Method and apparatus for providing a time based award
First Claim
1. A gaming system comprising:
- a processor; and
a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to;
at a first point in time, determine a reference time, wherein at the first point in time, the reference time is different than the first point in time and the determined reference time is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, andat a second, subsequent point in time having a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, select one of a plurality of gaming devices to provide a guaranteed award, wherein the guaranteed award is available upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, and the selection of one of the plurality of gaming devices is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method is provided for providing payments at a gaming device, where the payments may occur at predictable times and are of predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed payment every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed payment. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide payments simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; at a first point in time, determine a reference time, wherein at the first point in time, the reference time is different than the first point in time and the determined reference time is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, and at a second, subsequent point in time having a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, select one of a plurality of gaming devices to provide a guaranteed award, wherein the guaranteed award is available upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, and the selection of one of the plurality of gaming devices is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A gaming system comprising:
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a processor; and a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the processor, cause the processor to; at a first point in time, determine a reference time, wherein at the first point in time, the reference time is different than the first point in time and the determined reference time is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, responsive to no bonus game having been triggered within a period of time between the first point in time and a second, subsequent point in time having a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, automatically trigger a play of a bonus game upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, wherein the triggering of the bonus game is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, and responsive to at least one bonus game having been triggered within the period of time between the first point in time and the second, subsequent point in time, not automatically triggering the play of the bonus game upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
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at a first point in time, determining, by a processor, a reference time, wherein at the first point in time, the reference time is different than the first point in time and the determined reference time is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, and at a second, subsequent point in time having a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, selecting, by the processor, one of a plurality of gaming devices to provide a guaranteed award, wherein the guaranteed award is available upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, and the selection of one of the plurality of gaming devices is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
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at a first point in time, determining, by a processor, a reference time, wherein at the first point in time, the reference time is different than the first point in time and the determined reference time is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, responsive to no bonus game having been triggered within a period of time between the first point in time and a second, subsequent point in time having a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, automatically triggering, by the processor, a play of a bonus game upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time, wherein the triggering of the bonus game is independent of any randomly determined outcome for any play of any game, and responsive to at least one bonus game having been triggered within the period of time between the first point in time and the second, subsequent point in time, not automatically triggering the play of the bonus game upon the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification