U.S. patent application number 12/674640 was filed with the patent office on 2011-11-10 for computerized gaming system and a method of operating thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to PLAYTECH SOFTWARE LIMITED. Invention is credited to Aaron Faktor.
Application Number | 20110275440 12/674640 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40029028 |
Filed Date | 2011-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110275440 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Faktor; Aaron |
November 10, 2011 |
COMPUTERIZED GAMING SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF OPERATING THEREOF
Abstract
The present invention discloses a computerized gaming system
enabling providing a bonus for a user who plays a game, a method of
operating the system and a bonus module to be used in conjunction
with the system. The computerized gaming system is configured to be
used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server
operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, wherein
the system further comprises a bonus module operatively coupled to
at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server, the
billing unit and the storage unit; at least one element of said
group is configured to provide bonus-related data to the bonus
module; the bonus module is configured to accommodate one or more
predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or
bonus award conditions; to obtain data from at least one element of
said group, to process the obtained data in accordance with
accommodated rules and conditions, and, depending on a processing
outcome, to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with
regard to a bonus award.
Inventors: |
Faktor; Aaron; (Douglas,
GB) |
Assignee: |
PLAYTECH SOFTWARE LIMITED
DOUGLAS, ISLE OF MAN
GB
|
Family ID: |
40029028 |
Appl. No.: |
12/674640 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2008 |
PCT Filed: |
August 21, 2008 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL08/01151 |
371 Date: |
February 22, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/42 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G07F 17/3244 20130101;
G07F 17/32 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/42 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1-22. (canceled)
23. A computerized gaming system configured to be used in a network
environment and comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a
billing unit and a storage unit, wherein (a) the system further
comprises a bonus module operatively coupled to at least one
element of a group comprising the gaming server, the billing unit
and the storage unit; (b) at least one element of said group is
configured to provide bonus-related data to the bonus module; (c)
the bonus module is configured i) to accommodate one or more
predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or
bonus award conditions; ii) to obtain bonus-related data from at
least one element of said group, iii) to process the obtained data
in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and iv)
depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or
the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.
24. The system of claim 23 wherein the game server is configured to
recognize a bonus-related game event and, in accordance with the
recognized event, to provide the bonus module with game-related
data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or part thereof.
25. The system of claim 23 wherein the billing unit is configured
to recognize a bonus-related finance event and, in accordance with
the recognized event, to provide the bonus module with
finance-related data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or
part thereof.
26. The system of claim 23 wherein the storage unit is configured
to recognize a bonus-related event and, in accordance with the
recognized event, to provide the bonus module with user-related
data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or part thereof.
27. The system of claim 23 wherein the bonus module is configured
to obtain bonus-related data from at least one element of said
group in a pull mode.
28. The system of claim 23 wherein the bonus-related data are
selected from a group comprising data relevant to one or more
users; data relevant to one or more games; history of bonuses
provided for one or more users and/or one or more games;
combination of two or more above.
29. The system of claim 23 wherein the bonus module is further
configured to determine whether, when and/or in which manner to
provide the bonus award.
30. The system of claim 23 wherein the billing unit is further
configured to credit a user's account when the user receives a
monetary bonus.
31. A bonus module configured for use with a computerized
network-based gaming system comprising a gaming server operatively
coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, wherein said bonus
module is operatively coupled to at least one element of a group
comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage unit
and configured: (a) to accommodate one or more predefined and/or
configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or bonus award
conditions: (b) to obtain bonus related data from at least one
element of said group, (c) to process the obtained data in
accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and, (d)
depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or
the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.
32. The bonus module of claim 31 further configured to obtain
bonus-related data from at least one element of said group in a
pull mode.
33. The bonus module of claim 31 further configured to obtain
bonus-related data from at least one element of said group in a
push mode upon occurring a certain bonus-related event.
34. The bonus module of claim 31 further configured to determine
whether, when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus
award.
35. A method of operating a computerized gaming system configured
to be used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server
operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, the
method comprising: (a) obtaining and accommodating one or more
predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or
bonus award conditions; (b) automated obtaining bonus-related data
from at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server,
the billing unit and the storage unit; (c) processing the obtained
data in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and (d)
depending on a processing outcome, automated informing the game
server and/or the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.
36. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least part of
bonus-related data is game-related data obtained from the game
server in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related game
event.
37. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least part of
bonus-related data is finance-related data obtained from the
billing unit in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related
finance event.
38. The method of claim 35 wherein the at least part of
bonus-related data is user-related data obtained from the storage
unit in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related user
event.
39. The method of claim 35 wherein at least part of bonus-related
data is obtained from at least one element of said group in a pull
mode.
40. The method of claim 35 wherein the bonus-related data are
selected from a group comprising data relevant to one or more
users; data relevant to one or more games; history of bonuses
provided for one or more users and/or one or more games;
combination of two or more above.
41. The method of claim 35 further comprising determine whether,
when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus award.
42. The method of claim 35 further comprising updating a user's
account when the user receives a monetary bonus.
