AU2024200367B2

AU2024200367B2 - A gaming system and a method of gaming

Info

Publication number: AU2024200367B2
Application number: AU2024200367A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Anthony Wayne Bond; Gary Frerking; Darnell Alfonso Johnson; Scott Monroe Stewart; John Wootress Jr.
Original assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-03-10
Filing date: 2024-01-19
Publication date: 2026-02-12
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-26
Also published as: AU2021236543A1; AU2024200367A1; AU2018200681A1; AU2019264635A1; AU2016203479A1

Abstract

23 20531972_1 (GHMatters) P76390.AU.7 A bonus game controller is disclosed for use with a plurality of gaming machines in networked relationship with the bonus game controller. The bonus game controller 5 comprises a trigger determiner arranged to determine whether a bonus trigger signal has occurred at a gaming device. The bonus game controller is arranged to implement a first bonus game when a bonus trigger signal occurs at a gaming device, and also comprises a bonus 10 prize allocator arranged to allocate a bonus prize to the gaming device based on an outcome of the first bonus game and based on one or more respective outcomes of at least one other subsequent bonus game implemented within a qualification period. A gaming system including a 15 plurality of gaming devices and a game controller is also disclosed. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Description

A GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF GAMING

Related Application

5 This application is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 2021236543, which in turn is a 2024200367

divisional application of Australian patent application number 2019264635, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 10 2018200681, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 2016203479, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 2013276990, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application 15 number 2012201723, which in turn is a divisional application of Australian patent application number 2009200767. The disclosure of each of these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

20 Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming system, to a bonus game controller and to a method of gaming.

25 Background of the Invention

It is known to provide a gaming system which comprises a plurality of player operable gaming devices connected together in a network and a bonus game controller which 30 communicates with the gaming devices through the network and implements a bonus game when a bonus trigger is received from a gaming device.

Typically, the bonus game controller includes a relatively 35 large screen which is disposed at a location such that players of the gaming devices are able to view the bonus game currently being played by one of the players.

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However, with this type of bonus game arrangement, there is little interest in the bonus game by players of the gaming devices not involved in the bonus game.

5 Summary of the Invention 2024200367

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bonus game controller for use with a plurality of gaming machines in networked 10 relationship with the bonus game controller, the bonus game controller comprising: a trigger determiner arranged to determine whether a bonus trigger signal has occurred at a gaming machine of the plurality of gaming machines, the bonus game 15 controller arranged to implement a bonus game and to commence a qualification period for the gaming machine when the bonus trigger signal occurs at the gaming machine; and a bonus prize allocator arranged to allocate a bonus 20 prize to the gaming machine after the qualification period; wherein each bonus trigger signal occurring at a gaming machine causes a respective qualifying period to commence for the gaming machine; and 25 wherein the bonus prize for a gaming machine has a total value that is based on: a) an outcome of the bonus game implemented in response to occurrence of the bonus trigger signal at the gaming machine; and 30 b) outcomes of all subsequent bonus games implemented in response to occurrence of a bonus trigger signal at other gaming machines different to the gaming machine within the qualification period for the gaming machine.

35 In one embodiment, the qualification period for a gaming machine is a specific period of time from implementation

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of the bonus game. The time period may be fixed or may be pseudo randomly selected.

In an alternative embodiment, the game controller is 5 arranged such that the qualification period commences when the bonus game trigger signal occurs at the gaming machine 2024200367

and ends when an end trigger signal occurs at the gaming machine.

10 Each gaming machine may be arranged to generate a bonus trigger signal when a predefined game outcome occurs, for example, when a predefined game outcome occurs such as appearance of a special symbol, or appearance of a predefined combination of symbols during implementation of 15 a base game.

The trigger signal could also be generated by another event apart from a predefined game outcome such as a random trigger delivered by a controller such as described 20 in Olive, US Patent 7,056,215 the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference, or randomly, or pseudo-randomly determined by a system controller.

In one embodiment, the game controller is arranged such 25 that the qualification period commences when a bonus trigger signal first occurs at the gaming machine (or other trigger) after expiration of a previous qualification period.

30 In one embodiment, the bonus prize allocated to the gaming machine associated with the trigger signal by the bonus game controller is the sum of the bonus prize, if any, obtained during implementation of the bonus game, and at least a proportion of one or more other bonus prizes, if 35 any, obtained during implementation of the at least one subsequent play of the bonus game implemented within the qualification period.

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In one embodiment, the bonus prize allocated to the gaming machine by the bonus game controller is the sum of the bonus prize, if any, obtained during implementation of the 5 bonus game and all bonus prizes obtained during implementation of the at least one subsequent play of the 2024200367

bonus game implemented within the qualification period.

Also disclosed is a gaming system comprising: 10 a plurality of gaming machines, each gaming machine being arranged to implement a base game; and a bonus game controller according to the first aspect of the present invention.

15 In one embodiment, the gaming system comprises a display arranged to display bonus games implemented by the bonus game controller. The display may be configured so as to be viewable by all players of gaming machines associated with the gaming system. 20 The trigger determiner and the bonus prize allocator may be at least partly implemented using a processor.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present 25 invention, there is provided a method of gaming, the method comprising: implementing a bonus game when a bonus trigger signal occurs at a gaming machine of a plurality of gaming machines; 30 commencing a qualification period for a gaming machine when the bonus trigger signal occurs at the gaming machine; and allocating a bonus prize to the gaming machine after the qualification period; 35 wherein each bonus trigger signal occurring at a gaming machine causes a respective qualifying period to commence for the gaming machine; and

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wherein the bonus prize has a total value that is based on: a) an outcome of the bonus game implemented in response to occurrence of the bonus trigger signal at 5 the gaming machine; and b) outcome of all subsequent bonus games 2024200367

implemented in response to occurrence of a bonus trigger signal at other gaming machines different to the gaming machine within the qualification period 10 for the gaming machine.

In accordance with another aspect, there is provided a gaming system comprising a bonus game controller and a plurality of gaming machines in networked relationship 15 with the bonus game controller, each of the gaming machines comprising: a display; a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism 20 including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the 25 meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a 30 wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is 35 operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and

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responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism, to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number 5 generator; control the display to display the selected symbols 2024200367

in a plurality of columns of display positions as a base game outcome during play of a base game; and make an award of credits to the credit meter based on 10 a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols occurring in the base game outcome, the bonus game controller comprising: a trigger determiner arranged to determine whether a first bonus trigger signal has occurred at one of said gaming 15 machines; a processor configured to implement a first bonus game when said trigger detector determined the occurrence of said first bonus trigger signal; and a bonus prize allocator arranged to allocate a first bonus prize to said 20 one gaming machine based on an outcome of said first bonus game; wherein the trigger detector is further configured to determine whether a second further bonus trigger signal has occurred at said one or at another of said gaming 25 machines within a qualification period; and wherein said processor is configured to implement a second further bonus game when said trigger detector determines the occurrence of said second further bonus trigger signal occurring within said qualification period; 30 and wherein said bonus prize allocator is further configured (1) to generate a combined bonus prize formed of said first bonus prize and a further bonus prize based at least in part on a respective outcome of said second 35 further bonus game and (2) to allocate said combined bonus prize to said one gaming machine.

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In accordance with another aspect there is provided a gaming system comprising a bonus game controller and a plurality of gaming machines in networked relationship with the bonus game controller, each of the gaming 5 machines comprising: a display; 2024200367

a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill 10 collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the meters including a credit meter to which credit input via 15 the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a wager from the established credits and to initiate a play 20 of a game; a communication interface which facilitates communication between the gaming machine and the bonus game controller; and a game controller comprising a processor and memory 25 storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game and determine if a trigger condition occurs, the game controller executing 30 the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism, to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of reels defined by the symbol data using the random number 35 generator;

