded immediately, then processing time is reduced, but player anticipation and engagement are diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing timeVSAvoidplayer anticipation

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system determines and banks the number of free spins before the actual spinning begins. This preliminary action allows the game to prepare the free spin count in advance, reducing processing time during play while maintaining player anticipation through the count-up display that builds excitement before the secondary bonus game activates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If a secondary bonus game is always triggered, then player engagement is maximized, but game complexity and processing demands increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame variabilityVSAvoidbonus game triggers

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The secondary bonus game is triggered selectively based on specific conditions: when the count-down phase reaches a certain threshold and a random determination is satisfied. This localized application of the secondary bonus only when conditions are met creates variability and excitement without unnecessarily increasing complexity during all gameplay scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The game uses parameter changes including random number generation and threshold comparisons to determine when the secondary bonus game activates. This approach creates variability in player experience while keeping the trigger mechanism relatively simple and manageable through standard random number generation and conditional logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Productivity

If awards are allocated in advance, then processing time during play is reduced, but game flexibility is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegame processing efficiencyVSAvoidaward flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by determining and banking the number of free spins before the bonus game begins. This advance allocation of awards reduces processing time during actual play while maintaining flexibility through the count-up display and conditional secondary bonus triggers that can still adapt to player performance and random determinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12367742B2Systems and methods for a free spin count-up and subsequent count-down

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A free spin count-up bonus game and a subsequent banked free spin count-down secondary bonus game are described herein. The free spin count-up game may be triggered during play of a base game. A numerical indicium may be provided. During the free spin count-up bonus game, the indicium may count up from an initial value to a final value. When the indicium reaches a maximum or final value, the value may be regarded as indicating a number of “banked” free spins. The number of banked free spins may be compared to one or more threshold values. If the number of banked dree spins is greater than or equal to one or more threshold values and there is a successful outcome on a random determination, a secondary bonus game may be initiated, during which the indicium is decremented from the final value back down toward the initial value.