Hold-and-Spin Symbol Splitting With Reduced Reel Strip Length

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming systems face challenges in implementing new gaming features that are both entertaining and cost-efficient while satisfying regulatory requirements, particularly in managing configurable symbols and spin tags that require long reel strip lengths and high memory usage.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of configurable symbols with spin tags that are independently assigned, allowing a single symbol to represent any indicia and spin tag combination, reducing reel strip lengths and memory requirements, and enhancing player excitement through symbol splitting and award anticipation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional gaming systems implement new gaming features with configurable symbols and spin tags, then player entertainment value and engagement are improved, but memory usage and reel strip lengths increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaming feature entertainment valueVSAvoidmemory usage

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements configurable symbols that can represent multiple different indicia through a single symbol template. Instead of having separate physical representations for each symbol type, the system uses a universal symbol structure that can be dynamically configured to display different indicia based on game state, thereby reducing memory requirements while maintaining full symbolic diversity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a nested structure where spin tags are embedded within configurable symbols. The configurable symbol contains a reference to indicia, while the spin tag is nested as an additional layer containing spin count information. This hierarchical nesting allows the system to store multiple pieces of information (symbol type, indicia value, spin count) in a compact, integrated data structure rather than separate memory allocations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional gaming systems implement new gaming features with configurable symbols and spin tags, then player entertainment value and engagement are improved, but reel strip lengths increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegaming feature entertainment valueVSAvoidreel strip length

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional reel strip representation to a multi-dimensional symbol configuration system. Instead of extending reel strip length horizontally to accommodate more symbols, the system adds a configuration dimension where symbols can be dynamically assigned different indicia values, effectively compressing the information density without increasing physical length

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Quantity of substance

If gaming systems use configurable symbols with independent indicia and spin tag assignment, then memory requirements and reel strip lengths are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvememory usageVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the symbol data structure into distinct, independent components: the configurable symbol template, the indicia reference, and the spin tag. This segmentation allows each component to be managed separately in memory, with the template serving as a reusable base structure and the indicia/spin tag as lightweight parameters, reducing overall memory usage while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Adaptability or versatility

If gaming systems implement symbol splitting feature, then player excitement and engagement are improved, but game outcome determination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame outcome determination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary assignment of spin tags to configurable symbols before the bonus game begins. The spin tags are pre-configured with specific spin count values, and the system pre-determines which symbols are eligible for splitting. This preliminary configuration simplifies the real-time game outcome determination by having the splitting logic and parameters already established, reducing computational complexity during active gameplay while maintaining the exciting symbol splitting feature

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20260087885A1System and method of providing a hold-and-spin game with configurable symbol splitting

Publication Date: 2026.03.26 ARISTOCRAT TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD

AI summary

A gaming machine provides a spinning reel game having a base game, from which a hold-and-spin game is triggered when a determined quantity of configurable symbols are displayed in a base game outcome. For each spin of the feature game, spin tags of configurable symbols are updated. When the spin tags have a predetermined relationship to a threshold value, the associated configurable symbol is split into a group of symbols. A feature game award is presented based on values associated with each configurable symbol in the feature game outcome.