U.S. patent application number 11/557869 was filed with the patent office on 2008-05-08 for gaming system and method which provides players an opportunity to win a progressive award.
This patent application is currently assigned to IGT. Invention is credited to Christina M. Evans.
Application Number | 20080108430 11/557869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39360348 |
Filed Date | 2008-05-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080108430 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Christina M. |
May 8, 2008 |
GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD WHICH PROVIDES PLAYERS AN OPPORTUNITY TO
WIN A PROGRESSIVE AWARD
Abstract
A gaming system is provided that includes a central server
linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system
includes a progressive award adapted to be provided to a designated
winning player of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one
embodiment, the gaming system designates the winning player when
the progressive award reaches a player threshold value. In such an
embodiment, the gaming system provides the progressive award to the
designated winning player when the progressive award reaches an
award threshold value. In one embodiment, each player who
contributes to the progressive award is eligible to win that
progressive award, even if that player is not playing one of the
gaming machines in the gaming system. The gaming system provides
the progressive award to the designated winning player or causes a
notification of being provided the progressive award to the winning
player. Accordingly, the gaming system stores the progressive award
until one of the players of one of the gaming machines is
designated.
Inventors: |
Evans; Christina M.; (High
Point, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BELL, BOYD & LLOYD LLP
P.O. Box 1135
CHICAGO
IL
60690
US
|
Assignee: |
IGT
Reno
NV
|
Family ID: |
39360348 |
Appl. No.: |
11/557869 |
Filed: |
November 8, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/27 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3258 20130101;
G07F 17/3246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/27 |
International
Class: |
A63F 13/00 20060101
A63F013/00 |
Claims
1. A gaming system comprising: a central controller; a plurality of
gaming machines, each gaming machine including: (a) a primary game
operable upon a wager by a player, (b) at least one display device
configured to display the primary game, and (c) a processor
operable to communicate with the central controller; and a
progressive award maintained by the central controller, the
progressive award associated with a first triggering event and a
second triggering event, the second triggering event being
different than the first triggering event, wherein the central
controller is programmed to: (i) designate one of the players of
one of the gaming machines as a winning player when the first
triggering event occurs while the player is playing one of the
primary games of one of the gaming machines, and (ii) cause the
progressive award to be provided to the winning player when the
second triggering event occurs regardless of whether the winning
player is playing one of the gaming machines.
2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the progressive award is
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
games of the gaming machines.
3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first and second
triggering events are different types of triggering events.
4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the progressive award is
an accumulated value progressive award associated with a player
threshold value and an award threshold value.
5. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the first triggering event
occurs if the accumulated value progressive award reaches the
player threshold value.
6. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the second triggering
event occurs if the accumulated value progressive award reaches the
award threshold value.
7. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the player threshold value
is less than or equal to the award threshold value.
8. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the player threshold value
is associated with a range of values which define a minimum value
and a maximum value of the accumulated value progressive award.
9. The gaming system of claim 4, wherein the award threshold value
is associated with a range of values which define a minimum value
and a maximum value of the accumulated value progressive award.
10. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the central controller is
programmed to store information associated with the winning player
prior to the second triggering event.
11. The gaming system of claim 10, which includes a player tracking
system operable with the central controller to store the
information associated with the winning player.
12. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the central controller
causes a notification to be sent to the winning player of at least
one of: (a) being designated as the winning player; and (b) being
provided the progressive award.
13. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the second triggering
event occurs independently of the first triggering event.
14. A gaming device operable under control of a processor, the
gaming device comprising: a primary game, each play of the primary
game operable upon a wager placed by a player; a display device
operable to display each play of the primary game; and a
progressive award maintained by the processor, wherein the
processor is programmed to: record the wagers for one or more
players during a designated period of time, designate which of the
players to provide with the progressive award, wherein the
designation occurs when the progressive award has a first value,
determine when to provide the progressive award to one of the
players who played the primary game, wherein the determination
occurs when the progressive award has a different, second value,
and provide the progressive award to the designated player or
players.
15. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the progressive award is
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
game.
16. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the progressive award
increments to the first value before incrementing to the second
value.
17. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the progressive award is
an accumulated value progressive award associated with a first
triggering event and a different, second triggering event.
18. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the first triggering
event occurs if the accumulated value progressive award increments
to the first value.
19. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the second triggering
event occurs if the accumulated value progressive award increments
to the second value.
20. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the second triggering
event occurs independently of the first triggering event.
21. The gaming device of claim 17, wherein the first triggering
event occurs prior to the second triggering event.
22. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein each player who
contributed to the progressive award prior to the progressive award
incrementing to the second value is eligible to win the progressive
award.
23. The gaming device of claim 14, wherein the designated player is
the player who places the wager on the primary game that causes the
progressive award to increment to the first value.
24. A gaming system comprising: a central controller; a plurality
of gaming machines in communication with the central controller,
each gaming machine including a primary game operable upon a wager
placed by a player; a progressive award maintained by the central
controller; a first determination of which player to provide with
the progressive award while the player is playing one of the
primary games of one of the gaming machines, wherein upon the
occurrence of the first determination, the progressive award has a
first value; a second subsequent determination of when to provide
the progressive award to the player regardless of whether the
player is playing one of the primary games of one of the gaming
machines, wherein upon the occurrence of the second determination,
the progressive award has a different second value; and the central
controller causing the progressive award to be provided to the
player determined by the first determination.
25. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the progressive award is
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
game.
26. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the progressive award
increments to the first value before incrementing to the second
value.
27. The gaming device of claim 24, wherein the first determination
occurs independently of the second subsequent determination.
28. The gaming system of claim 24, wherein the second value is
greater than the first value.
29. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of
gaming machines, the method comprising: (a) providing a primary
game on each gaming machine, the primary game operable upon a wager
placed by a player; (b) maintaining a progressive award; (c)
associating the progressive award with a first triggering event;
(d) designating the player of one of the gaming machines as a
winning player while the player is playing one of the primary games
of the gaming machine when the first triggering event occurs; and
(e) providing the progressive award to the winning player when a
second triggering event occurs regardless of whether the winning
player is player one of the primary games on one of the gaming
machines, wherein the first triggering event is different than and
occurs subsequent to the second triggering event.
30. The method of claim 29, which includes funding, at least in
part, the progressive award based on the wagers placed on the
primary games of the gaming machines.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the progressive award is an
accumulated value progressive award associated with a player
threshold value and an award threshold value.
32. The method of claim 31, which includes causing the first
triggering event to occur if the accumulated value progressive
award reaches the player threshold value.
33. The method of claim 31, which includes causing the second
triggering event to occur if the accumulated value progressive
award reaches the award threshold value.
34. The method of claim 31, which includes associating the player
threshold value with a range of values which define a minimum value
and a maximum value of the accumulated value progressive award.
35. The method of claim 31, which includes associating the award
threshold value with a range of values which define a minimum value
and a maximum value of the accumulated value progressive award.
36. The method of claim 29, which includes storing information
associated with the winning player prior to the second triggering
event.
37. The method of claim 36, which includes storing the information
associated with the winning player in association with a player
tracking system.
38. The method of claim 29, which includes causing a notification
to be sent to the winning player of at least one of: (a) being
designated as the winning player; and (b) being provided the
progressive award.
39. The method of claim 29, wherein the player threshold value is
less than or equal to the award threshold value.
40. The method of claim 29, which includes causing the second
triggering event to occur independently of the first triggering
event.
41. The method of claim 29, wherein the first and second triggering
events are different types of triggering events.
42. The method of claim 29, which includes operating the gaming
system through a data network.
43. The method of claim 42, wherein the data network is an
internet.
44. A method of operating a gaming device operable under control of
a processor, the method comprising: (a) providing a primary game,
each play of the primary game operable upon a wager placed by a
player; (b) displaying each play of the primary game; (c)
maintaining a progressive award; (d) recording the wagers for one
or more players during a designated period of time; (e) designating
which of the players to provide with the progressive award, wherein
the designation occurs when the progressive award has a first
value; (f) determining when to provide the progressive award to one
of the players who played the primary game, wherein the
determination occurs when the progressive award has a different,
second value; and (g) providing the progressive award to the
designated player or players.
45. The method of claim 44, which includes funding, at least in
part, the progressive award based on the wagers placed on the
primary games.
46. The method of claim 44, wherein the progressive award is an
accumulated value progressive award associated with a first
triggering event and a different, second triggering event.
47. The method of claim 46, which includes causing the first
triggering event to occur if the accumulated value progressive
award increments to the first value.
48. The method of claim 46, which includes causing the second
triggering event to occur if the accumulated value progressive
award increments to the second value.
49. The method of claim 46, wherein the second triggering event
occurs independently of the first triggering event.
50. The method of claim 46, wherein the first triggering event
occurs prior to the second triggering event.
51. The method of claim 44, enabling each player who contributed to
the progressive award prior to the progressive award incrementing
to the second value to win the progressive award.
52. The method of claim 51, wherein the designated player is the
player who places the wager on the primary game that causes the
progressive award to increment to the first value.
53. The method of claim 46, which includes operating the gaming
device through a data network.
54. The method of claim 53, wherein the data network is an
internet.
55. A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of
gaming machines, the method comprising: (a) providing a primary
game on each gaming machine, the primary operable upon a wager
placed by a player; (b) maintaining a progressive award; (c)
determining which player to provide with the progressive award
while the player is playing one of the primary games of one of the
gaming machines, wherein upon the occurrence of the determination,
the progressive award has a first value; (d) subsequently
determining when to provide the progressive award to the determined
player regardless of whether the determined player is playing one
of the primary games of one of the gaming machines, wherein upon
the occurrence of the subsequent determination, the progressive
award has a different second value; and (e) causing the progressive
award to be provided to the determined player or players.
56. The method of claim 55, wherein the progressive award is
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
game.
57. The method of claim 55, wherein the progressive award
increments to the first value before incrementing to the second
value.
58. The method of claim 55, wherein the first determination occurs
independently of the second subsequent determination.
59. The method of claim 55, wherein the second value is greater
than the first value.
60. The method of claim 55, which includes operating the gaming
system through a data network.
61. The method of claim 60, wherein the data network is an
internet.
Description
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0001] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
or may contain material which is subject to copyright protection.
The copyright owner has no objection to the photocopy reproduction
by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure in
exactly the form it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office
patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights
whatsoever.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Gaming machines which provide players awards in primary or
base games are well known. Gaming machines generally require the
player to place or make a wager to activate the primary or base
game. In many of these gaming machines, the award is based on the
player obtaining a winning symbol or symbol combination and on the
amount of the wager (e.g., the higher the wager, the higher the
award). Symbols or symbol combinations which are less likely to
occur usually provide higher awards.
[0003] In such known gaming machines, the amount of the wager made
on the base game by the player may vary. For instance, the gaming
machine may enable the player to wager a minimum number of credits,
such as one credit (e.g., one penny, nickel, dime, quarter or
dollar) up to a maximum number of credits, such as five credits.
This wager may be made by the player a single time or multiple
times in a single play of the primary game. For instance, a slot
game may have one or more paylines and the slot game may enable the
player to make a wager on each payline in a single play of the
primary game. Thus, it is known that a gaming machine, such as a
slot game, may enable players to make wagers of substantially
different amounts on each play of the primary or base game ranging,
for example, from 1 credit up to 125 credits (e.g., 5 credits on
each of 25 separate paylines). This is also true for other wagering
games, such as video draw poker, where players can wager one or
more credits on each hand and where multiple hands can be played
simultaneously. Accordingly, it should be appreciated that
different players play at substantially different wagering amounts
or levels and at substantially different rates of play.
[0004] Secondary or bonus games are also known in gaming machines.
The secondary or bonus games usually provide an additional award to
the player. Secondary or bonus games usually do not require an
additional wager by the player to be activated. Secondary or bonus
games are generally activated or triggered upon an occurrence of a
designated triggering symbol or triggering symbol combination in
the primary or base game. For instance, a bonus symbol occurring on
the payline on the third reel of a three reel slot machine may
trigger the secondary bonus game. Part of the enjoyment and
excitement of playing certain gaming machines is the occurrence or
triggering of the secondary or bonus game (even before the player
knows how much the bonus award will be). In other words, obtaining
a bonus event and a bonus award in the bonus event is part of the
enjoyment and excitement for players.
[0005] Player tracking systems are also known. Player tracking
systems enable gaming establishments to recognize the value of
customer loyalty through identifying frequent customers and
rewarding them for their patronage. The cumulative history of a
particular player's gaming activity, which is included in a player
profile, enables gaming establishments to target individual players
with direct marketing promotions or customized compensation plans.
In existing player tracking systems, a player is issued a player
identification card which has an encoded player identification
number that uniquely identifies the player. Player tracking on
gaming devices such as slot machines, is typically accomplished
with a card reader mounted to the gaming device. When the player
first sits down at a gaming device, the player inserts the card
into the card reader. The card reader reads the player
identification number off the player tracking card and communicates
information through a network to a central computer regarding the
player's subsequent gaming activity. Based on this communicated
information or data, the gaming establishment classifies each
player and provides one or more of such players certain benefits
based on these classifications.
[0006] One known player tracking system provides an award provided
to a designated player if that player's player tracking card is
inserted into a gaming device. The award is provided at a randomly
determined time and/or a randomly determined amount. The designated
player is randomly chosen from all of the carded players (i.e.,
those players who have inserted their player tracking cards into a
gaming device). Although rewarding carded players encourages
participation in such a player tracking system, this also may
discourage certain players because a player becomes ineligible for
the benefit once the player removes their player tracking card from
the gaming machine.
[0007] Progressive awards associated with gaming machines are also
known. In one form, a progressive award is an award amount which
includes an initial amount funded by a casino and an additional
amount funded through a portion of each wager made on the
progressive gaming machine. For example, 0.1% of each wager placed
on the primary game of the gaming machine associated with the
progressive award may be allocated to the progressive award or
progressive award fund or pool. The progressive award grows in
value as more players play the gaming machines and more portions of
these players' wagers are allocated to the progressive award. When
a player obtains a winning symbol or symbol combination associated
with the progressive award, the accumulated progressive award is
provided to the player. After the progressive award is provided to
the player, the amount of the next progressive award is reset to
the initial value and a portion of each subsequent wager on a
gaming machine associated with a progressive award is allocated to
the next progressive award.
[0008] A progressive award may be associated with or otherwise
dedicated to a single or stand-alone gaming machine. Alternatively,
a progressive award may be associated with or otherwise dedicated
to multiple gaming machines which each contribute a portion of
wagers placed at such gaming machine(s) to the progressive award.
The multiple gaming machines may be in the same bank of gaming
machines, in the same casino or gaming establishment (usually
through a local area network ("LAN")) or in two or more different
casinos or gaming establishments (usually through a wide area
network ("WAN")). Such progressive awards are played for by one or
more gaming devices in the same gaming establishment sometimes
called local area progressives ("LAP") and such progressive awards
played for by a plurality of gaming devices at a plurality of
different gaming establishments are sometimes called wide area
progressives ("WAP").
