Techniques for generating random awards using a plurality of average values

• US 20060160612A1
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Published: 07/20/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertram, William K., Parham, Tyler Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,575,517 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method of providing a game for a gaming device is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of average values. Average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool. A wager amount and an input to initiate game play are received. An average value is selected from the plurality of average values and a random award is determined from the prize pool. The random award is determined from the average value selected from the plurality of average values.

Claims

1. A method of providing a game for a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool;

receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play;

selecting an average value from the plurality of average values; and

determining a random award from the prize pool, wherein the random award is determined from the average value selected from the plurality of average values.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of average values represent percentages of the prize pool.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the average value is randomly selected from the plurality of average values.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a minimum value and a maximum value, wherein determining the random award from the prize pool comprises using the minimum value, average value, and maximum value to determine the random award.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting and determining are performed in response to receiving the wager amount and input to initiate game play.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing game play to determine a game outcome; and

determining a game award in addition to the random award, wherein the game award is determined based on the game outcome.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the random award is generated without regard to game outcome.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the random award is determined before, during or after game play of the game.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the random award comprises using a function of a random number such that an average of the random award values awarded over a number of plays is equal to an average of weighted averages of the plurality of average values.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating a portion of the wager amount to the prize pool.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating a portion of non-gaming revenues to the prize pool.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the random award into a non-monetary award.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the conversion is performed after the random award is determined.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the random award is a percentage of the prize pool.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising a gaming device configured to perform the method described in claim 1.

17. A method of providing a game for a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool;

determining that a random award should be generated substantially before, during, or substantially after a game being played on the gaming device;

when it is determined that the random award should be generated, selecting an average value from the plurality of average values; and

determining a random award from the prize pool, wherein the random award is determined from the average value selected from the plurality of average values.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein determining that the random award should be generated comprises making the determination after an input to initiate game play and a wager amount are received.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein determining that the random award should be generated comprises making the determination the determination after a trigger event.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising converting the random award into a non-monetary value.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the conversion is performed after the random award is determined.

22. The method of claim 17, wherein the average value is randomly selected from the plurality of average values.

23. The method of claim 17, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

24. The method of claim 17, wherein the plurality of average values represent percentages of the prize pool.

25. The method of claim 17, further comprising determining a minimum value and a maximum value, wherein determining the random award from the prize pool comprises using the minimum value, average value, and maximum value to determine the random award.

26. The method of claim 17, wherein determining the random award comprises using a function of a random number such that an average of the random award values awarded over a number of plays is equal to an average of weighted averages of the plurality of average values.

27. The method of claim 17, further comprising a gaming device configured to perform the method described in claim 17.

28. A method of providing a game for a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool;

receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play;

determining a first average value, the first average value being predetermined;

determining a second average value, the second average value being randomly selected from the plurality of average values; and

determining a random award from the prize pool, wherein the random award is determined from first average value and the second average value.