Gaming Machine Symbol Upgrade Feature for Dynamic Payout Escalation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional gaming machines lack features that provide suspenseful and exciting bonus award opportunities, limiting player engagement and entertainment value.

Innovation Solution

A gaming machine with a symbol upgrade feature, where an upgrade symbol on a bonus reel upgrades winning combinations to higher payout levels on a pay table, allowing accumulated upgrade symbols to be applied to future plays, enhancing player excitement and entertainment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If traditional bonus features award fixed bonus credits or free spins, then the game structure is simple and easy to understand, but the entertainment value and player excitement are limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame structure simplicityVSAvoidentertainment value
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bonus feature transforms from a static fixed award to a dynamic escalating award structure. The bonus award increases with each subsequent bonus trigger, creating variable outcomes that adapt to player performance. This dynamic structure maintains simplicity in rules while dramatically increasing entertainment value through suspense and potential for large wins.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The bonus award parameter changes based on the number of times the bonus feature has been triggered. Each trigger increases the bonus multiplier or award amount, creating a progressive escalation effect. This parameter change allows the same basic game structure to provide increasingly exciting experiences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a bonus game provides greater expectation of winning and more attractive displays, then player appeal and excitement increase, but the device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplayer appealVSAvoidgame structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bonus feature serves multiple functions within a single unified structure: it provides immediate bonus awards, creates suspense through escalation, offers replay value through accumulation, and maintains brand identity through consistent theming. This multi-functionality within a single feature reduces the need for separate complex bonus games while maximizing player appeal.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The game pre-estabilishes the bonus escalation structure and payout multipliers before play begins. The framework for increasing bonuses is set in advance, requiring only simple tracking of bonus triggers during gameplay. This preliminary setup reduces real-time computational complexity while maintaining high player appeal through predictable excitement patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If upgrade symbols are accumulated and applied to future plays, then additional gameplay and suspense are created, but the game duration and time investment increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay depthVSAvoidgame duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The upgrade symbol accumulation feature creates continuous useful action by allowing symbols to persist across multiple plays. Instead of resetting after each bonus, upgrade symbols accumulate and compound, creating an ongoing narrative arc that spans multiple gaming sessions. This continuity deepens gameplay engagement without requiring excessive time investment per individual play.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The game uses periodic bonus triggers to reset and renew the accumulation cycle. While individual upgrade symbols may persist, the periodic nature of bonus triggers creates natural cycles of accumulation and application, providing structured pauses that prevent excessive time investment while maintaining long-term engagement through repeated exciting moments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS7780519B2Gaming machine with symbol upgrade feature
Publication Date: 2010.08.24 LNW GAMING INC
  • US7780519B2 patent drawing
  • US7780519B2 patent drawing
  • US7780519B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming machine. The method includes receiving a wager from a player and displaying a first winning combination of symbols in an array. The first winning combination is associated with a first award. In response to a predetermined event, the first winning combination is upgraded to a second winning combination of symbols, and the second winning combination is associated with a second award that is higher than the first award. The second winning combination of symbols is displayed and the player is provided with the second award.