Patent ID: 7794317

Claim:
A gaming device comprising: at least one processor; at least one input device; at least one display device; and at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one input device and the at least one display device to: (a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a primary game; and (b) after the placement of the wager and upon a random occurrence of a triggering event in the play of said primary game: (i) cause a displayed award indicator activator symbol generator to randomly generate at least one of a plurality of award indicator activator symbols, wherein: (A) each award indicator activator symbol is associated with at least one of a plurality of displayed award indicators associated with a displayed award generator, (B) for each award indicator activator symbol: (I) which of the award indicators associated with said award indicator activator symbol are individually displayed in association with said award indicator activator symbol, and (II) the quantity of the award indicators associated with said award indicator activator symbol is displayed in association with said award indicator activator symbol, (C) the award generator is distinct from the award indicator activator symbol generator, and (D) at least one of said award indicator activator symbols is associated with a plurality of said award indicators; (ii) activate, after the random generation of said at least one award indicator activator symbol, any award indicators associated with said generated award indicator activator symbol, said activation being distinct from the placement of the wager; (iii) cause said award generator to randomly generate a plurality of awards; (iv) for each activated award indicator, determine the generated award indicated by said activated award indicator; (v) determine a total award associated with the award generator, said total award based on the generated award indicated by each activated award indicator; and (vi) display to the player the determined total award associated with the award generator.