Reel Blur Generator for Gaming Machines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing processor-based gaming machines struggle to provide a realistic simulation of rotating reels, leading to eye strain and fatigue due to the rapid and flickering images, as they fail to accurately emulate the motion of physical mechanical reels.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a reel blur generator that replaces static reel symbols with substitute blurred reel symbols when the reels are in motion, creating a more realistic and natural simulation by blurring the symbols in the direction of motion, reducing eye strain and fatigue.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If processor-based gaming machines display rapid and flickering images to simulate rotating reels, then the simulation speed increases, but eye strain and fatigue occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-blurring the reel symbols before they are displayed during rotation. Instead of displaying sharp symbols and hoping for natural blur, the system预先 processes the symbols to create blurred versions that will be displayed throughout the rotation sequence, preventing eye strain from the flickering of sharp images while maintaining the illusion of rapid movement
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs color changes by altering the visual appearance of reel symbols through blurring effects. The blurred symbols change the perceived color and edge definition, creating a softer, more realistic motion appearance that reduces the harsh flickering effect on players' eyes while maintaining the visual information needed for game outcomes
2Measurement precision
If static reel symbols are displayed clearly during motion, then image clarity is maintained, but realism of mechanical reel simulation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the visual treatment of reel symbols based on their state. Static symbols are displayed with full clarity when the reel is stationary, while moving symbols are displayed in a blurred state. This localized differentiation of quality maintains measurement precision for outcome determination while enhancing realism during motion
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by making the visual appearance of reel symbols adaptive to the reel's motion state. The system dynamically switches between displaying sharp symbols when stationary and blurred symbols when in motion, creating a realistic simulation that accurately reflects the physical behavior of mechanical reels while maintaining symbol clarity when needed
3Reliability
If blurred reel symbols are used during motion, then realism and eye comfort improve, but symbol recognition during rotation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ensuring that blurred symbols are pre-prepared and positioned correctly before the reel stops. The blurring effect is applied in advance to the correct symbol positions, so when the reel decelerates and approaches the stop, the blurred symbols are already in their final positions, making recognition easier as the motion slows and the blur effect becomes less pronounced
Data Source
AI summary
Methods for emulating rotating physical reels on a display screen are disclosed. Graphics for “static” reel symbols are intentionally blurred for those reel symbols “in motion.” Gaming machines include an exterior housing, master gaming controller, display device and virtual reels. Virtual reels include reel stops, static reel symbols and corresponding dynamic blurred reel symbols. A blurred reel symbol generator provides corresponding blurred reel symbols for existing static reel symbols, and can be located at a remote host and/or within the gaming machine. A remote host can provide downloadable virtual reel strips, reel symbols and blurred reel symbols to gaming machines. The blurred reel symbol generator can accept manually entered blurred reel symbol images, and/or can also generate blurred reel symbol images itself in automated fashion. Blurred reel symbols can be generated on the fly at runtime, or can be taken from a stored location.