# US 2017/0256137 A1 · Method of gaming, a gaming system and a game controller > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0256137 A1 - Document ID: US20170256137A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/602,816 - Filed: 2017-05-23 - Published: 2017-09-07 - Earliest claimed: 2008-06-25 - Assignees: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Applicants: Aristocrat Technologies Australia Pty Limited - Inventors: Kevin Francis Prendergast; Chi We Chim - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170256137A1 ## CPC - G07F 17/3258: {Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots} - G07F 17/3244: {Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes} - 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 17/34: 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 method of gaming comprising: (a) determining a minimum prize value to be awarded for a current game outcome based on a previous game outcome; (b) generating the current game outcome; (c) determining a provisional prize value based on the current game outcome; (d) comparing the provisional prize value with the minimum prize value; and (e) setting a current prize value at the minimum prize value upon the provisional prize value being less than the minimum prize value or at the provisional prize value upon the provisional prize value being greater than or equal to the minimum prize value. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A method of gaming for use with a gaming machine having a game controller, the method comprising: determining via the game controller a minimum prize value to be awarded for a current game outcome, the minimum prize value being determined based on a previous prize value awarded for a previous game outcome; determining via the game controller a provisional prize value based on the current game outcome and the previous game outcome; and awarding via the game controller for the current game outcome a current prize value of the minimum prize value when the provisional prize value is less than the minimum prize value; and awarding for the current game outcome a current prize value of the provisional prize value when the provisional prize value is greater than or equal to the minimum prize value. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining a minimum prize value includes multiplying the previous prize value by a given multiplier. ### Claim 3 (depends on 3) A method, as claimed in claim 3, wherein said determining a minimum prize value includes predetermining the multiplier. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said determining a minimum prize value includes determining the multiplier during game play based on at least one game rule. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) A method, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said determining a minimum prize value includes determining the multiplier based on player action. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A method, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising: updating the previous prize value based on the current prize value; and generating a subsequent prize value with the updated previous prize value. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A method, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said determining a provisional prize value includes determining a current game outcome prize value; and adding the current game outcome prize value to the previous prize value. ### Claim 8 (depends on 8) A method, as claimed in claim 8, and further comprising providing access to a feature game on fulfillment of eligibility criteria. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) A method, as claimed in claim 8, and further comprising basing the eligibility criteria on at least one of a game outcome and player activity. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) A method, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising generating an initial game outcome, determining an initial prize value and determining an initial minimum prize value from the initial prize value. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A method, as claimed in claim 1, and further comprising awarding the current prize value when an end condition is met. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) A method, as claimed in claim 11, and further comprising generating the end condition by counting a given number of repetitions. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) A method, as claimed in claim 11, and further comprising generating the end condition in response to a given game outcome occurring. ### Claim 14 A game controller for a gaming system, the game controller configured to: determine a minimum prize value to be awarded for a current game outcome, the minimum prize value being determined based on a previous prize value awarded for a previous game outcome; determine a provisional prize value based on the current game outcome and the previous game outcome; and award for the current game outcome a current prize value of the minimum prize value when the provisional prize value is less than the minimum prize value; and award for the current game outcome a current prize value of the provisional prize value when the provisional prize value is greater than or equal to the minimum prize value. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) A game controller, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game controller is arranged to determine the minimum prize value by multiplying the previous prize value by a given multiplier. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) A game controller, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the multiplier is predetermined. ### Claim 17 (depends on 14) A game controller, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game controller is configured to determine the multiplier during game play based on at least one game rule. ### Claim 18 (depends on 14) A game controller, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game controller is configured to determine the multiplier based on player action. ### Claim 19 (depends on 14) A game controller, as claimed in claim 14, wherein the game controller is further configured to update the previous prize value based on the current prize value and conduct a subsequent iteration with the updated previous value to determine a new current prize value. ### Claim 20 A game system comprising: a player interface configured to receive game play instructions from a player and provide a game outcome and prize information to the player; a game outcome generator configured determine a provisional prize value based on any winning criteria occurring in the game outcome and a previous game outcome; and a prize manager adapted to determine a minimum prize value for a current game outcome, the minimum prize value being determined based on the previous prize value awarded for a previous game outcome, and to award for the current game outcome a current prize value of the minimum prize value when the provisional prize value is less than the minimum prize value, and award for the current game outcome a current prize value of the provisional prize value when the provisional prize value is greater than or equal to the minimum prize value.