Gaming System Symbol String Evaluation Method

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a need for new and exciting methods to evaluate symbols in gaming machines to increase player enjoyment and excitement, as existing slot-type games rely on traditional payline, multiway, and scatter evaluations.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that determines awards based on quantities of symbols in strings of related symbols displayed along paylines, using symbols with various characteristics such as numbers, shapes, and special symbols like skip, wild, draw, and reflector symbols to form winning combinations in innovative ways.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional payline, multiway, and scatter evaluations are used to determine winning symbol combinations, then the gaming system operates with established rules, but player enjoyment and excitement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesymbol evaluation methodsVSAvoidgame rules complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the symbol evaluation process into distinct components: identifying strings of related symbols along paylines, determining quantities of symbols in those strings, and evaluating based on multiple characteristics (first and second characteristics). This segmentation allows for systematic implementation of new evaluation methods while maintaining operational clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new dimension to symbol evaluation by considering both quantity of symbols in strings and multiple characteristics simultaneously. Traditional evaluation focused on symbol types and positions, but this invention adds the dimension of string quantity along paylines, creating a multi-dimensional evaluation framework that enhances versatility.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming system uses multiple symbol characteristics and string quantities for award determination, then player enjoyment increases, but the complexity of the evaluation system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewinning combination evaluationVSAvoidevaluation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal evaluation framework that handles multiple symbol characteristics (first and second characteristics) and various string quantities through a single integrated system. The gaming system evaluates symbols based on their characteristics and positions along paylines using consistent rules, allowing the same mechanism to handle diverse winning scenarios without requiring separate evaluation systems.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The evaluation system is designed to be dynamic, adapting to different symbol configurations and characteristics. The system dynamically identifies strings of related symbols, determines their quantities, and applies appropriate award criteria based on the specific combination of characteristics and positions, allowing flexibility without requiring static, pre-programmed rules for every scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS9245407B2Gaming system and method that determines awards based on quantities of symbols included in one or more strings of related symbols displayed along one or more paylines
Publication Date: 2016.01.26 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US9245407B2 patent drawing
  • US9245407B2 patent drawing
  • US9245407B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method for determining one or more awards based on quantities of symbols included in one or more strings of related symbols. The gaming system is configured to operate a game associated with a plurality of symbols each associated with one of a plurality of first characteristics and one of a plurality of second characteristics. The gaming system displays a plurality of the symbols. The gaming system determines whether a set of the symbols displayed along a payline path associated with a payline forms a string of related symbols. Symbols are related if the symbols share at least one of: (a) a same one of the set of first characteristics, and (b) a same one of the set of second characteristics. The gaming system determines any award based on a length of the string of related symbols.