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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9858760-B2
Application number	US-201615355713-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 18, 2016
Priority date	Sep 12, 2013
Publication date	Jan 2, 2018
Grant date	Jan 2, 2018

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 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:
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;
randomly determine a plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols;
cause a display, by at least one display device, of the randomly determined plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols;
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 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:
(a) 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
(b) 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; and

cause a display, by the at least one display device, of the determined award associated with 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 cause a display, by the at least one display device, of the randomly determined 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. The gaming system of claim 1 , which comprises an acceptor, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to, responsive to a physical item being received via the acceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, and responsive to a cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

8. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one display device comprises part of a mobile device.

9. The gaming system of claim 8 , wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to communicate with the mobile device via a wireless network.

10. A method of operating a gaming system, the method comprising:
initiating, by at least one processor, 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;
randomly determining, 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
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:
(a) 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
(b) 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.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein one of the designated symbols is associated with two sub-symbols having different characteristics.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the symbols are on multiple reels, and further comprises displaying, by the at least one display device, the randomly determined plurality of the symbols and any associated sub-symbols in part by spinning and stopping the reels.

13. The method of claim 12 , 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.

14. The method of claim 10 , 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.

15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the second quantity is less than the first quantity and the third award is less than the first and second awards.

16. The method of claim 10 , which is at least partially provided through a data network.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the data network is an internet.

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