ADVENTURE SEQUENCE ACTIVITIES

• US 20110098118A1
• Filed: 01/06/2011
• Published: 04/28/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/28/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Binh T., Muir, David Hugh
• Granted Patent: US 8,403,759 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• 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

A gaming system includes a communication network, a portable data storage device having information associated with a player stored therein and a plurality of gaming units communicatively coupled to the communication network. Each of the gaming units includes an interface for reading and for storing information within the portable data storage device. The gaming system also includes a network computer communicatively coupled to the communication network and the plurality of gaming units. The network computer is programmed to enable the player to play a group of the plurality of gaming units in a particular sequence based on the information associated with the player stored within the portable data storage device.

Claims

1. A method of gaming comprising:

communicatively linking a system server to a portable storage device;

sending data pertaining to an activity, via a communication network, to the portable storage device;

initiating play of the activity based on the data obtained from the portable storage device;

communicating data pertaining to the completion of the activity, to the portable storage device;

performing a win evaluation of the activity;

accumulating win data associated with a game; and

determining whether an adventure sequence has been completed based on the accumulated win data.

2. The method of claim 1, further including the step of communicating data pertaining to the completion of the activity to the system server.

3. The method of claim 1, further including the step of utilizing a gaming device to complete the activity.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the determining step comprises determining whether a gaming sequence has been completed.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the gaming sequence involves games of chance played at more than one physical location.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the activity comprises at least one of one of a video poker game, a video blackjack game, a video keno game, a video slots game and a video bingo game.

7. A method of gaming, comprising:

communicatively linking a system server to a portable storage device;

sending data pertaining to an adventure sequence, via a communication network, to the portable storage device;

initiating play of the adventure sequence by pursuing the completion of a non-gaming activity not involving a wagering game;

communicating data pertaining to the completion of the non-gaming activity, to the portable storage device;

performing a win evaluation of the non-gaming activity;

accumulating win data associated with the adventure sequence; and

determining whether an adventure sequence has been completed based on the accumulated win data.

8. The method of claim 7, further including communicating data pertaining to the player.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein communicating data pertaining to the player includes reading at least one of a unique identifier, sequential game information, monetary information, biometric information and performance statistics.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of communicating data pertaining to the player includes the step of retrieving information from a portable data storage device.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the step of initiating play of the adventure sequence includes the step of generating an adventure sequence that includes a plurality of activities, at least some of which are associated with different physical locations.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the adventure sequence involves a plurality of gaming units, each of which is associated with a different physical location.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the adventure sequence is based, at least in part, on data pertaining to the player.

14. The method of claim 7, further including the step of providing a clue to the player that is indicative of a next activity to be played by the player in accordance with the adventure sequence.

15. A gaming unit, comprising:

a first interface configured for communication with a portable device and for receiving information from the portable device regarding a player'"'"'s progress in a sequence of activities;

a second interface configured for communication with a server, thereby transmitting the information regarding the player'"'"'s progress to the server and receiving from the server information regarding an activity of the sequence of activities; and

means for presenting at least a portion of the activity to the player.

16. The gaming unit of claim 15, wherein the information received from the portable device further comprises information regarding at least one of the player'"'"'s preferences, betting habits and available credit.

17. The gaming unit of claim 15, wherein the sequence of activities comprises at least one wagering game.

18. The gaming unit of claim 15, further comprising virtual reality gear configured to present a simulation at the player'"'"'s location of events in another location.

19. The gaming unit of claim 15, wherein the information received from the server comprises location information regarding another activity, and wherein the location information is communicated to the player via at least one of the gaming unit and the portable device.

20. The gaming unit of claim 18, wherein the player'"'"'s location is a first gaming establishment and simulated activity involves a second gaming establishment.