43. A computer program comprising computer program code means for
performing all the steps of claim 35 when said program is run on a
computer.
44. A computer program as claimed in claim 43 embodied on a
computer readable medium.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to computerized
gaming over a communication network, and more particularly to
computerized gaming which encourages users to play.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The world of computerized gaming (including computerized
gambling and/or wagering) over a communication network has greatly
developed during the last decade, since the Internet and other
networks have grown to be a meaningful and successful entertainment
environment. Computerized network-based games may be implemented in
various ways known in the art as disclosed, for example, in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,586,937; U.S. Pat. No. 6,921,337; U.S. Pat. No.
6,837,791; U.S. Pat. No. 6,887,156; U.S. Pat. No. 6,554,709; U.S.
Pat. No. 7,362,862; U.S. Pat. No. 6,969,320; U.S. Pat. No.
7,285,046 and others.
[0003] It is desirable for a game operator to encourage users to
play more often and for longer periods of time each time they play,
since the more time users spend playing, the higher the odds that
the operator will win, and the higher the sum earned by the
operator. The problem of encouraging the user to keep playing or to
play longer has been recognized in prior art and various systems
have been developed to provide a solution. For example, some
operators encourage users by reducing the cost of gambling, or by
improving the user's odds in one or more games, either randomly or
according to a predetermined set of rules. Other operators provide
the user with entertaining content, video, audio, text, or a
combination thereof, to keep the user playing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention, there is provided a computerized network-based gaming
system and a method of operating thereof enabling rewarding a
player of a computerized network game. Such rewarding may have
significant influence on a user's desire to play and, accordingly,
increase the time played by the user and thus the operator's
expected profits. In a certain embodiment of the disclosed
invention, bonuses are provided to players for occasions other than
enrollment, registering with the gaming operator or placing a
wager. For example, bonuses may be provided as a consequence or
result of new and surprising events. The player may or may not be
aware of the bonus-generating event. The bonus may be provided as a
result of a wagering event or a transaction event, such as, by way
of non-limiting example, five consecutive deposits of a sum higher
than a predetermined threshold, ten deposits within a predetermined
time range, or the like. By way of another non-limiting example,
the event can be a non-wagering event, such as a birthday, a
holiday, a reward from a third-party business after purchase
because the user is among the top 10 experienced players online at
a given moment, or the like. Additionally, the player may be
notified of the event either a-priori, so that he or she can take
actions to win the bonus, or once the bonus is given. The player
may also be provided with the bonus when not playing, even while
being offline.
[0005] In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention,
there is provided a computerized gaming system configured to be
used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server
operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit. The
system further comprises a bonus module operatively coupled to the
gaming server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage unit
configured to provide bonus-related data to the bonus module. The
bonus module is configured [0006] to accommodate one or more
predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or
bonus award conditions; [0007] to obtain bonus-related data from
the game server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage unit;
[0008] to process the obtained data in accordance with accommodated
rules and conditions, and, [0009] depending on a processing
outcome, to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with
regard to a bonus award.
[0010] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the game server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage unit may
be configured to recognize respective bonus-related event and, in
accordance with the recognized event, to provide the bonus module
with bonus-related data. The billing unit may be further configured
to credit a user's account when the user receives a monetary bonus.
The game server may be further configured to enable presentation of
the proposed bonus and/or bonus award to the user. The storage unit
may be further configured to accommodate bonus-related information
obtained from the bonus module.
[0011] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention
the bonus module may be configured to obtain bonus-related data
from the game server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage
unit in a pull mode.
[0012] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the bonus module may be further configured to determine whether,
when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus award.
[0013] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention,
there is provided a bonus module configured for use with a
computerized network-based gaming system comprising a gaming server
operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit. The bonus
module is operatively coupled to the gaming server and/or the
billing unit and/or the storage unit and configured: [0014] to
accommodate one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for
bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions; [0015] to obtain
bonus related data from the game server and/or the billing unit
and/or the storage unit; [0016] to process the obtained data in
accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and, [0017]
depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or
the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.
[0018] The information may comprise whether, when and/or in which
manner to provide the bonus award.
[0019] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the bonus module may be further configured to obtain bonus-related
data from the game server and/or the billing unit and/or the
storage unit in a pull mode. The bonus module may be alternatively
or additionally configured to obtain bonus-related data from the
game server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage unit in a
push mode upon occurring a certain bonus-related event.
[0020] In accordance with other aspects of the present invention,
there is provided a method of operating a computerized gaming
system configured to be used in a network environment and
comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a billing unit
and a storage unit. The method comprises obtaining and
accommodating one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for
bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions; automated
obtaining bonus-related data from at least one element of a group
comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage
unit; processing the obtained data in accordance with accommodated
rules and conditions, and, depending on a processing outcome,
automated informing the game server and/or the billing unit with
regard to a bonus award.
[0021] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
at least part of bonus-related data is game-related data obtained
from the game server in a push mode upon recognition of
bonus-related game event, and/or is finance-related data obtained
from the billing unit in a push mode upon recognition of
bonus-related finance event; and/or user-related data obtained from
the storage unit in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related
user event.