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,608 B1 entitled "Progressive Wagering
System" discloses a linked progressive wagering system specifying a
boundary criteria, such as a maximum value or an expiration date
and time, for a progressive award prize. If a gaming device has not
randomly generated a prize award event when the specified boundary
criteria is met, a progressive award prize is forced by the system
upon one or more randomly selected participating players.
[0010] While such progressive awards are popular amongst players, a
number of issues exist with these known progressive award systems.
First, only players currently playing gaming devices in the
progressive award gaming system are eligible to win the progressive
award. Typically, in such systems, the player who places the wager
that caused the system to meet the specified criteria (such as time
or amount of coin-in) is awarded the progressive award. Thus, if a
player stops playing for the progressive award, the player
sacrifices their opportunity to win the progressive award and the
progressive award may be provided to another player. This may
discourage certain players from playing a gaming device if they
have a limited amount of time to play.
[0011] Additionally, if a player wagers large amounts for a long
period of time at a gaming device in a progressive award system,
that player contributes to or funds a relatively large portion of
the progressive award pool. Certain players may be hesitant to
wager such large amounts for a long period of time when those
players lose their chance to win the progressive award upon walking
away from the gaming device. That is, certain players may be
reluctant to contribute or invest large amounts of wagers and time
try to win a progressive award that the players have no chance of
winning if the players leave the gaming device.
[0012] In one instance, certain players leave the gaming devices
after realizing that the progressive award has been provided to
another player. Such players may walk away from the gaming devices
feeling discouraged. Such discouragement can lead to certain
players walking away with jackpot fatigue. By walking away, even if
the player has spent long periods of time playing for the
progressive award, the player sacrifices or forfeits any
opportunity to win the progressive award. This may lead to certain
players feeling pessimistic about their chances to win the
progressive award.
[0013] Other players may believe that a significant amount of time
and money are required to win the progressive award. This may
discourage certain players from playing a gaming device, especially
if those players have a limited amount of money to play with or a
limited amount of time to play.
[0014] There is a continuing need to provide new and different
gaming machines and gaming systems as well as new and different
ways to provide awards to players including progressive or other
bonus awards.
SUMMARY
[0015] The present disclosure enables a plurality of players to
play for one or more progressive awards, such as accumulated value
progressive awards, at gaming machines or gaming devices of a
gaming system. In one embodiment, the gaming system enables any
player who contributed to an accrual of a designated progressive
award to win that progressive award regardless of when those
contributions were made. That is, any player who contributed to the
accumulated value progressive award is eligible to win that
progressive award regardless of whether that player is playing at
one of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In another
embodiment, the gaming system enables any player who contributed to
an accrual of a designated progressive award during a designated
time period to win that progressive award. It should be appreciated
that the players may include players who are currently playing at
one of the gaming machines in the gaming system or players who have
played at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system during a
designated time period.
[0016] In one embodiment, the gaming system has at least two
independent and separate triggering events for each progressive
award. Upon the occurrence of a first triggering event, such as a
player triggering event, the gaming system designates a winning
player for the progressive award. That is, the gaming system
selects one of the players who has played one of the gaming devices
in the gaming system and contributed to the progressive award. Upon
the occurrence of a second, subsequently occurring triggering
event, such as an award triggering event, the gaming system
determines the value of the progressive award to be provided to the
designated player. That is, independent of which player is
designated as the winning player, the system determines the value
of the progressive award to be provided to the designated player.
Thus, the gaming system independently and separately determines
which player will win a progressive award (i.e., selected as a
winning player) and when that progressive award will be provided to
the winning player (i.e., the amount of the progressive award).
Such a configuration enables players who leave the gaming machine
and/or the gaming system to remain eligible to win the progressive
award. This configuration also enables players currently playing
and players not currently playing one of the gaming devices in the
gaming system to be eligible to win the progressive award, provided
that these players have contributed to the progressive award, such
as during a designated time period. For example, if a player leaves
a gaming device in the progressive gaming system without having won
a progressive award, the player may not be aware that they were
selected as the winning player. Such players may be selected while
playing one of the gaming devices of the gaming system and sent
notification of the amount of the progressive award won subsequent
to leaving the gaming device.
[0017] In a first embodiment, the progressive award is an
accumulated value progressive award or N.sup.th coin progressive
award provided to the designated winning player based on the
occurrence of the player triggering event and the award triggering
event. In one such embodiment, the player triggering event occurs
when the accumulated value progressive award increments to a first
progressive hit value or player threshold value. Upon the
occurrence of the player triggering event, the central controller
selects a currently playing player who contributed to the
accumulated value progressive award and designates that player as
the winning player. In this embodiment, the award triggering event
occurs subsequent to the player triggering event. The award
triggering event occurs when the accumulated value progressive
award increments to a second progressive hit value or award
threshold value. Upon the occurrence of the award triggering event,
the amount of the designated progressive award is determined and
the designated progressive award is provided to the designated
winning player. The gaming system utilizes a designated coin-in
value to select when the accumulated progressive award will
increment to the player threshold value and the award threshold
value. Such a coin-in value is determined by using the wager value
and the percentage of each wager applied to the accumulated value
progressive award. For example, the player threshold may be set at
the 500,000.sup.th coin and the award threshold may be set at the
1,000,000.sup.th coin. In this example, the designated progressive
award accumulates based on a predetermined percentage (such as 1%)
of coin-in or wagered amounts. For a contribution rate of 1%, one
penny or $0.01 will be contributed to the progressive award for
each $1.00 wagered. Based on a contribution rate of 1%, wherein a
winning player is thus designated when the progressive award
reaches $5,000 (e.g., if each coin is one dollar and the designated
progressive award starts at a default value equal to $0).
Accordingly, the accumulated progressive award is thus provided to
a winning player when the progressive award reaches $10,000 (e.g.,
if each coin is one dollar and the designated progressive award
starts at a default value equal to $0). In other alternative
embodiments, the designated coin-in value is randomly determined,
predetermined or otherwise determined in another suitable manner.
It should be appreciated that the progressive award may start at
any suitable start up value, which may be funded by a portion of
coin-in or by one or more departments of the gaming
establishment.
[0018] In a second embodiment, the award triggering event occurs
prior to the player triggering event. In such an embodiment, the
accumulated value progressive award is stored or escrowed when the
award triggering event occurs. Upon the occurrence of the player
triggering event, a winning player is designated and the stored or
escrowed progressive award is provided to the designated winning
player. That is, if the accumulated value progressive award reaches
the award threshold value prior to reaching the player threshold
value, the progressive award is stored or escrowed. Accordingly,
when the gaming system designates a winning player, the winning
player is provided with the stored progressive award.
[0019] In one embodiment, as players play for a designated
progressive award, a portion of each player's wager contributes to
an accumulated value of the designated progressive award. In one
embodiment, each player who contributed to the designated
progressive award is eligible to win that designated progressive
award, even if that player is no longer playing for that designated
progressive award or playing at a gaming machine in the gaming
system. In one embodiment, the gaming system stores the
contributions from players who are not currently playing (or any
eligible players). In this embodiment, when a winning player is
selected, the gaming system selects the winning player from a group
including all of the players who contributed to the progressive
award. In one embodiment, the eligibility of each player for the
designated progressive award is tracked by a suitable player
tracking system, such as in conjunction with a player tracking card
system or in another suitable manner. In one embodiment, each
eligible player gains eligibility into one, a plurality or each
progressive award level of a multi-level progressive ("MLP")
configuration.
[0020] In one embodiment, the gaming system independently and
separately determines when a progressive award will be hit and
stores or escrows the hit progressive award until a winning player
is determined. When the gaming system designates a winning player,
the winning player is provided with the stored progressive award.
This enables players who contribute to one, more or each
progressive award to be eligible for one of those progressive
awards.
[0021] In one embodiment, the gaming system independently and
separately determines when a winning player will be selected and
stores or escrows the winning player until a progressive award is
hit. When the gaming system determines that the progressive award
is hit, the gaming system provides the hit progressive award to the
stored winning player. This enables players who contribute to one,
more or each progressive award while currently playing at one of
the gaming devices in the gaming system and to be eligible for one
of those progressive awards (e.g., regardless of whether the player
is playing or has stopped playing at one of the gaming machines in
the gaming system).
[0022] In one embodiment, the gaming system disclosed herein causes
a suitable notification to be sent to the players of the gaming
devices. This notification informs the players which player was
selected as the winning player and/or the amount of the progressive
award. In one embodiment, the notification includes information
relating to a stored progressive award or information relating to
the winning player. In this embodiment, the notification may be
provided in the form of a message sent to the gaming device at
which the winning player is playing. If the winning player is not
playing in the gaming system or cannot be located at another gaming
device, the notification may be sent in any other manner, such as
through telephone, e-mail or any other suitable medium. In one
embodiment, a electronic kiosk at the gaming establishment may be
used to provide such notification and enable the winning players to
claim the progressive award. Alternatively, such notification is
displayed on a website accessible to the players which provides
instructions for the winning player to claim the award at the
gaming establishment. In one instance, the winning player must
return to the gaming establishment to claim the award.
[0023] In one embodiment, the gaming device or gaming system
selects the winning player during an accumulation period for the
designated progressive award (i.e., before the progressive award is
hit or awarded). For example, if the designated progressive award
is set to hit after 1,750,000 coins (e.g., $17,500 if each coin is
one dollar and the designated progressive award starts at a default
value equal to $0) are accumulated, player who are playing at one
of the gaming machines in the gaming system when the
1,750,000.sup.th coin is wagered are eligible to win the designated
progressive award. The gaming system tracks or groups the coin-in
of these players and enables these players to be eligible to win
the designated progressive award. In an alternate embodiment,
players who contribute any of coins 1 to 1,750,000 are eligible to
win the designated progressive award. For example, a winning player
for a designated progressive award may be selected after the
1,700,000.sup.th coin is inserted and the designated progressive
award accumulates to $17,000 (i.e., based on a contribution rate of
1% if each coin is one dollar and the designated progressive award
starts at a default value equal to $0). When the designated
progressive award accumulates to $17,500 (i.e., after 1,750,000
coins based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is one dollar
and the designated progressive award starts at a default value
equal to $0), the progressive award is awarded to the winning
player as described above. Since the winning player is
independently determined before the designated progressive award is
hit or determined to be provided to a player, the winning player
may be sent a notification or announcement after the designated
progressive award reaches $17,500. Such a configuration reduces
jackpot fatigue in one sense because a value of the designated
progressive award when the winning player is designated (i.e.,
$17,000) has no bearing on the value of the progressive award
provided to the winning player (i.e., $17,500).
[0024] Alternatively, in another embodiment, the gaming system
selects the winning player after one or more progressive awards
have been hit or awarded. In this case, the gaming system disclosed
herein stores the designated progressive award until the gaming
system designates a player to win that designated progressive
award. In one embodiment, the designated progressive award reaches
the award threshold at a predetermined time prior to a designation
of the winning player. In such embodiments, the gaming system
causes a notification to be sent to players of gaming machines in
the gaming system that the designated progressive award may be won
shortly, e.g., in the next 15 minutes. For example, such
notification may be displayed on an overhead display to inform
players and non-players of the gaming devices of the progressive
award. This generates great excitement and anticipation amongst the
current players and enables non-players to begin playing one of the
gaming devices for the progressive award.
[0025] Accordingly, an advantage of the gaming system disclosed
herein is to include a plurality of progressive awards wherein the
gaming device provides a player an opportunity to win one, more or
each progressive award that the player has contributed to,
regardless of whether that player is currently playing one of the
gaming machines in the gaming system. Such a configuration provides
increased excitement and enjoyment for players because the players
are provided a chance to win a plurality of progressive awards
regardless of whether those players continue or stop playing at one
of the gaming machines in the gaming system and regardless of
whether one or more progressive awards are hit. This configuration
also encourages players to join a loyalty program or player
tracking system.
[0026] Additional features and advantages are described in, and
will be apparent from, the following Detailed Description and the
figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0027] FIG. 1A is a front-side perspective view of one embodiment
of the gaming device disclosed herein.
[0028] FIG. 1B is a front-side perspective view of another
embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein.
[0029] FIG. 2A is a schematic block diagram of the electronic
configuration of one embodiment of the gaming device disclosed
herein.
[0030] FIG. 2B is a schematic block diagram illustrating a
plurality of gaming terminals in communication with a central
controller.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the gaming system
disclosed herein illustrating an opportunity for one or more
players to win a progressive award.
[0032] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of the gaming system
disclosed herein illustrating an opportunity for one or more
players to win a progressive award, wherein the progressive award
is stored until a winning player for that progressive award is
designated.
[0033] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a display device of one
embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein illustrating
information relating to the gaming system storing one progressive
award for a designated period of time.
[0034] FIG. 6 is a timeline of one embodiment of different and
independent triggering events for a progressive award available to
be provided to a player in the gaming system.
[0035] FIG. 7 is a chart of one embodiment of different and
independent triggering events for a progressive award available to
be provided to a player in the gaming system.
[0036] FIG. 8 is a chart of one embodiment of different and
independent triggering events for a progressive award available to
be provided to a player in the gaming system.
[0037] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of a display device of one
embodiment of the gaming device disclosed herein illustrating
information relating to the gaming system providing one progressive
award within a designated period of time.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] The present disclosure may be implemented in various
configurations for gaming machines or gaming devices, including but
not limited to: (1) a dedicated gaming machine or gaming device,
wherein the computerized instructions for controlling any games
(which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming device) are
provided with the gaming machine or gaming device prior to delivery
to a gaming establishment; and (2) a changeable gaming machine or
gaming device, where the computerized instructions for controlling
any games (which are provided by the gaming machine or gaming
device) are downloadable to the gaming machine or gaming device
through a data network when the gaming machine or gaming device is
in a gaming establishment. In one embodiment, the computerized
instructions for controlling any games are executed by a central
server, central controller or remote host. In such a "thin client"
embodiment, the central server remotely controls any games (or
other suitable interfaces) and the gaming device is utilized to
display such games (or suitable interfaces) and receive one or more
inputs or commands from a player. In another embodiment, the
computerized instructions for controlling any games are
communicated from the central server, central controller or remote
host to a gaming device local processor and memory devices. In such
a "thick client" embodiment, the gaming device local processor
executes the communicated computerized instructions to control any
games (or other suitable interfaces) provided to a player.
[0039] In one embodiment, one or more gaming devices in a gaming
system may be thin client gaming devices and one or more gaming
devices in the gaming system may be thick client gaming devices. In
another embodiment, certain functions of the gaming device are
implemented in a thin client environment and certain other
functions of the gaming device are implemented in a thick client
environment. In one such embodiment, computerized instructions for
controlling any primary games are communicated from the central
server to the gaming device in a thick client configuration and
computerized instructions for controlling any secondary games or
bonus functions are executed by a central server in a thin client
configuration.
