Multi-Array Wagering Game Symbol Copying Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Gaming terminals, such as slot machines, lack variety in winning symbol combinations, which reduces player engagement and perceived chances of winning, as they typically rely on a limited array of symbols and paylines.
Innovation Solution
A gaming system that displays multiple reels arranging symbols into multiple arrays, allowing for the selection and copying of symbols from a primary array to secondary sub-arrays, with paylines extending across both, to create a greater variety of winning combinations and enhance player engagement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single array of symbols is used in traditional slot machines, then the device complexity is low, but the variety of winning symbol combinations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The symbol display is divided into multiple independent arrays (first array and second array with sub-arrays), each capable of displaying different symbol combinations. This segmentation allows the system to evaluate multiple winning combinations simultaneously across different arrays, dramatically increasing the variety of winning opportunities without requiring a complete redesign of the entire system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a multi-dimensional array structure where symbols can appear in both a first array and a second array with sub-arrays. This dimensional expansion allows players to win on multiple arrays simultaneously, transforming the traditional single-plane symbol evaluation into a multi-layered evaluation system that increases winning variety.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple arrays of symbols are displayed, then the variety of winning combinations increases, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system copies symbol data from the first array to corresponding positions in the second array's sub-arrays. This copying mechanism allows the same symbol set to be replicated across multiple arrays, enabling the evaluation of multiple winning combinations simultaneously while reusing the same underlying data structure, thus managing complexity efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller is designed to perform multiple functions: it manages the first array, the second array with its sub-arrays, handles symbol copying, evaluates paylines across all arrays, and determines outcomes. This universal controller design consolidates the complexity into a single multi-functional component rather than requiring separate systems for each array.
3Adaptability or versatility
If symbols are copied from one array to another, then the perceived chances of winning increase, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs symbol copying from the first array to the second array's sub-arrays as a preliminary action before the final outcome determination. By pre-positioning symbols in all arrays and pre-establishing payline configurations, the system prepares the multi-array structure in advance, allowing for rapid evaluation of multiple winning combinations simultaneously without adding significant processing delay to the game cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming system displays a first array of symbols and a second array of symbols for a wagering game. The second array of symbols includes at least one second-array reel. The at least one second-array reel includes a predetermined sequence of symbols. The at least one second-array reel rotates the predetermined sequence of symbols to determine at least partially the second array of symbols. The second array is divided into at least two sub-arrays, the at least one second-array reel extending into the at least two sub-arrays. A controller selects at least one symbol from the first array and copies the at least one selected symbol into one or more positions in each of the at least two sub-arrays. The at least two sub-arrays is displayed with combinations of symbols including the at least one selected symbol. The controller evaluates the combinations to determine an outcome to the wagering game.