Gaming Machine Bonus Wheel Meter for Interactive Reel Play
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing gaming machines lack engaging features that attract and retain casino customers, necessitating improved game mechanics and interactive elements to enhance player engagement.
Innovation Solution
Incorporation of a bonus wheel feature with a bonus wheel meter that increases the number of bonus wheel symbols based on detected symbols, triggering a bonus wheel spin when a predefined number is reached, along with dynamic virtual reels and animations to enhance gameplay.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional simple slot machine mechanics are used, then the device complexity is low and ease of manufacture is high, but player engagement and attraction are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple game features into a unified system: the bonus wheel feature is integrated with the main reel game, the bonus wheel meter accumulates symbols from reel outcomes, and the prize selector interacts with the spinning wheel. This merging of features creates a cohesive gaming experience that enhances player engagement while managing complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The bonus wheel meter dynamically changes based on game outcomes - symbols are added to the meter when specific reel combinations occur, and the meter progresses toward triggering the bonus feature. The bonus wheel itself is dynamic, allowing players to select prizes at different positions. This dynamic behavior creates variability and engagement without requiring permanently complex hardware.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a bonus wheel feature with symbol accumulation is added, then player engagement is enhanced, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces physical mechanical components with virtual representations. Instead of physical wheels and reels requiring complex mechanical linkages, the system uses electronic displays showing virtual reels, a virtual bonus wheel, and a digital bonus wheel meter. The control system manages these virtual elements through software, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic control and reducing physical device complexity while maintaining interactive engagement.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic reel animations and bonus features are implemented, then player attraction is improved, but manufacturing cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual copies and representations rather than physical counterparts. The bonus wheel meter displays symbolic representations of accumulated bonus symbols, the reels show virtual symbols that can be animated, and the bonus wheel presents graphical prize options. These visual copies create an engaging gaming experience without requiring manufacturing complex physical mechanisms, thereby improving gaming experience quality while maintaining manufacturing simplicity.
Data Source
AI summary
A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a processor programmed to execute an algorithm including the steps of displaying a game screen including a plurality reels, a bonus wheel including a plurality of wheel wedges displaying prize symbols and a prize selector, and a bonus wheel meter including a number of bonus wheel symbols. The processor is programmed to spin and stop the reels to display an instance of the game, detect an appearance of a bonus wheel symbol appearing in the reels with the reels stopped, and increase the number of bonus wheel symbols included in the bonus wheel meter based on the detected bonus wheel symbol. The processor initiates a bonus wheel feature including a spin of the bonus wheel upon determining the increased number of bonus wheel symbols included in the bonus wheel meter is equal to a predefined number of bonus wheel symbols.