AWARD SYSTEM BASED ON A USER TOUCH INPUT ON A GAMING DEVICE

• US 20100069147A1
• Filed: 09/11/2009
• Published: 03/18/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Inventors: Parham, Tyler T.
• Application Number:
  US12/558,480
• Publication Number:
  US 20100069147A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• 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 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

Particular embodiments generally relate to providing an award based on a touch input. For example, various superstitious acts performed by a user may be rewarded with a superstition bonus. In one embodiment, it is determined when to trigger a superstition bonus. The superstition bonus may be awarded when a designated touch input is received on a gaming device in a designated area of the gaming device. For example, there may be multiple different touch inputs that can be received in different areas. When a gaming device is eligible to award a superstition bonus, a touch input may be received in the designated area and the superstition bonus may be awarded.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining when to trigger an award, the award being awarded when a designated touch input is received on a gaming device in a designated area of the gaming device;

receiving a touch input on the gaming device in the designated area of the gaming device, the touch input received from a user playing a game on the gaming device, wherein the touch input is not used for play of the game by the user;

determining if the received touch input matches the designated touch input; and

awarding the award if the received touch input substantially matches the designated touch input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a plurality of touch areas are provided, wherein the touch input needs to be received in the designated touch area out of the plurality of touch areas for the award to be awarded.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the designated touch input is selected from a plurality of touch inputs, wherein the received touch input matches the designated touch input.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch input is received on one of a plurality of award outcomes displayed in a pay table for the game being played.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the award is awarded if the outcome received in the game being played matches the award in which the touch input is received.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein determining when to trigger the award comprises receiving a signal indicating that the gaming device is selected to award the award, wherein the gaming device is selected randomly among a plurality of gaming devices.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the award comprises awarding a higher payout for an outcome of the game being played by the user based on the touch input received.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the award comprises altering a probability for receiving the result of the game outcome in the game being played by the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein touch input comprises a pattern of movement inputted by the user in the designated touch area.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the touch input comprises a touching considered superstitious by a player.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a plurality of touch areas are provided, wherein the touch input needs to be received in the designated touch area out of the plurality of touch areas for the award to be awarded.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the designated touch input is selected from a plurality of touch inputs, wherein the received touch input matches the designated touch input.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch input is received on one of a plurality of award outcomes displayed in a pay table for the game being played.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein logic operable to determine when to trigger the award comprises logic operable to receive a signal indicating that the gaming device is selected to award the award, wherein the gaming device is selected randomly among a plurality of gaming devices.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein awarding the award comprises awarding a higher payout for an outcome of the game being played by the user based on the touch input received.

17. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein awarding the award comprises altering a probability for receiving the result of the game outcome in the game being played by the user.

18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein touch input comprises a pattern of movement inputted by the user in the designated touch area.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the touch input comprises a touching considered superstitious by a player.

11. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

logic encoded in one or more computer readable storage media for execution by the one or more computer processors and when executed operable to;

determine when to trigger an award, the award being awarded when a designated touch input is received on a gaming device in a designated area of the gaming device;

receive a touch input on the gaming device in the designated area of the gaming device, the touch input received from a user playing a game on the game device, wherein the touch input is not used for play of the game by the user;

determine if the received touch input matches the designated touch input; and

award the award if the received touch input substantially matches the designated touch input.

20. A system comprising:

a controller configured to;

determine when to trigger an award; and

communicate a signal to a gaming device to award the award, the award being awarded when a designated touch input is received on a gaming device in a designated area of the gaming device,

wherein the gaming device is configured to;

receive a touch input on the gaming device in the designated area of the gaming device, the touch input received from a user playing a game on the game device, wherein the touch input is not used for play of the game by the user;

determine if the received touch input matches the designated touch input; and

award the award if the received touch input substantially matches the designated touch input.