Gaming System Shutter and Icon Transparency Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gaming systems, such as stepper and video machines, lack innovation to maintain or increase player enjoyment, as they primarily rely on displaying symbols and determining game outcomes without providing alternative engaging mechanisms.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that includes a selector for choosing symbols, a shutter device to control visibility, and a display device to modify icon transparency, allowing players to reveal symbols through icons, enhancing interaction and prize visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional gaming system displays symbols directly without additional interaction mechanisms, then the system structure remains simple, but player engagement and enjoyment decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the symbol display and the player interface. This intermediary mechanism allows symbols to be revealed through icon selection rather than direct display, creating engagement without requiring complete system restructuring. The intermediary layer mediates between the simple symbol selection and the player's interactive experience.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested structure where icons are positioned in front of the symbol display, creating layers of interaction. Players first select icons, then symbols are revealed behind or within these icons. This nesting approach adds interaction depth while maintaining a compact system structure without requiring separate independent mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If symbols are always visible without concealment mechanisms, then the system remains simple, but player curiosity and interaction motivation decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-positioning icons in front of the symbol display area before the game round begins. These icons serve as preparatory elements that players must interact with to reveal the symbols. This preliminary setup creates anticipation and interaction motivation without requiring complex real-time concealment mechanisms during gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The icons serve as an intermediary concealment mechanism rather than direct physical barriers. Instead of using complex shutters or masks, the patent uses selectable icon representations that mediate between the player and the hidden symbols. This intermediary approach provides concealment functionality while maintaining system simplicity.
3Loss of information
If icons are always fully transparent, then the display remains simple, but the ability to indicate selection state and prize information decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color and transparency changes in the icons to communicate different states. Selected icons change their visual properties (becoming more transparent or changing color) to indicate selection, while unselected icons remain opaque. This visual differentiation provides clear prize indication without requiring separate display mechanisms for each state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic transparency control where icon transparency changes based on selection state. Icons transition from opaque to transparent when selected, allowing the underlying symbols to be visible. This dynamic property change provides information about selection state and prize availability without requiring static separate displays for different states.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This system enhances player engagement by allowing symbol selection and transparency modification, providing clear prize indications and increasing player interaction, thus maintaining or increasing enjoyment beyond traditional gaming systems.
Implementation Method 1
the display device being controllable so as to modify the degree of transparency of an icon
Implementation Method 2
a shutter device disposed in front of the selected symbols and arranged to controllably conceal or reveal at least one selected symbol
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system is disclosed that comprises a selector arranged to select symbols for display in respective first display position areas, and a shutter device disposed in front of the selected symbols and arranged to controllably conceal or reveal at least one of the symbols. The system also comprises a display device disposed in front of the shutter device and arranged to display icons at respective second display position areas. Each second display position area is disposed in alignment with a first display position area, and the display device is controllable so as to modify the degree of transparency of an icon. When the shutter device is controlled so as to reveal a selected symbol and an icon associated with the revealed symbol is modified so as to increase the degree of transparency of the icon, the revealed symbol is viewable through the associated icon.