[0040] Referring now to the drawings, two example alternative
embodiments of the gaming device of the gaming system disclosed
herein are illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as gaming device 10a and
gaming device 10b, respectively. Gaming device 10a and/or gaming
device 10b are generally referred to herein as gaming device
10.
[0041] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming
device 10 has a support structure, housing or cabinet which
provides support for a plurality of displays, inputs, controls and
other features of a conventional gaming machine. It is configured
so that a player can operate it while standing or sitting. The
gaming device may be positioned on a base or stand or can be
configured as a pub-style table-top game (not shown) which a player
can operate preferably while sitting. As illustrated by the
different configurations shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the gaming
device may have varying cabinet and display configurations.
[0042] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device preferably includes at least one processor 12, such as a
microprocessor, a microcontroller-based platform, a suitable
integrated circuit or one or more application-specific integrated
circuits (ASIC's). The processor is in communication with or
operable to access or to exchange signals with at least one data
storage or memory device 14. In one embodiment, the processor and
the memory device reside within the cabinet of the gaming device.
The memory device stores program code and instructions, executable
by the processor, to control the gaming device. The memory device
also stores other data such as image data, event data, player input
data, random or pseudo-random number generators, pay-table data or
information and applicable game rules that relate to the play of
the gaming device. In one embodiment, the memory device includes
random access memory (RAM), which can include non-volatile RAM
(NVRAM), magnetic RAM (MRAM), ferroelectric RAM (FeRAM) and other
forms as commonly understood in the gaming industry. In one
embodiment, the memory device includes read only memory (ROM). In
one embodiment, the memory device includes flash memory and/or
EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read only memory). Any
other suitable magnetic, optical and/or semiconductor memory may
operate in conjunction with the gaming device disclosed herein.
[0043] In one embodiment, part or all of the program code and/or
operating data described above can be stored in a detachable or
removable memory device, including, but not limited to, a suitable
cartridge, disk, CD ROM, DVD or USB memory device. In other
embodiments, part or all of the program code and/or operating data
described above can be downloaded to the memory device through a
suitable network.
[0044] In one embodiment, an operator or a player can use such a
removable memory device in a desktop computer, a laptop personal
computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computing
device, or other computerized platform to implement the present
disclosure. In one embodiment, the gaming device or gaming machine
disclosed herein is operable over a wireless network, such as part
of a wireless gaming system. In this embodiment, the gaming machine
may be a hand held device, a mobile device or any other suitable
wireless device that enables a player to play any suitable game at
a variety of different locations. It should be appreciated that a
gaming device or gaming machine as disclosed herein may be a device
that has obtained approval from a regulatory gaming commission or a
device that has not obtained approval from a regulatory gaming
commission. It should be appreciated that the processor and memory
device may be collectively referred to herein as a "computer" or
"controller."
[0045] In one embodiment, as discussed in more detail below, the
gaming device randomly generates awards and/or other game outcomes
based on probability data. In one such embodiment, this random
determination is provided through utilization of a random number
generator (RNG), such as a true random number generator, a pseudo
random number generator or other suitable randomization process. In
one embodiment, each award or other game outcome is associated with
a probability and the gaming device generates the award or other
game outcome to be provided to the player based on the associated
probabilities. In this embodiment, since the gaming device
generates outcomes randomly or based upon one or more probability
calculations, there is no certainty that the gaming device will
ever provide the player with any specific award or other game
outcome.
[0046] In another embodiment, as discussed in more detail below,
the gaming device employs a predetermined or finite set or pool of
awards or other game outcomes. In this embodiment, as each award or
other game outcome is provided to the player, the gaming device
flags or removes the provided award or other game outcome from the
predetermined set or pool. Once flagged or removed from the set or
pool, the specific provided award or other game outcome from that
specific pool cannot be provided to the player again. This type of
gaming device provides players with all of the available awards or
other game outcomes over the course of the play cycle and
guarantees the amount of actual wins and losses.
[0047] In another embodiment, as discussed below, upon a player
initiating game play at the gaming device, the gaming device
enrolls in a bingo game. In this embodiment, a bingo server calls
the bingo balls that result in a specific bingo game outcome. The
resultant game outcome is communicated to the individual gaming
device to be provided to a player. In one embodiment, this bingo
outcome is displayed to the player as a bingo game and/or in any
form in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0048] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2A, the gaming
device includes one or more display devices controlled by the
processor. The display devices are preferably connected to or
mounted to the cabinet of the gaming device. The embodiment shown
in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 16 which displays a
primary game. This display device may also display any suitable
secondary game associated with the primary game as well as
information relating to the primary or secondary game. The
alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central display
device 16 and an upper display device 18. The upper display device
may display the primary game, any suitable secondary game
associated or not associated with the primary game and/or
information relating to the primary or secondary game. These
display devices may also serve as digital glass operable to
advertise games or other aspects of the gaming establishment. As
seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, in one embodiment, the gaming device
includes a credit display 20 which displays a player's current
number of credits, cash, account balance or the equivalent. In one
embodiment, gaming device includes a bet display 22 which displays
a player's amount wagered.
[0049] In another embodiment, at least one display device may be a
mobile display device, such as a PDA or tablet PC, that enables
play of at least a portion of the primary or secondary game at a
location remote from the gaming device.
[0050] The display devices may include, without limitation, a
monitor, a television display, a plasma display, a liquid crystal
display (LCD) a display based on light emitting diodes (LED), a
display based on a plurality of organic light-emitting diodes
(OLEDs), a display based on polymer light-emitting diodes (PLEDs),
a display based on a plurality of surface-conduction
electron-emitters (SEDs), a display including a projected and/or
reflected image or any other suitable electronic device or display
mechanism. In one embodiment, as described in more detail below,
the display device includes a touch-screen with an associated
touch-screen controller. The display devices may be of any suitable
size and configuration, such as a square, a rectangle or an
elongated rectangle.
[0051] The display devices of the gaming device are configured to
display at least one and preferably a plurality of game or other
suitable images, symbols and indicia such as any visual
representation or exhibition of the movement of objects such as
mechanical, virtual or video reels and wheels, dynamic lighting,
video images, images of people, characters, places, things and
faces of cards, and the like.
[0052] In one alternative embodiment, the symbols, images and
indicia displayed on or of the display device may be in mechanical
form. That is, the display device may include any electromechanical
device, such as one or more mechanical objects, such as one or more
rotatable wheels, reels or dice, configured to display at least one
or a plurality of game or other suitable images, symbols or
indicia.
[0053] As illustrated in FIG. 2A, in one embodiment, the gaming
device includes at least one payment acceptor 24 in communication
with the processor. As seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the payment
acceptor may include a coin slot 26 and a payment, note or bill
acceptor 28, where the player inserts money, coins or tokens. The
player can place coins in the coin slot or paper money, a ticket or
voucher into the payment, note or bill acceptor. In other
embodiments, devices such as readers or validators for credit
cards, debit cards or credit slips may accept payment. In one
embodiment, a player may insert an identification card into a card
reader of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the identification
card is a smart card having a programmed microchip or a magnetic
strip coded with a player's identification, credit totals (or
related data) and other relevant information. In another
embodiment, a player may carry a portable device, such as a cell
phone, a radio frequency identification tag or any other suitable
wireless device, which communicates a player's identification,
credit totals (or related data) and other relevant information to
the gaming device. In one embodiment, money may be transferred to a
gaming device through electronic funds transfer. When a player
funds the gaming device, the processor determines the amount of
funds entered and displays the corresponding amount on the credit
or other suitable display as described above.
[0054] As seen in FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2A, in one embodiment the gaming
device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of input
devices 30 in communication with the processor. The input devices
can include any suitable device which enables the player to produce
an input signal which is received by the processor. In one
embodiment, after appropriate funding of the gaming device, the
input device is a game activation device, such as a pull arm 32 or
a play button 34 which is used by the player to start any primary
game or sequence of events in the gaming device. The play button
can be any suitable play activator such as a bet one button, a max
bet button or a repeat the bet button. In one embodiment, upon
appropriate funding, the gaming device begins the game play
automatically. In another embodiment, upon the player engaging one
of the play buttons, the gaming device automatically activates game
play.
[0055] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, one input
device is a bet one button 36. The player places a bet by pushing
the bet one button. The player can increase the bet by one credit
each time the player pushes the bet one button. When the player
pushes the bet one button, the number of credits shown in the
credit display preferably decreases by one, and the number of
credits shown in the bet display preferably increases by one. In
another embodiment, one input device is a bet max button (not
shown) which enables the player to bet the maximum wager permitted
for a game of the gaming device.
[0056] In one embodiment, one input device is a cash out button 38.
The player may push the cash out button and cash out to receive a
cash payment or other suitable form of payment corresponding to the
number of remaining credits. In one embodiment, when the player
cashes out, the player receives the coins or tokens in a coin
payout tray 40. In one embodiment, when the player cashes out, the
player may receive other payout mechanisms such as tickets or
credit slips redeemable by a cashier (or other suitable redemption
system) or funding to the player's electronically recordable
identification card.
[0057] In one embodiment, as mentioned above and seen in FIG. 2A,
one input device is a touch-screen 42 coupled with a touch-screen
controller 44, or some other touch-sensitive display overlay to
allow for player interaction with the images on the display. The
touch-screen and the touch-screen controller are connected to a
video controller 46. A player can make decisions and input signals
into the gaming device by touching the touch-screen at the
appropriate places. One such input device is a conventional
touch-screen button panel.
[0058] The gaming device may further include a plurality of
communication ports for enabling communication of the processor
with external peripherals, such as external video sources,
expansion buses, game or other displays, an SCSI port or a key
pad.
[0059] In one embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2A, the gaming device
includes a sound generating device controlled by one or more sounds
cards 48 which function in conjunction with the processor. In one
embodiment, the sound generating device includes at least one and
preferably a plurality of speakers 50 or other sound generating
hardware and/or software for generating sounds, such as playing
music for the primary and/or secondary game or for other modes of
the gaming device, such as an attract mode. In one embodiment, the
gaming device provides dynamic sounds coupled with attractive
multimedia images displayed on one or more of the display devices
to provide an audio-visual representation or to otherwise display
full-motion video with sound to attract players to the gaming
device. During idle periods, the gaming device may display a
sequence of audio and/or visual attraction messages to attract
potential players to the gaming device. The videos may also be
customized for or to provide any appropriate information.
[0060] In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a sensor,
such as a camera in communication with the processor (and possibly
controlled by the processor) that is selectively positioned to
acquire an image of a player actively using the gaming device
and/or the surrounding area of the gaming device. In one
embodiment, the camera may be configured to selectively acquire
still or moving (e.g., video) images and may be configured to
acquire the images in either an analog, digital or other suitable
format. The display devices may be configured to display the image
acquired by the camera as well as display the visible manifestation
of the game in split screen or picture-in-picture fashion. For
example, the camera may acquire an image of the player and the
processor may incorporate that image into the primary and/or
secondary game as a game image, symbol or indicia.
[0061] Gaming device 10 can incorporate any suitable wagering
primary or base game. The gaming machine or device may include some
or all of the features of conventional gaming machines or devices.
The primary or base game may comprise any suitable reel-type game,
card game, cascading or falling symbol game, number game or other
game of chance susceptible to representation in an electronic or
electromechanical form, which in one embodiment produces a random
outcome based on probability data at the time of or after placement
of a wager. That is, different primary wagering games, such as
video poker games, video blackjack games, video keno, video bingo
or any other suitable primary or base game may be implemented.
[0062] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, a base
or primary game may be a slot game with one or more paylines 52.
The paylines may be horizontal, vertical, circular, diagonal,
angled or any combination thereof. In this embodiment, the gaming
device includes at least one and preferably a plurality of reels
54, such as three to five reels 54, in either electromechanical
form with mechanical rotating reels or video form with simulated
reels and movement thereof. In one embodiment, an electromechanical
slot machine includes a plurality of adjacent, rotatable reels
which may be combined and operably coupled with an electronic
display of any suitable type. In another embodiment, if the reels
54 are in video form, one or more of the display devices, as
described above, display the plurality of simulated video reels 54.
Each reel 54 displays a plurality of indicia or symbols, such as
bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other images which
preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device.
In another embodiment, one or more reels are independent reels or
unisymbol reels. In this embodiment, each independent or unisymbol
reel generates and displays one symbol to the player. In one
embodiment, the gaming device awards prizes after the reels of the
primary game stop spinning if specified types and/or configurations
of indicia or symbols occur on an active payline or otherwise occur
in a winning pattern, occur on the requisite number of adjacent
reels and/or occur in a scatter pay arrangement.
[0063] In an alternative embodiment, rather than determining any
outcome to provide to the player by analyzing the symbols generated
on any wagered upon paylines as described above, the gaming device
determines any outcome to provide to the player based on the number
of associated symbols which are generated in active symbol
positions on the requisite number of adjacent reels (i.e., not on
paylines passing through any displayed winning symbol
combinations). In this embodiment, if a winning symbol combination
is generated on the reels, the gaming device provides the player
one award for that occurrence of the generated winning symbol
combination. For example, if one winning symbol combination is
generated on the reels, the gaming device will provide a single
award to the player for that winning symbol combination (i.e., not
based on the number of paylines that would have passed through that
winning symbol combination). It should be appreciated that because
a gaming device with wagering on ways to win provides the player
one award for a single occurrence of a winning symbol combination
and a gaming device with paylines may provide the player more than
one award for the same occurrence of a single winning symbol
combination (i.e., if a plurality of paylines each pass through the
same winning symbol combination), it is possible to provide a
player at a ways to win gaming device with more ways to win for an
equivalent bet or wager on a traditional slot gaming device with
paylines.
[0064] In one embodiment, the total number of ways to win is
determined by multiplying the number of symbols generated in active
symbol positions on a first reel by the number of symbols generated
in active symbol positions on a second reel by the number of
symbols generated in active symbol positions on a third reel and so
on for each reel of the gaming device with at least one symbol
generated in an active symbol position. For example, a three reel
gaming device with three symbols generated in active symbol
positions on each reel includes 27 ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on
the first reel.times.3 symbols on the second reel.times.3 symbols
on the third reel). A four reel gaming device with three symbols
generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes 81 ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on
the fourth reel). A five reel gaming device with three symbols
generated in active symbol positions on each reel includes 243 ways
to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.3 symbols on
the fourth reel.times.3 symbols on the fifth reel). It should be
appreciated that modifying the number of generated symbols by
either modifying the number of reels or modifying the number of
symbols generated in active symbol positions by one or more of the
reels, modifies the number of ways to win.
