US007326113B2
`
`(12) Ulllted States Patent
`Bennett et a].
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`(54) GAMING MACHINE WITH A FIXED WILD
`SYMBOL
`
`Inventors; Nicholas Luke Bennetts Rosebery
`(AU); Natalie Bryant, Lane Cove (AU)
`
`(73) Assignee; Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty
`Ltd, New South Wales (AU)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 801 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`
`10/182,318
`
`(22) PCT Filed:
`
`Mar. 23, 2001
`
`(86) PCT No.:
`
`PCT/AU01/00323
`
`§ 371 (c)(l),
`(2) (4) Date: JUL 26, 2002
`
`(87) PCT Pub. No.: W001/72387
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Oct. 4, 2001
`
`(65)
`
`PI‘iOI‘ PllblicatiOIl Data
`Us 2003/0013517 A1
`Jan. 16, 2003
`
`2/1993 Marnell et al. ............. .. 463/ 13
`5,188,363 A *
`8/1996 Charron et al.
`463/13
`5,542,669 A *
`5,823,874 A * 10/1998 Adams ...................... .. 463/17
`5,976,016 A * ll/l999 MOOClY et al. .............. .. 463/13
`6,089,977 A *
`7/2000 Bennett ....... ..
`.. . 463/20
`6,146,273 A * 11/2000 Olsen ..................... .. 463/27
`6,311,976 B1 * 11/2001 Yoseloff et al. ........ .. 273/1382
`6,439,995 B1 *
`8/2002 Hughs-Baird et al. ...... .. 463/20
`7,115,033 B1* 10/2006 Timperley ................. .. 463/20
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`AU
`GB
`GB
`
`3/2000
`43488/99 A
`1 528 507 A 10/1978
`2 243 236 A 10/1991
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`International Search Report of PCT/AU01/00323, dated Apr. 24,
`2001.
`International Preliminary Examination Report of PCT/AU01/
`00323, dated Sep. 20, 2001.
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Primary ExamineriRobert PeZZuto
`Assistant ExamineriEric M. Thomas
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiChristie, Parker & Hale,
`LLP
`
`(30)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`Mar. 31, 2000 (AU) ................................... .. PQ6637
`
`(51) Int. Cl.
`A63F 9/24
`
`(200601)
`
`(52) US. Cl. ....... ...... ..: .................................... .. /463/25
`(58) Fleld of Classl?catlon Search """" 6;?g120g1235’
`
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`A gaming machine has a display and a game Controller
`arran ed to control ima es dis la ed on the dis la . The
`g
`g
`P y
`P y
`game controller is arranged to play a spinning reel game
`Wherein one or more random events are caused to be
`displayed on the display and, ifa prede?ned Winning event
`occurs, the machine awards a priZe. When at least one
`special symbol appears on the display, the special symbol is
`held in a superimposed representation in that position for at
`least one further game While at least that reel carrying the
`special symbol is re-spun for the at least one further game.
`
`5,178,389 A *
`
`1/1993 Bentley et a1. ............. .. 463/29
`
`11 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`9/0
`
`IGT EX. 1001 - 1/13
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 1 0f 9
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`IGT EX. 1001 - 2/13
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`/4
`
`?ulili
`
`f4O
`
`30
`
`FIG. 2
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 3 0f 9
`
`US 7, 326,113 B2
`
`f7 WSW
`,6
`J
`J 10 Q J
`K K K
`9
`9 ?
`
`Q 10 J
`
`10 Q
`
`F/G. 5a
`
`W5’? 4? fr”?
`K Q BONUS J
`K 6'6
`
`G Lew/5L2
`9 10 J
`10 K 10 K Q
`
`IGT EX. 1001 - 4/13
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 4 0f 9
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`W6’? 427 f’afrw
`
`
`
`
`
`9 9 K Q 10 Q W’ 9 10
`
`'////%
`K
`
`10 J K J
`
`F/6.3c
`
`W5? 427 K’???
`W 6
`G K
`J / K j’
`J Q so/vus 1O gg/w/gé
`,
`7////A
`10 10 gJ Q 10
`
`44f
`
`FIG. 3a!
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 6 0f 9
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`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`[féq [48 K123i”? / 45
`105 9 Q S46
`
`JQSJIKé
`9 103K 10 Q
`
`FIG. 5a
`
`IGT EX. 1001 - 7/13
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5,2008
`
`Sheet
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`WW 112 f“
`K
`Q10 K10 K
`
`5
`
`9
`
`10
`
`F/G. 5b
`
`@/
`W51
`2% ?ak/N
`
`45/
`
`45/
`
`FIG. 5c
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`IGT EX. 1001 - 8/13
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5, 2008
`
`Sheet 8 0f 9
`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`(START }
`F
`INIT/AUSEALL BONUS COUNTERS 7O 0
`
`PLAYER MAD
`A 5J7
`
`'
`
`FOR ALL BONUS cow/r525 >0 HOLD
`THECOE’RESPONDi/VG BONUS SYMBOLS
`D/SPM r60 ON THE SCREEN/N THE/A’
`d/QPBVT PQS/T/O/W/Nf/LIHENEXT
`5H /5 MADE
`Y
`‘SP/N ALL OF THE FEELS, 55L EC T
`57OPP/A/G POS/T/ONS 6? STOP
`THE FEELS ‘SHAW/N6
`
`1
`DECPEMHVTALL BONUS COUNTHS
`20 BY 7
`
`‘I
`OéTEEM/NE PRIZES AFPUCABLE 70 7715
`BETA/VD ACCORD/N6 7O THEDISHAFED
`COMB/AMWON WCORPOEW'l/VG AN)’
`HHD BONUS SYMBOLS
`
`NO
`
`6.57/1 NEW BONUS 600N715?
`AT 70 FOR 7H5 EONUS
`5714501.
`
`FIG. 6
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`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Feb. 5,2008
`
`Sheet 9 0f 9
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`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`NO
`
`HA6 771’E
`PLAYER MADE
`A 5E7?
`
`r55 SET THE NUMEER OF FREE GAMES
`REMA/N/NG r0 0
`v
`PLAY/4 GAME comzspo/vpm/e 70 THE 557'
`
`/NCREME/V7' 771E NUMBEQOE FREE GAMES
`FEW/MNG 5f /0
`
`I
`I
`SP/N ALL OF THE FEELS, SELECT
`STOPP/NG POS/T/ON a? 570/0 THE
`FEEL S SP/N/V/A/G
`
`I’
`DETERM/A/E PR/ZES APPL /C‘/15LE 70
`THE BET a? ACCORD/N6 70 777E
`D/SPM/VED CUMB/NAT/O/V WC‘ORPUR
`AT/NG A/VFHELD BONUS SYMBOLS
`i
`DECREMEVT 7' HE NUMBEPOF FREE
`6/01/15 5 FE/VM/N/NG 5 Y 1
`;
`
`F/X THEEONUS SV/V/EOL WPOS/T/O/V Q
`FOR’ THE FEM/UNDER’ OE THE/‘FEE 6/4/1455
`FIG. 7
`
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`

`
`US 7,326,113 B2
`
`1
`GAMING MACHINE WITH A FIXED WILD
`SYMBOL
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application claims priority of International applica
`tion number PCT/AU01/00323, ?led Mar. 23, 2001, Which
`in turn claims priority of Australian application number PQ
`6637, ?led Mar. 31, 2000.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`This invention relates to a gaming machine. More par
`ticularly, the invention relates to a gaming machine and to an
`improvement to a game played on such a gaming machine.
`
`BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
`
`Players Who regularly play gaming machines quickly tire
`of particular games and therefore it is necessary for manu
`facturers of these machines to develop innovative game
`features Which add interest to the games. In so doing, it is
`hoped to keep players amused and therefore Willing to
`continue playing the game as Well as to attract neW players.
`Also, With the groWth that has occurred in the gaming
`machine market, there is intense competition betWeen manu
`facturers to supply various existing and neW venues. When
`selecting a supplier of gaming machines, the operator of a
`venue Will often pay close attention to the popularity of
`various games With their patrons. Therefore, gaining
`machine manufacturers are keen to devise games Which are
`popular With the players as a mechanism for improving
`sales, retaining customers and attracting neW customers.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`According to the invention, there is provided a gaming
`machine having a display means and a game control means
`arranged to control images displayed on the display means,
`the game control means being arranged to play a spinning
`reel game Wherein one or more random events are caused to
`be displayed on the display means and, if a prede?ned
`Winning event occurs, the machine aWards a priZe, the
`gaming machine being characterized in that, When at least
`one special symbol appears on the display means, said at
`least one special symbol is held in a superimposed repre
`sentation in that position for at least one further game While
`at least that reel carrying the, or each, special symbol is
`re-spun for said at least one further game.
`The invention is intended particularly for spinning reel
`type games and, more speci?cally, video simulations of such
`games. The at least one special symbol may be carried into
`position on one of the reels and may remain in position to be
`superimposed over an underlying symbol of that reel When
`the reel is re-spun. The special symbol may be at least
`partially transparent so that an underlying symbol is visible
`beneath it.
