Abstract: There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to present a plurality of symbol-bearing base reels, a base array, and a plurality of persistent elements. The plurality of base reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the base reels in the base array. In response to the landed symbols including at least one accumulation symbol, an animation of addition of the accumulation symbol to one of the plurality of persistent elements is presented. A random determination whether or not to trigger one or more game features is made. If the determination is to trigger the one or more game features, the one or more game features are implemented via the game-logic circuitry and the presentation assembly, wherein the implementation may be determined by a persistent sliding range associated with at least one of the game features.

Abstract: There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to display a plurality of reels, an array, a persistent element, and a wheel. The persistent element is associated with a feature including the wheel. The reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the reels in the array. In response to the landed symbols including an accumulation symbol, the accumulation symbol is added to the persistent element, and the game-logic circuitry randomly determines whether to award a spin of the wheel. In response to not awarding the spin of the wheel, a prize on the wheel is upgraded. In response to awarding the spin of the wheel, the wheel is spun and stopped to award a prize on the wheel.

Abstract: There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to present a plurality of symbol-bearing base reels, a base array, and a plurality of persistent elements. The plurality of base reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the base reels in the base array. In response to the landed symbols including at least one accumulation symbol, an animation of addition of the accumulation symbol to one of the plurality of persistent elements is presented. A random determination whether or not to trigger one or more game features is made. If the determination is to trigger the one or more game features, the one or more game features are implemented via the game-logic circuitry and the presentation assembly, wherein the implementation may be determined by a persistent sliding range associated with at least one of the game features.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to display a plurality of reels, an array, a persistent element, and a wheel. The persistent element is associated with a feature including the wheel. The reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the reels in the array. In response to the landed symbols including an accumulation symbol, the accumulation symbol is added to the persistent element, and the game-logic circuitry randomly determines whether to award a spin of the wheel. In response to not awarding the spin of the wheel, a prize on the wheel is upgraded. In response to awarding the spin of the wheel, the wheel is spun and stopped to award a prize on the wheel.

Abstract: There are provided a gaming machine and method that utilize game-logic circuitry and a presentation assembly configured to present a plurality of symbol-bearing base reels, a base array, and a plurality of persistent elements. The plurality of base reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the base reels in the base array. In response to the landed symbols including at least one accumulation symbol, an animation of addition of the accumulation symbol to one of the plurality of persistent elements is presented. A random determination whether or not to trigger one or more game features is made. If the determination is to trigger the one or more game features, the one or more game features are implemented via the game-logic circuitry and the presentation assembly, wherein the implementation may be determined by a persistent sliding range associated with at least one of the game features.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of reels, an array, and a source of wild symbols external to the array. The reels bear a plurality of symbols including standard symbols and value-bearing symbols. The reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the plurality of symbols in the array. The source may dispense wild symbols that randomly transform a subset of the landed symbols into wilds. In response one or more value-bearing symbols being transformed into wild value-bearing symbols and contributing to a standard winning combination, the player is awarded a first award for the winning combination and a second award based on values borne by the contributing wild value-bearing symbols.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of reels and an array. The plurality of reels bear a plurality of symbols, including standard symbols, a catalyst symbol, and value-bearing symbols. A series of reel spins are conducted where each spin lands symbols from the plurality of symbols in the array. In response to the catalyst symbol being among the landed symbols in a spin, a payout is awarded based any value-bearing symbols among the landed symbols. For each subsequent spin in the series, the catalyst symbol is shifted to an adjacent position in the array, and a payout is awarded based on any value-bearing symbols among the landed symbols until the catalyst symbol shifts off the array.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming system, gaming machine, and method that utilize an electronic display device configured to display a plurality of reels, an array, and a source of wild symbols external to the array. The reels bear a plurality of symbols including standard symbols and value-bearing symbols. The reels are spun and stopped to land symbols from the plurality of symbols in the array. The source may dispense wild symbols that randomly transform a subset of the landed symbols into wilds. In response one or more value-bearing symbols being transformed into wild value-bearing symbols and contributing to a standard winning combination, the player is awarded a first award for the winning combination and a second award based on values borne by the contributing wild value-bearing symbols.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes award levels having respective awards and respective array sizes and establishes a predefined path defining progression through the award levels. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, updates, in response to detecting a branching condition within the game cycle outcomes, the predefined path to a modified path such that progression from the first award level is altered from a second award level to a third award level, and, in response to progressing from the first award level to the third award level based on the modified path: (i) modifies the active array to the array size of the third award level, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises game-logic circuitry and a display device configured to display an active array of symbol positions. The game-logic circuitry establishes a plurality of award levels having respective awards and trigger conditions. The display device selectively populates the active array with symbols through one or more game cycle outcomes, provides, in response to failing to collect a first predetermined number of trigger symbols, a first jackpot award associated with a first award level, and, in response to collecting the first predetermined number of trigger symbols: (i) expands the active array, and (ii) repeats the selective population for one or more additional game cycle outcomes. At least one of the first jackpot award and a second jackpot award of the second award level is increased based at least partially on award values of value-bearing symbols populating the active array through the game cycle outcomes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning material having a primary burner in the form of an elongated cylinder, the ends of the cylinder closed with stationary end walls. The cylinder is rotated about its longitudinal axis which is horizontal. A ram material inlet is provided in one end wall for compressing and feeding material into the cylinder. An air inlet conduit introduces air into the cylinder to promote burning of the material in the cylinder as the cylinder rotates. The combustion cylinder is maintained by an exhaust fan and air control valves at a pressure below atmospheric. A secondary afterburner is provided adjacent the primary burner that receives combustion gases from the primary burner. A cyclonic separator is positioned downstream of the gases burned in the afterburner. A programmable logic controller connected to air valves and sensors monitors the combustion process to sustain maximum combustion efficiency at temperatures above 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.

Abstract: A gaming machine and methods for independently controlling the movement of each mechanical reel are disclosed. The gaming machine includes a plurality of mechanical reels each having indicia provided on an outer surface of each of the reels. A game controller generates a game outcome and determines a spin duration for each of the plurality of reels. One or more stepper motors are operatively coupled to the mechanical reels to independently spin each reel. A reel control unit is in communication with one or more stepper motors and the game controller. The reel control unit determines an appropriate spin profile for each reel based upon the game outcome and the spin duration to cause the reels to spin and stop in a rhythmic manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for burning material having a primary burner in the form of an elongated cylinder, the ends of the cylinder closed with stationary end walls. The cylinder is rotated about its longitudinal axis which is horizontal. A ram material inlet is provided in one end wall for compressing and feeding material into the cylinder. An air inlet conduit introduces air into the cylinder to promote burning of the material in the cylinder as the cylinder rotates. The combustion cylinder is maintained by an exhaust fan and air control valves at a pressure below atmospheric. A secondary afterburner is provided adjacent the primary burner that receives combustion gases from the primary burner. A cyclonic separator is positioned downstream of the gases burned in the afterburner. A programmable logic controller connected to air valves and sensors monitors the combustion process to sustain maximum combustion efficiency at temperatures above 1700 degrees Fahrenheit.