How a Slot Machine Game Links Symbols for Bigger Wins
This patent describes a casino slot machine game where special 'value-bearing' symbols can link together and trigger respins, growing a cluster of symbols to award a larger prize.
Original patent title: “Gaming system and method with a value-bearing symbol feature”
This patent describes a casino slot machine game where special 'value-bearing' symbols can link together and trigger respins, growing a cluster of symbols to award a larger prize. Granted in 2026.
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
This gaming system presents a series of spins on reels that feature 'value-bearing symbols'. When a 'triggering event' occurs, all 'value-bearing symbols' involved in that event, plus any 'value-bearing symbols adjacent to them', are added to a 'list of linked symbols'. These linked symbols are then 'held in their positions', while the remaining reels 'spin again'. If any newly landed 'value-bearing symbols' are 'adjacent to a symbol in the set of linked symbols', they are also added to the linked set, and this process 'repeats for a certain number of spins'. At the end of these respins, an award is paid based on the total values of all symbols in the final set of linked symbols. For example, if three coin symbols trigger a bonus, those coins and any touching coin symbols lock in place. The other reels respin, and if more coins land next to the locked ones, they also lock, potentially growing the prize over several respins.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover games where symbols are not 'held in their positions' during subsequent respins.
- Does not cover games where new symbols are linked if they are not 'adjacent' to existing linked symbols.
- Does not cover games where the final award is not based on the 'values borne by all symbols in the set of linked symbols'.
- Does not cover games without 'value-bearing symbols' that contribute to a triggering event.
- Does not cover games that do not utilize spinning 'reels' as the primary game mechanism.
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
Key facts
What made this novel
The noveltynoveltyThe requirement that an invention be different from anything publicly known before its priority date.Read more → lies in the specific mechanism of growing the 'linked symbols' cluster through adjacency during respins, where newly landed value symbols expand the locked set, directly increasing the potential final award.
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Hold and Spin slot games
Link & Win slot games
Cash-on-Reels bonus features in casino games
Sticky symbol bonus rounds in video slots
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent describes a popular game mechanic used in many modern slot machines. Features that allow symbols to lock and trigger respins, potentially growing a prize, are key to player engagement and the appealappealAfter repeated rejections, an applicant can appeal to the PTAB — and from there to federal court. Slow and expensive.Read more → of many casino games. This type of bonus round is a common way to offer players the chance for larger payouts.
Filed
June 22, 2022
Granted
September 15, 2026
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Major casino game developers such as Aristocrat, Light & Wonder (formerly Scientific Games), IGT, and Konami frequently incorporate 'hold and respin' or 'link and win' mechanics into their slot machine offerings. These companies continuously innovate on bonus features to enhance player experience and engagement.
Market impact
This type of 'hold and respin' mechanic has become a staple in modern slot machine design, driving player engagement by offering exciting bonus rounds with escalating prize potential. It has influenced the design of many popular slot titles, creating a distinct gameplay category within the casino gaming market, and is a key feature in many top-performing games.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
This gaming system presents a series of spins on reels that feature 'value-bearing symbols'. When a 'triggering event' occurs, all 'value-bearing symbols' involved in that event, plus any 'value-bearing symbols adjacent to them', are added to a 'list of linked symbols'. These linked symbols are then 'held in their positions', while the remaining reels 'spin again'. If any newly landed 'value-bearing symbols' are 'adjacent to a symbol in the set of linked symbols', they are also added to the linked set, and this process 'repeats for a certain number of spins'. At the end of these respins, an award is paid based on the total values of all symbols in the final set of linked symbols. For example, if three coin symbols trigger a bonus, those coins and any touching coin symbols lock in place. The other reels respin, and if more coins land next to the locked ones, they also lock, potentially growing the prize over several respins.
The clever bit
The novelty lies in the specific mechanism of growing the 'linked symbols' cluster through adjacency during respins, where newly landed value symbols expand the locked set, directly increasing the potential final award.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover games where symbols are not 'held in their positions' during subsequent respins.
- Does not cover games where new symbols are linked if they are not 'adjacent' to existing linked symbols.
- Does not cover games where the final award is not based on the 'values borne by all symbols in the set of linked symbols'.
- Does not cover games without 'value-bearing symbols' that contribute to a triggering event.
- Does not cover games that do not utilize spinning 'reels' as the primary game mechanism.
Patent timeline
Application submitted to the patent office
Patent officially issued
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
0/40
No citations yet
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
20/20
Granted within 5 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$18K – $58K
Midpoint $36K · 15.7 yr remaining · industry ×1.5
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Claim text not yet imported for this patent
Concepts involved
Cite this patent
(2026). How a Slot Machine Game Links Symbols for Bigger Wins (U.S. Patent No. 12,738,124). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/12738124/gaming-system-and-method-with-a-value-bearing-symbol-feature
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How a Slot Machine Game Links Symbols for Bigger Wins cover?
This patent describes a casino slot machine game where special 'value-bearing' symbols can link together and trigger respins, growing a cluster of symbols to award a larger prize.
When does this patent expire?
This patent is expected to expire on September 15, 2046, when the invention enters the public domain.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent describes a popular game mechanic used in many modern slot machines. Features that allow symbols to lock and trigger respins, potentially growing a prize, are key to player engagement and the appeal of many casino games. This type of bonus round is a common way to offer players the chance for larger payouts.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover games where symbols are not 'held in their positions' during subsequent respins.
Patent monitoring