`It Will be appreciated that more than one special symbol
`may appear at any one time and more than one special
`symbol may remain in its position for a series of games.
`In one embodiment of the invention, said at least one
`special symbol, When it occurs in a bought, base game may
`be held for a predetermined number of succeeding bought,
`base games.
`In another embodiment of the invention, each special
`symbol may be held folloWing the occurrence of a prede
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`termined trigger condition, the trigger condition being asso
`ciated With the special symbols and the trigger condition
`commencing a series of free games during Which all special
`symbols that are spun up are held. Thus, for example, special
`symbols may only be held When three or more of the special
`symbols have been spun up.
`Instead, some other trigger condition, independent of the
`special symbols, may commence a series of free games
`during Which all special symbols that are spun up are held.
`The held special symbols may be superimposed over the
`underlying spinning reels When the reels are spun for
`succeeding games in the series of free games.
`Any special symbol spun up in any one game of the series
`of free games may be held for a predetermined number of
`folloWing games in the series of free games. Thus, for
`example, each special symbol may be held for the folloWing
`ten free games in the series of free games.
`Further, if the trigger condition re-occurs in one of the
`games of the series of free games, a further series of free
`games may be aWarded. The free games of the further series
`of free games may be added to any remaining games of a
`preceding series of free games. Any special symbol held
`during a game of said preceding series of free games may
`also be held for at least certain games of the further series of
`free games.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The invention is noW described by Way of example With
`reference to the accompanying diagrammatic draWings in
`Which:
`FIG. 1 shoWs a three dimensional vieW of a gaming
`machine, in accordance With the invention;
`FIG. 2 shoWs a block diagram of a control circuit of the
`gaming machine;
`FIGS. 3a to 3f shoW screen displays of an embodiment of
`a game played on the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 shoWs a screen display of a base game of a game,
`in accordance With another embodiment of the invention,
`Which is played on the gaming machine of FIG. 1;
`FIGS. 5a to 50 show screen displays of free games
`folloWing the base game of FIG. 4;
`FIG. 6 shoWs a How chart of the embodiment of the
`invention shoWn in FIGS. 3a to 3]; and
`FIG. 7 shoWs a How chart of the embodiment of the
`invention shoWn in FIGS. 4 and 5a to Sc
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 generally designates a
`gaming machine, including a game, in accordance With the
`invention. The machine 10 includes a console 12 having a
`video display unit 14 on Which a game 16 is played, in use.
`The game 16 is a spinning reel game Which simulates the
`rotation of a number of spinning reels 18. A midtrim 20 of
`the machine 10 houses a bank 22 of buttons for enabling a
`player to play the game 16. The midtrim 20 also houses a
`credit input mechanism 24 including a coin input chute 24.1
`and a bill collector 24.2.
`The machine 10 includes a top box 26 on Which artWork
`28 is carried. The artWork 28 includes paytables, details of
`bonus aWards, etc.
`A coin tray 30 is mounted beneath the console 12 for cash
`payouts from the machine 10.
`Referring noW to FIG. 2 of the draWings, a control means
`or control circuit 32 is illustrated. A program Which imple
`ments the game and user interface is run on a processor 34
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`IGT EX. 1001 - 11/13
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`US 7,326,113 B2
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`3
`of the control circuit 32. The processor 34 forms part of a
`controller 36 Which drives the screen of the video display
`unit 14 and Which receives input signals from sensors 38.
`The sensors 38 include sensors associated With the bank 22
`of buttons and touch sensors mounted in the screen. The
`controller 36 also receives input pulses from the mechanism
`24 indicating that a player has provided suf?cient credit to
`commence playing. The mechanism 24 may, instead of the
`coin input chute 24.1 or the bill collector 24.2, or in addition
`thereto, be a credit card reader (not shoWn) or any other type
`of validation device.
`Finally, the controller 36 drives a payout mechanism 40
`Which, for example, may be a coin hopper for feeding coins
`to the coin tray 30 to make a pay out to a player When the
`player Wishes to redeem his or her credit.
`Referring noW to FIGS. 3a to 3f and FIG. 6 of the
`draWings, a ?rst embodiment of the game 16 played on the
`gaming machine 10 is described.
`In the game 16, it is assumed that a special symbol,
`indicated as a bonus symbol 42 in FIGS. 3b to 3f of the
`draWings, is a substitute symbol Which substitutes for all
`other symbols and that left-to-right pays apply. Also, in the
`example described beloW With reference to FIGS. 3a to 3f of
`the draWings, it is assumed that ?ve standard paylines are
`being played.
