US 12,437,604 B2
Randomized symbol replacement with synchronization
Rory Angus Harpur, Durban North (ZA); and Marcus Douglas Thorpe-Fairall, Kloof (ZA)
Assigned to Games Global Operations Limited, Douglas (IM)
Filed by Games Global Operations Limited, Douglas (IM)
Filed on Nov. 1, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/978,544.
Claims priority of application No. 2117025 (GB), filed on Nov. 25, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0162559 A1, May 25, 2023
Int. Cl. G07F 17/32 (2006.01); G06F 7/58 (2006.01)
CPC G07F 17/3213 (2013.01) [G06F 7/588 (2013.01); G07F 17/3209 (2013.01); G07F 17/3265 (2013.01)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
receiving, at a receiving component of an electronic symbol display machine, an instruction;
determining, by way of random selection by a random number generator (RNG), a set of symbols and a sync symbol, wherein each symbol of the set of symbols is drawn from a pool of symbols, wherein the sync symbol is drawn from the pool of symbols;
displaying, on a display component of the electronic symbol display machine, the set of symbols in a two-dimensional array and the sync symbol in a preview space; and
while there are one or more pre-determined patterns of symbols in the two-dimensional array:
replacing the one or more pre-determined patterns of symbols in the two-dimensional array with vacant symbol positions;
determining, by way of random selection by the RNG, whether replacement symbols to be placed in the vacant symbol positions are subject to synchronization,
wherein the replacement symbols being subject to synchronization causes each of the vacant symbol positions to be filled with the sync symbol, and
wherein the replacement symbols not being subject to synchronization causes each of the vacant symbol positions to be filled with further symbols determined by way of random selection by the RNG;
displaying, when the replacement symbols are subject to synchronization, a first icon at least partially covering the sync symbol in the preview space; and
displaying, when the replacement symbols are not subject to synchronization, a second icon at least partially covering the sync symbol in the preview space, wherein the first icon and the second icon are different.