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control the display to display the selected symbols in a plurality of columns of display positions as a base game outcome during play of a base game; make an award of credits to the credit meter based on 5 a total of prize values assigned to combinations of symbols occurring in the base game outcome; and 2024200367

if a trigger condition occurs during base game play send a trigger signal to the bonus game controller via the communication interface, 10 the bonus game controller comprising: a trigger detector arranged to determine whether a first bonus trigger signal has been received from one of said gaming machines; a processor configured to implement a first bonus 15 game when said trigger detector receives said first bonus trigger signal; and a bonus prize allocator arranged to allocate a first bonus prize to said one gaming machine based on an outcome of said first bonus game; 20 wherein the trigger detector is further configured to determine whether a second further bonus trigger signal has been received from said one or another of said gaming machines within a qualification period; and wherein said processor is configured to implement a 25 second further bonus game when said trigger detector receives said second further bonus trigger signal occurring within said qualification period; and wherein said bonus prize allocator is further configured (1) to generate a combined bonus prize formed 30 of said first bonus prize and a further bonus prize based at least in part on a respective outcome of said second further bonus game and (2) to allocate said combined bonus prize to said one gaming machine, and wherein said one gaming machine makes an award of 35 credits to the credit meter based on said combined bonus prize.

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Also disclosed is a computer readable medium having computer readable program code embodied therein, the computer readable program code being arranged when loaded 5 into a computer to cause the computer to operate in accordance with the bonus game controller according to the 2024200367

first aspect of the present invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings 10 The present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a gaming system in 15 accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating operative components of a bonus game controller of the gaming system shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a gaming 20 device of the gaming system shown in Figure 1; Figure 4 is a schematic block diagram of operative components of the gaming device shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic block diagram of components of a memory of the gaming device shown in Figure 3; and 25 Figure 6 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of gaming in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Description of an Embodiment of the Invention 30 Referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, there is shown a gaming system 10 including multiple player operable gaming devices 12, each of which in this example is a gaming machine arranged to implement a probabilistic wagering 35 base game of the type wherein a player wagers a bet amount, and a game outcome is determined in a probabilistic way. With some such probabilistic games,

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several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols.

5 While the following description is directed to a probabilistic game it should be understood that the 2024200367

present invention could apply to pseudo-probabilistic games such as Class II games as well, e.g. lottery or Bingo based games. 10 The gaming devices 12 communicate with a bonus game controller 14 through a local network 16, the bonus game controller 14 being arranged to implement a bonus game when a bonus trigger occurs at a gaming device 12. 15 The gaming system 10 also comprises a display controller 18 and a display 20, the display controller receiving data from the bonus game controller 14 indicative of a bonus game and controlling the display 20 so as to display a 20 representation of the bonus game on the display 20.

In this example, the display 20 is relatively large and is displayed at a location such that players of the gaming devices are able to see the bonus game whilst playing a 25 base game on one of the gaming devices.

Implementation of a bonus game by the bonus game controller 14 commences when a bonus trigger is determined by the bonus game controller 14 to have occurred at a 30 gaming device 12. In this example, a bonus trigger may be generated by a gaming device 12 when a predetermined game outcome occurs, on the basis of a game event occurring during a base game such as display of a particular symbol, a predetermined combination of symbols or in any other 35 suitable way.

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The present gaming system operates such that each of the gaming devices 10 implements a base game and during implementation of a base game is able to generate a bonus trigger which causes the bonus game controller 16 to 5 implement a first bonus game. The bonus game controller 14 allocates a prize to a player of a triggering gaming 2024200367

device 12 (the gaming device 12 where the trigger was displayed during the play of the base game) based on a defined first prize, if any, obtained by the player during 10 implementation of the first bonus game plus at least a portion of any prizes obtained by other players during implementation of at least some other bonus games subsequently triggered by other gaming devices 12 or re- triggered by the player obtaining the first trigger 15 condition during a qualification period.

For example, a player of a first gaming device 12 which triggers a first bonus game may receive the sum (or a portion of the sum) of prizes obtained during the first 20 bonus game and prizes obtained during any subsequent bonus games triggered by other gaming devices 12 within a predefined time period after triggering the first bonus game, or may receive the sum of prizes obtained during the first bonus game and obtained during a predefined number 25 of subsequent bonus games triggered by other gaming devices. In this way, players of all gaming devices are able to be involved in the bonus game arrangement, and in particular have an incentive to achieve a bonus trigger early in the bonus cycle so as to increase the likelihood 30 of obtaining a higher bonus prize.

In an alternative arrangement, the bonus game controller 14 implements sets of bonus games based on a predefined time period or based on a predefined number of bonus 35 games. With this arrangement, each trigger causes a sliding bonus game set to commence so that for each player of a triggering gaming device 12 the same number of

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contributing subsequent bonus games, or the same time period for contributing subsequent bonus games, is provided.