`When the player places a bet, the relevant button of the
`bank 22 of buttons is actuated to simulate spinning of the
`reels 18. When the reels 18 stop spinning, any prize Winning
`combinations pay a prize. In respect of a base game result
`shoWn in FIG. 3a of the draWings, the player is paid a prize
`for 3><K appearing on payline one of the game. As no bonus
`symbols Were revealed, no bonus prizes or substitute prizes
`are aWarded.
`Upon placing the next bet, the player again causes the
`reels 18 to spill and the result is as shoWn in FIG. 3b of the
`draWings With tWo bonus symbols occurring. Due to the
`presence of the bonus symbol 42 on the third reel, a prize is
`paid for 3x10 on payline ?ve With the bonus symbol 42 on
`the third reel 18 substituting. The tWo bonus symbols 42 are
`then held for the next ten bought games and, as shoWn in
`FIG. 30 of the draWings, When the reels 18 are re-spun after
`a bet has been placed by the player, the bonus symbols 42
`are highlighted. This occurs for all spins of the reels 18
`during Which the bonus symbols 42 remain in position.
`When the reels 18 are spun, the bonus symbols 42 appear
`to “lift” off their reels 18 and remain in place on the screen
`16. The highlighted bonus symbols 42 thus appear to be
`superimposed over the underlying reels 18 so that the effect
`is of the reels 18 spinning behind the bonus symbols 42. To
`enhance this effect, the bonus symbols 42 may have degree
`of transparency.
`In FIG. 30 of the draWings, the result of the spinning of
`the reels is that the player is aWarded a prize for 4x9 on
`payline tWo With the bonus symbol 42 on the third reel 18
`acting as a substitute.
`When the player places a bet and spins the reels 18 for the
`next game, a further bonus symbol 44 is spun up as shoWn
`in FIG. 3d of the draWings. It too Will be held in place for
`the folloWing ten, bought games.
`As there Were no prize Winning combinations on any of
`the ?ve active paylines, no prizes are aWarded for the game
`shoWn in FIG. 3d of the draWings.
`For the next game, all three bonus symbols, being the tWo
`bonus symbols 42 and the bonus symbol 44 are held While
`the reels 18 are spun. For the game shoWn in FIG. 3e of the
`draWings, a prize is paid for 4x1 on payline tWo and 5><Q on
`payline one. After the tenth game folloWing the game in
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`Which the tWo bonus symbols 42 occurred, those tWo bonus
`symbols 42 Which had been held disappear. HoWever, the
`bonus symbol 44 Will continue to be held for another tWo
`games. Hence, When the player next causes the reels 18 to
`spin, the result is as shoWn in FIG. 3f of the draWings. In this
`game, there are no prize Winning combinations on any of the
`?ve active paylines and, accordingly, no prizes are aWarded.
`It is also to be noted that the bonus symbol may overlie
`more than one underlying symbol on its associated reel 18,
`substituting for each underlying symbol.
`Referring noW to FIGS. 4, 5a to Sc and 7 of the draWings,
`a second embodiment of the game 16 played on the gaming
`machine 10 is described. With reference to FIGS. 3a to 3f of
`the draWings, like reference numerals refer to like parts
`unless otherWise speci?ed.
`In this embodiment of the invention, a display screen of
`a base game result is shoWn at 46 in FIG. 4 of the draWings.
`Three scatter symbols 48 are spun up. A prize is paid for
`the three scatter symbols 48. Further, the presence of the
`three scatter symbols 48 constitutes a trigger condition. The
`trigger condition commences ten free games during Which
`all bonus symbol 42, 44 Will be held. The bonus symbols 42,
`44 substitute for all underlying symbols, except the scatter
`symbols 48. The symbols underlying the bonus symbols 42,
`44 are still applicable such that, if a scatter symbol is spun
`up and appears beneath the bonus symbol, it may still aWard
`scatter Wins and, Where applicable, add another ten free
`games to those remaining, as Will be described in greater
`detail beloW.
`FIG. 5a shoWs a display screen 50 of a ?rst free game in
`the series of free games. Because the bonus symbol 42 acts
`as a substitute symbol, it substitutes in its position and,
`accordingly, a prize is paid for 5><Q.
`The bonus symbol 42 is held in place for the nine
`remaining free games and remains visible.
