# US 12,217,572 B2 · Gaming machine and method with a persistent symbol modifier feature > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 12,217,572 B2 - Document ID: US12217572B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 18/463,339 - Filed: 2023-09-08 - Published: 2023-12-28 - Granted: 2025-02-04 - Earliest claimed: 2022-02-18 - Assignees: LNW Gaming, Inc. - Applicants: LNW Gaming, Inc. - Inventors: Yanis Tsombanidis - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12217572B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games} - G07F 17/3213: {Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members} - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - G07F 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided gaming methods and a system that utilize a presentation assembly configured to present a first series of spins of a plurality of reels arranged in an array, the plurality of reels including value-bearing symbols, wherein, when at least a specified number of the value-bearing symbols land in the array, the value-bearing symbols are held in place during a second series of spins of the plurality of reels in which the plurality of reels include advancement symbols. When an advancement symbol lands in the array, an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented. At a conclusion of the second series of spins, the values of the held value-bearing symbols are modified according to the currently indexed modifier and a corresponding payout is awarded. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of operating a gaming machine, the method comprising the operations of: presenting, by a presentation assembly, a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, an array, and a modifier indicator; and accepting, via a value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance; conducting, by game-logic circuitry, a first series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including value-bearing symbols, each spin of the first series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array, the landed symbols indicating a triggering event when the landed symbols include a predetermined number of the value-bearing symbols; in response to an indication of the triggering event, holding the landed value-bearing symbols in place in the array and, conducting, by the game-logic circuitry, a second series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including advancement symbols, each spin of the second series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array, wherein an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented each time the landed symbols include an advancement symbol, the modifier indicator indicating the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers; at the conclusion of the second series of spins, if the index exceeds a predetermined value, issuing a fixed award, otherwise issuing an award based on the values of the held value-bearing symbols as modified by the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of modifiers comprise multipliers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein, for each spin in the first series, the method further includes the operation of receiving, via an electronic input device, an input indicative of a wager drawn from the credit balance. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein each spin in the second series of spins is a free spin. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the modifier indicator is in the form of a modifier ladder. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1, wherein the greater the value of the index, the more impact the indexed modifier has on the award. ### Claim 7 A method of operating a gaming machine, the method comprising the operations of: presenting, by a presentation assembly, a plurality of symbol-bearing reels, an array, and a modifier indicator; and accepting, via a value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance; conducting, by game-logic circuitry, a first series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including value-bearing symbols, each spin of the first series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array; in response to a triggering event, holding any landed value-bearing symbols in place in the array and, conducting, by the game-logic circuitry, a second series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including advancement symbols, each spin of the second series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array, wherein an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented each time the landed symbols include an advancement symbol, the modifier indicator indicating the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers; and at the conclusion of the second series of spins, if the index exceeds a predetermined value, issuing a fixed award, otherwise issuing an award based on the values of the held value-bearing symbols as modified by the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the triggering event comprises the landed symbols including a predetermined number of the value-bearing symbols. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the triggering event comprises a predetermined number of consecutive losing outcomes, according to a paytable, of the first series of spins. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the plurality of modifiers comprise multipliers. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein, for each spin in the first series, the method further includes the operation of receiving, via an electronic input device, an input indicative of a wager drawn from the credit balance. ### Claim 12 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein each spin in the second series of spins is a free spin. ### Claim 13 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the modifier indicator is in the form of a modifier ladder. ### Claim 14 (depends on 7) The method of claim 7, wherein the greater the value of the index, the more impact the indexed modifier has on the award. ### Claim 15 A gaming system comprising: a gaming machine including a presentation assembly configured to present a plurality of reels, an array, and a modifier indicator, the plurality of reels bearing a plurality of symbols; and game-logic circuitry configured to perform the operations of: accepting, via a value input device, a physical item associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance; conducting a first series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including value-bearing symbols, each spin of the first series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array, the landed symbols indicating a triggering event when the landed symbols include a predetermined number of the value-bearing symbols; in response to the indication of the triggering event, holding the landed value-bearing symbols in place in the array and, conducting a second series of spins of the plurality of reels, the symbols borne by the reels including advancement symbols, each spin of the second series of spins including spinning and stopping the plurality of reels to land symbols in the array, wherein an index indicating one of a plurality of modifiers is incremented each time the landed symbols include an advancement symbol, the modifier indicator indicating the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers; and at the conclusion of the second series of spins, if the index exceeds a predetermined value, issuing a fixed award, otherwise issuing an award based on the values of the held value-bearing symbols as modified by the indexed one of the plurality of modifiers. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15, wherein the plurality of modifiers comprise multipliers. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15, wherein, for each spin in the first series, the method further includes the operation of receiving, via an electronic input device, an input indicative of a wager drawn from the credit balance. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15, wherein each spin in the second series of spins is a free spin. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15, wherein the modifier indicator is in the form of a modifier ladder. ### Claim 20 (depends on 15) The gaming system of claim 15, wherein the greater the value of the index, the more impact the indexed modifier has on the award.