[0022] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
at least part of bonus-related data is obtained from the game
server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage unit in a pull
mode.
[0023] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention,
the method further comprises updating a user's account when the
user receives a monetary bonus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] In order to understand the invention and to see how it may
be carried out in practice, certain embodiments will now be
described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to
the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a generalized network environment wherein
the present invention may be implemented;
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates a generalized functional block diagram of
a gaming system in accordance with certain embodiments of the
present invention;
[0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic flowchart of a method of
operating the gaming system in accordance with certain embodiments
of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding
of the invention. However, it will be understood by those skilled
in the art that the present invention may be practiced without
these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods,
procedures, components and circuits have not been described in
detail so as not to obscure the present invention. In the drawings
and description, identical reference numerals indicate those
components that are common to different embodiments or
configurations.
[0029] Unless specifically stated otherwise, as apparent from the
following discussions, it is appreciated that throughout the
specification discussions utilizing terms such as "processing",
"computing", "calculating", "determining", "generating",
"recognizing" or the like, refer to the action and/or processes of
a computer or computing system, or processor or similar electronic
computing device, that manipulate and/or transform data represented
as physical, such as electronic, quantities within the computing
system's registers and/or memories into other data, similarly
represented as physical quantities within the computing system's
memories, registers or other such information storage, transmission
or display devices.
[0030] The processes/devices presented herein are not inherently
related to any particular electronic component or other apparatus,
unless specifically stated otherwise. Various general purpose
components may be used in accordance with the teachings herein, or
it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus
to perform the desired method. The desired structure for a variety
of these systems will appear from the description below. In
addition, embodiments of the present invention are not described
with reference to any particular programming language. It will be
appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to
implement the teachings of the inventions as described herein.
[0031] The references cited in the background teach many principles
of implementing and managing computerized network games that are
applicable to the present invention. Therefore the full contents of
these publications are incorporated by reference herein where
appropriate for appropriate teachings of additional or alternative
details, features and/or technical background.
[0032] Bearing this in mind, attention is drawn to FIG. 1
illustrating a generalized network environment wherein the present
invention may be implemented. The illustrated network environment
comprises a plurality of game clients 10 operatively coupled via a
communication network 11 to a game server 13 comprised in a gaming
system 12. The game clients may be associated with any device
having input and display capabilities (e.g. personal computer,
workstation, PDA, mobile phone, WebTV device, wagering machine,
adaptive gaming machine, etc.) and capable to communicate with the
game server 13 directly or via communication network (e.g. Wireline
or Wireless Public Telephone Networks, Internet, Intranet, cable
network, etc.). The game clients may be downloaded to the
respective device and/or accessed with the help of such a device
from the web via a web browser. In certain embodiments of the
invention the device shall be also capable to execute at least part
of a gaming application. In certain embodiments of the invention
the game clients may be directly associated with the gaming system
12.
[0033] The game server 13 is configured to receive input data from
one or more game clients, to execute logic of one or more certain
games accordingly, and to report outcome(s) to the game clients in
accordance with gaming principles and rules. Server 13 is typically
a server-side gaming application, wherein each gaming client 10
typically executes the corresponding client-side. The sharing of
functions between the game server and the game clients may vary
depending on the game and implementation thereof, for example the
game client may provide only functions of input/output and/or
additionally execute certain programs related to output graphics
and/or additionally execute part or all programs related to a game
logic and exchange the data with the game server, etc. The server
and client applications may comprise software components written in
any appropriate programming language such as, by way of
non-limiting example, C, C#, C++, Java, VB, VB.Net, or the like,
and developed under any appropriate development environment, such
as, by way of non-limiting example, Visual Studio.Net, J2EE or the
like. It will be appreciated that server and/or the clients can
alternatively be implemented as firmware ported for a certain
processor such as, by way of non-limiting example, digital signal
processor (DSP) or microcontrollers, or can be implemented as
hardware or configurable hardware such as, by way of non-limiting
example, field programmable gate array (FPGA) or application
specific integrated circuit (ASIC).
[0034] The game system further comprises a storage unit 15
operatively coupled with the game server 13. The storage unit is
configured to accommodate all necessary information related to the
games and users, including configuration of the game server (e.g.
available games, game limits, etc.), users data and profiles,
subscription management data and subscriber management (e.g. data
related to opening an account for a user, closing an account,
allowing a user to add or withdraw funds from an account, changing
the user's address or personal identification number, etc.),
session histories, detailed game results, monetary transactions,
statistical data, etc. By way of non-limiting example, user-related
data may include the user's name, address, age, gender, marital
status, number of children, salary, occupation, hobbies and
preferences or any other personal data. Additionally, user-related
data may include data related to the gaming of certain users, for
example, number and sums of wagers during the former week, favorite
fields of games, sum of money won, fanner bonuses, etc.