5 The gaming system 10 can take a number of different forms. 2024200367

In a first form, a gaming device in the form of a stand alone gaming machine is provided wherein all or most components required for implementing the base game are 10 present in a player operable gaming machine.

In a second form, a distributed architecture is provided wherein some of the components required for implementing the base game are present in a gaming device in the form 15 of a player operable gaming terminal and some of the components required for implementing the base game are located remotely relative to the gaming terminal.

For example, a “thick client” arrangement may be used 20 wherein part of the base game is executed on a gaming terminal and part of the base game is executed by the gaming server, or a “thin client” arrangement may be used wherein most of the base game is executed remotely by the gaming server and a gaming terminal is used only to 25 display audible and/or visible gaming information to the player and receive gaming inputs from the player.

However, it will be understood that other arrangements are envisaged. For example, an architecture may be provided 30 wherein the respective functions of the gaming device and the gaming server are selectively modifiable. For example, the gaming system may operate in stand alone gaming machine mode, “thick client” mode or “thin client” mode depending on the base game being played, operating 35 conditions, and so on. Other variations will be apparent to persons skilled in the art.

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Operative components of the bonus game controller 14 are shown in more detail in Figure 2.

The bonus game controller 14 includes a processor 21 5 arranged to process bonus game instructions and output bonus game outcomes to the display controller 18. 2024200367

Typically, the game instructions are stored as program code in a memory that can also be hardwired. It will be understood that in this specification the term “processor” 10 is used to refer generically to any device that can process game play instructions and may include a microprocessor, microcontroller, programmable logic device or other computational device such as a personal computer or a server. 15 The processor 21 implements a bonus game and operates in association with a random number generator (RNG) 24 to produce probabilistic game outcomes.

20 It will be appreciated that the random number generator 24 may be of a type which is arranged to generate pseudo random numbers based on a seed number, and that in this specification the term “random” will be understood accordingly to mean truly random or pseudo random. 25 The processor 21 cooperates with a trigger detector 26 arranged to test for and determine occurrence of bonus triggers at the gaming devices 12 and to notice the bonus triggers to the processor 20. On occurrence of a bonus 30 trigger notification at a first gaming device 12, the processor 21 implements a first bonus game associated with the first gaming device 12 and allocates any resulting prize to the first gaming device 12. Occurrence of the bonus trigger also commences a qualification period during 35 which other gaming devices 12 are able to trigger a bonus game and at least a portion of the prizes awarded during

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the other bonus games are added to the prize awarded to the first gaming device.

In this example, the qualification period is a predefined 5 period of time determined using a timer 28 which is activated by the processor 20 on receipt of a bonus 2024200367

trigger notification from the trigger detector 26. Alternatively, the qualification period is a predefined number of bonus games which are triggered subsequent to 10 receipt of a bonus trigger notification from the trigger detector 26. The predefined time period or number of bonus games may be fixed or may be variable, for example pseudo randomly selected using the random number generator 24 and the processor 21. As a further alternative, the 15 qualification period may be determined based on occurrence of a commencement trigger signal at a gaming device 12 and occurrence of an end trigger signal at the same or a different gaming device 12.

20 The bonus game controller 14 also comprises an outcome evaluator 30 which in accordance with the bonus game instructions 22 determines bonus game outcomes based the displayed bonus game results, and a prize allocator 32 arranged to calculate the appropriate prize, if any, to be 25 awarded to a triggering gaming device 12 based on the prize, if any, allocated to an initial triggering gaming device and based on any prizes awarded to other gaming devices 12 which trigger during the qualification period.

30 It will be understood that the bonus game implemented by the bonus game controller 14 may be of a type wherein a set of symbols are provided and a subset of the symbols are selected and displayed on the display 18, with game outcomes being determined on the basis of the symbols 35 displayed and/or on the basis of the positions of the displayed symbols on the display or the positions of the displayed symbols relative to other displayed symbols. A

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suitable bonus game is a spinning reel type game, a card type game, a Keno type game, and so on. The bonus game may also include an element of player interaction such as choices of games, selection of elements of a bonus game 5 from an offered set of selections or even a game which has an element of skill such as controlling a race car or 2024200367

horse, selection of pathways from a set of pathways play of a Blackjack or Poker hand and the like.

