Gaming device having a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns

• US 20060089191A1
• Filed: 10/18/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Marks, Howard M., Marks, Daniel M., Singer, Anthony M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,043,155 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.

Claims

1. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, said gaming device comprising:

a game controlled by the processor;

a plurality of symbols in the game;

a plurality of symbol positions in the game;

a plurality of different patterns of wildcard symbols in the game, wherein each pattern of wildcard symbols is associated with wildcard symbols located at at least two of the symbol positions;

a plurality of awards associated with a plurality of winning symbol combinations; and

a display device operable to display said game;

wherein said processor is operable with the display device to control a play of the game by;

(a) causing a select of one of the plurality of patterns of wildcard symbols;

(b) revealing the wildcard symbols associated with the selected pattern of wildcard symbols;

(c) randomly generating a plurality of said symbols at a plurality of said symbol positions;

(d) determining any awards associated with any winning symbol combinations; and

(e) providing any determined awards to a player.

2. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to control the play of the game by not generating symbols at the symbol positions where said revealed wildcard symbols are located.

3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to control the play of the game by enabling the player to select said pattern of wildcard symbols.

4. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to control the play of the game by repeating (c) to (e) at least once.

5. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to control the play of the game by repeating (c) to (e) a plurality of times in a free spin sequence.

6. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein each pattern of wildcard symbols is associated with different wildcard symbols located at different symbol positions.

7. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the processor is operable to control the play of the game by selecting a plurality of said patterns of wildcard symbols.

8. A method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

(a) displaying a plurality of symbol positions;

(b) causing a selection of one of a plurality of different patterns of wildcard symbols, wherein each pattern of wildcard symbols is associated with wildcard symbols located at at least two of said symbol positions;

(c) revealing the wildcard symbols associated with the selected pattern of wildcard symbols;

(d) randomly generating a plurality of symbols at a plurality of said symbol positions;

(e) determining any awards associated with any winning symbol combinations; and

(f) providing any determined awards to a player.

9. The method of claim 8, which includes not generating symbols at the symbol positions where said revealed wildcard symbols are located.

10. The method of claim 8, which includes enabling the player to select said pattern of wildcard symbols.

11. The method of claim 8, which includes repeating (d) to (f) at least once.

12. The method of claim 8, which includes repeating (d) to (f) a plurality of times in a free spin sequence.

13. The method of claim 8, wherein each pattern of wildcard symbols is associated with different wildcard symbols located at different symbol positions.

14. The method of claim 8, which includes selecting a plurality of said patterns of wildcard symbols.

15. The method of claim 8, which is provided through a data network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the data network is an internet.