IP Library Granted Patent US 11,699,323
Granted Patent B2
US 11,699,323 · App. 17/747,643 · Granted Jul 11, 2023

System and method for providing awards based on dynamic reels

Inventors: David Ceniceroz (Reno, NV); Julianne Rodgers (Reno, NV)
Assignee: IGT
G07F17/3213G07F17/3218G07F17/3225G07F17/3244G07F17/3267G07F17/34
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,699,323
App. No.
17/747,643
Granted
Jul 11, 2023
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and methods which provide a player zero, one or more awards based on a variable quantity of symbol display positions associated with one or more reels.

Claims (35)

1. A gaming system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

for a first play of a game, cause a display, by a display device, of a first quantity of symbols at a first quantity of symbol display positions, and

responsive to an occurrence of a symbol display position quantity modification event and a modification of the first quantity of symbol display positions to a second, different quantity of symbol display positions that is less than a designated quantity of symbol display positions, for a second play of the game, cause a display, by the display device, of a second quantity of symbols at the second, different quantity of symbol display positions.

2. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the modification of the first quantity of the symbol display positions comprises adding a quantity of symbol display positions.

3. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the modification of the first quantity of the symbol display positions comprises removing a quantity of symbol display positions.

4. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the memory device stores a plurality of further instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to the second, different quantity of symbol display positions being at least the designated quantity of symbol display positions, cause the processor to determine an outcome associated with a position of a secondary event zone, and cause a display, by the display device, of the determined outcome.

5. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the determined outcome comprises a triggering of a secondary event.

6. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the determined outcome comprises an activation of a feature associated with the second play of the game.

7. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the determined outcome comprises an activation of a feature associated with one of a plurality of positions of the secondary event zone.

8. The gaming system of claim 4 , wherein the determined outcome is associated with an award.

9. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the memory device stores a plurality of further instructions that, when executed by the processor responsive to an occurrence of a reset event in association with the second play of the game, cause the processor to cause a display, by the display device and for a third play of the game, of a third quantity of symbols at the first quantity of symbol display positions.

10. The gaming system of claim 1 , wherein the first quantity of symbol display positions are associated with a plurality of reels and the second, different quantity of symbol display positions are associated with the plurality of reels.

11. A gaming system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

for a play of a game, cause a display, by a display device, of a quantity of symbols at a quantity of symbol display positions, and

responsive to an occurrence of a symbol display position quantity modification event and a modification of the quantity of symbol display positions to a different, modified quantity of symbol display positions that is at least a designated quantity of symbol display positions:

determine an outcome associated with a position of a secondary event zone, and

cause a display, by the display device, of the determined outcome.

12. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the modification of the quantity of the symbol display positions comprises adding a quantity of symbol display positions.

13. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the modification of the quantity of the symbol display positions comprises removing a quantity of symbol display positions.

14. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the determined outcome comprises a triggering of a secondary event.

15. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the determined outcome comprises an activation of a feature associated with the second play of the game.

16. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the determined outcome comprises an activation of a feature associated with one of a plurality of positions of the secondary event zone.

17. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the determined outcome is associated with an award.

18. The gaming system of claim 11 , wherein the quantity of symbol display positions are associated with a plurality of reels and the different, modified quantity of symbol display positions are associated with the plurality of reels.

19. A gaming system comprising:

a processor; and

a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:

responsive to an occurrence of a triggering event, trigger an unlimited free spins game,

responsive to an occurrence of a symbol display position quantity modification event associated with any free spin of the unlimited free spins game, modify a quantity of symbol display positions associated with that free spin game, and

responsive to the modified quantity of symbol display positions associated with any free spin of the unlimited free spins game being a designated quantity of symbol display positions, terminate the unlimited free spins game.

20. The gaming system of claim 19 , wherein the quantity of symbol display positions are associated with a plurality of reels and the modified quantity of symbol display positions are associated with the plurality of reels.

Assignments (2)
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2025
From: IGT
To: DEUTSCHE BANK AG NEW YORK BRANCH, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071817/0394 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2022
From: CENICEROZ, DAVID; RODGERS, JULIANNE
To: IGT
Reel/Frame 059962/0263 →
Continuity (3)
Continuation 17120008 · Dec 11, 2020
Continuation 16265133 · Feb 1, 2019
Related Publication 20220277616A1 · Sep 1, 2022