Movable Window for Dynamic Symbol Position Selection on Reels

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Gaming systems lack an effective mechanism for players to dynamically select symbol display positions on reels, limiting player engagement and award determination based on variable symbol placements.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system with a movable window that allows players to select symbol display positions on reels, where the window can move to different positions relative to the reels, changing the display of value symbols and determining awards based on symbols within the selected window.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a fixed window position is used for symbol display, then the device structure is simple, but player engagement and award determination flexibility are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaward determination flexibilityVSAvoidwindow position selection mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The window position is made dynamic rather than fixed. The system allows the window to be positioned at different locations on the reel strip, with each position offering different symbol display options. This dynamic positioning enables flexible award determination while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure through software-controlled reel strip generation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The reel strip is segmented into multiple possible window positions, each representing a different subset of symbols. By dividing the continuous reel strip into discrete position segments, the system enables players to select from multiple award determination options without requiring complex physical mechanisms for each position.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If multiple symbol display positions are available, then player engagement increases, but the complexity of determining awards increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer interactionVSAvoidaward determination process

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating the reel strip with all possible symbols in predetermined positions before the player makes their selection. This allows the player to simply choose a window position without the system needing to perform complex calculations at the moment of selection, thereby simplifying the award determination process while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The reel strip serves as an intermediary between the random number generator and the final award determination. Instead of directly calculating awards from random selections, the system first maps random outcomes to specific symbol positions on the reel strip, then determines awards based on which symbols fall within the selected window position. This intermediary step simplifies both player interaction and award calculation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11651644B2Movable window for selection of symbol display positions associated with reels

Publication Date: 2023.05.16 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Gaming systems and methods that provide a movable window for the selection of symbol display positions associated with a plurality of reels for a play of a game, wherein the window encompasses certain of the symbol display positions for an award determination of those symbol display positions.