`After the second free game, a display screen 52 of Which
`is shoWn in FIG. 5b of the draWings, a symbol Which
`underlies the bonus symbol 42 is visible through the bonus
`symbol 42. In this case, a J symbol 54 is visible. No prize
`Winning combinations result in the second free game and,
`accordingly, no prizes are aWarded.
`In the third free game, a display screen of Which is shoWn
`as 56 in FIG. 50 of the draWings, a second bonus symbol 44
`is spun up on the fourth reel 18. The initial bonus symbol 42
`remains in place and a symbol of the second reel 18 is spun
`up behind the bonus symbol 42 to be visible through the
`bonus symbol 42. In this case, a further three scatter symbols
`48, one being behind the bonus symbol 42, are spun up. This
`serves as a further trigger condition resulting in a further
`series of free games being aWarded. The free games of the
`further series of free games are added to any remaining free
`games from the initial series of free games.
`Accordingly, in the present example the further ten free
`games are added to the remaining seven free games from the
`initial series of free games. For all of the seventeen free
`games Which remain, the tWo displayed bonus symbols 42,
`44 Will remain in place over the reels 18. It Will be
`appreciated that any bonus symbol (not shoWn) Which is
`spun up in any subsequent free games Will also be held for
`the remaining games of the sum of the initial series of free
`games and the further series of free games plus any addi
`tional series of free games Which may arise.
`In the game illustrated in FIG. 50 of the draWings, the
`bonus symbol 42 acts as a substitute symbol so that a prize
`is paid for 4x]. HoWever, the underlying scatter symbol 48
`still applies; hence the aWarding of the further series of free
`games.
`
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`US 7,326,113 B2
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`5
`Hence, it is all advantage of the invention that a feature is
`provided Which the applicant believes Will enhance player
`interest in games played on the gaming machine 10.
`It Will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that
`numerous variations and/or modi?cations may be made to
`the invention as shoWn in the speci?c embodiments Without
`departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly
`described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be
`considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.
`The invention claimed is:
`1. A gaming machine comprising a display means and a
`game control means arranged to control images displayed on
`the display means, the game control means being arranged
`to play a spinning reel game having a plurality of reels, each
`reel having a series of symbols, Wherein, during the play of
`the game the reels are spun to cause the symbols to be
`randomly displayed on the display means and, if a pre
`de?ned Winning event occurs, the machine aWards a prize,
`the gaming machine being characterized in that the game
`includes one or more special symbols Which randomly
`appear on the display means, each special symbol When it
`appears, overlying one of the symbols on the reel game, said
`special symbol, When it appears, having the capacity to alter
`the results of the game, said at least one special symbol
`being held in a superimposed representation in that position
`for at least one further game While at least the reel carrying
`the, or each, special symbol is re-spun for said at least one
`further game, Wherein said at least one special symbol is
`held folloWing the occurrence of a predetermined trigger
`condition, said trigger condition being associated With said
`at least one special symbol and said trigger condition
`commencing a series of free games during Which all special
`symbols that are spun up are held.
`2. The gaming machine of claim 1 in Which said at least
`one special symbol is carried into position on one of the reels
`and remains in position to be superimposed over an under
`lying symbol of that reel When the reel is re-spun.
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`6
`3. The gaming machine of claim 2 in Which said at least
`one special symbol is at least partially transparent so that an
`underlying symbol is visible beneath it.
`4. The gaming machine of claim 1 in Which more than one
`special symbol appears at any one time and more than one
`special symbol remains in its position for a series of games.
`5. The gaming machine of claim 1 in Which said at least
`one special symbol, When it occurs in a bought, base game
`is held for a predetermined number of succeeding bought,
`base games.
`6. The gaming machine of claim 1, in Which a trigger
`condition, independent of the special symbols, commences
`a series of free games during Which all special symbols that
`are spun up are held.
`7. The gaming machine of claim 6 in Which the held
`special symbols are superimposed over the underlying spin
`ning reels When the reels are spun for succeeding games in
`the series of free games.
`8. The gaming machine of claim 7 in Which any special
`symbol spun up in any one game of the series of free games
`is held for a predetermined number of folloWing games in
`the series of free games.
`9. The gaming machine of claim 8 in Which, if the trigger
`condition reoccurs in one of the games of the series of free
`games, a further series of free games is aWarded.
`10. The gaming machine of claim 9 in Which the free
`games of the further series of free games are added to any
`remaining games of a preceding series of free games.
`11. The gaming machine of claim 10 in Which any special
`symbol held during a game of said preceding series of free
`games is also held for at least certain games of the further
`series of free games.
`
`IGT EX. 1001 - 13/13