Gaming System Contiguous Image Segments Player Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for innovative gaming systems that enhance player engagement and entertainment value in electronic gaming machines by offering new and exciting gameplay mechanics beyond traditional slot games, while maintaining fairness and regulatory compliance.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that includes a credit input mechanism, player interface, and controller, which displays a plurality of symbol positions arranged in an array, allowing players to wager and win based on forming contiguous images from a set of image segments, with animations revealing awards, and utilizing a random number generator for fair outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional slot game mechanics are used, then the game is easy to understand and operate, but player engagement and entertainment value are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidplayer engagement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The game display is divided into multiple segments or sections, each capable of displaying different symbols or image portions. This segmentation allows for more complex game mechanics and winning conditions while maintaining the simple slot machine interface that players are familiar with.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a second dimension to traditional slot games by implementing multi-level or multi-layer display structures. Symbols can appear at different depths or layers, creating three-dimensional visual effects and additional winning possibilities without complicating the basic gameplay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If new and exciting gameplay mechanics are introduced to enhance player engagement, then entertainment value increases, but the game becomes more complex and harder to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The gaming system is designed to perform multiple functions within a unified interface. The same display structure supports both traditional slot gameplay and enhanced mechanics with multiple paylines and bonus features, allowing players to access complex gameplay without needing to learn entirely new controls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines traditional slot machine simplicity with modern video game graphics and animation. Multiple game features are merged into a single cohesive interface where complex mechanics are presented through visual storytelling rather than additional controls, maintaining ease of operation while enhancing engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple paylines and wagering options are added to increase winning combinations, then player engagement improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinning combinationsVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The game dynamically adjusts the number of active paylines and wagering options based on player selections and game state. The system can automatically activate certain paylines or features based on symbol combinations, reducing the burden on players to manually configure complex wagering parameters while still offering multiple winning possibilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS20250022338A1Gameplay Method with Connected Image Segments
Publication Date: 2025.01.16 ARISTOCRAT TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • US20250022338A1 patent drawing
  • US20250022338A1 patent drawing
  • US20250022338A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Wagering gaming systems, devices, and methods are presented. A gaming device includes a credit input mechanism, a player interface mechanism, a display, and a controller. The credit input mechanism receives a physical item representing a monetary value and increases a credit balance of a credit meter based on the monetary value of the received physical item. The display includes symbol positions arranged in an array of rows and columns. During game play, the controller is further configured to display symbols selected from the set of symbols on the array. The symbol set includes a plurality of image segments that form a contiguous image when they are displayed in a predetermined arrangement on the array of symbol positions. The controller makes an award or triggers an event, if the displayed symbols include the plurality of image segments arranged to display the contiguous image. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed.