Gaming Machine Symbol Display Dynamics and Dividend Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional gaming machines reuse symbols from one game opportunity to the next, limiting player interest and the effectiveness of high dividend symbols, as these symbols can only provide enhanced effects on subsequent game opportunities, requiring multiple plays to experience their benefits.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine with a symbol display region where symbol columns move and change alignment order, incorporating a symbol check unit to identify specific symbols and apply unique changes, such as preventing or altering their appearance, to increase or decrease their occurrence, thereby altering player expectations and dividend opportunities at each game opportunity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If symbols are reused from one game opportunity to the next according to alignment order, then device complexity is reduced and operation is simplified, but player interest decreases and the effectiveness of high dividend symbols is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the symbol display system adaptable and changeable. Specifically, the system dynamically changes symbol appearances based on game outcomes, allowing symbols to be highlighted, fixed, or modified in subsequent games. This dynamic behavior increases player interest and the effectiveness of high dividend symbols without requiring complex manual management, as the changes are automatically applied based on game results.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes parameters of symbol display by modifying how symbols appear and behave across game opportunities. When a high dividend symbol appears, the system changes parameters such as fixing the symbol in place, highlighting it, or increasing its visibility in subsequent games. These parameter changes enhance player interest and symbol effectiveness while maintaining relatively simple device operation through automatic parameter adjustment based on game outcomes.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a specific symbol is fixed in the symbol display region to raise player expectation, then player expectation for obtaining dividend increases, but the effect can only be obtained at the second or more future game opportunity, requiring multiple plays
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by preparing and displaying information about potential high dividend symbols before the actual game outcome is finalized. The system can show preview indicators, potential winning combinations, or highlight symbols that are about to appear, allowing players to form expectations in advance. This preliminary action enables players to experience the effect of high dividend symbols in the current game opportunity rather than waiting for subsequent games.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary mechanism to bridge the gap between symbol appearance and player expectation. This intermediary can be a visual indicator, animation, or display element that communicates the potential value of upcoming symbols to players. By introducing this intermediary, the system allows players to experience heightened expectation and awareness of high dividend opportunities within the same game opportunity, eliminating the need to wait for subsequent games.
3Ease of operation
If symbols are changed according to alignment order only, then device operation is simplified, but player interest and engagement decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the symbol display system dynamic by introducing multiple modes of symbol change beyond simple alignment order. The system can switch between different display modes such as sequential alignment changes, random symbol appearances, fixed symbol highlighting, and animated transitions. These dynamic changes increase symbol display variety and player interest while maintaining ease of operation through automatic mode selection based on game state and outcome.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine has a symbol display region composed of cell columns, where cells are continuously disposed in each cell column. Symbols are displayed on each cell column in such a manner that one or more symbols correspond to one of the cells. The gaming machine comprises: a symbol movement control unit that makes each symbol column move along each cell column where a symbol is changed in turn according to an alignment order of the symbols, and makes each symbol column stop; a prize winning determination unit; and a dividend generation unit. The symbol movement control unit comprises: a symbol check unit that determines whether a symbol reaching a filtering position is a specific symbol; and a specific symbol control unit that generates a specific change different from a change to be generated according to the alignment order when the specific symbol reaches the filtering position.