[0065] In another embodiment, the gaming device enables a player to
wager on and thus activate symbol positions. In one such
embodiment, the symbol positions are on the reels. In this
embodiment, if based on the player's wager, a reel is activated,
then each of the symbol positions of that reel will be activated
and each of the active symbol positions will be part of one or more
of the ways to win. In one embodiment, if based on the player's
wager, a reel is not activated, then a designated number of default
symbol positions, such as a single symbol position of the middle
row of the reel, will be activated and the default symbol
position(s) will be part of one or more of the ways to win. This
type of gaming machine enables a player to wager on one, more or
each of the reels and the processor of the gaming device uses the
number of wagered on reels to determine the active symbol positions
and the number of possible ways to win. In alternative embodiments,
(1) no symbols are displayed as generated at any of the inactive
symbol positions, or (2) any symbols generated at any inactive
symbol positions may be displayed to the player but suitably shaded
or otherwise designated as inactive.
[0066] In one embodiment wherein a player wagers on one or more
reels, a player's wager of one credit may activate each of the
three symbol positions on a first reel, wherein one default symbol
position is activated on each of the remaining four reels. In this
example, as described above, the gaming device provides the player
three ways to win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.1 symbol
on the second reel.times.1 symbol on the third reel.times.1 symbol
on the fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel). In another
example, a player's wager of nine credits may activate each of the
three symbol positions on a first reel, each of the three symbol
positions on a second reel and each of the three symbol positions
on a third reel wherein one default symbol position is activated on
each of the remaining two reels. In this example, as described
above, the gaming device provides the player twenty-seven ways to
win (i.e., 3 symbols on the first reel.times.3 symbols on the
second reel.times.3 symbols on the third reel.times.1 symbol on the
fourth reel.times.1 symbol on the fifth reel).
[0067] In one embodiment, to determine any award(s) to provide to
the player based on the generated symbols, the gaming device
individually determines if a symbol generated in an active symbol
position on a first reel forms part of a winning symbol combination
with or is otherwise suitably related to a symbol generated in an
active symbol position on a second reel. In this embodiment, the
gaming device classifies each pair of symbols which form part of a
winning symbol combination (i.e., each pair of related symbols) as
a string of related symbols. For example, if active symbol
positions include a first cherry symbol generated in the top row of
a first reel and a second cherry symbol generated in the bottom row
of a second reel, the gaming device classifies the two cherry
symbols as a string of related symbols because the two cherry
symbols form part of a winning symbol combination.
[0068] After determining if any strings of related symbols are
formed between the symbols on the first reel and the symbols on the
second reel, the gaming device determines if any of the symbols
from the next adjacent reel should be added to any of the formed
strings of related symbols. In this embodiment, for a first of the
classified strings of related symbols, the gaming device determines
if any of the symbols generated by the next adjacent reel form part
of a winning symbol combination or are otherwise related to the
symbols of the first string of related symbols. If the gaming
device determines that a symbol generated on the next adjacent reel
is related to the symbols of the first string of related symbols,
that symbol is subsequently added to the first string of related
symbols. For example, if the first string of related symbols is the
string of related cherry symbols and a related cherry symbol is
generated in the middle row of the third reel, the gaming device
adds the related cherry symbol generated on the third reel to the
previously classified string of cherry symbols.
[0069] On the other hand, if the gaming device determines that no
symbols generated on the next adjacent reel are related to the
symbols of the first string of related symbols, the gaming device
marks or flags such string of related symbols as complete. For
example, if the first string of related symbols is the string of
related cherry symbols and none of the symbols of the third reel
are related to the cherry symbols of the previously classified
string of cherry symbols, the gaming device marks or flags the
string of cherry symbols as complete.
[0070] After either adding a related symbol to the first string of
related symbols or marking the first string of related symbols as
complete, the gaming device proceeds as described above for each of
the remaining classified strings of related symbols which were
previously classified or formed from related symbols on the first
and second reels.
[0071] After analyzing each of the remaining strings of related
symbols, the gaming device determines, for each remaining pending
or incomplete string of related symbols, if any of the symbols from
the next adjacent reel, if any, should be added to any of the
previously classified strings of related symbols. This process
continues until either each string of related symbols is complete
or there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to analyze. In this
embodiment, where there are no more adjacent reels of symbols to
analyze, the gaming device marks each of the remaining pending
strings of related symbols as complete.
[0072] When each of the strings of related symbols is marked
complete, the gaming device compares each of the strings of related
symbols to an appropriate paytable and provides the player any
award associated with each of the completed strings of symbols. It
should be appreciated that the player is provided one award, if
any, for each string of related symbols generated in active symbol
positions (i.e., as opposed to being based on how many paylines
that would have passed through each of the strings of related
symbols in active symbol positions).
[0073] In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a poker
game wherein the gaming device enables the player to play a
conventional game of video draw poker and initially deals five
cards all face up from a virtual deck of fifty-two card deck. Cards
may be dealt as in a traditional game of cards or in the case of
the gaming device, may also include that the cards are randomly
selected from a predetermined number of cards. If the player wishes
to draw, the player selects the cards to hold via one or more input
device, such as pressing related hold buttons or via the touch
screen. The player then presses the deal button and the unwanted or
discarded cards are removed from the display and the gaming machine
deals the replacement cards from the remaining cards in the deck.
This results in a final five-card hand. The gaming device compares
the final five-card hand to a payout table which utilizes
conventional poker hand rankings to determine the winning hands.
The gaming device provides the player with an award based on a
winning hand and the credits the player wagered.
[0074] In another embodiment, the base or primary game may be a
multi-hand version of video poker. In this embodiment, the gaming
device deals the player at least two hands of cards. In one such
embodiment, the cards are the same cards. In one embodiment each
hand of cards is associated with its own deck of cards. The player
chooses the cards to hold in a primary hand. The held cards in the
primary hand are also held in the other hands of cards. The
remaining non-held cards are removed from each hand displayed and
for each hand replacement cards are randomly dealt into that hand.
Since the replacement cards are randomly dealt independently for
each hand, the replacement cards for each hand will usually be
different. The poker hand rankings are then determined hand by hand
and awards are provided to the player.
[0075] In one embodiment, a base or primary game may be a keno game
wherein the gaming device displays a plurality of selectable
indicia or numbers on at least one of the display devices. In this
embodiment, the player selects at least one or a plurality of the
selectable indicia or numbers via an input device such as the touch
screen. The gaming device then displays a series of drawn numbers
to determine an amount of matches, if any, between the player's
selected numbers and the gaming device's drawn numbers. The player
is provided an award based on the amount of matches, if any, based
on the amount of determined matches.
[0076] In one embodiment, in addition to winning credits or other
awards in a base or primary game, the gaming device may also give
players the opportunity to win credits in a bonus or secondary game
or bonus or secondary round. The bonus or secondary game enables
the player to obtain a prize or payout in addition to the prize or
payout, if any, obtained from the base or primary game. In general,
a bonus or secondary game produces a significantly higher level of
player excitement than the base or primary game because it provides
a greater expectation of winning than the base or primary game and
is accompanied with more attractive or unusual features than the
base or primary game. In one embodiment, the bonus or secondary
game may be any type of suitable game, either similar to or
completely different from the base or primary game.
[0077] In one embodiment, the triggering event or qualifying
condition may be a selected outcome in the primary game or a
particular arrangement of one or more indicia on a display device
in the primary game, such as the number seven appearing on three
adjacent reels along a payline in the primary slot game embodiment
seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B. In other embodiments, the triggering event
or qualifying condition may be by exceeding a certain amount of
game play (such as number of games, number of credits, amount of
time), or reaching a specified number of points earned during game
play.
[0078] In another embodiment, the gaming device processor 12 or
central server 56 randomly provides the player one or more plays of
one or more secondary games. In one such embodiment, the gaming
device does not provide any apparent reasons to the player for
qualifying to play a secondary or bonus game. In this embodiment,
qualifying for a bonus game is not triggered by an event in or
based specifically on any of the plays of any primary game. That
is, the gaming device may simply qualify a player to play a
secondary game without any explanation or alternatively with simple
explanations. In another embodiment, the gaming device (or central
server) qualifies a player for a secondary game at least partially
based on a game triggered or symbol triggered event, such as at
least partially based on the play of a primary game.
[0079] In one embodiment, the gaming device includes a program
which will automatically begin a bonus round after the player has
achieved a triggering event or qualifying condition in the base or
primary game. In another embodiment, after a player has qualified
for a bonus game, the player may subsequently enhance his/her bonus
game participation through continued play on the base or primary
game. Thus, for each bonus qualifying event, such as a bonus
symbol, that the player obtains, a given number of bonus game
wagering points or credits may be accumulated in a "bonus meter"
programmed to accrue the bonus wagering credits or entries toward
eventual participation in a bonus game. The occurrence of multiple
such bonus qualifying events in the primary game may result in an
arithmetic or exponential increase in the number of bonus wagering
credits awarded. In one embodiment, the player may redeem extra
bonus wagering credits during the bonus game to extend play of the
bonus game.
[0080] In one embodiment, no separate entry fee or buy in for a
bonus game need be employed. That is, a player may not purchase an
entry into a bonus game, rather they must win or earn entry through
play of the primary game thus, encouraging play of the primary
game. In another embodiment, qualification of the bonus or
secondary game is accomplished through a simple "buy in" by the
player, for example, if the player has been unsuccessful at
qualifying through other specified activities. In another
embodiment, the player must make a separate side-wager on the bonus
game or wager a designated amount in the primary game to qualify
for the secondary game. In this embodiment, the secondary game
triggering event must occur and the side-wager (or designated
primary game wager amount) must have been placed to trigger the
secondary game.
[0081] In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, one or more of
the gaming devices 10 are in communication with each other and/or
at least one central server, central controller or remote host 56
through a data network or remote communication link 58. In this
embodiment, the central server, central controller or remote host
is any suitable server or computing device which includes at least
one processor and at least one memory or storage device. In
different such embodiments, the central server is a progressive
controller or a processor of one of the gaming devices in the
gaming system. In these embodiments, the processor of each gaming
device is designed to transmit and receive events, messages,
commands or any other suitable data or signal between the
individual gaming device and the central server. The gaming device
processor is operable to execute such communicated events, messages
or commands in conjunction with the operation of the gaming device.
Moreover, the processor of the central server is designed to
transmit and receive events, messages, commands or any other
suitable data or signal between the central server and each of the
individual gaming devices. The central server processor is operable
to execute such communicated events, messages or commands in
conjunction with the operation of the central server. It should be
appreciated that one, more or each of the functions of the central
controller as disclosed herein may be performed by one or more
gaming device processors. It should be further appreciated that
one, more or each of the functions of one or more gaming device
processors as disclosed herein may be performed by the central
controller.
[0082] In one embodiment, the game outcome provided to the player
is determined by a central server or controller and provided to the
player at the gaming device. In this embodiment, each of a
plurality of such gaming devices are in communication with the
central server or controller. Upon a player initiating game play at
one of the gaming devices, the initiated gaming device communicates
a game outcome request to the central server or controller.
[0083] In one embodiment, the central server or controller receives
the game outcome request and randomly generates a game outcome for
the primary game based on probability data. In another embodiment,
the central server or controller randomly generates a game outcome
for the secondary game based on probability data. In another
embodiment, the central server or controller randomly generates a
game outcome for both the primary game and the secondary game based
on probability data. In this embodiment, the central server or
controller is capable of storing and utilizing program code or
other data similar to the processor and memory device of the gaming
device.
[0084] In an alternative embodiment, the central server or
controller maintains one or more predetermined pools or sets of
predetermined game outcomes. In this embodiment, the central server
or controller receives the game outcome request and independently
selects a predetermined game outcome from a set or pool of game
outcomes. The central server or controller flags or marks the
selected game outcome as used. Once a game outcome is flagged as
used, it is prevented from further selection from the set or pool
and cannot be selected by the central controller or server upon
another wager. The provided game outcome can include a primary game
outcome, a secondary game outcome, primary and secondary game
outcomes, or a series of game outcomes such as free games.
[0085] The central server or controller communicates the generated
or selected game outcome to the initiated gaming device. The gaming
device receives the generated or selected game outcome and provides
the game outcome to the player. In an alternative embodiment, how
the generated or selected game outcome is to be presented or
displayed to the player, such as a reel symbol combination of a
slot machine or a hand of cards dealt in a card game, is also
determined by the central server or controller and communicated to
the initiated gaming device to be presented or displayed to the
player. Central production or control can assist a gaming
establishment or other entity in maintaining appropriate records,
controlling gaming, reducing and preventing cheating or electronic
or other errors, reducing or eliminating win-loss volatility and
the like.
[0086] In another embodiment, a predetermined game outcome value is
determined for each of a plurality of linked or networked gaming
devices based on the results of a bingo or keno game. In this
embodiment, each individual gaming device utilizes one or more
bingo or keno games to determine the predetermined game outcome
value provided to the player for the interactive game played at
that gaming device. In one embodiment, the bingo or keno game is
displayed to the player. In another embodiment, the bingo or keno
game is not displayed to the player, but the results of the bingo
or keno game determine the predetermined game outcome value for the
primary or secondary game.
[0087] In the various bingo embodiments, as each gaming device is
enrolled in the bingo game, such as upon an appropriate wager or
engaging an input device, the enrolled gaming device is provided or
associated with a different bingo card. Each bingo card consists of
a matrix or array of elements, wherein each element is designated
with a separate indicia, such as a number. It should be appreciated
that each different bingo card includes a different combination of
elements. For example, if four bingo cards are provided to four
enrolled gaming devices, the same element may be present on all
four of the bingo cards while another element may solely be present
on one of the bingo cards.
[0088] In operation of these embodiments, upon providing or
associating a different bingo card to each of a plurality of
enrolled gaming devices, the central controller randomly selects or
draws, one at a time, a plurality of the elements. As each element
is selected, a determination is made for each gaming device as to
whether the selected element is present on the bingo card provided
to that enrolled gaming device. This determination can be made by
the central controller, the gaming device, a combination of the
two, or in any other suitable manner. If the selected element is
present on the bingo card provided to that enrolled gaming device,
that selected element on the provided bingo card is marked or
flagged. This process of selecting elements and marking any
selected elements on the provided bingo cards continues until one
or more predetermined patterns are marked on one or more of the
provided bingo cards. It should be appreciated that in one
embodiment, the gaming device requires the player to engage a daub
button (not shown) to initiate the process of the gaming device
marking or flagging any selected elements.
[0089] After one or more predetermined patterns are marked on one
or more of the provided bingo cards, a game outcome is determined
for each of the enrolled gaming devices based, at least in part, on
the selected elements on the provided bingo cards. As described
above, the game outcome determined for each gaming device enrolled
in the bingo game is utilized by that gaming device to determine
the predetermined game outcome provided to the player. For example,
a first gaming device to have selected elements marked in a
predetermined pattern is provided a first outcome of win $10 which
will be provided to a first player regardless of how the first
player plays in a first game and a second gaming device to have
selected elements marked in a different predetermined pattern is
provided a second outcome of win $2 which will be provided to a
second player regardless of how the second player plays a second
game. It should be appreciated that as the process of marking
selected elements continues until one or more predetermined
patterns are marked, this embodiment ensures that at least one
bingo card will win the bingo game and thus at least one enrolled
gaming device will provide a predetermined winning game outcome to
a player. It should be appreciated that other suitable methods for
selecting or determining one or more predetermined game outcomes
may be employed.
