Enhanced visualization of optimized symbol combinations in response to automatically determined symbol shift conditions
First Claim
1. A gaming device comprising:
- a credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit value that increases a credit balance of a credit meter;
a display device comprising a plurality of reels presented along the display device, wherein each reel presents a row of display positions for presenting symbols, the symbols presented at the display positions comprising non-blank symbols and blank symbols; and
a game controller configured to;
decrease the credit balance based on a wager;
spin the plurality of reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome comprising an array of the symbols in a first arrangement at the display positions, the symbols in the first arrangement based on one or more random outcomes generated from a random number generator;
determine whether the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols; and
in response to a determination that the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols;
determine whether shifting one or more of the non-blank symbols horizontally in either direction with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel results in a second game outcome comprising a second arrangement of the symbols at the display positions corresponding with an award outcome greater than an award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols;
animate a horizontal shift of the one or more of the non-blank symbols with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel to obtain the second game outcome in response to a determination that the shifting results in the award outcome greater than the award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; and
increase the credit balance by the award outcome associated with the second arrangement of the symbols.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming machine including a display device and game controller is provided. The display device includes reels having display positions for presenting symbols that include non-blank symbols and blank symbols. The game controller is configured to spin the reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome including a first arrangement of the symbols at the display positions. In response to a determination that the first arrangement includes blank symbols, the game controller is configured to determine whether horizontally shifting non-blank symbols in either direction with respect to the blank symbols in each reel results in an optimal win. The game controller horizontally shifts the non-blank symbols with respect to the blank symbols in each reel to obtain a second game outcome in response to a determination that the shifting results in the optimal win. The game controller increases a credit balance by an award associated with the optimal win.
6 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming device comprising:
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a credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit value that increases a credit balance of a credit meter; a display device comprising a plurality of reels presented along the display device, wherein each reel presents a row of display positions for presenting symbols, the symbols presented at the display positions comprising non-blank symbols and blank symbols; and a game controller configured to; decrease the credit balance based on a wager; spin the plurality of reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome comprising an array of the symbols in a first arrangement at the display positions, the symbols in the first arrangement based on one or more random outcomes generated from a random number generator; determine whether the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols; and in response to a determination that the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols; determine whether shifting one or more of the non-blank symbols horizontally in either direction with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel results in a second game outcome comprising a second arrangement of the symbols at the display positions corresponding with an award outcome greater than an award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; animate a horizontal shift of the one or more of the non-blank symbols with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel to obtain the second game outcome in response to a determination that the shifting results in the award outcome greater than the award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; and increase the credit balance by the award outcome associated with the second arrangement of the symbols. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of playing a wagering game via a gaming system having a game controller, a display device, and a credit input mechanism configured to receive a credit value that increases a credit balance of a credit meter, the method comprising:
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presenting a plurality of reels along the display device, wherein each reel presents a row of display positions for presenting symbols, the symbols presented at the display positions comprising non-blank symbols and blank symbols; presenting on the display device that the credit balance decreases the credit balance based on a wager; animating, using the display device, spinning of the plurality of reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome comprising an array of the symbols in a first arrangement at the display positions; animating, using the display device, a horizontal shift of the one or more of the non-blank symbols with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in one or more of the reels to obtain a second game outcome, wherein the second game outcome comprises a second arrangement of the symbols at the display positions corresponding with an award outcome that exceeds an award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; and presenting on the display device an adjustment of the credit balance being displayed by the award outcome of the second arrangement of the symbols. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gaming system, comprising
a gaming server operatively coupled to a gaming device via a network, wherein the gaming device comprises a display device, the gaming server configured to: cause the display device to present a plurality of reels, wherein each reel presents a row or column of display positions for presenting symbols, the symbols presented at the display positions comprising non-blank symbols and blank symbols; cause the display device to present a decrease of a credit balance based on a wager; cause the display device to present a spin animation that spins the plurality of reels horizontally to obtain a first game outcome comprising an array of the symbols in a first arrangement at the display positions, the symbols in the first arrangement based on one or more random outcomes generated from a random number generator; determine whether the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols; and based on a determination that the first arrangement of the symbols includes one or more of the blank symbols; determine whether shifting one or more of the non-blank symbols horizontally in either direction with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel results in a second game outcome comprising a second arrangement of the symbols at the display positions corresponding with an award outcome larger than an award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; cause the display device to animate a horizontal shift of the one or more of the non-blank symbols with respect to the one or more of the blank symbols in each reel to obtain the second game outcome based on a determination that the shifting results in the award outcome larger than the award outcome for the first arrangement of symbols; and cause the display device to present a modification of the credit balance by the award outcome of the second arrangement of the symbols. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification