Mechanical Reel Backlight Color Control for Symbol Variation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanical gaming reels tend to have monotonous symbol rearrangement patterns compared to video reels, limiting player engagement and variation in gaming experiences.
Innovation Solution
A gaming machine with a mechanical reel assembly featuring a plurality of reels bearing symbols and a controller that controls the color of light emitted from a backlight, allowing the display of variable symbols based on light color, expanding the variation of symbol rearrangement patterns through the use of overlapping symbol sheets and an inexpensive LED light source.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a mechanical reel is used to display symbols, then the structure is simple and reliable, but the symbol rearrangement pattern becomes monotonous
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies color changes by using a backlight that emits different colors of light (red, green, blue) to illuminate the reels. The variable symbol sheet contains symbols in different colors that correspond to different light colors, allowing the same physical symbol to represent different meanings based on the backlight color. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the simple mechanical reel structure while dramatically increasing symbol rearrangement pattern variation through optical means.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the illumination parameter (light color) to transform the meaning of symbols. By controlling the backlight to emit different wavelengths of light, the system makes a single variable symbol position represent multiple different symbols depending on the light color parameter. This allows mechanical reels to achieve the versatility of video reels without sacrificing mechanical reliability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple symbol sheets are overlapped to create variable symbols, then symbol variation increases, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the symbol display into multiple layers: a fixed symbol sheet and a variable symbol sheet that overlays it. The variable symbol sheet is further segmented into different colored regions (red, green, blue areas) that correspond to different light colors. This segmentation allows the system to represent multiple symbols using simple colored regions rather than complex multi-layer structures, reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining symbol variation capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The variable symbol sheet serves multiple functions: it acts as a mask for the fixed symbol sheet, provides color filtering for the backlight, and indicates different symbol meanings through different colored regions. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components, simplifying the overall structure while achieving versatile symbol representation.
3Ease of manufacture
If LED backlight is used for color control, then manufacturing cost decreases, but light control precision must be maintained
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses LED backlighting with red, green, and blue light sources that can be independently controlled. The variable symbol sheet contains colored regions (red area, green area, blue area) that selectively transmit or block specific wavelengths. This combination of LED color control with color-filtering symbol sheets provides precise light color control while using inexpensive LED components, resolving the contradiction between manufacturing cost and control precision.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution enhances the variation and diversity of symbol rearrangement patterns, improving player engagement and reducing manufacturing costs by utilizing a simple and cost-effective light control system, while maintaining visibility and distinctiveness of symbols.
Implementation Method 1
a backlight for illuminating each of the reels from inside; and a controller for controlling color of light emitted from the backlight
Implementation Method 2
the variable symbol is made of a first sheet bearing the first symbol and a second sheet bearing the second symbol overlapped with each other
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides a gaming machine provided with a mechanical reel, which expands the variation of the pattern of rearrangement of symbols. The gaming machine includes a reel assembly M1 including a plurality of reels bearing a plurality of symbols on the outer surface thereof, and a backlight device M7 for illuminating each of the reels from inside. The plurality of symbols includes a variable symbol CS for representing various symbols in response to the color of light emitted from the backlight device M7. The variable symbol CS represents a first symbol upon the backlight device M7 emitting first color light, and represents a second symbol upon the backlight device M7 emitting second color light.