[0035] The gaming system may comprise other servers (not shown)
operatively coupled to the storage unit 15, as, by way of
non-limiting example, security server, administration server, live
game server and others. The servers are configured to exchange data
with the storage unit 15.
[0036] The game system further comprises a billing unit 14
operatively coupled with the game server 13 and the storage unit
15. In certain embodiments of the invention the billing unit may be
also operatively coupled with the game clients, The billing unit is
configured to accommodate and to manage user accounts and to enable
performing of monetary transactions in accordance with data
received from the game server, the storage unit and, optionally,
the user.
[0037] Note that the invention is not bound by the specific
architecture described with reference to FIG. 1. Those versed in
the art will readily appreciate that the invention is, likewise,
applicable to any network architecture facilitating computerized
network-based gaming.
[0038] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a generalized
functional block diagram of the gaming system in accordance with
certain embodiments of the present invention.
[0039] The gaming system 20 comprises operatively coupled game
server 23, storage unit 25 and billing unit 24. In accordance with
certain embodiments of the present invention, the gaming system
further comprises a bonus module 21 operatively coupled to the game
server 23, storage unit 25 and billing unit 24. The bonus module
accommodates certain rules and algorithms for bonus calculating as
well as bonus award conditions; and is configured to obtain data
from the game server and/or the billing unit and/or the storage
unit, to process the obtained data, and, depending on an outcome,
to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with regard to a
bonus award, and to update the storage unit accordingly. The rules,
algorithms and award conditions may be predefined and/or
configurable, additional rules may be added via management tools
(not shown) operatively coupled to the bonus module.
[0040] The term `bonus` used in this specification shall be
expansively construed to include any financial, material or virtual
reward provided to one or more users. The bonus can also be a
prospect to be rewarded with the reward, such as coupons,
discounts, stocks, shares, physical prizes and/or a combination
thereof.
[0041] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention, the game server 23 is configured to provide to the bonus
module game-related data necessary for bonus calculation. In
certain embodiments of the invention the game server is configured
to recognize bonus-related game events and send the respective data
in accordance with a recognized event. In other embodiments of the
present invention the game server may send (in pull and/or push
mode) to the bonus module game-related data necessary for bonus
calculation regardless of bonus-related events. By way of
non-limiting example, the bonus-related game event may be defined
by a context of the game, by temporary or final game outcome, etc.;
the game can be a card game, a computerized competition, a
non-cyber world event such as a sport or a political event or the
like. As will be further detailed with reference to FIG. 3, the
game-related data for bonus calculation may include, by way of
non-limiting example, a score within a certain predefined game
content, wager, score, bet results, ratio of achieved score to
predefined score, ratio of wager to achieved results, game
duration, number of game sessions during predefined time period,
etc. By way of non-limiting example, the wagering can be placed on
sports events, such as horse racing, greyhound racing, jai alai,
football matches, golf, tennis, cricket, baseball, basketball, ice
hockey, rugby, snooker, motor sports, boxing, darts, cross-country
skiing, biathlon or the like. The wager placed on the sports event
can either be placed on the final score, the identity of the
winner, the score at a predetermined point or a period of time
during the match, statistics of one or more players of one or more
groups over one or more games or portions of games, ranks of groups
or individuals in statistical tables, or any of the like.
Alternatively, a wager can be placed on a card game, or types of
games, selected for example from Sic Bo, baccarat, craps, roulette,
keno, casino war, faro, pachinko, fan-tan, let It ride, 3-card
poker, 4-card poker, red dog, pyramid poker, Caribbean stud poker,
Spanish, Texas Hold'em Bonus Poker, blackjack, pai gow poker, or
others. The bonus-related event may be based, by way of
non-limiting example, on the final or partial score, results of one
or more events, or statistics which occur during a portion of one
or more games.
[0042] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention, the billing unit 24 is configured to provide to the
bonus module with finance-related data necessary for bonus
calculation. In certain embodiments of the invention the billing
unit is configured to recognize bonus-related finance events and to
send the respective data in accordance with the recognized event.
In other embodiments of the present invention the billing unit may
send (in pull and/or push mode) to the bonus module finance-related
data necessary for bonus calculation regardless of finance
bonus-related events. By way of non-limiting example, the finance
bonus-related event and finance-related data necessary for bonus
calculation may be defined by a user's general account status
and/or statistics, and/or credit status, and/or certain financial
transactions provided by a user as, for example, sum of overall
and/or new deposit, number and/or total sum of transactions during
a certain period, etc.
[0043] In accordance with certain embodiments of the present
invention, the storage unit 25 is configured to provide to the
bonus module with user-related data necessary for bonus
calculation. In certain embodiments of the invention the storage
unit is configured to recognize bonus-related user events and to
send the respective data in accordance with the recognized event.
In other embodiments of the present invention the storage unit may
send (in pull and/or push mode) to the bonus module user-related
data necessary for bonus calculation regardless of user
bonus-related events. By way of non-limiting example, the user
bonus-related event and user-related data necessary for bonus
calculation may be a user's birthday, age, gender, credit card
details, details relevant to current or former games played by the
user (for example the number of games lost or won within the last
hour), and the like.