[0090] In one example of the above-described embodiment, the
predetermined game outcome may be based on a supplemental award in
addition to any award provided for winning the bingo game as
described above. In this embodiment, if one or more elements are
marked in supplemental patterns within a designated number of drawn
elements, a supplemental or intermittent award or value associated
with the marked supplemental pattern is provided to the player as
part of the predetermined game outcome. For example, if the four
corners of a bingo card are marked within the first twenty selected
elements, a supplemental award of $10 is provided to the player as
part of the predetermined game outcome. It should be appreciated
that in this embodiment, the player of a gaming device may be
provided a supplemental or intermittent award regardless of if the
enrolled gaming device's provided bingo card wins or does not win
the bingo game as described above.
[0091] In another embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices are
in communication with a central server or controller for monitoring
purposes only. That is, each individual gaming device randomly
generates the game outcomes to be provided to the player and the
central server or controller monitors the activities and events
occurring on the plurality of gaming devices. In one embodiment,
the gaming network includes a real-time or on-line accounting and
gaming information system operably coupled to the central server or
controller. The accounting and gaming information system of this
embodiment includes a player database for storing player profiles,
a player tracking module for tracking players and a credit system
for providing automated casino transactions.
[0092] In one embodiment, the gaming device disclosed herein is
associated with or otherwise integrated with one or more player
tracking systems. In this embodiment, the gaming device and/or
player tracking system tracks any players gaming activity at the
gaming device. In one such embodiment, the gaming device and/or
associated player tracking system timely tracks when a player
inserts their playing tracking card to begin a gaming session and
also timely tracks when a player removes their player tracking card
when concluding play for that gaming session. In another
embodiment, rather than requiring a player to insert a player
tracking card, the gaming device utilizes one or more portable
devices carried by a player, such as a cell phone, a radio
frequency identification tag or any other suitable wireless device
to track when a player begins and ends a gaming session. In another
embodiment, the gaming device utilizes any suitable biometric
technology or ticket technology to track when a player begins and
ends a gaming session.
[0093] During one or more gaming sessions, the gaming device and/or
player tracking system tracks any suitable information, such as any
amounts wagered, average wager amounts and/or the time these wagers
are placed. In different embodiments, for one or more players, the
player tracking system includes the player's account number, the
player's card number, the player's first name, the player's
surname, the player's preferred name, the player's player tracking
ranking, any promotion status associated with the player's player
tracking card, the player's address, the player's birthday, the
player's anniversary, the player's recent gaming sessions, or any
other suitable data.
[0094] In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are
capable of being connected together through a data network. In one
embodiment, the data network is a local area network (LAN), in
which one or more of the gaming devices are substantially proximate
to each other and an on-site central server or controller as in,
for example, a gaming establishment or a portion of a gaming
establishment. In another embodiment, the data network is a wide
area network (WAN) in which one or more of the gaming devices are
in communication with at least one off-site central server or
controller. In this embodiment, the plurality of gaming devices may
be located in a different part of the gaming establishment or
within a different gaming establishment than the off-site central
server or controller. Thus, the WAN may include an off-site central
server or controller and an off-site gaming device located within
gaming establishments in the same geographic area, such as a city
or state. The WAN gaming system may be substantially identical to
the LAN gaming system described above, although the number of
gaming devices in each system may vary relative to each other.
[0095] In another embodiment, the data network is an internet or
intranet. In this embodiment, the operation of the gaming device
can be viewed at the gaming device with at least one internet
browser. In this embodiment, operation of the gaming device and
accumulation of credits may be accomplished with only a connection
to the central server or controller (the internet/intranet server)
through a conventional phone or other data transmission line,
digital subscriber line (DSL), T-1 line, coaxial cable, fiber optic
cable, or other suitable connection. In this embodiment, players
may access an internet game page from any location where an
internet connection and computer, or other internet facilitator is
available. The expansion in the number of computers and number and
speed of internet connections in recent years increases
opportunities for players to play from an ever-increasing number of
remote sites. It should be appreciated that enhanced bandwidth of
digital wireless communications may render such technology suitable
for some or all communications, particularly if such communications
are encrypted. Higher data transmission speeds may be useful for
enhancing the sophistication and response of the display and
interaction with the player.
[0096] As mentioned above, in one embodiment, the present
disclosure may be employed in a server based gaming system. In one
such embodiment, as described above, one or more gaming devices are
in communication with a central server or controller. The central
server or controller may be any suitable server or computing device
which includes at least one processor and a memory or storage
device. In alternative embodiments, the central server is a
progressive controller or another gaming machine in the gaming
system. In one embodiment, the memory device of the central server
stores different game programs and instructions, executable by a
gaming device processor, to control the gaming device. Each
executable game program represents a different game or type of game
which may be played on one or more of the gaming devices in the
gaming system. Such different games may include the same or
substantially the same game play with different pay tables. In
different embodiments, the executable game program is for a primary
game, a secondary game or both. In another embodiment, the game
program may be executable as a secondary game to be played
simultaneous with the play of a primary game (which may be
downloaded to or fixed on the gaming device) or vice versa.
[0097] In this embodiment, each gaming device at least includes one
or more display devices and/or one or more input devices for
interaction with a player. A local processor, such as the
above-described gaming device processor or a processor of a local
server, is operable with the display device(s) and/or the input
device(s) of one or more of the gaming devices.
[0098] In operation, the central controller is operable to
communicate one or more of the stored game programs to at least one
local processor. In different embodiments, the stored game programs
are communicated or delivered by embedding the communicated game
program in a device or a component (e.g., a microchip to be
inserted in a gaming device), writing the game program on a disc or
other media, downloading or streaming the game program over a
dedicated data network, internet or a telephone line. After the
stored game programs are communicated from the central server, the
local processor executes the communicated program to facilitate
play of the communicated program by a player through the display
device(s) and/or input device(s) of the gaming device. That is,
when a game program is communicated to a local processor, the local
processor changes the game or type of game played at the gaming
device.
[0099] In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality
of linked gaming devices in a gaming system participate in a group
gaming environment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a
plurality of linked gaming devices work in conjunction with one
another, such as playing together as a team or group, to win one or
more awards. In one such embodiment, any award won by the group is
shared, either equally or based on any suitable criteria, amongst
the different players of the group. In another embodiment, a
plurality of players at a plurality of linked gaming devices
compete against one another for one or more awards. In one such
embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of linked gaming
devices participate in a gaming tournament for one or more awards.
In another embodiment, a plurality of players at a plurality of
linked gaming devices play for one or more awards wherein an
outcome generated by one gaming device affects the outcomes
generated by one or more linked gaming devices.
Progressive Awards
[0100] In one embodiment, one or more of the gaming devices
disclosed herein are in communication with or linked to a central
server or controller to form a gaming system. In one such
embodiment, the gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming
machines wherein one of the gaming machines functions as the
central server or controller. In one embodiment, one, more or each
of the progressive awards are maintained by the central controller
of the gaming system. In one such embodiment, the central
controller enables a player at any gaming device in the gaming
system to contribute coin-in or a portion of each wager to one or
more of the progressive awards maintained by the central
controller. In this embodiment, the winning player and the amount
of the progressive award are based, at least in part, on the
player's contribution. That is, the gaming system selects a winning
player independently from the amount of the progressive award
provided to the winning player.
[0101] In one embodiment, a master host site computer is coupled to
a plurality of the central servers at a variety of mutually remote
gaming sites for providing a multi-site linked progressive
automated gaming system. In one embodiment, a master host site
computer may serve gaming devices distributed throughout a number
of properties at different geographical locations including, for
example, different locations within a city or different cities
within a state. In one embodiment, the master host site computer is
maintained for the overall operation and control of the system. In
this embodiment, a master host site computer oversees all or part
of the progressive gaming system and is the master for computing
all or part of the progressive jackpots. All participating gaming
sites report to, and receive information from, the master host site
computer. Each central server computer is responsible for all data
communication between the gaming device hardware and software and
the master host site computer.
[0102] In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards
start at different levels such as $10, $100, $1000 and $10,000 and
increment or increase until provided to a player. The progressive
awards accumulate based on a small percentage (such as 1%) of
coin-in or wagered amounts in a conventional manner. In one
embodiment, the percentage that goes to each progressive award is
equal (such as 1% to each of four progressive awards). At this
accrual rate, player wagers totaling $100,000 are required for the
progressive to reach $1000 (e.g., if each coin is one dollar and
the start up value of the progressive award is $0). For example,
based on an accrual or contribution rate of 1%, a player who wagers
$10,000 at one of the gaming machines contributes or funds $100 to
the progressive award and a player who wagers $5,000 at one of the
gaming machines contributes or funds $500 to the progressive award.
At least a fraction of this amount may be funded by the casino by
using a starting value higher than zero to make the progressive
awards attractive even after they are reset. In other embodiments,
two or more of the progressive awards may be funded by different
percentages. In these embodiments, the central server and/or
individual gaming device processor continues to increase the
progressive levels until a progressive award is provided to a
player (upon the occurrence of a progressive award triggering
event), at which point the progressive is reset and another
progressive award starts incrementing from the appropriate default
progressive award level. In another embodiment, two or more of the
progressive awards may be funded at different temporal rates. In
this embodiment, the different progressive awards are incremented
or funded in different increments of time wherein until the
progressive hits, a set amount is added to the progressive at each
determined time increment. In another embodiment, two or more of
the progressive awards may each be incremented or funded based on
different incrementing factors or incrementors. In this embodiment,
a first of the progressive awards may increment each time a first
incrementing factor occurs and a second of the progressive awards
may increment each time a second incrementing factor occurs,
wherein the first incrementing factor and the second incrementing
factor are different. Examples of incrementing factors could be a
symbol-driven trigger in the base game, the occurrence of one or
more events in a bonus game, the player betting a maximum amount, a
percentage of possible gaming machines being actively played or in
active status, or any other suitable method for defining an
incrementor.
[0103] In one embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are
each funded via a side bet or side wager. In this embodiment, a
player must place or wager a side bet to be eligible to win the
progressive award associated with the side bet. In one embodiment,
the player must place the maximum bet and the side bet to be
eligible to win one of the progressive awards. In another
embodiment, if the player places or wagers the required side bet,
the player may wager at any credit amount on any payline (i.e., the
player need not place the maximum bet and the side bet to be
eligible to win one of the progressive awards). In one such
embodiment, the greater the player's wager (in addition to the
placed side bet), the greater the odds or probability that the
player will win one of the progressive awards. It should be
appreciated that one or more of the progressive awards may each be
funded, at least in part, based on the wagers placed on the primary
games of the gaming machines in the gaming system, via a gaming
establishment or via any suitable manner.
[0104] In another embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards
are partially funded via a side-bet or side-wager which the player
may make (and which may be tracked via a side-bet meter). In one
embodiment, one or more of the progressive awards are funded with
only side-bets or side-wagers placed. In another embodiment, one or
more of the progressive awards are funded based on player's wagers
as described above as well as any side-bets or side-wagers
placed.
[0105] In one alternative embodiment, a minimum wager level is
required for a gaming machine or a player to qualify to be selected
to obtain one of the progressive awards. In one embodiment, this
minimum wager level is the maximum wager level for the primary game
in the gaming machine. In another embodiment, this minimum wager
level is placing a wager on all available paylines in a slot
primary game or alternatively placing a wager on all available
poker hands in a multi-hand poker primary game. In another
embodiment, no minimum wager level is required for a gaming machine
or a player to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the
progressive awards.
[0106] In another embodiment, one or more progressive awards are
funded, at least partially, via an amount provided by one or more
marketing and/or advertising departments, such as a casino's
marketing department. In this embodiment, when a progressive award
increments to the amount of money provided by the marketing or
advertising department (or any other designated amount), the
progressive award is triggered and provided to one or more
players.
[0107] In one embodiment, a plurality of gaming machines at one or
more gaming sites are networked to the central server in a
progressive configuration, wherein a portion of each wager placed
is allocated to one or more progressive awards. As described below
in greater detail, this progressive configuration enables the
gaming system to provide one or more players with an opportunity to
win a progressive award. In one embodiment, the progressive awards
are associated with the gaming machines in the gaming system which
each contribute portions of the progressive awards. In one such
embodiment, as players of the gaming machines play for one or more
of the progressive awards, a portion of each player's wager
contributes to an accumulated value of a designated progressive
award.
[0108] In one embodiment, each player who contributed to the
designated progressive award is eligible to win that designated
progressive award regardless of whether the player is playing for
that designated progressive award (e.g., the player switched gaming
machines with different progressive awards) or has stopped playing
at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system (e.g., the
player left the casino or gaming establishment). It should be
appreciated that the players currently playing at one of the gaming
machines in the gaming system when the designated progressive award
hits (i.e., is triggered) or players who have played at one of the
gaming machines in the gaming system during a designated time
period may be eligible to win the designated progressive award. For
example, a progressive award valued at $10,000 may be maintained by
the gaming system and provided to one or more designated players.
Player A plays at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system
and contributes $20.00 coin-in to the progressive award before
stopping play. Player B plays at another of the gaming machines in
the gaming system and contributes $5.00 coin-in to the progressive
award. In contrast to Player A, Player B continues to play for the
progressive award. In this example, both Player A and Player B are
eligible to win the progressive award value of $10,000. Thus, if a
player changes games, changes gaming machines or even quits playing
one of the gaming machines in the gaming system, the player does
not sacrifice their opportunity to win one or more of the
progressive awards.
[0109] In one embodiment, the amount of coin-in contributed to a
designated progressive award by a given player is limited or
capped. For example, a player is only able to contribute a
predetermined maximum amount or percentage of a designated
progressive award. In one embodiment, after a player contributes
the maximum amount or percentage, any coin-in contributed to the
designated progressive award is applied to a different designated
progressive award (e.g., a designated progressive award at a
subsequent time). Such a configuration enables a player to qualify
for a plurality of progressive awards at the same time (e.g.,
during a single gaming session). It should be appreciated that once
a player contributes the maximum amount or percentage to a
designated progressive award, that player may qualify for one or
more available progressive awards or one or more future progressive
awards with subsequent coin-in.
[0110] In one embodiment, other eligibility conditions are used to
determine whether the player qualifies for one of the progressive
awards. The eligibility conditions may supplement or replace the
condition that the player currently plays at one of the gaming
machines in the gaming system. As described above, a side-bet and a
minimum wager level constitute different eligibility conditions for
a player to qualify to be selected to obtain one of the progressive
awards. In various embodiments, different eligibility conditions
are predetermined, randomly determined, determined or weighted
based on the player's wager, determined or weighted based on the
status of one or more players (such as determined through a player
tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on
any other suitable parameter or function.
