US 12,380,764 B2
Locking links
Jose Bernard, Reno, NV (US)
Assigned to IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed by IGT, Las Vegas, NV (US)
Filed on Jun. 12, 2024, as Appl. No. 18/740,921.
Application 18/740,921 is a continuation of application No. 18/232,141, filed on Aug. 9, 2023, granted, now 12,039,832.
Application 18/232,141 is a continuation of application No. 17/868,009, filed on Jul. 19, 2022, granted, now 11,763,626, issued on Sep. 19, 2023.
Application 17/868,009 is a continuation of application No. 17/211,254, filed on Mar. 24, 2021, granted, now 11,443,584, issued on Sep. 13, 2022.
Prior Publication US 2024/0331491 A1, Oct. 3, 2024
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. G07F 17/34 (2006.01); G07F 17/32 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 17/3213 (2013.01) [G07F 17/3227 (2013.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for operating an electronic game, the method comprising:
operating, by a processor of a gaming system, a first feature of the electronic game;
operating, by the processor of the gaming system, a second feature of the electronic game independent of the first feature, wherein the first feature and the second feature comprise visual elements involved in representing play of the electronic game;
operating, by the processor of the gaming system, a third feature of the electronic game independent of the first feature and the second feature, wherein the first feature and the second feature are non-adjacent on the gaming system, wherein the third feature is disposed between the first feature and the second feature on the gaming system, and wherein the third feature comprises a visual indication of a symbol of interest in the electronic game;
detecting, by the processor of the gaming system, a position of a first indication of a locking function, wherein operating the first feature comprises presenting the first indication of the locking function at the detected position;
detecting, by the processor of the gaming system, a position of a second indication of the locking function, wherein operating the second feature comprises presenting the second indication of the locking function at the detected position;
detecting, by the processor of the gaming system, while the third feature is still operating, the symbol of interest at a position through which a line between the position of the first indication of the lock function and the position of the second indication of the lock function passes; and
in response to detecting the symbol of interest at the position through which the line between the position of the first indication of the lock function and the position of the second indication of the lock function passes, stopping, by the processor of the gaming system, operation of the third feature.