Geometric Zone Multipliers for Prize-Symbol Feature Games

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gaming machines lack a feature game mechanism that enhances player engagement and excitement by allowing players to accumulate prize symbols within geometric zone patterns, apply multipliers to credit values, and increase the chances of winning through free plays.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a feature game within the base game on electronic gaming machines, where players can trigger a feature game by satisfying a certain condition, such as displaying a specific number of prize symbols. The feature game converts symbol display positions into independent reels, allows prize symbols to accumulate within geometric zone patterns, and applies multipliers to credit values when zone patterns are completed.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a feature game mechanism is added to allow players to accumulate prize symbols within geometric zone patterns and apply multipliers, then player engagement and excitement are enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The game display is divided into multiple geometric zone patterns (e.g., triangles, squares, circles) overlaid on the symbol display positions. Each zone pattern can be independently completed and multiplied, allowing the complex feature game to be broken down into manageable segments that enhance player engagement without overwhelming system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The feature game is nested within the base game structure. The geometric zone patterns are overlaid on top of the existing symbol display positions, and the feature game trigger conditions are satisfied through base game outcomes. This nesting allows the enhanced gameplay to integrate with the existing system rather than requiring a complete redesign

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Productivity

If symbol display positions are converted into independent reels for the feature game, then players have increased chances of winning through free plays, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewinning chancesVSAvoidreel conversion precision

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The feature game reels are virtual copies of the base game symbol display positions. Rather than physically converting hardware reels, the system creates digital representations where each symbol display position becomes an independent feature game reel. This copying approach maintains the original hardware while creating enhanced gameplay through software-layer replication

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical reel conversion process with a digital/virtual reel system. The symbol display positions are converted into independent reels through software control rather than physical modification, eliminating the need for precise mechanical manufacturing while maintaining the functional benefit of increased winning chances through free plays

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Quantity of substance

If zone multipliers are applied to credit values when zone patterns are completed, then player winnings are increased, but loss of energy increases due to additional processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecredit valuesVSAvoidprocessing energy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Zone multipliers are applied selectively rather than continuously. The system applies multipliers only when specific zone patterns are completed with prize symbols, rather than applying processing to all possible combinations. This partial action approach increases player winnings through targeted multiplier applications while minimizing unnecessary processing energy consumption

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS20250292660A1Systems and methods for providing a pattern multiplier feature game

Publication Date: 2025.09.18 ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

An electronic gaming machine includes a game controller configured to (a) determine, during a base game, that a feature game trigger condition is satisfied; (b) activate a feature game within the base game; (c) display, a feature game play area associated with the feature game, the feature game play area including a plurality of zone patterns overlaid on the symbol display positions; (d) convert the symbol display positions into independent feature game reels; (e) generate a first game outcome by (i) holding a first set of feature game reels displaying the prize symbols while (ii) selecting and displaying a symbol for a second set of feature game reels; (f) determine that at least one zone pattern is complete with prize symbols; (g) apply a zone multiplier associated with the zone pattern to credit values within the zone pattern; and (h) award the incremented credit values to the player.