[0111] In one embodiment, the gaming system keeps track of and
stores the coin-in of all players who have contributed to each
designated progressive award. In such an embodiment, the gaming
system selects the winning player based on the stored coin-in of
current and past players. That is, the gaming system selects a
winning player from a group including each player who contributed
to the progressive award regardless of when that contribution was
made. This encourages players to join a loyalty program and/or a
player tracking system to remain eligible to win one or more
progressive awards regardless of whether the players are currently
playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In
another embodiment, the winning player is selected based on the
coin-in for players currently playing at one of the gaming machines
in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the winning player is
selected based on the coin-in for current players in addition to
the coin in for past players. For example, all current players and
a number of past players (e.g., which may be selected based on
player status as determined through a suitable player tracking
system or some other suitable factor) may be eligible to be
selected as the winning player.
[0112] In another embodiment, a player's eligibility is determined
based, at least in part, on whether the player is registered with
or identified by the gaming system. Players may register with the
gaming system at any of the gaming machines in the gaming system or
at a remote location, such as at an electronic kiosk. Players enter
identifying information, such as the player's name and address, and
a suitable security code, such as a PIN number, via an input device
associated with the gaming machine or kiosk. Such identifying
information may be stored in a module of a suitable player tracking
system or may be stored in any suitable storage device in
communication with the central controller. In one embodiment, once
a player is registered and identified, that player becomes eligible
to win one of the progressive awards in the gaming system.
[0113] In one embodiment, the gaming system provides a game, such
as a primary game, on each of a plurality of gaming machines. The
games are operable upon a wager placed by at least one player. The
central controller maintains a progressive award, such as an
accumulated value progressive award. The central controller
determines which player to provide with the progressive award. This
determination is based on a first value of the progressive award.
For example, the central controller determines the winning player
of the progressive award when the progressive award reaches a first
predetermined or qualifying value, such as a player threshold
value. In this embodiment, the central controller subsequently
determines when to provide the progressive award to the winning
player regardless of whether the winning player is currently
playing one of the games of one of the gaming machines. This
determination is based on a second value of the progressive award.
For example, the central controller determines to provide the
designated progressive award to the winning player when the
progressive award reaches a second predetermined or qualifying
value, such as an award threshold value. In one embodiment, the
central controller also provides a secondary or bonus award to the
player responsible for (i.e., who placed the wager that caused) the
progressive award reaching the player threshold value and/or the
award threshold value).
[0114] In one embodiment, the determination of when to provide the
designated progressive award occurs prior to the determination of
which player to provide with the designated progressive award. In
this embodiment, the designated progressive award is stored or
escrowed until the winning player is determined. In one embodiment,
the gaming system displays information regarding the stored or
escrowed progressive award. This information may be displayed in
audio, text or video format to inform the player that the stored or
escrowed progressive award will be provided shortly, the amount of
the progressive award available to be won by the player or any
other suitable information.
[0115] In one embodiment, each progressive award of the gaming
system is an accumulated value progressive award funded by a
designated portion of each wager from each player. In this
embodiment, if a first triggering event (i.e., a player triggering
event) and a second triggering event (i.e., an award triggering
event) occur, a designated progressive award is provided to a
designated player. The accumulated value progressive award is
provided to a winning player designated via the first triggering
event (e.g., the generation of a first designated amount of
coin-in) when the second, different triggering event (e.g., the
generation of a second designated amount of coin-in) occurs. In one
embodiment, the second triggering event determines the value of the
designated progressive award. That is, the value determined by the
second triggering event constitutes the progressive award provided
to the designated player determined by the first triggering
event.
[0116] In one embodiment, a player is designated as the winning
player when that player's coin-in causes the accumulated value
progressive award to increment to a first predetermined progressive
hit value, such as a progressive hit value of $72.60. This first
progressive hit value corresponds to the player threshold value.
For example, on a $1 wager with 1% allocated to the accumulated
value progressive award, the 7,260.sup.th coin wagered (if the
progressive award starts at a default value equal to $0) results in
the accumulated value progressive award reaching the player
threshold value (and thus designating that player as the winning
player). Accordingly, the player triggering event occurs when the
7,260.sup.th coin is wagered.
[0117] In one embodiment, the accumulated progressive award is
provided to the designated winning player when any player's coin-in
causes the accumulated value progressive award to increment to a
second predetermined progressive hit value, such as a progressive
hit value of $92.13. This second progressive hit value corresponds
to the award threshold value. For example, on a $1 wager with 1%
allocated to the accumulated value progressive award, the
9,213.sup.th coin wagered (if the progressive award starts at a
default value equal to $0) results in the accumulated value
progressive award reaching the award threshold value (and thus
providing the accumulated value progressive award to the designated
winning player). Accordingly, the award triggering event occurs
when the 9,213.sup.th coin is wagered and the designated winning
player is provided with the accumulated value progressive award. In
this embodiment, the accumulated value progressive award is valued
at $92.13.
[0118] In different embodiments, the coin-in is determined in any
suitable manner, such as by calculating which coin-in will cause
the player threshold and award threshold values to change to $72.60
or $92.13, respectively, by monitoring the coin-in versus the
progressive award value or by calculating the coin-in value in
advance based on the wagers, the player threshold and award
threshold values, and the percentage of the wagers allocated to the
progressive award. In one embodiment, the central controller keeps
track of the play on each gaming machine including at least the
amount wagered by the player(s) for each play of the primary game
for each gaming machine (i.e., via a total or partial coin-in or
wager meter which tracks the total or partial coin-in wagers placed
on all of the primary games for all of the gaming machines in the
gaming system). In another embodiment, the central controller is
operable with a suitable player tracking system to keep track of
the play of each player at gaming machines in the gaming system
including at least the amount wagered for each player for each play
of the primary game.
[0119] In one embodiment, once a first progressive award is hit, a
second, subsequent progressive award is started. In one such
embodiment, after the first progressive award is hit, players
playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system are more
likely to win the second, subsequent progressive award than players
who are no longer playing at one of the gaming machines in the
gaming system. In another such embodiment, players who contributed
coin-in to the first progressive award are more likely to win the
second, subsequent progressive award than players who did not
contribute coin-in to the first designated progressive award.
(i.e., players who started contributing to the second progressive
award after the first progressive award was hit or provided). In
one embodiment, the central controller counts each coin wagered by
each player as 1 coin for the first progressive award. For the
second progressive award, the central controller counts each coin
wagered by each player who played for the first progressive award
as 2 coins and counts each coin wagered by each player who did not
play for the first progressive award as 1 coin. In this embodiment,
players who contribute more coin-in are more likely to win the
designated progressive award than players who contribute less
coin-in. Counting each coin as 1 coin, 2 coins or any other
suitable number of coins affects each player's chance to win the
designated progressive award. Accordingly, players are rewarded or
credited for more coin-in when those players play for a number of
progressive awards. In one embodiment, the players are required to
play for consecutive progressive awards to have their coin-in
counted in this manner.
[0120] Alternatively, a point system could be used wherein players
receive one point for the first progressive award and two points
for the second progressive award instead of receiving credit for
one coin and two coins, respectively, as described above. In this
embodiment, the points correspond to coin-in so that players who
have a high number of points have a greater chance to win the
progressive award than players who have lower numbers of
points.
[0121] In one embodiment, the central controller counts each coin
wagered by each player as 5 coins for their first progressive
award. When those players play for their second progressive award,
the central controller counts each coin wagered by those players as
4 coins and counts each coin wagered by each player who is playing
for their first progressive award as 5 coins. As described above,
players who contribute more coin-in are more likely to win the
designated progressive award than players who contribute less
coin-in. In this manner, the central controller entices new players
to play for the progressive award by increasing those players'
chance to win one of the progressive awards (e.g., by weighting
their coin-in greater than the coin-in of existing players).
Counting each coin as 1 coin, 2 coins or any other suitable number
of coins affects each player's chance to win the designated
progressive award. In this embodiment, new players are rewarded or
credited for more coin-in during when playing for their first
progressive award. The central controller may weight the coin-in
for any existing players (e.g., those who have played for at least
one progressive award) but may do so at a lower level than new
players. Accordingly, in this embodiment, new players for a
designated progressive award (e.g., those players who have not
played for another progressive award) have a greater chance of
winning than existing players when their coin-in is counted or
weighted in this manner.
[0122] In the above embodiments, the central controller weights
each coin of coin-in wagered by each player. By weighting the
coin-in, the central controller can reward players who play for a
number of progressive awards (e.g., by increasing those players'
chance to win one of the progressive awards) or the central
controller can entice new players to play for the progressive award
(e.g., by increasing those players' chance to win one of the
progressive awards).
[0123] In another embodiment, the gaming system chooses an
appropriate coin-in hit value associated with the player threshold
value and the award threshold value in any suitable manner. For
example, the system randomly chooses the coin-in values, chooses
the coin-in values based on a weighted parameter, chooses the
coin-in values based upon a determined subset range, or chooses the
coin-in values based on any other suitable manner. In one
embodiment, the player threshold value and the award threshold
value are based on time or some other metric or parameter other
than coin-in. For example, the player triggering event occurs at
9:00 pm on a certain day and the award triggering event occurs at
9:15 pm on that day.
[0124] A flowchart of an example process 200 for providing one or
more players with an opportunity to win one or more progressive
awards is illustrated in FIG. 3. In one embodiment, the process 200
is embodied in one or more software programs storable in one or
more memories and executable by one or more processors. Although
the process 200 is described with reference to the flowchart
illustrated in FIG. 3, it should be appreciated that many other
methods of performing the acts associated with process 200 may be
used. For example, the order of many of the blocks may be changed,
and many of the blocks described may be optional.
[0125] The process 200 enables a central controller to
independently and separately determine which player will win a
progressive award (i.e., a winning player) and when that
progressive award will be provided to the winning player. The
process 200 begins by maintaining at least one and preferably a
plurality of progressive awards as indicated by block 202. The
progressive award may be an accumulated value progressive award,
which starts at an initial or default value, such as zero. The
accumulated value progressive award increments from the initial or
default value or is funded from wagers placed on one game or a
plurality of different games by a player on one or more gaming
machines of the gaming system. The game or games of each gaming
machine in the gaming system may be the same games or different
games.
[0126] In one embodiment, the accumulated value progressive award
is associated with a player threshold value and an award threshold
value. The accumulated value progressive award accumulates in value
or is funded based on the wagers placed on the games of the gaming
machines. A portion of each wager contributes to the accrual of the
accumulated value progressive award. The player threshold value is
a predetermined condition or value established by the central
controller at which the accumulated value progressive award reaches
a first determined amount or value. The award threshold is a
predetermined condition or value established by the central
controller at which the accumulated value progressive award reaches
a second determined amount or value. These predetermined amounts
are randomly selected and based on the coin-in of the gaming
machines. As indicated by blocks 204 and 206, respectively, the
central controller determines the player threshold and the award
threshold independently and separately. In one embodiment, the
player threshold and the award threshold values may be different
types (e.g., based on coin-in or based on time).
[0127] For example, if the player threshold and the award threshold
are based on coin-in, the central controller may determine the
player threshold to be the 5,000.sup.th coin and the award
threshold to be the 12,500.sup.th coin. If the contribution rate is
1% for each $1.00 wagered, one penny or $0.01 will be contributed
to the progressive award for each $1.00 wagered. In this example,
the player threshold value is the 5,000.sup.th coin wagered or when
the accumulated value progressive award reaches a first value of
$50.00 (i.e., based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is
one dollar and the accumulated value progressive award starts at a
default value equal to $0) and the award threshold value is the
12,500.sup.th coin wagered or when the accumulated value
progressive award reaches a second value of $125.00 (i.e., based on
a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is one dollar and the
accumulated value progressive award starts at a default value equal
to $0).
[0128] The central controller monitors the wagers at the gaming
machines in the gaming system as indicated by block 208. In one
embodiment, the central controller keeps track of the play on each
gaming machine including at least the amount wagered by the
player(s) for each play of the primary game for each gaming machine
(i.e., via a total or partial coin-in or wager meter which tracks
the total or partial coin-in wagers placed on all of the primary
games for all of the gaming machines in the gaming system). It
should be appreciated that the player of a gaming machine may
change during this tracking and that this tracking can be
independent of the specific player playing the gaming machine. In
another embodiment, the central controller is operable with a
suitable player tracking system to keep track of the play of each
player at gaming machines in the gaming system including at least
the amount wagered for each player for each play of the primary
game. In this embodiment, the player tracking system includes a
rules module that is configured to keep track of the amount wagered
for each player for each play of the primary game. The central
controller communicates with the rules module of the player
tracking system to monitor the wagers at the gaming machines in the
gaming system.
[0129] The central controller compares the amount of coin-in
associated with the progressive award from the gaming machines to
the player threshold value and the award threshold value determined
as indicated by blocks 204 and 206. When the accumulated value
progressive award reaches the player threshold value, the central
controller designates a winning player as indicated by block 210.
That is, the winning player is chosen when the accumulated value
progressive award accumulates to a first designated amount of
coin-in (i.e., the player threshold value). For example, when a
player at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system who
wagers the 5,000.sup.th coin associated with the accumulated value
progressive award, the central controller designates that player as
the winning player and determines that the accumulated value
progressive award has reached the player threshold value. If the
accumulated value progressive award does not reach the player
threshold value, the central controller continues to monitor the
wagers at the gaming machines in the gaming system as indicated by
block 208.
[0130] As indicated by block 212, when the accumulated value
progressive award reaches or increments to the award threshold
value, the central controller designates an amount for each
progressive award. When the player threshold value and the award
threshold value are met, the central controller provides the
progressive award for the designated amount to the designated
winning player as indicated by block 214. For example, when a
player at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system wagers
the 12,500.sup.th coin associated with the accumulated value
progressive award, the central controller determines that the
accumulated value progressive award has reached the award threshold
value and designates the accumulated value for the progressive
award (e.g., to $125 if each coin is $1, if the progressive award
starts at a $0 value and if the contribution rate is 1% of each
wager). It should be appreciated that the award threshold value
determines, at least in part, the amount of the accumulated value
progressive award. Once the accumulated value progressive award
reaches the award threshold value, the amount of the accumulated
value progressive award is set and a new progressive award begins
to accumulate. If the accumulated value progressive award does not
reach the player threshold value, the central controller continues
to monitor the wagers at the gaming machines in the gaming system
as indicated by block 208.
[0131] After the accumulated value progressive award reaches the
player threshold value and the award threshold value, the central
controller provides the progressive award to the winning player. As
described in greater detail below, if the winning player has not
been designated (i.e., the player threshold value has not been
met), the central controller stores the progressive award (or
causes the progressive award to be stored) until the winning player
is designated. In one embodiment, when the winning player is
designated, the central controller causes the accumulated value
progressive award to be provided to the winning player when the
award threshold value is met. In another embodiment, the central
controller causes a notification to be sent to the winning player
of the won progressive award and provides the winning player with
the won progressive award at a later time, such as in a subsequent
gaming session.
