# US 2026/0100102 A1 · Gaming machine and method including a value transfer bonus

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- Number: US 2026/0100102 A1
- Document ID: US20260100102A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 19/304,656
- Filed: 2025-08-20
- Published: 2026-04-09
- Earliest claimed: 2024-10-03
- Assignees: LNW Gaming, Inc.
- Applicants: LNW Gaming, Inc.
- Inventors: Joel R. JAFFE
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20260100102A1

## 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

Disclosed are a gaming machine and method for implementing a bonus game. The bonus game includes an array of cells and a plurality of indicators, each indicator bearing a plurality of values. Overlay reels bearing catalyst symbols and blank spaces are superimposed over the array. After spinning the overlay reels, if a catalyst symbol overlays an empty cell, an indicator is selected, a value is selected from the indicator and that value is locked in the empty cell. If a catalyst symbol overlays a cell that already contains a value, an indicator is selected, a value is selected from the indicator and added to the value already in the cell. At bonus game end, a prize based on all of the transferred values is awarded.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of conducting a wagering game, the method comprising:
displaying a symbol array comprising a plurality of cells, each cell initially empty and comprising an overlay reel bearing catalyst symbols and blank spaces;
displaying a plurality of indicators, each indicator bearing a plurality of values;
initializing a spin counter;
for a plurality of game cycles:
spinning and stopping the overlay reels to display a blank space or a catalyst symbol superimposed over each cell in the symbol array;
for each respective cell in the symbol array:
determining whether the respective cell contains a catalyst symbol overlaying a symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle;
in response to the respective cell containing a catalyst symbol overlaying a symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle:
selecting one of the plurality of indicators associated with the respective cell;
selecting a value from the plurality of values borne by the selected indicator;
removing the selected indicator from the plurality of indicators and adding the selected value to a value borne by the symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle;
replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators with a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values;
resetting the spin counter in response to locking a new symbol in the symbol array or adding value to a symbol already in the symbol array; and
in response to the spin counter reaching zero, ending the game and awarding a prize.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each overlay reel is superimposed over a cell such that any symbol previously placed in the cell is visible when the overlay reel spins.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the terminating condition comprises the spin counter reaching zero.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 wherein the terminating condition comprises all cells in the symbol array being locked.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:
determining whether the respective cell contains a catalyst symbol overlaying an empty cell;
in response to the respective cell containing a catalyst symbol overlaying an empty cell:
selecting one of the plurality of indicators associated with the respective cell;
selecting a value from the plurality of values borne by the selected indicator;
removing the selected indicator from the plurality of indicators and moving the selected indicator to the respective cell, locking it in place; and
replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators with a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of awarding a prize comprises summing the values borne by the symbols in the symbol array.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising, after awarding the prize, removing the symbol array from a display and restoring a base game array to the display.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the step of replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators comprises shifting at least one of the remaining indicators in a predetermined direction and adding a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values to the plurality of indicators.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one of the values borne by one of the plurality of indicators comprises a trigger symbol, wherein, in response to the trigger symbol being selected, the method further comprises the step of initiating a secondary game and determining the selected value according to an outcome of the secondary game.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein the secondary game comprises a wheel game.

### Claim 11

A gaming machine comprising:
a presentation assembly;
a value input device configured to accept a physical item associated with a monetary value to establish a credit balance;
a value output device configured to dispense a payout from the credit balance in response to a cashout input; and
game-logic circuitry configured to perform the operations of:
displaying a symbol array comprising a plurality of cells, each cell initially empty and comprising an overlay reel bearing catalyst symbols and blank spaces;
displaying a plurality of indicators, each indicator bearing a plurality of values;
initializing a spin counter;
for a plurality of game cycles:
spinning and stopping the overlay reels to display a blank space or a catalyst symbol superimposed over each cell in the symbol array;
for each respective cell in the symbol array:
determining whether the respective cell contains a catalyst symbol overlaying a symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle;
in response to the respective cell containing a catalyst symbol overlaying a symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle:
selecting one of the plurality of indicators associated with the respective cell;
selecting a value from the plurality of values borne by the selected indicator;
removing the selected indicator from the plurality of indicators and adding the selected value to a value borne by the symbol placed in the respective cell during a previous game cycle;
replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators with a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values;
resetting the spin counter in response to locking a new symbol in the symbol array or adding value to a symbol already in the symbol array; and
in response to the spin counter reaching zero, ending the game and awarding a prize.

### Claim 12 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein each overlay reel is superimposed over a cell such that any symbol previously placed in the cell is visible when the overlay reel spins.

### Claim 13 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11 wherein the terminating condition comprises the spin counter reaching zero.

### Claim 14 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11 wherein the terminating condition comprises all cells in the symbol array being locked.

### Claim 15 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11 wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to perform the operations of:
determining whether the respective cell contains a catalyst symbol overlaying an empty cell;
in response to the respective cell containing a catalyst symbol overlaying an empty cell:
selecting one of the plurality of indicators associated with the respective cell;
selecting a value from the plurality of values borne by the selected indicator;
removing the selected indicator from the plurality of indicators and moving the selected indicator to the respective cell, locking it in place; and
replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators with a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values.

### Claim 16 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the step of awarding a prize comprises summing the values borne by the symbols in the symbol array.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

The gaming machine of claim 16, wherein the game-logic circuitry is further configured to, after awarding the prize, cause the presentation assembly to remove the symbol array and restore a base game array.

### Claim 18 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the step of replacing the selected indicator in the plurality of indicators comprises shifting at least one of the remaining indicators in a predetermined direction and adding a new indicator bearing a plurality of new values to the plurality of indicators.

### Claim 19 (depends on 11)

The gaming machine of claim 11, wherein the at least one of the values borne by one of the plurality of indicators comprises a trigger symbol, wherein, in response to the trigger symbol being selected, the method further comprises the step of initiating a secondary game and determining the selected value according to an outcome of the secondary game.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

The gaming machine of claim 19, wherein the secondary game comprises a wheel game.