Hidden symbol tracking as part of a paying combination set

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to gaming systems, machines, and methods and, in particular, hidden symbol tracking. As an example, an electronic gaming machine is described that includes a set of reels, where each reel in the set of reels includes a plurality of symbol regions with at least one symbol provided therein, and where a first reel in the set of reels includes a hidden symbol that is capable of different presentations based upon having different lighting conditions applied thereto.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A gaming method, comprising:
 initiating a slot game;   determining that a hidden symbol has landed on a payline, wherein the hidden symbol is capable of different presentations;   determining a number of bonus spins to award based upon a current presentation of the hidden symbol;   updating a credit meter to reflect a number of bonus spins available for the slot play based upon the determined number of bonus spins awarded; and   enabling a bonus spin for the slot game.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the current presentation of the hidden symbol comprises a first presentation and wherein the first presentation is achieved by applying a first lighting condition to the hidden symbol. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first lighting condition comprises a first backlighting condition where the hidden symbol is backlight with light having a predetermined wavelength. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the predetermined frequency of the light causes a first portion of the hidden symbol to be made visible to a player and does not cause a second portion of the hidden symbol to be made visible to the player. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising:
 determining that the hidden symbol is contained in a selected symbol region on a reel strip;   determining a position of the selected symbol region relative to a lighting system that is configured to emit the backlight; and   coordinating an operation of the lighting system based on a rotational position of the selected symbol region.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 determining that the hidden symbol has landed on the payline at the end of the bonus spin; and   awarding an additional bonus spin based on the hidden symbol landing on the payline at the end of the bonus spin.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein a number of additional bonus spins awarded is based upon the current presentation of the hidden symbol. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the hidden symbol has a presentation changed from the current presentation to a different presentation by application of a different lighting condition during the bonus spin. 
     
     
         9 . An electronic gaming machine (EGM), comprising:
 a set of reels, wherein each reel in the set of reels comprises a plurality of symbol regions with at least one symbol provided therein, wherein a first reel in the set of reels comprises a hidden symbol that is capable of different presentations based upon having different lighting conditions applied thereto;   a lighting system comprising a plurality of light-emitting devices that are configured to apply different lighting conditions to the hidden symbol as the hidden symbol rotates; and   a controller configured to coordinate operation of the lighting system with the first reel based upon a determined position of the hidden symbol.   
     
     
         10 . The EGM of  claim 9 , wherein the light-emitting devices comprise light-emitting diodes that are configured to emit light of different wavelengths thereby enabling different presentations of the hidden symbol. 
     
     
         11 . The EGM of  claim 9 , wherein the hidden symbol is configured to provide a first presentation in response to the lighting system applying a first lighting condition, wherein the hidden symbol is configured to provide a second presentation in response to the lighting system applying a second lighting condition, and wherein at least a portion of the hidden symbol that is visible in the first presentation is not visible in the second presentation. 
     
     
         12 . The EGM of  claim 11 , wherein the first lighting condition comprises backlighting the hidden symbol with light of a first color and wherein the second lighting condition comprises backlighting the hidden symbol with light of a second color that is different from the first color. 
     
     
         13 . The EGM of  claim 11 , wherein the hidden symbol is further configured to provide a third presentation in response to the lighting system applying a third lighting condition and wherein the third lighting condition comprises backlighting the hidden symbol with white light. 
     
     
         14 . The EGM of  claim 9 , wherein the lighting system comprises a plurality of sets of lights that are configured to activate and deactivate based upon a determined position of the hidden symbol relative to the lighting system. 
     
     
         15 . The EGM of  claim 14 , wherein the controller provides a first control signal to the lighting system as part of controlling whether the plurality of sets of lights are activated or deactivated and wherein the controller is in communication with a motor controller that operates a rotation of the first reel. 
     
     
         16 . The EGM of  claim 9 , wherein the lighting system comprises a lighting drive that is connected with the light-emitting devices by a fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
         17 . A gaming system, comprising:
 a reel comprising a plurality of symbol regions, wherein a first symbol region in the plurality of symbol regions comprises a hidden symbol that provides a first presentation in response to a first lighting condition being applied thereto and a second presentation in response to a second lighting condition being applied thereto;   a backlighting system configured to selectively apply the first lighting condition or the second lighting condition to the hidden symbol as the reel rotates; and   a controller configured to coordinate operation of the backlighting system with the reel based upon a determined position of the hidden symbol relative to the backlighting system.   
     
     
         18 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , wherein the backlighting system is further configured to apply the first lighting condition to the hidden symbol without applying the first lighting condition to other symbol regions. 
     
     
         19 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , wherein the reel rotates relative to the backlighting system and wherein the backlighting system comprises a plurality of light-emitting devices that are connected with the controller via a fiber optic bundle. 
     
     
         20 . The gaming system of  claim 17 , further comprising a payline, wherein a game reward is determined during game play based upon the hidden symbol landing on the payline and based upon whether the hidden symbol is providing the first presentation or the second presentation when the hidden symbol lands on the payline when the reel is done spinning.