Pivoting Reel Unit for Game Machine Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Players in game machines, especially those with weak eyesight, struggle to notice a special symbol display device positioned differently from the usual reels, leading to difficulties in engaging with subsidiary games without significant eye movement or standing up.
Innovation Solution
A symbol display device with a pivoting unit that rotates a reel unit, allowing players to play various games without wide eye movement by positioning the reels and pointers/lateral symbols for optimal visibility, including a mechanism for electronic display of symbols.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a special symbol display device is arranged at a different position from the usual reels, then players can play subsidiary games using the special display device, but players must shift their attention significantly and may lose sight of the device
Solution Approach 1:
The reel unit is made dynamically adjustable through the pivoting unit, which allows the reel unit to rotate between a first position (for main game) and a second position (for subsidiary game). This dynamic repositioning enables the display device to adapt to different game modes while remaining within the player's field of view, eliminating the need for significant eye movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The same reel unit serves multiple functions: it displays peripheral symbols for the main slot game when in the first position, and displays lateral symbols with pointers for subsidiary games when in the second position. This multi-functionality allows the system to provide game variety while maintaining a fixed location that does not require players to shift their attention significantly.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a special symbol display device is arranged at a different position from the usual reels, then players can play subsidiary games, but players with weak eyes cannot see the device unless they stand up
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting unit enables the reel unit to dynamically switch between positions, bringing the subsidiary game display (lateral symbols and pointers) into the player's normal viewing range. This eliminates the need for players with weak eyesight to stand up, as the display remains within easy view at either position.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention utilizes the rotational dimension of the pivoting unit to change the orientation of the reel unit. By rotating the reel unit to the second position, the lateral surface with pointers and lateral symbols becomes visible in the same viewing plane as the main reels, making it accessible to all players regardless of eyesight strength.
3Device complexity
If the reel unit is fixed in position, then the structure is simple, but players cannot switch between different game modes without moving their eyes widely
Solution Approach 1:
The pivoting unit provides a simple yet effective dynamic mechanism that allows the reel unit to switch between two fixed positions. This minimal dynamic adjustment enables game mode switching without requiring complex mechanisms, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving the desired versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The reel unit is functionally segmented into two operational states: first position for main game and second position for subsidiary game. The pivoting unit acts as a simple connector that allows switching between these two segmented states, providing game mode versatility without adding significant structural complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A symbol display device for a game machine includes a reel unit having a plurality of reels, each having a peripheral surface with a plurality of peripheral symbols. An end reel arranged at an end position of the reels has a lateral surface where a pointer is displayed. A reel supporting member that supports the reels rotatably independently includes a lateral wall having a window through which the lateral surface of the end reel is seen. The lateral wall of the reel supporting member has a plurality of lateral symbols arranged around the window, whereby any one of the lateral symbols is pointed by the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel due to rotation of the end reel. A pivoting unit pivots the reel unit to a first position where the peripheral surfaces of the reels are observable and to a second position where the pointer on the lateral surface of the end reel and the lateral symbols on the lateral wall of the reel supporting member are observable.