Movable Wheel Segments Actuation for Gaming Displays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic gaming machines lack dynamic and engaging wheel display mechanisms that effectively convey outcomes to players, limiting the immersive gaming experience.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wheel display assembly with movable segments, utilizing an actuation mechanism that causes wheel segments to translate, pivot, or move in concert with a virtual wheel spin, enhancing the visual representation of outcomes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a wheel display with movable segments is implemented, then the dynamic visual representation and player engagement are improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel display assemblyVSAvoidactuation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel display is divided into multiple movable segments that can be independently actuated. Each segment can be controlled separately to create dynamic visual effects, allowing the complex motion patterns to be broken down into simpler individual segment movements that are easier to manufacture and control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel segments are designed to be movable rather than fixed, enabling them to change position dynamically during gameplay. This dynamic capability creates more engaging visual representations while the segments can be returned to neutral positions, providing both visual interest and manufacturing simplicity through reversible motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Loss of information

If wheel segments are made movable to highlight selected outcomes, then the visual clarity and player immersion are improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoutcome indication clarityVSAvoidwheel display assembly
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel segments incorporate visual indicators such as color changes or illumination that activate when segments are in selected positions. This enhances the clarity of outcome indication by making selected segments visually distinct through color or light, while the underlying mechanical structure remains relatively simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The wheel segments move in the axial direction (toward or away from the player) to indicate selection, adding a third dimension to the display. This axial movement provides clear visual feedback for selected outcomes without requiring complex lateral or rotational mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while improving outcome indication clarity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple actuated configurations are implemented for wheel segments, then the gaming experience versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewheel display configurationsVSAvoidactuation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The actuation mechanism is designed with a universal structure that can produce multiple different configurations and motion patterns using the same basic components. By varying the actuation sequences and combinations of segment movements, the system achieves high versatility in gaming presentations without requiring separate mechanisms for each configuration type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12340652B2Wheel display with moveable segments
Publication Date: 2025.06.24 ARISTOCRAT TECH AUSTRALIA PTY LTD
  • US12340652B2 patent drawing
  • US12340652B2 patent drawing
  • US12340652B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Gaming systems, methods, and machines provided herein may include wheel displays with movable wheel segments that may be caused to have at least portions thereof that at least translate along axes parallel to a center axis of the wheel display when the wheel is in a “spin” mode.