[0132] It should be appreciated that after the central controller
causes the accumulated value progressive award to be provided to
the winning player, the central controller resets the progressive
award and another progressive award starts incrementing from a
second progressive award value or level. In one embodiment, if the
award threshold value is less than the player threshold value
(i.e., the progressive award is determined to be provided or stored
prior to a winning player being designated), the second progressive
award is displayed to the player in association with appropriate
messaging to inform the players that the accumulated value
progressive award has been determined, but not yet provided to a
winning player.
[0133] FIG. 4 illustrates a flowchart of an example process 220 to
store or escrow the progressive award and/or information associated
with the winning player. As described above, the central controller
monitors the wagers at the gaming machines in the gaming system and
determines whether the player threshold value and/or the award
threshold value is met. In this embodiment, the central controller
determines whether the player threshold value is met as indicated
by block 224 prior to determining whether the award threshold value
is met as indicated by block 226. It should be appreciated that
these determinations may be made sequentially in any order,
simultaneously or substantially simultaneously.
[0134] As illustrated, if the accumulated value progressive award
has not reached the player threshold value, the central controller
determines whether the award threshold value is met as indicated by
block 226. If the award threshold value is met, i.e., the
accumulated value progressive award reaches the award threshold
value, the central controller stores the progressive award (or
causes the progressive award to be stored) until the player
threshold value is met (i.e., the accumulated value progressive
award reaches the player threshold value) as indicated by block
228. If the award threshold value is not met, the central
controller continues to monitor the wagers at the gaming machines
in the gaming system as indicated by block 208.
[0135] If the central controller determines that the player
threshold value is met, the central controller designates the
winning player as indicated by block 230. In one embodiment, the
central controller causes no notification of this designation to be
sent to the winning player until the award triggering event occurs.
Alternatively, the central controller causes a notification to be
sent to the winning player of this designation. Such notification
may include appropriate messaging sent to the gaming machine at
which the winning player is playing, such as any suitable audio,
text or visual message.
[0136] After the winning player is designated, the central
controller determines whether the award threshold value is met as
indicated by block 232. If the central controller determines that
the award threshold value is not met, the central controller stores
information, such as a contact information including a name, a
physical address, a phone number and an e-mail address, associated
with the winning player, until the award threshold value is met as
indicated by block 234. In one embodiment, the central controller
in conjunction with a player tracking system (i.e., the rules
module) stores the information associated with the designated
winning player. In such an embodiment, the player's profile or
player tracking card is enabled to access this stored information
from the player tracking system. Alternatively, the central
controller may request the player to input such information through
one of the input devices associated with the gaming machine.
[0137] After storing the information associated with the winning
player, the central controller continues to monitor the wagers at
the gaming machines in the gaming system and determine whether the
award threshold value is met as indicated by blocks 208 and
232.
[0138] If the central controller determines that the award
threshold value is met, the central controller causes a
notification to be sent to the winning player of the progressive
award win as indicated by block 234. In one embodiment, the winning
player is notified of the progressive award win through appropriate
messaging sent to the gaming machine at which the winning player is
playing. If the player is no longer playing at a gaming machine in
the gaming system, the winning player is notified in another
manner, such as through contact information in association with the
player tracking system or via an internet website. The internet
website may be associated with the casino or gaming establishment
at which the winning player was playing the gaming machine.
Alternatively, the internet website may be associated with the
manufacturer of the gaming machine or another suitable third-party.
Such notification may include the amount of the progressive award
won by the winning player, the date on which the progressive award
was won and the casino or gaming establishment where the winning
player won the progressive award as well as any promotional
information, advertisements or other suitable information. In one
embodiment, the notification includes an expiration of the
progressive award, such as how many days the progressive award is
available to be claimed. It should be appreciated that the
expiration may be any suitable length of time and may occur at any
suitable time.
[0139] As indicated by block 238, the central controller causes the
progressive award to be provided to the winning player. As
illustrated, the winning player is sent notification of the
progressive award win as indicated by block 236 prior to being
provided the progressive award. In different embodiments, the
winning player is not sent such notification and/or the progressive
award is provided to the winning player prior to such notification,
if any.
[0140] As illustrated in FIG. 5, appropriate notification messages
such as "YOU HAVE WON AN ACCUMULATED VALUE PROGRESSIVE AWARD OF
$1000.00! THIS ACCUMULATED VALUE PROGRESSIVE AWARD IS AVAILABLE TO
BE CLAIMED AT CASINO A. THIS ACCUMULATED VALUE PROGRESSIVE AWARD IS
AVAILABLE FOR 365 MORE DAYS." may be provided to the player. Such
notification messages may be audio, text and/or visual messages
sent to the winning player.
[0141] After the winning player is notified, the central controller
provides the progressive award to the winning player as indicated
by block 238. In one embodiment, if the player is playing at one of
the gaming machines in the gaming system, the central controller
causes that gaming machine to provide the winning player with the
progressive award. In another embodiment, if the player is not
playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system, the
central controller may provide the progressive award to the winning
player in conjunction with a player tracking system, such as via a
player tracking card or other suitable manner. Alternatively, the
central controller provides the progressive award to the winning
player in conjunction with the casino or gaming establishment, such
as through a cashier or any other suitable department of the
casino.
[0142] In one embodiment, if the designated progressive award is
not claimed by the winning player, the central controller may pick
another winning player to win that designated progressive award. In
one embodiment, the central controller causes a second player
threshold value to be determined. In one such embodiment, another
winning player is selected upon the designated progressive award
reaching the second player threshold value. Alternatively, an
unclaimed progressive award could be added to one or more
designated progressive awards. For example, a previously designated
progressive award may remain unclaimed by one or more winning
players for a designated amount of time. If the designated amount
of time expires, the central controller either provides the
unclaimed progressive award to a different player (e.g., the player
who contributes the coin which caused the second player threshold
to be met) or adds the unclaimed progressive award to a different
designated progressive award to increase that different designated
progressive award.
[0143] In another embodiment, at least one designated progressive
award is associated with a plurality of player threshold values
and/or award threshold values. The player threshold values and/or
award threshold values may be based on coin-in, time or another
suitable metric. In one such embodiment, a designated progressive
award is associated with a plurality of player threshold values
based on coin-in. If a player contributes a coin that causes the
designated progressive award to reach one of the player threshold
values, that player is qualified to participate in a group gaming
environment. In one embodiment, a plurality of players at a
plurality of the gaming machines in the gaming system work in
conjunction with one another, such as playing together as a team or
group, to win the designated progressive award. For example, once a
plurality of the players are separated into teams or groups, the
central controller monitors subsequent wagers by each player of
each team or group at the gaming machines in the gaming system. If
one of the wagers causes the designated progressive award to reach
an associated award threshold value, the team or group of the
player who placed that wager wins the designated progressive award.
In one such embodiment, any designated progressive award won by the
group is shared, either equally or based on any suitable criteria,
amongst the different players of the group. Alternatively, if a
player contributes the coin that causes the designated progressive
award to reach one of the player threshold values, that player
competes against at least one other player (i.e., another player
who contributed a coin that caused the designated progressive award
to reach one of the player threshold values) for the designated
progressive award.
[0144] FIG. 6 illustrates a timeline 300 showing one embodiment of
different and independent triggering events for a progressive award
available to be provided to a player in the gaming system. In this
embodiment, a first triggering event 304, such as a player
triggering event, occurs when the progressive award reaches a
player threshold or player trigger value and a second triggering
event 308, such as an award triggering event, occurs when the
progressive award reaches an award threshold or award trigger
value. The central controller monitors the wagers at the gaming
machines in the gaming system during an accumulation period for the
progressive award and determines whether the player triggering
event and/or the award triggering event occurs.
[0145] The gaming system maintains at least one progressive award,
which may be an accumulated value progressive award. The
progressive award starts at an initial or default value, such as
zero, and increments from the initial or default value or is funded
based on wagers made by the players at the gaming machines in the
gaming system. The accumulated value progressive award continues to
increment during an accumulated value progressive award
accumulation period, which may be set to any length determined by
the gaming system operator. To be eligible to win the accumulated
value progressive award, in this embodiment, one of the players at
one of the gaming machines places a wager during the accumulation
period. As illustrated, Players A and B place wagers at respective
gaming machines 302. A determined amount, such as an amount ranging
from 0.001% to 10%, of the wager is contributed to the accumulated
value progressive award. For example, if the contribution rate is
1% for each $1.00 wagered, one penny or $0.01 will be contributed
to the progressive award for each $1.00 wagered. In this example,
the player threshold value is the 5,000.sup.th coin or when the
accumulated value progressive award reaches $50.00 (i.e., based on
a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is one dollar and the
accumulated value progressive award starts at a default value equal
to $0) and the award threshold value is the 12,500.sup.th coin or
when the accumulated value progressive award reaches $125.00 (i.e.,
based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is one dollar and
the accumulated value progressive award starts at a default value
equal to $0).
[0146] In one embodiment, if either Player A or Player B leaves the
gaming system (e.g., stops playing at one of the gaming devices,
changes gaming devices or cannot be located at another gaming
machine in the gaming system) prior to the accumulated value
progressive award reaching the player threshold value, that player
remains eligible for the accumulated value progressive award since
Players A and B contributed to the accrual of the accumulated value
progressive award. As illustrated, the player triggering event 304
occurs when the accumulated value progressive award increments to
or reaches the player threshold value, such as 5,000 coins or
$50.00. For example, on a $1 wager with 1% allocated to the
accumulated value progressive award which hits at $50.00, the
5,000.sup.th coin wagered (i.e., based on a contribution rate of 1%
if each coin is one dollar and the accumulated value progressive
award starts at a default value equal to $0) results in the
accumulated value progressive award reaching the player threshold
(and thus designating a winning player).
[0147] In one embodiment, Player A and Player B are sent
notification of which player the central controller designated as
the winning player. Alternatively, no such notification is sent to
the players. For example, the central controller determined to
designate Player A as the winning player. As illustrated, Players A
and B left the gaming system after this designation. Accordingly,
Players A and B may or may not be aware that a winning player has
been designated.
[0148] After the player triggering event 304 occurs, the
accumulated value progressive award continues to increment or
increase based on coin-in. In one embodiment, only players
currently playing at one of the gaming devices when the player
triggering event 304 occurs are eligible for the accumulated value
progressive award. That is, the eligibility is closed to players
who were not playing at one of the gaming devices when the player
triggering event 304 occurs. As illustrated, Players A and B leave
the gaming system 306 (or cannot be located at a gaming machine in
the gaming system) after the player triggering event 304 occurs and
prior to the award triggering event 308. Although the winning
player has been designated, it should be appreciated that Player B
is eligible for the accumulated value progressive award since
Player B contributed to the accrual of the accumulated value
progressive award.
[0149] When a player of one of the gaming machines of the gaming
system contributes the coin that causes the accumulated value
progressive award to increment to $125.00 or the 12,500.sup.th
coin, the award triggering event 308 occurs. Upon the occurrence of
the award triggering event 308, the central controller determines
the amount of the accumulated value progressive award (e.g.,
$125.00) and provides the accumulated value progressive award to
the winning player. Since the progressive award accumulated to
12,500 coins, the central controller provides the winning player
with the progressive award of $125.00.
[0150] Player A either left the gaming system or cannot be located
at another gaming machine in the gaming system 306. The accumulated
value progressive award, such as a progressive award amount of
$125.00, is provided to Player A (i.e., the designated winning
player). After the award triggering event, the designated winning
player is sent notification of winning the designated progressive
award 310. Accordingly, Player A is sent notification of winning
the designated progressive award in any suitable format, such as
through e-mail or via an internet website. In one embodiment,
Player A is required to return to the gaming establishment or
casino where the accumulated value progressive award was won to
claim the won accumulated value progressive award.
[0151] In this embodiment, the occurrence of the player triggering
event 304 is prior to the occurrence of the award triggering event
308 and the progressive award is provided to the designated winning
player. It should be appreciated that selecting a winning player
for a progressive award that is still being contributed to or
accumulated reduces jackpot fatigue because the value of the
progressive award when the winning player is designated (e.g.,
after the 5,000.sup.th coin is wagered) has no bearing on a final
value of that progressive award when that same progressive award is
provided to the winning player (e.g., after the 12,500.sup.th coin
is wagered).
[0152] FIG. 7 illustrates a chart 400 showing different and
independent triggering events for a progressive award available to
be provided to a winning player. As illustrated in FIG. 7, chart
400 shows that Players A and B place wagers at gaming machines in
the gaming system 402. Chart 400 also shows that an award
triggering event 404 can occur before a player triggering event
406. The player threshold value of 10,000 coins is greater than the
award threshold value of 3,500 coins. Accordingly, the occurrence
of the award triggering event 404 is prior to the occurrence of the
player triggering event 406 and the central controller designates
the winning player after determining to provide the accumulated
value progressive award.
[0153] In one embodiment, the central controller stores or escrows
the accumulated value progressive award until a winning player is
determined. The accumulated value progressive award may be stored
for a predetermined length of time or until the winning player
claims the award. Alternatively, the accumulated value progressive
award is stored for a predetermined length of time before being
provided to the winning player. In one embodiment, any progressive
award not claimed in a predetermined amount of time are provided
back to the gaming system to be awarded as a new progressive award
to a new winning player.
[0154] In one alternative embodiment, the central controller
randomly determines a plurality of different player and/or award
triggering events for each accumulated value progressive award. For
example, a first player threshold value is determined to be 5,000
coins and a second player threshold value is determined to be
10,000 coins. In this example, an award threshold value is
determined to be 15,000 coins. The award threshold value of 15,000
coins is greater than the first and second player threshold values
of 5,000 and 10,000, respectively. Accordingly, the award
triggering event occurs after the occurrence of both player
triggering events. In this embodiment, if the player who wagered
the 5,000.sup.th coin is unable or does not claim the accumulated
value progressive award, the central controller offers the
accumulated value progressive award to the player who wagered the
10,000.sup.th coin. In one embodiment, if the player who wagered
the 5,000.sup.th coin claims or is provided with the accumulated
value progressive award, the central controller provides a
secondary award to the player who wagered the 10,000.sup.th coin.
In various embodiments, the players who wagered the 5,000.sup.th
and 10,000.sup.th coins are provided a group gaming event, wherein
the players either cooperate to play for a designated progressive
award or compete for a designated progressive award.
[0155] FIG. 8 illustrates a chart 500 showing different and
independent triggering events for a plurality of progressive awards
available to be provided to a player in the gaming system. In this
embodiment, each progressive award is associated with a player
triggering event and an award triggering event. Players A and B
place wagers at gaming machines in the gaming system 502. For a
first progressive award, a first player triggering event 504 occurs
when a first progressive award increments to or reaches a first
player threshold or player trigger value of 3,500 coins. A first
award triggering event 506 associated with the first progressive
award occurs when the first progressive award increments to or
reaches a first award threshold or award trigger value of 6,000
coins. As described above, the winning player is designated prior
to the determination to provide the first progressive award.