[0044] Bonus module 21 is configured to determine whether, when and
in which manner to provide the bonus according to data acquired
from the game server and/or billing input and/or storage unit, and
the manner of rewarding the user, either by money, credit for
playing, coupons, discounts for specific goods or services, a
combination thereof, or the like. In certain embodiments of the
invention the coupon and/or discount may fit the user's needs or
desires in accordance with user-related data received from the
storage unit. The bonus module is configured to request such data,
including users' preferences, from the storage unit when
necessary.
[0045] In certain embodiments of the invention the bonus module may
be configured to request and obtain bonus-related data from the
game server and/or the billing unit and/or storage unit in
accordance with in-between calculation results based on bonus
related data obtained in a push mode. Basing on accommodated rules
and conditions, the bonus module may pull the data from the same
source it got the pushed data and/or from another source.
[0046] Optionally, the bonus module may interact with one or more
external systems (not shown) in order to provide bonuses related to
the systems (e.g. for a purpose of product promotion, marketing
campaigns, etc.). The bonus may be displayed with entertainment
content, with professional data or strategy regarding the game,
general data such as news, or the like. The bonus module is
configured to the event of bonus award, time the award to be
provided, as well as the way and form of providing the bonus.
[0047] The game server 23 and/or billing unit 24 are further
configured to receive bonus-related data from the bonus module, and
to inform the game client 10 about the awarded bonus. The billing
unit is further configured to credit the user's account when the
user receives a monetary bonus. In certain embodiments of the
invention the game server may inform the game client both about
virtual (game related) bonus and real money, enable the user to
select a desired bonus from several suggested bonuses, and/or
enables the user to determine whether to accept or ignore the
bonus.
[0048] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the
invention is not bound by the configuration of FIGS. 1-2;
equivalent functionality may be consolidated or divided in another
manner. In different embodiments of the invention the functional
units and/or parts thereof may be placed in a single or in multiple
geographical locations (including duplication for
high-availability); operative connections between the units and
within the units may be implemented directly or indirectly,
including remote connection. The connection may be provided via
Wire-line, Wireless, cable, Internet, Intranet, power, satellite or
other networks and/or using any communication standard, system
and/or protocol and variants or evolution thereof. The invention
may also be practiced in distributed computing environments. The
gaming system of the present invention may be also fully or partly
integrated with different devices, including 3rd party
equipment.
[0049] Those skilled in the art will also readily appreciate that
the storage unit and the data accommodated therein may be divided
between different parts of the gaming system in various manners.
The accommodated data or part thereof may also be shared with other
systems, including 3rd party equipment.
[0050] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a generalized
flowchart of a method of operating the game system. In accordance
with certain embodiments of the present invention, the operating of
the gaming system includes the configuring (31) of bonus
calculating rules and bonus award conditions. The rules and
conditions are configured to define bonus-award evens, bonus
parameters (e.g. value and type of bonus), manner and time of its
presentation, etc. The configuration data or part thereof may be
accommodated out of the gaming system and be received by the gaming
system upon request. The operating further includes obtaining
game-related bonus data (32) and/or finance related bonus-data (33)
and/or user-related bonus data (34) as was detailed with reference
to FIG. 2. These data may be obtained during operating any
appropriate gaming system (e.g. operating as disclosed in the
references cited in the background) and configured to be capable of
executing the operations in accordance with certain embodiments of
the present invention; after termination of a gaming session and/or
before a gaming session starts (the same is applicable also to
farther operations provided in accordance with a certain embodiment
of the present invention). In certain embodiments of the invention
part of data may be obtained by the bonus unit in a push mode,
while other data (for example, user-related data) may be obtained
in a pull mode during the process of bonus calculation.
[0051] The obtained data are processed in order to define matching
to bonus award conditions (35), bonus parameters (36) and a manner
and time of bonus presentation (37). The processing is provided in
accordance with the configuration of bonus rules and
conditions.
[0052] Accordingly, it is determined whether the user should
receive a bonus; what form the bonus should take, e.g. monetary,
goods, money to be used as wager, or the like; and how and when to
provide the user with the bonus. Some bonuses may be provided after
the user placed a wager, others can be provided even if a player is
off-line, to encourage him to start playing, yet other bonuses can
be provided for a certain result, for a reason not controllable or
not even known to the player. In some cases, the bonus is
conditioned by the user's financial or gaming actions. For example,
the bonus will be activated only after a predefined number of games
or period of time. The user may not be able to withdraw winning
money if the predefined conditions are not satisfied.
