Player Wheel Section Selection for Meaningful Award Determination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming systems do not allow players to make meaningful inputs that partially determine awards in secondary games, leading to reduced engagement and increased wear on gaming systems due to unchanged symbols and paytables.

Innovation Solution

A player wheel section set selection feature where players select a subset of wheel sections before awards are revealed, with the wheel spinning to randomly determine and indicate an award, enhancing player interaction and reducing wear on gaming systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If players are allowed to make meaningful inputs to determine awards in secondary games, then player engagement is enhanced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel is divided into multiple selectable sections, each representing a different award outcome. Players select from these segmented sections rather than dealing with a complex variable system, simplifying the interaction while maintaining engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Players make their selections before the wheel spins and before awards are revealed. This preliminary action allows players to feel involved in determining the outcome without requiring complex real-time processing or changing game elements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If symbols or paytables are changed to increase engagement, then player engagement is enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates dynamic engagement through the spinning wheel mechanism and random selection process rather than through static changes to symbols or paytables. The same physical wheel can provide varied gameplay experiences without requiring manufacturing changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The game outcome is determined by changing the selected section parameter rather than changing physical symbols or paytable structures. This allows for varied gameplay while maintaining the same manufactured components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If the wheel spins to randomly determine the award, then player engagement is enhanced, but time for game completion increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayer engagementVSAvoidtime for game completion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The wheel spinning is implemented as a periodic action with a predetermined duration. The wheel rotates for a set number of spins or time period before stopping, providing engaging visual feedback while maintaining control over the total time required for game completion.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentUS12380763B2Player wheel section set selection

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

Gaming systems and method that provide a player wheel set selection feature including a displayed wheel having a plurality of displayed player selectable sections for a play of a game, and wherein the quantity of sections selectable by the player is at least one and less than all of the sections of the wheel.