Matrix Award Display for Mobile Gaming Readability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic gaming machines face challenges in providing an aesthetically pleasing and legible gaming experience on smaller display devices, such as mobile devices, where standard game elements like wheels are difficult to read and display effectively.
Innovation Solution
A matrix of award symbol display positions is used as a substitute for wheels, allowing for a more readable and visually appealing game presentation on smaller screens, with a selection indicium randomly traversing the matrix to award players, and server systems determine whether to display a wheel-version or matrix-version based on the device's size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a wheel is used as a game element, then the game is visually appealing and exciting, but it becomes difficult to read and display on smaller screens
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel is segmented into discrete positions arranged in a matrix grid, where each position can be independently displayed and identified. This segmentation allows the game to maintain the excitement of wheel-based selection while improving readability on smaller screens by breaking down the continuous circular form into discrete, easily distinguishable positions.
Solution Approach 2:
The wheel is transformed from a two-dimensional circular display into a matrix arrangement that can be effectively displayed on smaller screens. By reorganizing the wheel positions into a grid structure with rows and columns, the invention adapts the game element to different display dimensions while maintaining the essential functionality of random position selection.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the game is adapted for smaller displays, then readability improves, but visual appeal and excitement may be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix display uses local quality variations through different symbol types, colors, and visual indicators at each position to maintain visual appeal. Each position in the matrix can have distinct visual characteristics that create excitement and engagement, while the overall grid structure ensures readability on smaller screens.
Solution Approach 2:
The game introduces dynamic elements through the random traversal of the selection indicium through the matrix positions. The animated movement and random selection process create excitement and visual appeal, transforming the static matrix into a dynamic and engaging game experience that compensates for the reduced visual impact of smaller displays.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If a matrix of award symbols is displayed instead of a wheel, then readability on small screens improves, but the game structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The matrix structure serves multiple functions: it provides a readable display format for small screens, maintains the random selection mechanism of the wheel, and enables award distribution across multiple positions. The selection indicium traversal mechanism universally applies to all matrix positions, simplifying the overall game structure despite the increased visual complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a conceptual copy of the wheel game mechanism using a matrix structure. The essential functionality of random position selection and award distribution is preserved and copied into the matrix format, allowing the game to maintain its core mechanics while adapting to different display sizes and formats.
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic gaming machine includes a processor configured to control a display to display a matrix of award symbol display positions, at least some of the award symbol display positions including an award symbol. The processor is also configured to control the display to display at least one selection indicium within the matrix, determine a starting award symbol display position and an ending award symbol display position within the matrix, randomly determine a path between the starting award symbol display position and the ending award symbol display position, control the display to display the at least one selection indicium traversing the randomly determined path between the starting award symbol display position and the ending award symbol display position, and provide an award associated with the ending award symbol display position.