The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 24, 2012
Filed:
Mar. 17, 2006
Brian Alexander Watkins, Austin, TX (US);
Galen Tanner Svanas, Austin, TX (US);
Brian Alexander Watkins, Austin, TX (US);
Galen Tanner Svanas, Austin, TX (US);
Multimedia Games, Inc., Austin, TX (US);
Abstract
A method displays a number of symbol locations with a respective graphic symbol at each symbol location. Each symbol location may comprise an actual reel or simulated reel which is capable of displaying any one of a number of graphic symbols included in a group of presentation symbols. This group of presentation symbols includes a target symbol. In response to a first player input, each of the number of symbol locations is caused to conduct a respective symbol change process one or more times to change the graphic symbol included at each respective symbol location to a respective one of the graphic symbols included in the group of presentation symbols. The symbol locations all ultimately stop at the end of a game cycle to show a respective graphic symbol included in the group of presentation symbols, and an award may be presented to the player at the end of the game cycle depending upon the particular graphic symbols shown at the various symbol locations. According to the invention, at least some of the awards available in the game are based at least in part on the absence of the target symbol at one or more of the number of symbol locations.