Accordingly, when the first progressive award increments to $60.00
(i.e., based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is one
dollar and the first progressive award starts at a default value
equal to $0), the first progressive award is provided to the
winning player who wagered or contributed the 3,500.sup.th coin
associated with the first progressive award. For a second
progressive award, a second player triggering event 510 occurs when
the second progressive award increments to or reaches a second
player threshold or player trigger value of 12,000 coins. A second
award triggering event 508 associated with the second progressive
award occurs when the second progressive award increments to or
reaches a second award threshold or award trigger value of 8,500
coins. As described above, the progressive award is determined to
be provided prior to the winning player being designated.
Accordingly, when the second progressive award increments to
$120.00 (i.e., based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is
one dollar and the second progressive award starts at a default
value equal to $0), the second progressive award having a value of
$85.00 (i.e., based on a contribution rate of 1% if each coin is
one dollar and the second progressive award starts at a default
value equal to $0) is provided to the designated winning player.
The central controller monitors the wagers at the gaming machines
in the gaming system during an accumulation period for each
progressive award and determines whether the player triggering
event and/or award triggering event occurs for each progressive
award.
[0156] In one embodiment, the player triggering event and the award
triggering event are each associated with a separate range of
values. The range of values defines the minimum value and the
maximum value of the accumulated value progressive award associated
with the player triggering event and the award triggering event. In
this embodiment, when an accumulated value progressive award
increments or increases to a first accumulated value progressive
award hit value, such as a player threshold value, within the range
of values associated with the player triggering event, the gaming
system designates the player whose coin-in matched the accumulated
value progressive award hit value or the player threshold value as
the selected winning player. For example, the player triggering
event is associated with a range of $10 to $100 for the accumulated
value progressive award. In this example, the player triggering
event will occur and a winning player is designated when the value
of the accumulated value progressive award increments to a player
threshold value between $10 and $100.
[0157] When an accumulated value progressive award increments or
increases to a second accumulated value progressive award hit
value, such as an award threshold value, within the range of values
associated with the award triggering event, the gaming system
determines to provide the accumulated value progressive award to
the designated winning player or causes the accumulated value
progressive award to be stored until the winning player is
designated. For example, the award triggering event is associated
with a range of $200 to $300 of the accumulated value progressive
award. In this example, the award triggering event will occur when
the value of the accumulated value progressive award increments to
an award threshold value between $200 and $300.
[0158] Based on the above examples, the accumulated value
progressive award starts at a default value, such as $0 or other
higher designated start up value, and increments based on wagers
made by players at the gaming machines in the gaming system. The
player triggering event is associated with a range of $10 to $100
and the award triggering event is associated with a range of $200
to $300 for the accumulated value progressive award. The player
threshold value may be any value in the range associated with the
player triggering event (e.g., $10 and $100). Similarly, the award
threshold value may be any value in the range associated with the
award triggering event (e.g., $200 and $300). The accumulated value
progressive award continues to increment. If the player threshold
value is $75, a winning player is designated when the value of the
accumulated value progressive award increments to $75. The central
controller stores the winning player (e.g., in association with a
player tracking system) until the accumulated value progressive
award increments to the award threshold value. If the award
threshold value is $225, the winning player is provided the
accumulated value progressive award when the value of the
accumulated value progressive award increments to $225. In one
embodiment, after the winning player is provided the accumulated
value progressive award, a new accumulated value progressive award
is started.
[0159] It should be appreciated that the ranges of the player and
award threshold values may overlap. In such cases, when an
accumulated value progressive award increments or increases to an
accumulated value progressive award hit value within the range of
values associated with the player triggering event and the award
triggering event, the gaming system designates a winning player
and, at a subsequent time, provides the accumulated value
progressive award to the designated winning player. The designated
winning player may be notified of the win via audio, text or visual
based messages.
[0160] In one embodiment, the player and award triggering events
are associated with different value ranges. In another embodiment,
the player and award triggering events are associated with the same
value range. In different embodiments, the player threshold value
and the award threshold value (and/or the respective value ranges)
are predetermined, randomly determined, determined based on the
wagers placed in the gaming system, determined based on the status
of one or more players (such as determined through a player
tracking system), determined based on time, or determined based on
any other suitable method.
[0161] For example, if the award triggering event occurs after the
5,000.sup.th coin, the player triggering event may occur at a
predetermined time, such as 15 minutes, after the award triggering
event occurs. In this example, the winning player is designated 15
minutes before the amount of the accumulated value progressive
award is determined. After this determination, the accumulated
value progressive award is provided to the designated winning
player. The value of the accumulated value progressive award is
reset to a default value and starts incrementing from the default
progressive award level. It should be appreciated that although the
accumulated value progressive award is reset to an appropriate
progressive award level, other remaining progressive awards are not
reset or otherwise affected by the triggering of the accumulated
value progressive award. As illustrated in FIG. 9, appropriate
messages such as "AN ACCUMULATED VALUE PROGRESSIVE AWARD OF
$1000.00 HAS BEEN WON! THIS ACCUMULATED VALUE PROGRESSIVE AWARD HAS
NO WINNER! THE WINNER WILL BE SELECTED IN THE NEXT 15 MINUTES!" may
be provided to the player visually on the display device 16 of one
of the gaming machines in the gaming system. Such messages may also
be provided to the player through another display device, such as
display device 18 or an overhead display shared by a plurality of
gaming machines, or through suitable audio or audiovisual
outputs.
[0162] By informing the player that a progressive award has hit or
has been determined to be provided to a winning player, as well as
other pertinent statistics, players will be more likely to
feverishly play in hopes of winning the prize. If the player does
not know what this maximum is, they may have no motivation to stay
or play at a faster rate. Accordingly, in one embodiment, a
metering and/or information display device may be used to display
information regarding the different accumulated value progressive
awards and/or the different player and award threshold values.
[0163] In additional embodiments wherein the controller knows when
the progressive award is going to hit based on the selected
parameters, such as coin-in, time or any other suitable
predetermined metric, the gaming device/gaming system displays
additional information to the player regarding the potential,
upcoming accumulated value progressive award. By giving the player
clues or hints as to when the progressive will hit, the player is
encouraged to play the gaming device at a faster pace if the player
knows that the selected winner is based on the coin-in.
[0164] In one embodiment, the gaming device displays information
relating to one, more or each of the accumulated value progressive
awards disclosed herein. Such displayed information provides the
player with the ability to make decisions as to the rate they wish
to play. With a plurality of displayed meters offering information
to the current status of a plurality of accumulated value
progressive awards, the player is provided an increased feeling of
excitement about their chances of winning one or more of the
progressive awards.
[0165] In one alternative embodiment, the central controller
provides at least one game, such as a primary game, that is
operable upon a wager placed by at least one player. The central
controller maintains at least one progressive award, such as one or
more accumulated value progressive awards. The central controller
determines which player to provide with a designated one of the
progressive awards (i.e., a player triggering event). This
determination is based on a first time value, such as 9:01 am
(i.e., at a player threshold value). For example, the central
controller determines the winning player of the designated
progressive award when time reaches 9:01 am. In this embodiment,
the central controller also determines when to provide the
progressive award to a winning player (i.e., an award triggering
event). This determination is based on a second time value, such as
9:10 am (i.e., an award threshold value). For example, the central
controller determines to provide the designated progressive award
to a winning player when time reaches 9:10 am.
[0166] It should be appreciated that triggering events based on
coin-in values, such as a Nth coin, and triggering events based on
time, such as a Nth time, constitute different types of triggering
events. In different embodiments disclosed herein, the same type of
or different types of triggering events may be used to determine
the winning player and when to provide the progressive award to the
winning player. For example, the determination of a winning player
is associated with a first type of triggering event (e.g., based on
coin-in) and the determination of when to provide the progressive
award to a winning player is associated with a second type of
triggering event (e.g., based on time).
[0167] In one embodiment, a plurality of the gaming devices are
connected together through a wide area network (WAN). The WAN may
include an off-site central server or controller and an off-site
gaming device located within gaming establishments in the same
geographic area, such as a city or state. In this embodiment, the
central controller determines a designated progressive award, a
designated location where the designated progressive award will be
won, which player at the designated location to provide with the
designated progressive award. In this embodiment, the location is
determined when the progressive award reaches a first value, such
as a designated coin-in value (e.g., 7,200.sup.th coin) or a
designated time value (e.g., 3:00 pm). The winning player is
determined when the progressive award reaches a second value, such
as a designated coin-in value (e.g., 7,600.sup.th coin) or a
designated time value (e.g., 3:20 pm). The progressive award is
provided or stored when the progressive award reaches a third
value, such as a designated coin-in value (e.g., 8,000.sup.th coin)
or a designated time value (e.g., 3:40 pm). For example, the
central controller determines the designated location and
subsequently determines the designated winning player and when to
provide the designated progressive award. The central controller
may determine the designated winning player and when to provide the
designated progressive award in any order.
[0168] In one embodiment, the gaming system enables any player who
contributed to an accrual of a designated progressive award during
a designated time period to win that progressive award. For
example, the designated progressive award is accrued or accumulated
during a seven day period (i.e., the designated progressive award
has a seven day accumulation period). In this example, the
designated progressive award is determined to be provided to a
designated winning player on the seventh day (i.e., the award
triggering event occurs on the seventh day of the accumulation
period). If a player arrives at a gaming establishment on the
second day of the accumulation period. The player wagers on one or
more games of one or more of the gaming machines of the gaming
system in an attempt to win the designated progressive award. The
player leaves the gaming establishment on the fifth day of the
accumulation period. In this example, if the player triggering
event occurs sometime between the second day and the fifth day, the
player is eligible to win the designated progressive award. Since
the amount of the designated progressive award is determined after
the player leaves the gaming establishment, the gaming system
causes a notification to be sent to the player. This notification
informs the player of which designated progressive award won and
the amount of that progressive award. As disclosed herein, the
notification may be provided in any suitable format, such as via
e-mail, via an electronic kiosk or via an internet website. It
should be appreciated that the player triggering event and/or the
award triggering event may occur at any time during the
accumulation period and that one or more players may contribute to
the accrual of the designated progressive award during any portion
of the designated time period to be eligible to win that
progressive award.
[0169] In one embodiment, the central controller selects the
winning player from a group of players based, at least in part, on
coin-in or time as described above, and based on at least one other
factor, such as the status of a player. In such an embodiment,
players who contribute to a designated progressive award may be
grouped based on the amount of coin-in contributed to the
progressive award and the winning player may be selected from the
group based on status (as determined by a player tracking system).
It should be appreciated that the gaming system selects the winning
player based on a random determination, based on a weighted
parameter, based upon a designated group, or based on any other
suitable factor.
[0170] In one embodiment, different gaming devices in the gaming
system have different progressive awards available to the player.
In one such embodiment, different gaming devices are associated
with different progressive awards based on a current configuration
of the gaming system. In one embodiment, zero, one or more
progressive awards may be associated with each of the gaming
devices in the gaming system while zero, one or more different
progressive awards may be associated with a plurality of, but not
all of the gaming devices in the gaming system. For example, both a
first set of gaming devices and a second, different set of gaming
devices may be associated with a first accumulated progressive
award, but the first set of gaming devices is also associated with
a second accumulated value progressive award (which the second set
of gaming devices is not).
[0171] In one embodiment, a gaming machine or bank of gaming
machines may be simultaneously associated with a plurality of
progressive awards. In these multi-level progressive ("MLP")
configurations, a plurality of progressive awards start at
different award or value levels, such as $10, $100, $1000 and
$10,000 and each individually increment or increase until provided
to a player. Upon a suitable triggering event at one of more of the
gaming devices associated with the MLP, one or more of the
progressive awards which form the MLP are provided to one or more
of the players at such gaming devices. In one embodiment, each
eligible player is eligible for one, a plurality of or each
progressive award level of the MLP. Alternatively, separate
eligibility conditions are associated with each progressive award
level of the MLP.
[0172] In one embodiment, at least two of the progressive awards
that form the MLP are associated with different types of triggering
events (e.g., triggering events based on coin-in or triggering
events based on time). In another embodiment, at least two of the
progressive awards that form the MLP are associated with different
triggering events (e.g., different coin-in values or time values).
In one such embodiment, a first progressive award in the MLP is
associated with a short term triggering event and a second
progressive award in the MLP is associated with a long term
triggering event. The short term triggering event occurs more
frequently than the long term triggering event. Thus, one or more
of the progressive awards in the MLP may be provided frequently
(e.g., such as those with a low value) while one or more of the
progressive awards in the MLP may be provided infrequently (e.g.,
such as those with a high value).
[0173] In one embodiment, different progressive awards are
associated with different gaming machines or different numbers of
gaming machines. For example, a progressive award valued at $10,000
may be associated with ten gaming devices while another progressive
award valued at $500,000 may be associated with one-hundred gaming
devices. In one embodiment, the multiple gaming machines may be in
the same bank of machines, in the same casino or gaming
establishment (such as through LAN), or in two or more different
casinos or gaming establishments (such as through a WAN). For
example, players from the multiple gaming machines may play for the
same progressive award, wherein the determination of the winning
player and when to provide the progressive award can occur in
association with any of the gaming machines. In such an embodiment,
the central controller considers the coin-in from the multiple
gaming machines from the same or the different casinos or gaming
establishments to determine whether the progressive award reaches
the player threshold value and the award threshold value.
[0174] In another embodiment, each individual gaming machine
maintains one or more progressive awards wherein a portion of the
wagers placed at that respective gaming machine is allocated to one
or more progressive awards maintained by such individual gaming
machine. For example, a winning player is designated from an
individual gaming machine to win a progressive award associated
with that gaming machine. In such an embodiment, the central
controller only considers the coin-in from the individual gaming
machine to determine whether the progressive award reaches the
player threshold value and the award threshold value. For example,
the individual gaming machine processor and/or the central
controller records the wagers for each player who played at a
gaming machine during a designated period of time, such as during a
bonus qualification period. The individual gaming machine processor
and/or the central controller is operable to designate which of the
players to provide with the progressive award when the progressive
award reaches the player threshold value. The individual gaming
machine processor and/or the central controller is operable to
determine when to provide the progressive award to one of the
players who played the primary game of the gaming device when the
progressive award reaches the award threshold value. In one
embodiment, the player threshold value is less than the award
threshold value so that a winning player is designated prior to the
progressive award being provided. In an alternative embodiment,
each individual gaming machine maintains one or more progressive
awards and the central server simultaneously or substantially
simultaneously maintains one or more progressive awards. It should
be appreciated that any suitable configuration of maintaining one,
more or each of the progressive awards may be implemented in
accordance with the gaming device and/or gaming system disclosed
herein.
[0175] It should be understood that various changes and
modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described
herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes
and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the present invention and without diminishing its intended
advantages. It is therefore intended that such changes and
modifications be covered by the appended claims.
* * * * *