[0053] In certain embodiments of the invention the user may
determine whether to accept or ignore the bonus. The user may
select a desired bonus from several bonuses suggested by the gaming
apparatus. The several bonuses may be different in sum, payment
terms and conditions required by the user to use the bonus or to
withdraw it or money related to the bonus. The user may be enabled
to withdraw money he owns as a result of the bonus only upon
placing a sum higher than $1000, or only upon placing $500 on
roulette. The conditions may vary from one game to another, and
from one user to another, depending on the user's specific
parameters. The period of time required for the user's bonus to
count before he may withdraw his bonus may be initialized when the
bonus is provided, when the user signs up, when the user starts a
new game, uses a new credit card, starts playing a new type of
game, or other actions which may define the user as being aware of
the bonus. The user may be required to place money on at least a
predefined sum in order to withdraw his credit, or to withdraw the
money he has won. The predefined sum may differ according to game
type, money spent on the game and a function thereof. Further, in
order to encourage the user to play in specific games or game
types, the bonus may be disabled for wagers placed on specific
games or game types. For example, in case the minimal sum required
is $500 and wagers on blackjack do not count, and the user placed
$400 on roulette and $200 on blackjack, he will not be able to
withdraw the sum of money won, since the threshold of $500, which
excludes blackjack wagers, is not satisfied. Further, the minimal
sum required may differ according to the game type on which the
user placed wagers. For example, the user may be provided with a
sum of $50 as a bonus, and the minimal sum to withdraw credit will
be $500 in case of roulette wagers and $600 in case of any card
game wager. Alternatively, the determination of minimal sum may be
done based on rates. For example, $200 wagers on blackjack equal
$20 bonus, while $200 wagers on roulette equal only $10 of the
bonus. The sum of money placed on risk-less bets may also be
excluded from the minimal sum of money required for the bonus to
count. Risk-less bets may be equal bets on both black and red on
the roulette on the same round, or placing half of the bet on the
player and half of the banker on Baccarat, or "come" and "don't
come" on craps. Risk-less bets may be predefined, or defined by a
probability threshold, to which the odds not to lose money are
smaller or bigger. Determining the bonus-related details may take
into consideration the monetary balance of the user, as well as
personal details, gaming history, or other parameters.
[0054] The bonus is presented (38) in accordance with results of
the processing. The user's account is updated (39) when necessary
(e.g. if the bonus is real money allowed for withdrawal by the
user). Optionally, all or part of data related to bonus award
events may be accommodated in the storage unit (40).
[0055] A bonus can be provided prior to playing, before or after
depositing a wager, and before or after registering with the gaming
operator. When the user finishes playing, he can cash out or
otherwise receive his balance. Bonus calculations may also be
provided after placing of money, after playing the game and
resolving the results and sometimes after rewarding at least some
of the winners of the game.
[0056] The bonus may be provided even when the user does not place
money and/or goods and/or services, but plays for entertainment
purposes. In this case, the bonus may be a virtual money, as is the
wager placed by the user. It may be desirable to encourage users to
play longer hours if the game is provided with commercial or
advertising content, or if the user took an action, such as
relating to an advertisement, shopping in a predetermined location,
or the like.
[0057] The bonus may be provided to the user at any given time,
either randomly or as a result of an event. The bonus may be
provided after a predetermined amount of time elapsed since the
beginning of playing, or after a number of games, in case the
player won or lost a sum of money higher than a threshold, a sum of
money higher or lower than a threshold relative to the duration of
time played, or a predetermined number of games. The bonus may also
be provided together with the wagering, before the beginning of the
first game. In case the bonus is provided before the first game, it
will preferably be provided as a credit for future games.
[0058] The bonus may be provided to encourage users to play in new
fields. For example, a user who places wagers on sports events more
than a predetermined percent of the time, for example 70%, will be
provided with a bonus after competing in a predetermined number of
trivia competitions. Alternatively, the user will only get the
bonus if he places at least a predetermined sum of money on trivia
competitions. Different bonuses may be provided, depending on the
device the user uses for playing. If the user uses a pre-paid
service in order to play and wager, the bonus is increased, and may
be shared between the gaming operator and the communication service
provider. The pre-paid communication may be telephone, television,
wireless communication, Internet cafe, or the like.
[0059] The bonus may depend on temporary results or events during a
game or after the game, in case the event had an effect on the
user's wager. For example, in case the user plays versus one or
more competitors rather than versus the operator, the bonus may be
provided in case the competitors' wager was affected. For example,
two competitors place their wager on the number of points scored by
two other participants in a specific game. If the number of points
of one participant is higher than the other participant's number of
points, the user who placed the wager on the participant with the
lower number will be provided with a bonus so as to encourage him.
In other case, the bonus will be provided only if the difference
between the points is larger than a predetermined threshold, or in
case the difference between the number of wins and losses in the
former number of wagers or the total number of wagers is higher or
lower than a threshold. The threshold may either be represented as
an integer number, such as 5, in case the user lost 8 and won 3 of
the former 11 wagers, or depending on a percentage of successful
wagers such as when the user lost more than 80% of the last 20
wagers.
[0060] The bonus may be provided in case the user lost a wager but
the gap between winning and losing was lower than a predetermined
threshold. For example, when playing black-jack, the user had 20
while the operator had 21, or the user took 4 cards, or any
uncommon event. In trivia competitions versus other competitions,
the bonus may be provided in case the number of correct answers the
user had was higher than a threshold, even if it did not result in
winning the competition. In ease of a sports event, if the party
the player placed the wager on was leading most of the match, but
was unsuccessful towards the end, the player may be provided with a
bonus.
