GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNITY BONUS EVENT
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A gaming system comprising:
- a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including at least one input device;
at least one display device associated with at least one of said gaming devices; and
at least one controller configured to operate with each of said gaming devices and said at least one display device to;
(a) determine a first rate that a first player at a first of said gaming devices is placing wagers on plays of a first primary game for a designated period of time;
(b) determine a second, different rate that a second player at a second of said gaming devices is placing wagers on plays of a second primary game for the designated period of time; and
(c) if a bonus event triggering condition occurs and the first player and the second player have each wagered a same designated amount for the designated period of time;
(i) determine whether the first player wins a bonus event award, wherein said determination is based, at least in part, on the first rate that the first player is placing wagers,(ii) determine whether the second player wins the bonus event award, wherein said determination is based, at least in part, on the second, different rate that the second player is placing wagers and a probability that the second player is determined to win the bonus event award is different than a probability that the first player is determined to win the bonus event award, and(iii) cause the bonus event award to be displayed and provided to the player determined to win the bonus event award.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system and method including providing a community or group bonus event to a plurality of players at a plurality of gaming devices. For each of the players determined as eligible to participate in a triggered group bonus event, the gaming system determines that player'"'"'s relative probability of winning a group bonus event award in the triggered bonus event. In one such embodiment, each player'"'"'s relative probability of winning the group bonus event award is based on that player'"'"'s wagering history, such as any amounts wagered by that player, the frequency of placing such wagers and/or frequency of not placing any wagers.
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Citations
27 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including at least one input device; at least one display device associated with at least one of said gaming devices; and at least one controller configured to operate with each of said gaming devices and said at least one display device to; (a) determine a first rate that a first player at a first of said gaming devices is placing wagers on plays of a first primary game for a designated period of time; (b) determine a second, different rate that a second player at a second of said gaming devices is placing wagers on plays of a second primary game for the designated period of time; and (c) if a bonus event triggering condition occurs and the first player and the second player have each wagered a same designated amount for the designated period of time; (i) determine whether the first player wins a bonus event award, wherein said determination is based, at least in part, on the first rate that the first player is placing wagers, (ii) determine whether the second player wins the bonus event award, wherein said determination is based, at least in part, on the second, different rate that the second player is placing wagers and a probability that the second player is determined to win the bonus event award is different than a probability that the first player is determined to win the bonus event award, and (iii) cause the bonus event award to be displayed and provided to the player determined to win the bonus event award. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including at least one input device; at least one display device associated with at least one of said gaming devices; and at least one controller configured to operate with each of said gaming devices and said at least one display device to; (a) for each of said players at each of said gaming devices; (i) upon an occurrence of a bonus event point accumulation event, accumulate a first quantity of bonus event points, and (ii) upon an occurrence of a bonus event point reduction event, reduce any accumulated bonus event points by a second quantity of bonus event points; and (b) upon an occurrence of a competitive group race bonus event triggering condition; (i) for each player having at least a designated balance of bonus event points, determine a relative starting position in a competitive group race bonus event, wherein said relative starting position in the competitive group race bonus event is based on said player'"'"'s current balance of bonus event points, (ii) cause a display of each of the determined relative starting positions, (iii) cause a display of a play of the competitive group race bonus event, (iv) determine one of the players to win the displayed competitive group race bonus event, wherein said determination is based, at least in part, on the determined relative starting positions, and (v) cause a bonus event award to be displayed and provided to the player determined to win the displayed competitive group race bonus event. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 22)
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14. A gaming system comprising:
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at least one processor; at least one input device; at least one display device; 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 operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to; (a) maintain a plurality of progressive awards, (b) accumulate a first quantity of bonus event points if a bonus event point accumulation event occurs, (c) reduce any accumulated bonus event points by a second quantity of bonus event points if a bonus event point reduction event occurs, and (d) upon an occurrence of a bonus event triggering condition; (i) select one of the plurality of progressive awards, wherein said selection is based on the current balance of bonus event points, and (ii) display and provide the selected progressive award to a player. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including at least one input device; at least one display device associated with at least one of said gaming devices; and at least one controller configured to operate with each of said gaming devices and said at least one display device to; (a) for each of said players at each of said gaming devices; (i) maintain a total play accumulated wager meter and a recent play accumulated wager meter, (i) upon an occurrence of an accumulated wager meter increment event, accumulate a first amount in the maintained total play accumulated wager meter and the maintained recent play accumulated wager meter, and (ii) upon an occurrence of a recent play meter reduction event, reduce the maintained recent play accumulated wager meter by a second amount; and (b) upon an occurrence of a group bonus event triggering condition; (i) for each player; (A) determine a modifier for the triggered group bonus event, wherein said determined modifier is based on the current amount in the total play accumulated wager meter maintained for said player, (B) determine an individual bonus event award for the triggered group bonus event, said determined individual bonus event award based, at least in part, on the determined modifier for the triggered group bonus event, (C) cause said determined individual bonus event award to be displayed and provided to the player of said gaming device; (ii) select one of the players to win the triggered bonus event, wherein said selection is based, at least in part, on the current amounts in the recent play accumulated wager meters maintained for the players; and (iii) cause a bonus event award to be displayed and provided to the player selected to win the triggered bonus event. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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Specification