Gaming UI Wager Controls With Dynamic Hide-and-Show States
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic gaming machines (EGMs) face issues with inadvertent activation of wager-associated parameter controls, leading to undesired changes in bet levels and inefficient use of screen real-estate for displaying other content.
Innovation Solution
Implementing graphical state management systems that resize, move, or hide wager-associated parameter controls based on triggering conditions, allowing repurposing of screen space for other content when controls are not in use.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If wager-associated parameter controls are always displayed in visible positions, then players can easily access and modify bet levels, but the screen real-estate cannot be used for other content and inadvertent activation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic positioning of wager-associated parameter controls that automatically transitions between visible and hidden states based on game conditions. During bonus rounds or special game modes, controls are automatically hidden or moved to non-obtrusive positions, while during normal play they remain in accessible positions. This dynamic behavior resolves the contradiction by providing ease of operation when needed while freeing screen real-estate when controls are not required.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts wager controls from the main gameplay area and implements a collapsible control panel that can be completely removed from the visible screen during specific game modes. The controls are taken out of the primary display area and stored in a hidden state, allowing the full screen real-estate to be dedicated to bonus content, animations, or other game elements during periods when wager modification is not needed.
2Productivity
If wager controls are permanently visible and accessible, then players can quickly modify bet parameters, but inadvertent activation of controls may occur leading to undesired changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary anti-action by automatically disabling or hiding wager controls before bonus rounds or special game modes begin, preventing inadvertent activation during these periods. The system proactively removes access to controls based on predicted game states where modification would be inappropriate, thereby protecting against unintended bet changes while maintaining quick access during normal gameplay.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system dynamically adjusts its accessibility based on real-time game state detection. Controls transition between enabled and disabled states, or between visible and hidden positions, depending on whether the game is in a mode where wager modification is appropriate. This dynamic behavior maintains reliability by preventing inadvertent activation during bonus rounds while preserving productivity during standard gameplay.
3Ease of operation
If screen space is dedicated to displaying wager controls, then controls are always accessible, but the area cannot be used for displaying other game content or information
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a dynamically reconfigurable interface where the allocation of screen space between controls and game content adjusts automatically based on game mode. During bonus rounds, the control area collapses or moves, freeing screen space for bonus-specific content. During normal play, controls occupy their standard positions for easy access. This dynamic reallocation provides both ease of operation and adaptability to different game scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The control panel area serves multiple functions: it displays wager controls during normal gameplay, displays bonus information during special modes, and can be completely repurposed for game-specific content when controls are hidden. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by allowing the same screen real-estate to serve different purposes depending on game state, providing both control accessibility and content versatility.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided herein are systems and techniques for providing for wager-associated parameter control graphical state management. In such systems and techniques, a portion of one or more displays of an electronic gaming machine that is used to display all or part of a virtual button deck may be transitioned between two graphical states—one in which wager-associated parameter controls are in default positions and enabled for selection by users, and the other in which such controls are minimized or hidden and their wager-associated parameter functionality is disabled or otherwise non-usable by users.