Gaming machine bonusing method utilizing a player tracking card

• US 20050153768A1
• Filed: 01/08/2004
• Published: 07/14/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Paulsen, Craig
• Application Number:
  US10/754,395
• Publication Number:
  US 20050153768A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a bonus on a gaming machine are disclosed. Specifically, a first bonus can be provided to a player on a gaming machine. During or for an outcome of the first bonus, an opportunity for a second bonus can be provided. Whether the opportunity has been met can be determined using player tracking information from a player tracking card inserted into the gaming machine. If the opportunity has been met, then a second bonus can be provided.

Claims

1. A method for providing a bonus on a gaming machine comprising:

providing a first bonus to a player on a gaming machine;

providing an opportunity for a second bonus during the first bonus;

determining if the opportunity has been met using player tracking information; and

providing the second bonus if the opportunity has been met.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the opportunity is met if the player tracking information indicates that the player associated with the player tracking information is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or single win recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the opportunity is met if a player tracking card is inserted into the gaming machine and a specified activity is performed in response to a specified event.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the specified event is an audio signal, a visual signal, or both an audio and visual signal.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the specified event is saved to the gaming machine or an associated gaming device as game state information.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the opportunity is met if a player tracking card is inserted into the gaming machine in response to a specified event.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the specified event is an audio signal, a visual signal, or both an audio and visual signal.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the specified event is saved to the gaming machine or an associated gaming device as game state information.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second bonus is a multiple of the first bonus.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the second bonus is a bonus game.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the second bonus is a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, credits, or a combination thereof.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the second bonus is redeemable during a subsequent gaming session.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying progress towards a bonus award, wherein one or more outcomes from the second bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the progress displayed is in the form of a puzzle, wherein a plurality of outcomes are used to complete the puzzle for the bonus award.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the bonus award is a multiple amount, a bonus game, credits, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, or a combination thereof.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the progress displayed is in the form of a diagram.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the bonus award is a multiple amount, a bonus game, credits, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, or a combination thereof.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the player tracking information is associated with a player tracking card inserted into the gaming machine.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the player tracking information is associated with a player tracking card, a smart card, Java card, memory stick, or wireless device.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the wireless device is a PDA, cell phone, Bluetooth-related item, or RFID device.

21. The method of claim 1, wherein the player tracking information is associated with a virtual player tracking card used during an Internet gaming session.

22. A method for providing a bonus award on a gaming machine comprising:

providing a first bonus to a player on a gaming machine;

receiving player tracking information associated with the player, wherein the player tracking information includes player status information; and

providing a second bonus during or for an outcome of the first bonus if the player tracking information meets a specified criteria.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the player status information includes whether the player is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or a combination thereof.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the specified criteria is met if the player status information indicates that the player is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or a combination thereof.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the player status information includes the player'"'"'s level of patronage, frequency of game play, or a combination thereof, and wherein the specified criteria is a minimum level of patronage, frequency of game play, or a combination thereof.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the level of patronage is determined by the number of game plays, denomination of one or more gaming machines played, the amount of credits bet during game play, or a combination thereof, by the player during a time interval.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the time interval accounts for the player'"'"'s entire game playing history.

28. A gaming system for providing a bonus award on a gaming machine comprising:

logic for providing a primary game, wherein the primary game is a game of chance;

logic for providing a first bonus, wherein the first bonus is provided based on player tracking information, a random event, or a combination thereof; and

logic for providing a second bonus, wherein the second bonus is provided during or for the first bonus, and wherein the second bonus is based on player tracking information.

29. The gaming system of claim 28, wherein the logic for providing the first and second bonus is provided by a bonus server.

30. The gaming machine system of claim 28, wherein the logic for providing the first and second bonus is provided by a master gaming controller associated with a gaming machine of the gaming system.

31. The gaming machine system of claim 28, wherein the second bonus is a multiple of the first bonus.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the second bonus is a bonus game, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, an indicia of credits, or a combination thereof.

33. The method of claim 28, wherein the player tracking information is stored on a player tracking server.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising logic for displaying progress towards a bonus award, wherein one or more outcomes from the second bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein one or more outcomes from the first bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.