10 In the embodiments described below, the trigger detector 26, the timer 28, the outcome evaluator 30, and the prize allocator 32 are at least partly implemented using the processor 21 and associated software, although it will be understood that other implementations are envisaged. 15 A gaming device 40 of stand alone type, hereinafter referred to as a gaming machine, is illustrated in more detail in Figure 3. The gaming machine 40 includes a console 42 having a display 44 on which is displayed 20 representations of a base game 46 that can be played by a player. A mid-trim 50 of the gaming machine 40 houses a bank of buttons 52 for enabling a player to interact with the gaming machine during game play, including enabling the player to select the bet amount. The mid-trim 50 also 25 houses a credit input mechanism 54 which in this example includes a coin input chute 54A and a bill collector 54B.

A top box 56 may carry artwork 58, including for example pay tables and details of bonus awards and other 30 information or images relating to the game. Further artwork and/or information may be provided on a front panel 59 of the console 52. A coin tray 60 is mounted beneath the front panel 59 for dispensing cash payouts from the gaming machine 40. 35 The display 44 is in the form of a video display unit, particularly a cathode ray tube screen device.

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Alternatively, the display 44 may be a liquid crystal display, plasma screen, any other suitable video display unit. The top box 56 and/or the front panel 59 may also include a display, for example a video display unit, which 5 may be of the same type as the display 44, or of a different type. 2024200367

A player marketing module (PMM) 62 having a display 64 is connected to the gaming machine 40. The main purpose of 10 the PMM 62 is to allow the player to interact with a player loyalty system. The PMM has a magnetic card reader for the purpose of reading a player tracking device, for example as part of a loyalty program. However other reading devices may be employed and the player tracking 15 device may be in the form of a card, flash drive or any other portable storage medium capable of being read by the reading device. In this example, the PMM 62 is a Sentinel III device produced by Aristocrat Technologies Pty Ltd.

20 The top box 58, front panel 59 and/or the display 44 may further display advertising material which in this example is displayed in response to advertising data downloaded from an advertising server.

25 Figure 4 shows a block diagram of operative components 100 of a gaming device which may be a gaming machine of the type shown in Figure 3.

The operative components 100 include a processor 102 and a 30 memory 103. Instructions and data to control operation of the processor 102 are stored in the memory 103. Typically, the gaming machine 100 will include both volatile and non-volatile memory and more than one of each type of memory, with such memories being collectively 35 represented by the memory 103.

Figure 5 shows a block diagram of the main components of

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an exemplary memory 103. The memory 103 includes RAM 103A, EPROM 103B and a mass storage device 103C. The RAM 103A typically temporarily holds program files for execution by the processor 102 and related data. The 5 EPROM 103B may be a boot ROM device and/or may contain some system or game related code. The mass storage device 2024200367

103C is typically used to store game programs, the integrity of which may be verified and/or authenticated by the processor 102 using protected code from the EPROM 103B 10 or elsewhere.

The gaming machine 100 also includes meters 104 for purposes including ensuring regulatory compliance and monitoring player credit, and an input/output (I/O) 15 interface 105 for communicating with a player interface 120.

In the example shown in Figure 4, the player interface 120 includes at least one display 106, buttons 107 and the 20 credit input mechanism 110, and also comprises a touch screen 107, a card and/or ticket reader 108 and a printer 109. Additional hardware may be included as part of the gaming machine 100, or hardware may be omitted as required for the specific implementation. 25 In addition, the gaming machine 100 includes a communications interface, for example a network card 112, which facilitates communications between the gaming machine 100 and the bonus game controller 14 through the 30 network 16.