[0061] In case of a competition among two or more players or users,
the bonus may also be provided upon ranking the players. For
example, although only the top-scoring player wins, a predetermined
number of players having the next highest scores may be entitled to
a bonus. Ranking the users may also be done without competition,
just upon personal statistics and specification, for example,
ranking by age, gender, zip code, or any other information item
related to the users. The ranking may be performed according to the
number of games they ever played, the number of wins or losses, the
difference or ratio between wins and losses, whether totally,
within a time period, or in a sequence played during the ranking.
For example, the player who has the highest number of consecutive
games may be rewarded.
[0062] It is also advantageous to provide the users with bonuses as
a reward for enrolling new users. In other embodiments, a portion
of the bonuses for users enrolled by a player is provided to the
player who enlisted the user, and so forth, like a pyramid. In
other embodiments, if new users wager on different type of events,
a special bonus will be provided.
[0063] In some exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the
operator may notify the user that a bonus may be provided. The
operator may further detail the essence of the bonus and when will
it be provided, or just provide hints. For example, an operator may
notify the user that a $50 credit for gaming will be provided in
five more games, to encourage the user to play these five games.
The bonus may be provided before or after the event detailed in the
notification, according to the user's results after the
notification. The notification may include an offer to play in a
new field or for a higher amount of time or money, for example,
notifying the user that a bonus will be provided if the user will
place $5 for the next 3 wagers. The bonus may optionally be
provided to the user when not using the system, for example sending
to a player a holiday greeting with a bonus, birthday bonus or the
like. In an exemplary embodiment, a bonus is provided when a
predetermined period of time elapsed since the last wager, or when
the sum of money placed is lower or higher than a threshold, either
absolute, per player, per time unit, or the like.
[0064] The bonus may also be provided with audio, video, or any
entertaining content. The content may be related to the wager, such
as displaying a teacher in case of a trivia competition or
providing crowd sounds when the user wagers on sports events. Each
user or group of users may have their favored icons or videos for
receiving a bonus. In some embodiments, entertaining content is
sent to the user prior to the bonus so that the user is encouraged
when he notices new content.
[0065] The present invention also discloses a method of doing
business. In some cases, the bonus provided to the user comprises
one or more coupons or discounts, so the user is encouraged to
increase consumption. For example, the bonus is a coupon for buying
a shirt for $20 from a business, while the regular price of the
shirt is $30. If the user buys the shirt, the gaming operator is
rewarded with a sum of money. In other embodiments of the method of
doing business of the present invention, the gaming operator pays
the business related to the bonus a predetermined sum of money,
preferably a portion of the difference between the regular price
and the price offered by the coupon.
[0066] Another embodiment of the business method comprises a step
of advertising goods or services in addition to the coupon.
[0067] In addition to the above method, other embodiments provide
steps of displaying to the user additional content transmitted from
a gaming apparatus. The content may either be entertaining content
or professional content to assist the user in succeeding in gaming.
Another optional step of the method is determining the sum of money
or credit provided as a bonus. The determination step is preferably
done by a bonus module. The determination is performed according to
the history of the user's wagers, money placed and wagering
statistics. Another step is determining when and how to provide the
bonus, and the method of providing it. The methods are selected
from money, credit, coupons, discounts or a combination
thereof.
[0068] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details set forth in the description
contained herein or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is
capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out
in various ways. It should be noted that the invention is not bound
by the specific algorithm of processing or specific data structure.
Those versed in the art will readily appreciate that the invention
is, likewise, applicable to any other processing or presentation
with equivalent and/or modified functionality which may be
consolidated or divided in another manner.
[0069] It will also be understood that the invention further
contemplates a machine-readable memory tangibly embodying a program
of instructions executable by the machine for executing the method
of the invention.
[0070] The following numbered paragraphs define some embodiments of
the invention:
[0071] 1. A method of encouraging an at least one user to play a
wagering game using a computing platform, the method
comprising:
[0072] determining the at least one user to be provided with a
bonus;
[0073] determining the bonus provided to the at least one user;
[0074] providing the at least one user with the bonus;
wherein the bonus is provided based on an at least one item
selected from the group consisting of: a result of a game; a
personal detail associated with the at least one user; a personal
detail associated with another user; a gaining detail associated
with the at least one user; a gaming detail associated with another
player; information related to an at least one game; number of
users placing wagers in a time unit; type of game played by the at
least one user; device used by the at least one user for playing;
commercials sent to the at least one user while playing; an action
taken by the at least one user; and a function of two or more of
the above.
[0075] 2. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the at
least one user is at least two users.
[0076] 3. The method according to embodiment 2 further comprising
the steps of: receiving a sum placed by the at least two users;
rewarding at least one of the at least two users with a first
portion of the sum placed by the at least two users; providing a
second portion of the sum placed by the at least two users as the
bonus to at least one of the at least two users.
