# US 2017/0256136 A1 · Linked progressive jackpot system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0256136 A1 - Document ID: US20170256136A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/601,629 - Filed: 2017-05-22 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2002-02-12 - Assignees: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Applicants: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Inventors: Scott Olive - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256136A1 ## CPC - G07F 17/3258: {Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots} - G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements - G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games} - G07F 17/3262: {Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played} - G07F 17/34: depending on the stopping of moving members {in a mechanical slot machine}, e.g. "fruit" machines - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract A gaming machine 10 has a display 14 and a game controller arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display 14. The game controller is arranged to play a game 16 in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display 14. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine 10 awards a prize to a player. When a trigger condition occurs in a base game of the game 16, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games. If a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize to a player, wherein, when a trigger condition occurs in a base game, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a series of bonus games and, if a particular special symbol outcome occurs during any of the bonus games, the particular special symbol outcome is collected towards a jackpot prize awarding event. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which, when the feature occurs, the control means pre-selects a set of special symbol outcomes depending on the magnitude of a bet made by the player. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the special symbol outcome follows automatically after occurrence of a special symboL ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the special symbol outcome occurs only when the special symbol is acted on by the player. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the bonus game feature comprises a free game sequence of a predetermined number of free games, the free games being awarded when a predetermined scatter symbol trigger combination occurs in the base game. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The gaming machine of claim 5 in which if, during the playing of the bonus game feature, the scatter symbol trigger combination re-occurs it results in a further bonus game feature. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the special symbol outcome is a bonus symbol, being one of a bonus credit prize, a bonus feature and a jackpot symbol contributing to the awarding of a jackpot. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The gaming machine of claim 7 in which, when a predetermined special symbol appears on any one of the reels and is displayed on the display means, that special symbol animates to reveal one of a bonus credit prize, a bonus feature and one of a plurality of jackpot symbols. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The gaming machine of claim 8 in which the jackpot symbols are a mini jackpot symbol, a minor jackpot symbol, a major jackpot symbol and a grand jackpot symbol. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which the special symbol outcomes are arranged in sets, the special symbol outcomes being arranged in a predetermined order within the set. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The gaming machine of claim 10 which groups of sets are associated with each bet. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The gaming machine of claim 10 in which, if the base game played triggers the bonus game feature, the control means randomly selects one of the sets from the group associated with the bet that was made on the base game prior to the occurrence of the trigger condition. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The gaming machine of claim 11 in which, in respect of each set, a special symbol outcome of a fixed, low-value prize is associated with any special symbol that occurs after a predetermined number of positions in the set of special symbol outcomes. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The gaming machine of claim 1 in which, if the player wishes to access a progressive jackpot feature of the bonus game feature, an additional wager has to be staked by the player. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A system including a plurality of linked gaming machines as claimed in claim 1. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The system of claim 15 in which the base games of the gaming machines have certain aspects in common. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16 in which the base games differ thematically and/or mathematically from each other. ### Claim 18 A gaming machine having a display means and a game control means arranged to control images of symbols displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize, wherein, when a trigger condition occurs in a base game, a bonus game feature is awarded comprising a plurality of bonus games in which special symbols occur that result in special symbol outcomes and, when the feature occurs, the control means pre-selects a set of special symbol outcomes depending on the magnitude of a bet made by a player. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The gaming machine of claim 18 in which the special symbol outcome follows automatically after occurrence of a special symbol. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The gaming machine of claim 18 in which the special symbol outcome occurs only when the special symbol is acted on by the player.