Operation of an exemplary gaming system 10 will now be described with reference to the flow diagram 140 shown in Figure 6. The flow diagram 120 illustrates steps 142 to 35 156 carried out in a method of gaming in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

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In the present example, three gaming devices 12 are shown associated with the local network 16, although it will be understood that in practice more than three gaming devices 12 would typically be present. 5 Each gaming device 12 implements 142 a probabilistic base 2024200367

game of the type wherein a player is able to place a bet and obtain a prize when the game results correspond to a winning outcome. In this example, the base game is a 10 spinning reel game of the type wherein several symbols from a set of symbols are randomly displayed, and a game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed symbols. With such probabilistic games, the set of symbols may include standard symbols and function symbols, 15 and the game outcome is determined on the basis of the displayed standard symbols and the function associated with any displayed function symbol. For example, standard symbols may resemble fruit such as apples, pears and bananas with a win outcome being determined when a 20 predetermined number of the same fruit appear on a display in the same line, scattered, and so on. The function associated with a function symbol may be for example a wild function wherein display of the function symbol is treated during consideration of the game outcome as any of 25 the standard symbols. A function symbol may be represented as the word “WILD”, a star, or by any other suitable word or symbol. Other functions are also envisaged such as scatter functions, multiplier functions, repeat win functions, jackpot functions and feature 30 commencement functions.

The base game could also be a Keno game, a video Poker game or other base games where the player makes a wager, and receives a displayed winning or losing outcome. The 35 base game could be a Class II game such as a video lottery or Bingo game as well.

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During implementation of a base game, if a trigger condition occurs 143, which may be display of a particular symbol or a particular combination of symbols in the base game, a trigger signal is sent from the gaming device 12 5 to the bonus game controller 14 through the network 16. On receipt of the trigger signal, the bonus game 2024200367

controller 14 starts 144 the timer 28 and implements 146 a bonus game, in this example a spinning reel type probabilistic game. The bonus game is shown on the 10 display 20 and is viewable by players of other gaming machines 12 associated with the gaming system 10.

After completion of the bonus game, any prize obtained is allocated 150 to the player and stored as a cumulative 15 bonus prize amount. If the qualification period determined by the timer has not yet expired 152 and further bonus triggers have been received from the gaming devices 12, the bonus game controller implements 146 one or more further bonus games associated with the other 20 triggering gaming devices 12 in the order in which the bonus triggers are received after receipt of the initial triggering signal. The bonus game controller then adds 150 any prize(s) obtained by the respective players associated with the further bonus games to the cumulative 25 bonus prize amount. This procedure continues until the qualification period determined by the timer expires.

In one variation, the gaming system may be arranged to multiply the bonus amount received by a gaming device if 30 the gaming device 12 generates an additional bonus trigger signal during the qualification period, e.g. “re- triggers”.

After expiration of the qualification period, the player 35 of the initial triggering gaming device 12 (which also started the qualification period) is awarded a prize amount equal to the stored cumulative prize amount.

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Players of other gaming devices 12 which have triggered after the initial trigger are awarded a bonus prize amount based on the respective bonus prize associated with the player, if any, plus bonus prize amounts associated with 5 subsequently triggering gaming devices 12 up to the end of the qualification period. 2024200367

As an alternative, instead of determining the qualification period in relation to a time period, the 10 qualification period may be determined in relation to a particular number of bonus games triggered after the initial triggering bonus game.

As a further alternative, the qualification period may be 15 the same for each triggering gaming device 12 such that a sliding sequence of bonus games occurs after each trigger. With this arrangement, a cumulative prize amount may be recorded for each triggering gaming device 12 and the gaming system 10 may be arranged such that each gaming 20 device 12 receives a prize amount equal to the respective stored cumulative prize amount.

It should be understood that while the jackpot controller 14 could be associated with a bank of gaming devices 12 it 25 could also be implemented through software operating at a remote location such as software incorporated into the casino management system such as the OASISTM system manufactured and sold by Aristocrat Technologies Inc. of Las Vegas, Nevada. 30 While the above example is described in relation to a gaming system having gaming devices which are disposed at the same location, it will be understood that other arrangements are possible. For example, one or more of 35 the gaming devices may be located remotely relative to the other gaming devices.

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It will also be understood that instead of providing a display which is relatively large and disposed at a location such that players of gaming devices are able to see the bonus game whilst playing a game using a gaming 5 device, as an alternative, the gaming system may be arranged such that bonus games are in addition or 2024200367

alternatively displayed on the gaming devices.

Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a 10 skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.

