Apparatus and method for awarding a prize

US7837555B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• PALTRONICS AUSTRALASIA PTY LIMITED · AU

Inventors

• Stephen Cowan · Sydney, AU
• Dean Wright · Blaxland, AU

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 16, 2004
• Grant date: Nov 23, 2010
• Expiry date: Dec 13, 2027

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G07F17/3258
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Apparatus (1) and associated methods are disclosed for determining the award of a plurality of prizes having respective prize values. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing data indicative of a current prize value; an input device (3) being responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (4) for providing an increment signal; a controller (5) for defining a prize value between upper and lower prize values and for incrementing an accumulated value toward the current prize value in response to the increment signal; a comparator (7) being responsive to the current prize value and the accumulated value for determining if the current prize value is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal that actuates the controller (5) to define a second prize value. Methods are disclosed in which, upon payment of a prize, the accumulated value is reset to the prize value or the upper or lower prize value and in which subsequent prize values are selected between a preceding prize value and either the upper prize value or the lower prize value.