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(11) | EP 1 278 167 A3 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | A prize awarding system for gaming machines |
| (57) A prize awarding system allows for higher prizes on the results of a series of linked
gaming machines than can be achieved on the play of an individual machine. A primary
fund (represented by a solid line) builds up steadily until, after n1 games, a major prize is won. This is awarded to the player and the primary fund reverts
to its base level, only to build up again as further games are played. After a total
of n2 games, it reaches a permitted maximum, at which point the proportion of the stake
money previously allocated to the primary fund is directed to the reserve fund (represented
by a broken line), which builds up in a similar manner as further games are played.
If another major win is achieved after a total of n3 games, then the player is awarded a maximum prize. This exhausts the primary fund
down to its base level, but there is an instant transfer from the reserve fund to
the primary fund, which therefore starts to build up again from well above its base
level. When it reaches maximum again, the reserve fund starts to be replenished. |