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The Claims as defined in the Invention are as follows:

1. A gaming system comprising a bonus game controller and a plurality of gaming machines in networked 5 relationship with the bonus game controller, each of the gaming machines comprising: 2024200367

a display; a credit input mechanism operable to establish credits on the gaming machine, the credit input mechanism 10 including at least one of a coin input chute, a bill collector, a card reader and a ticket reader; meters configured for monitoring credits established via the credit input mechanism and changes to the established credits due to play of the gaming machine, the 15 meters including a credit meter to which credit input via the credit input mechanism is added; a random number generator; a game play mechanism including a plurality of buttons configured for operation by a player to input a 20 wager from the established credits and to initiate a play of a game; a communication interface which facilitates communication between the gaming machine and the bonus game controller; and 25 a game controller comprising a processor and memory storing (i) game program code, and (ii) symbol data defining reels, and wherein the game controller is operable to assign prize values to combinations of symbols as required during play of the game and determine if a 30 trigger condition occurs, the game controller executing the game program code stored in the memory and responsive to initiation of the play of the game with the game play mechanism, to: select a plurality of symbols from a first set of 35 reels defined by the symbol data using the random number generator;

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Claims

2. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the qualification period for a gaming machine is a specific period of time from implementation of the first bonus game. 5 3. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the 2024200367

time period is fixed.

4. A gaming system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the 10 time period is pseudo randomly selected.

5. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the qualification period is a specific number of bonus games.

15 6. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the number of bonus games is fixed.

7. A gaming system as claimed in claim 5, and wherein the number of bonus games is pseudo randomly selected. 20 8. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the qualification period commences when the first bonus game trigger signal is sent by said one gaming machine and ends when an end trigger signal occurs at a gaming 25 machine.

9. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said combined bonus prize is allocated to said one gaming machine after the expiration of the qualification period. 30 10. A gaming system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the qualification period commences again when the first bonus trigger signal is sent after expiration of a previous qualification period. 35 11. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein a respective qualification period is associated with the

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first of said plurality of gaming machines which is associated with a first bonus trigger signal.

12. A gaming system as claimed in any one of the 5 preceding claims, wherein the combined bonus prize allocated to said one gaming machine is the sum of the 2024200367

first bonus prize, if any, obtained during implementation of the first bonus game and at least a proportion of the at least one further bonus prize, if any, within the 10 qualification period.

13. A gaming system as claimed in claim 12, wherein the combined bonus prize allocated to said one gaming machine is the sum of the first bonus prize, if any, obtained 15 during implementation of the first bonus game and all of the at least one further bonus prize.

14. A bonus game controller as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the first bonus prize 20 allocated to said one gaming machine is multiplied if an additional bonus trigger signal occurs at said one gaming machine during the qualification period.

15. A gaming system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said 25 one gaming machine generates said bonus trigger signal when a predefined game outcome occurs.

16. A gaming system as claimed in claim 15, and wherein the predefined game outcome comprises appearance of a 30 special symbol during a base game.

17. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, further comprising a bonus display, said bonus display configured to display said bonus games. 35 18. A gaming system as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the gaming system is arranged to display said

22354567_1 (GHMatters) P76390.AU.7

first bonus game and said further bonus on at least one of the plurality of gaming machines. 2024200367

22354567_1 (GHMatters) P76390.AU.7

Bonus game controller controller Fig. 1 Display Display 12 20 14 18 12 16 10 19 Jan 2024 2024200367

RNG 24 instructions Game 22 Processor evaluator Outcome controller 21 Display Display Fig. 2 detector Trigger 26 Timer 20 18 28 allocator Prize 14 32 30 19 Jan 2024 2024200367

I

RAM Displays Memory Printer I/O 103A 106 109 screen/ Touch 105 103 EPROM bill acceptor Coin input/ Processor Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Buttons 103B 110 102 107 Meters RNG Mass storage Card/ticket Coin output reader device Network 103C card 108 111 112 113 104 103 120 101 100 19 Jan 2024 2024200367

150

N N 144 142 prize record Add prize to 146

143 152 154 Y

148

N Y Y

Win

expired? N outcome?

Fig. 6 interval Time trigger Further exists? condition trigger Primary game bonus Play exists? condition timer interval Start game base Implement Y

156

interval

time the of expiration after record prize the to played a with associated machine gaming each For added prizes on based prize bonus a award game, bonus to up game bonus the playing