Gaming system and method providing a game having a sub-symbol award evaluation

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2017069166-A1
Application number	US-201615355713-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Nov 18, 2016
Priority date	Sep 12, 2013
Publication date	Mar 9, 2017
Grant date	—

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a gaming system and method providing a game having a sub-symbol award evaluation. Generally, in various embodiments, if an outcome of a play of the game includes a set of one or more displayed designated symbols that are each associated with a same one of a plurality of different characteristics and that are collectively associated with a quantity of sub-symbols that is at least a designated quantity, the gaming system determines an award based on that particular characteristic and that particular quantity of sub-symbols. Put differently, the determined award varies based on the particular characteristic associated with each of those displayed designated symbols and the particular quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with those displayed designated symbols.

First claim

The invention is claimed as follows:

1 . A gaming system comprising:
at least one input device; at least one display device; at least one processor; and at least one memory device that stores instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one input device and the at least one display device to: (a) responsive to an input received by an input device, initiate a play of a game associated with multiple different symbols, wherein: (1) the symbols include multiple designated symbols; (2) each designated symbol is associated with one or more sub-symbols; and (3) each sub-symbol has one of multiple different characteristics; (b) randomly generate and display a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols; and (c) responsive to the displayed symbols including a set of one or more designated symbols collectively associated with at least a designated quantity of sub-symbols, determine and display an award associated with the set based on: (1) the characteristics of the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set; and (2) a quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, wherein the award is a first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a first combination of characteristics; and (2) a first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, and wherein the award is a second award different from the first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a second combination of characteristics different from the first combination of characteristics; and (2) the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

2 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein one of the designated symbols is associated with two sub-symbols having different characteristics.

3 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the symbols are on multiple reels, and wherein the instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device to randomly generate and display the plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols in part by spinning and stopping the reels.

4 . The gaming system of claim 3 , wherein each designated symbol on a first reel is associated with up to a first maximum quantity of sub-symbols and each designated symbol on a second reel different from the first reel is associated with up to a second maximum quantity of sub-symbols different from the first maximum quantity.

5 . The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the award is a third award different from the first and second awards when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a third combination of characteristics different from the first and second combinations of characteristics; and (2) a second quantity of sub-symbols different from the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

6 . The gaming system of claim 5 , wherein the second quantity is less than the first quantity and the third award is less than the first and second awards.

7 . A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:
(a) initiating, by at least one processor and responsive to an input received by an input device, a play of a game associated with multiple different symbols, wherein: (1) the symbols include multiple designated symbols; (2) each designated symbol is associated with one or more sub-symbols; and (3) each sub-symbol has one of multiple different characteristics; (b) randomly generating, by the at least one processor, and displaying, by at least one display device, a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols; and (c) responsive to the displayed symbols including a set of one or more designated symbols collectively associated with at least a designated quantity of sub-symbols, determining, by the at least one processor, and displaying, by the at least one display device, an award associated with the set based on: (1) the characteristics of the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set; and (2) a quantity of sub-symbols collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, wherein the award is a first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a first combination of characteristics; and (2) a first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set, and wherein the award is a second award different from the first award when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a second combination of characteristics different from the first combination of characteristics; and (2) the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein one of the designated symbols is associated with two sub-symbols having different characteristics.

9 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the symbols are on multiple reels, and which includes randomly generating, by the at least one processor, and displaying, by the at least one display device, the plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols in part by spinning and stopping the reels.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein each designated symbol on a first reel is associated with up to a first maximum quantity of sub-symbols and each designated symbol on a second reel different from the first reel is associated with up to a second maximum quantity of sub-symbols different from the first maximum quantity.

11 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the award is a third award different from the first and second awards when: (1) the sub-symbols associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set have a third combination of characteristics different from the first and second combinations of characteristics; and (2) a second quantity of sub-symbols different from the first quantity of sub-symbols is collectively associated with the one or more displayed designated symbols of the set.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the second quantity is less than the first quantity and the third award is less than the first and second awards.

13 . The method of claim 7 , which is at least partially provided through a data network.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the data network is an internet.

15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to:
(a) responsive to an input received by an input device, initiate a play of a game associated with multiple different symbols, wherein: (1) the symbols include multiple designated symbols; (2) each designated symbol is associated with one or more sub-symbols; and (3) each sub-symbol has one of multiple different characteristics; (b) randomly generate and cause at least one display device to display a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols; and (c) responsive to the displayed symbols including a set of one or more designated symbols collectively associated w

Assignees

• Igt Reno Nev

Inventors

• Gerchak Christian D
• Hughes William K
• Grace Kelsy J

Classifications

• G07F17/3213

  Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members · CPC title

• G07F17/34

  depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines · CPC title

• G07F17/3244 Primary

  Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes · CPC title