Qualifying Symbol Combinations for Dynamic Bonus Volatility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing gaming systems lack dynamic volatility and fail to provide additional award opportunities based on qualifying symbol combinations and satisfaction of secondary event conditions, leading to a lack of player engagement and anticipation.

Innovation Solution

A gaming system that determines and displays symbol combinations, offering additional award opportunities based on qualifying symbol combinations and satisfaction of secondary event conditions, incorporating randomness to alter volatility, including features like respins and modified paytables.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gaming system provides only standard award opportunities based on symbol combinations, then the system structure remains simple, but player engagement and anticipation decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegameplay varietyVSAvoidsystem structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic volatility by allowing the gaming system to change award opportunities during gameplay. When a triggering symbol combination appears, the system dynamically introduces additional award opportunities (such as respins or bonus awards) that were not available in the standard game structure. This makes the system adaptable to different game states while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the award structure into multiple layers: standard awards for regular symbol combinations, and additional award opportunities triggered by specific conditions. This segmentation allows the system to provide varied gameplay experiences without requiring complete structural complexity, as each layer can operate independently based on game conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the gaming system offers additional award opportunities based on secondary event conditions, then player engagement increases, but the game rules and evaluation complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaward opportunitiesVSAvoidgame evaluation
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining triggering symbol combinations and their associated secondary event conditions before gameplay begins. The system evaluates whether symbols match predetermined patterns (such as specific arrangements or combinations) and automatically triggers additional award opportunities based on these pre-established rules, simplifying the evaluation process despite the increased game complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the occurrence of triggering symbol combinations provides immediate feedback to both the system and player. When secondary event conditions are satisfied, the system responds by granting additional award opportunities, creating a clear cause-and-effect relationship that simplifies evaluation while enhancing player engagement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system incorporates randomness to alter volatility, then player anticipation increases, but predictability and fairness assessment become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevolatility controlVSAvoidoutcome predictability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent utilizes parameter changes by modifying game volatility through controlled randomness. The system adjusts the probability and impact of additional award opportunities based on predetermined parameters such as symbol frequency, position weighting, and trigger conditions. This allows the system to control volatility levels while maintaining measurable predictability through defined probability structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20260045137A1Additional award opportunities for qualifying symbol combinations
Publication Date: 2026.02.12 INTERNATIONAL GAME TECHNOLOGY INC
  • US20260045137A1 patent drawing
  • US20260045137A1 patent drawing
  • US20260045137A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Gaming systems and methods that offer one or more additional award opportunities responsive to a qualifying symbol combination occurring in association with a satisfaction of one or more secondary event conditions.