Server based gaming system and method for providing deferral of bonus events
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A dedicated electronic gaming machine comprising:
- a plurality of input devices including a payment acceptor,at least one display device,at least one processor, andat least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to;
responsive to a physical item being received via the payment acceptor;
modify a monetary credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, wherein the physical item is selected from the group consisting of;
a first ticket associated with the monetary value and a unit of currency, andcause the at least one display device to display the modified monetary credit balance,after the modification of the monetary credit balance;
cause the at least one display device to display a quantity of accumulated bonus event units, the display of the quantity of accumulated bonus event units being distinct from the display of the monetary credit balance, andafter an occurrence of a first bonus event redemption trigger associated with a first bonus event and responsive to a designated quantity of bonus event units being accumulated, customize participation in the first bonus event by;
responsive to a first input being received, via at least one of the input devices, to selectively exchange a first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a first quantity of first bonus event components having a first average expected payout based on an average expected value of said first quantity of accumulated bonus event units, causing the at least one display device to display a randomly determined first bonus event award amount, wherein the first input to selectively exchange the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said first bonus event award amount is based on the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the first bonus event award amount, andresponsive to a second input being received, via the at least one of the input devices, to selectively exchange a second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a second, different quantity of first bonus event components having a second average expected payout based on an average expected value of said second quantity of accumulated bonus event units, causing the at least one display device to display a randomly determined second bonus event award amount, wherein the second input to selectively exchange the second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said second bonus event award amount is based on the second quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the second bonus event award amount, andresponsive to a ticket cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the monetary credit balance, wherein the payout comprises a second ticket associated with a monetary value of the monetary credit balance when the ticket cashout input is received.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a bonus event unit based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such bonus event units are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player'"'"'s gaming experience. The bonus event units utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award.
491 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A dedicated electronic gaming machine comprising:
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a plurality of input devices including a payment acceptor, at least one display device, at least one processor, and at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to; responsive to a physical item being received via the payment acceptor; modify a monetary credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, wherein the physical item is selected from the group consisting of;
a first ticket associated with the monetary value and a unit of currency, andcause the at least one display device to display the modified monetary credit balance, after the modification of the monetary credit balance; cause the at least one display device to display a quantity of accumulated bonus event units, the display of the quantity of accumulated bonus event units being distinct from the display of the monetary credit balance, and after an occurrence of a first bonus event redemption trigger associated with a first bonus event and responsive to a designated quantity of bonus event units being accumulated, customize participation in the first bonus event by; responsive to a first input being received, via at least one of the input devices, to selectively exchange a first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a first quantity of first bonus event components having a first average expected payout based on an average expected value of said first quantity of accumulated bonus event units, causing the at least one display device to display a randomly determined first bonus event award amount, wherein the first input to selectively exchange the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said first bonus event award amount is based on the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the first bonus event award amount, and responsive to a second input being received, via the at least one of the input devices, to selectively exchange a second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a second, different quantity of first bonus event components having a second average expected payout based on an average expected value of said second quantity of accumulated bonus event units, causing the at least one display device to display a randomly determined second bonus event award amount, wherein the second input to selectively exchange the second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said second bonus event award amount is based on the second quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the second bonus event award amount, and responsive to a ticket cashout input being received, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the monetary credit balance, wherein the payout comprises a second ticket associated with a monetary value of the monetary credit balance when the ticket cashout input is received. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A gaming system comprising:
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at least one processor; and at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor cause the at least one processor to; following the receipt of data associated with a monetary credit balance which is modified responsive to an electronic funds transfer initiated from a thin client gaming device, accumulate a quantity of bonus event units, distinct from a display of the monetary credit balance, communicate data which results in a display device of the thin client gaming device displaying a quantity of accumulated bonus event units, and after an occurrence of a first bonus event redemption trigger associated with a first bonus event and responsive to a designated quantity of bonus event units being accumulated, customize participation in the first bonus event by; responsive to data associated with a first input to selectively exchange a first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a first quantity of first bonus event components having a first average expected payout based on an average expected value of said first quantity of accumulated bonus event units being received; randomly determining a first bonus event award, and communicating data which results in the display device of the thin client gaming device displaying the determined first bonus event award, wherein the first input to selectively exchange the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, and said first bonus event award is based on the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and responsive to data associated with a second input to selectively exchange a second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a second, different quantity of first bonus event components having a second average expected payout based on an average expected value of said second quantity of accumulated bonus event units being received; randomly determining a second bonus event award, and communicating data which results in the display device of the thin client gaming device displaying the determined second bonus event award, wherein the second input to selectively exchange the second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, and said second bonus event award is based on the second quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of operating a dedicated electronic gaming machine, said method comprising:
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responsive to a physical item being received via a payment acceptor, modifying a monetary credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item, wherein the physical item is selected from the group consisting of;
a first ticket associated with the monetary value and a unit of currency,after the modification of the monetary credit balance; causing a display, by the display device, of a quantity of bonus event units, the display of the quantity of bonus event units being distinct from the display of the monetary credit balance, and after an occurrence of a first bonus event redemption trigger associated with a first bonus event and responsive to a designated quantity of bonus event units being accumulated, customizing participation in the first bonus event by; responsive to a first input being received to selectively exchange a first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a first quantity of first bonus event components having a first average expected payout based on an average expected value of said first quantity of accumulated bonus event units; randomly determining, by the processor, a first bonus event award amount, and causing a display, by the display device, of the determined first bonus event award amount, wherein the first input to selectively exchange the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said first bonus event award amount is based on the first quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the first bonus event award amount, responsive to a second input being received to selectively exchange a second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event including a second, different quantity of first bonus event components having a second average expected payout based on an average expected value of said second quantity of accumulated bonus event units; randomly determining, by the processor, a second bonus event award amount, and causing a display, by the display device, of the determined second bonus event award amount, wherein the second input to selectively exchange the second, different quantity of accumulated bonus event units to participate in the first bonus event is separate from the occurrence of the first bonus event redemption trigger associated with the first bonus event, said second bonus event award amount is based on the second quantity of accumulated bonus event units selectively exchanged, and the amount of the monetary credit balance is increasable based on the second bonus event award amount, and responsive to a ticket cashout input being received, causing an initiation of any payout associated with the monetary credit balance, wherein the payout comprises a second ticket associated with a monetary value of the monetary credit balance when the ticket cashout input is received. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification