# US 7,744,457 B2 · Gaming machine displaying special symbols that shift positions > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,744,457 B2 - Document ID: US7744457B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/763,836 - Filed: 2004-01-22 - Published: 2005-07-28 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2004-01-22 - Assignees: Atronic International GmbH - Inventors: Michael Gauselmann - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7744457B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3265: {Influencing the position of stopped moving members to achieve a winning arrangement, e.g. nudging, shuffling, holding} - 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 In a virtual spinning reels type video slot machine, one or more of the possible symbols are special symbols. Examples of special symbols are wild cards and multipliers. If the special symbol cannot be utilized in the current game to grant an award to the player, the special symbol is carried over into the next game. When the player spins the reels for the next game, the special symbol(s) moves (e.g., randomly) to any position in the array as the reels appear to spin. When the reels stop, the special symbol(s) carried over from the previous game is applied to the current game to grant an award to the player. In another embodiment, special symbols are not extinguished after they are used, but may continue for any selected number of games. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gaming method wherein an array of symbols is displayed and an award is granted based on the displayed array of symbols, the method comprising: displaying on a first display screen of a gaming machine, in a first game, a first array of randomly selected symbols on a first set of virtual reels, the first array including at least one special symbol in a first position in the first array; granting any award to the player for the first game based upon combinations of symbols across the first set of virtual reels displayed in the first game including combinations of symbols that include the at least one special symbol as part of a combination of symbols; concurrently displaying on a second display screen of the gaming machine, in a second game, a second array of randomly selected symbols on a second set of virtual reels, the second array of symbols being randomly selected independently of the first array of symbols; shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in the first array to a second position in the second array on the second display screen, wherein the shifted special symbol is combinable with the randomly selected symbols in the second array to form winning combinations of symbols; and granting any award to the player for the second game based upon combinations of the symbols across the second set of virtual reels displayed in the second game including combinations of symbols that include the at least one special symbol as part of a combination of symbols. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in the first array from the first position to the second position comprises randomly shifting a position of the at least one special symbol from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in the first array from the first position to the second position comprises shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in a predetermined manner from the first position to the second position. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying in a first game a first array of randomly selected symbols comprises displaying in the first game the first array of randomly selected symbols appearing on a plurality of virtual reel strips, the at least one special symbol being on at least one reel strip in a fixed position relative to other symbols on the reel strip. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying in a first game a first array of randomly selected symbols comprises displaying in the first game the first array of randomly selected symbols by a gaming machine appearing on a plurality of virtual reel strips, wherein the at least one special symbol is not in a fixed position on a virtual reel strip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein displaying in a first game a first array of randomly selected symbols by a gaming machine comprises selecting the at least one special symbol to appear in the first array based on a non-random event. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one special symbol comprises a plurality of special symbols. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising terminating the use of the at least one special symbol after the at least one special symbol is used in a winning combination of symbols. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 further comprising terminating the use of the at least one special symbol after a predetermined number of games. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one special symbol has a wild card function. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one special symbol is a high value symbol. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one special symbol has a multiplier function. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the at least one special symbol triggers a bonus game. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein the first array of symbols is a 5×3 array. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein granting an award comprises granting an award based on combinations of symbols across one or more pay lines. ### Claim 16 (depends on 1) The method of claim 1 wherein new special symbols are generated in one or more additional games and are randomly shifted in position during subsequent games. ### Claim 17 A gaming device comprising: a first display screen for displaying a first game, the first game displaying a first array of symbols on a first set of virtual reels, certain combinations of symbols across at least one pay line determining an award to a player; a second display screen for displaying a second game, the second game displaying a second array of symbols on a second set of virtual reels, certain combinations of symbols determining an award to a player; and at least one processor for carrying out the following method: displaying on the first display screen, in the first game, the first array of randomly selected symbols on the first set of virtual reels, the first array including at least one special symbol in a first position in the first array; granting any award to the player for the first game based upon combinations of symbols across the first set of virtual reels displayed in the first game including combinations of symbols that include the at least one special symbol as part of a combination of symbols; concurrently displaying on the second display screen, in the second game, the second array of randomly selected symbols on the second set of virtual reels, the second array of symbols being randomly selected independently of the first array of symbols; shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in the first array from the first position to a second position in the second array on the second display screen, wherein the at least one shifted special symbol is combinable with the randomly selected symbols in the second array to form winning combinations of symbols; and granting any award to the player for the second game based upon combinations of the symbols across the second set of virtual reels displayed in the second game including combinations of symbols that include the at least one special symbol as part of a combination of symbols. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein shifting a position of the at least one special symbol in the first array from the first position to the second position comprises randomly shifting a position of the at least one special symbol. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol comprises a plurality of special symbols. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 further comprising terminating the use of the at least one special symbol after the at least one special symbol is used in a winning combination of symbols. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol has a wild card function. ### Claim 22 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol is a high value symbol. ### Claim 23 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol has a multiplier function. ### Claim 24 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol triggers a bonus game. ### Claim 25 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the first array of symbols is a 5×3 array. ### Claim 26 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein granting an award comprises granting an award based on combinations of symbols across one or more pay lines. ### Claim 27 (depends on 17) The device of claim 17 wherein the at least one special symbol is selected at random to be included in the first array.