Source

File: wp-includes/class-wp-widget.php

public function get_settings() {

		$settings = get_option( $this->option_name );

		if ( false === $settings ) {
			if ( isset( $this->alt_option_name ) ) {
				$settings = get_option( $this->alt_option_name );
			} else {
				// Save an option so it can be autoloaded next time.
				$this->save_settings( array() );
			}
		}

		if ( ! is_array( $settings ) && ! ( $settings instanceof ArrayObject || $settings instanceof ArrayIterator ) ) {
			$settings = array();
		}

		if ( ! empty( $settings ) && ! isset( $settings['_multiwidget'] ) ) {
			// Old format, convert if single widget.
			$settings = wp_convert_widget_settings( $this->id_base, $this->option_name, $settings );
		}

		unset( $settings['_multiwidget'], $settings['__i__'] );
		return $settings;
	}