Letter Display Elements in Reel Games for Word Sequence Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Reel games lack exciting and rewarding sequences of letter display elements that form recognizable words, limiting player engagement and potential winnings.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that randomly selects letters, associates them with display elements, and replaces excess letters with blank or wild elements, allowing for the formation of winning sequences that can spell words or synonyms, with bonus awards for matching bonus words or forming multiple winning sequences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If traditional reel games use random symbol combinations, then the game outcome is simple and easy to generate, but player engagement and excitement are limited due to lack of recognizable patterns

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidgame mechanism complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reel is segmented into multiple display positions, each capable of displaying different types of elements (letters, symbols, blocks, wild elements). This segmentation allows the system to create diverse patterns including recognizable words while maintaining the basic reel game structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The display elements serve multiple functions: they can form winning sequences, create recognizable words, and provide various gaming outcomes. The same reel mechanism generates both traditional random combinations and themed word sequences, increasing versatility without requiring separate game mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the game allows any random combination of symbols, then the paytable coverage is comprehensive, but the formation of recognizable words and sequences is unlikely

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveword sequence formationVSAvoidwinning sequence generation rate

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures the reel with specific sequences of letter display elements that can form recognizable words. These pre-arranged sequences are activated during game play to ensure that winning word combinations are generated with appropriate frequency, balancing randomness with pattern formation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameters of the display elements by introducing different types (letters, symbols, blocks, wild elements) and their specific arrangements. This allows the same reel mechanism to generate both random combinations and structured word sequences by adjusting the element types and their positions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If excess letters are replaced with blank or wild elements, then the letter limit is enforced and game fairness is maintained, but the formation of winning sequences is restricted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveletter limit enforcementVSAvoidwinning sequence options

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Wild elements act as intermediaries that can represent multiple letters or serve as placeholders. When excess letters are replaced with wild elements, these intermediaries maintain the structural integrity of potential word sequences while enforcing the letter limit, allowing flexible interpretation of winning combinations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of restricting winning sequences by removing excess letters, the system uses blank or wild elements as strategic replacements that can actually enhance sequence formation. These elements provide flexibility in forming words while maintaining fair letter distribution, effectively inverting the traditional approach of strict letter counting.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS10839653B1Reel game having sequences of letter display elements

Publication Date: 2020.11.17 COHEN GREGORY J

AI summary

A gaming system and method that may further divide the plurality of letter display elements into a first group of letter display elements and a second group of letter display elements. The gaming system may then proceed to display the first group of letter display elements in a display section of the display device associated with a first player and display the second group of letter display elements in a display section of the display device associated with a second player. The gaming system then determines whether a winning sequence of letter display elements is formed between the first group of letter display elements and the second group of letter display elements.