[0077] 4. The method according to embodiment I, further comprising
a step of billing an at least one user upon losing in the wagering
game.
[0078] 5. The method according to embodiment I, further comprising
a step of notifying the at least one user regarding the bonus, a
predetermined time prior to providing the bonus.
[0079] 6. The method according to embodiment 1, further comprising
a step of notifying the at least one user regarding the bonus, a
predetermined number of games prior to the bonus award.
[0080] 7. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the bonus
is selected from the group consisting of: money; an equivalent of
money; a coupon; goods; services; discount on one or more goods;
discount on one or more services; and any combination thereof.
[0081] 8. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the bonus
is provided before the wagering game played by the at least one
user.
[0082] 9. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the bonus
is provided during the wagering game played by the at least one
user.
[0083] 10. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the bonus
is provided after the wagering game played by the at least one
user.
[0084] 11. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the
wagering game is a card game.
[0085] 12. The method according to embodiment 1, wherein the game
is selected from a group consisting of: poker; baccarat; slot
machine; black jack; wagering on a sports game; wagering on a
political event; wagering on a stock market event; wagering on an
event associated with a famous person; a knowledge-based game; or a
trivia game.
[0086] 13. The method according to embodiment 1, further comprising
a step of enabling the at least one user to accept or ignore the
bonus.
[0087] 14. The method according to embodiment 13, further
comprising a step of comparing the sum of wagers of the at least
one user's with a predetermined threshold.
[0088] 15. The method according to embodiment 14, further
comprising a step of limiting the at least one user's withdrawal of
at least a portion of his credit in case the sum of money placed by
the at least one user is lower than the predetermined
threshold.
[0089] 16. The method according to embodiment 14, further
comprising a step of subtracting at least a portion of the sum of
money placed by the at least one user from the sum of money
compared with the predetermined threshold.
[0090] 17. The method according to embodiment 16, wherein the step
of subtracting the sum of money is based on a parameter selected
from a group consisting of game type, predetermined period of time
elapsing between providing a bonus and placing a wager, placing
money on a risk-less bet, or a combination thereof.
[0091] 18. A bonus apparatus for encouraging an at least one user
to play a wagering game using a computing platform by providing the
at least one user with a bonus, the apparatus comprising:
[0092] an input module for receiving data related to one or more
items from the group consisting of: data relevant to the at least
one user; data relevant to an at least one game; history of bonuses
provided; additional data relevant for determining parameters
related to the bonus;
[0093] a bonus determination module for receiving information
relevant for determining parameters related to the bonus from the
input module and determining the bonus according to a predetermined
set of rules; and
[0094] an output module for receiving the bonus from the bonus
determination module and sending notices relevant to providing of
the bonus, wherein the bonus is provided based on an at least one
item selected from the group consisting of: a result of a game; a
personal detail associated with the at least one user; a personal
detail associated with another user; a gaming detail associated
with the at least one user; a gaming detail associated with another
player; information related to an at least one game; number of
users placing wagers in a time unit; type of game played by the at
least one user; device used by the at least one user for playing;
commercials sent to the at least one user while playing; an action
taken by the at least one user; and a function of two or more of
the above.
[0095] 19. The apparatus according to embodiment 18 wherein the
additional data relevant for determining parameters related to the
bonus is selected from the group consisting of: sum of bonus
provided, the at least one user provided with the bonus, type of
bonus, currency, and time at which the bonus is provided.
[0096] 20. The apparatus according to embodiment 18, further
comprising a billing unit, adapted to receive data related to the
bonus from the output module and change the credit of the at least
one user accordingly.
[0097] 21. The apparatus according to embodiment 18, wherein the
apparatus is coupled to a gaming server adapted to manage the
wagering game, said server receives wagers from the at least one
user and provides the input module with data relevant to bonus
determination.
[0098] 22. The apparatus according to embodiment 21, wherein the
bonus apparatus is incorporated within the gaming server.
[0099] 23. The apparatus according to embodiment 18, further
comprising a determining module, coupled to the bonus determination
module, adapted to provide mathematical or logical processing based
on information relevant for determining parameters related to the
bonus.
[0100] 24. The apparatus according to embodiment 18, further
comprising a database for storing the information relevant for
determining parameters related to the bonus.
[0101] 25. A method of doing business comprising encouraging users
playing a wagering game using a computing platform in to increase
consumption, the method comprising:
[0102] providing the user with a bonus, wherein at least a portion
of said bonus is a money equivalent bonus having a value, used for
purchasing goods or services supplied by a business; the business
paying an operator of the wagering game a portion of the value.
[0103] 26. The method according to embodiment 25, wherein the at
least portion of the bonus is provided as a coupon.
[0104] 27. The method according to embodiment 25, wherein the at
least portion of the bonus is provided as a discount.
[0105] Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that
various modifications and changes can be applied to the embodiments
of the invention as hereinbefore described without departing from
its scope, defined in and by the appended claims.
* * * * *