Hold-and-Spin GUI With Roaming Symbol Positions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gaming machines lack innovative features in their hold-and-spin games that enhance player engagement and reward mechanisms, particularly in slot-type games, by offering dynamic and interactive bonus game elements.

Innovation Solution

Implement a graphical user interface (GUI) for a hold-and-spin feature game that designates selected symbol positions with frames, each associated with bonus game elements, allowing for dynamic reassignment of these positions based on symbol displays, and includes graphical indicators to update the player on selected positions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a hold-and-spin feature game is implemented with selected symbol positions and bonus game elements, then player engagement and excitement are enhanced, but the device complexity and GUI structure become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidGUI structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The GUI is segmented into distinct functional areas: symbol display region, selected symbol position indicators (frames), bonus game element displays, and graphical indicators. This segmentation allows each component to be independently managed and updated, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining rich functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically reassigns selected symbol positions and updates bonus game elements based on game state changes. Frames and graphical indicators are dynamically added, removed, or repositioned during gameplay, allowing the GUI to adapt to different game phases without requiring a complete redesign of the interface structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic reassignment of selected symbol positions is implemented, then bonus game opportunities and rewards are enhanced, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring game state increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebonus game opportunitiesVSAvoidgame state

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides continuous visual feedback through frames surrounding selected symbol positions and graphical indicators showing current game state. When symbol positions are reassigned or bonus elements updated, the GUI immediately reflects these changes, making the game state transparent and easy to track despite dynamic changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The GUI uses distinct visual characteristics including color-coded frames and graphical indicators to represent different game states and selected positions. These visual cues make it easy for players to detect changes in game state without requiring complex information processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Data Source

PatentUS12548407B2GUI for feature game with hold-and-spin functionality and roaming selected symbol positions

Publication Date: 2026.02.10 ARISTOCRAT TECHNOLOGIES INC

AI summary

A graphical user interface for providing a game of chance with a hold-and-spin feature game mechanic in a format that features a smaller number of reels than is provided in typical hold-and-spin games. The graphical interface is configured to nevertheless provide a hold-and-spin gameplay experience similar to that found in hold-and-spin games having a larger number of reels.