System and Method for Providing a Bonus With Multiple Remote Inputs

• US 20120202589A1
• Filed: 04/16/2012
• Published: 08/09/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M.
• Granted Patent: US 9,129,474 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/61 Score computation
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/326 Game play aspects of gaming systems
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3295 Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking

Abstract

A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs includes a bonus machine and at least one remote device. The bonus machine includes a game capable of providing a player with an award and maintains a bonus value. The remote device is independent of the bonus machine and transmits information associated with an event which can influence the bonus value. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs includes providing a first bonus machine having a bonus value and at least one game capable of providing a player with an award, providing a remote device, and communicating information from the remote device to the first bonus machine which can influence the bonus value.

Claims

1. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs comprising:

a bonus machine including a game capable of providing a player with an award, the bonus machine maintaining a bonus value and wherein the bonus value of the bonus machine is operable to be changed upon an occurrence of an event; and

at least one remote device having a purpose independent of the bonus machine and operable to transmit information associated with the event, whereby the information can influence the bonus value.

2. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event is a lapsing of a period of time.

3. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event occurs at the game, the game is played by the player in exchange for a monetary input provided by the player, and the game of skill operable to transmit information to the bonus machine upon the occurrence of the event.

4. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event occurs at the remote device and a communication of information by the remote device to the bonus machine is initiated by the occurrence of the event.

5. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 4 wherein upon receiving and processing the information from the remote device, the bonus value is incremented.

6. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event is when motion is detected by a motion detection device in a pre-determined geographical location associated with the system.

7. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein a user of the remote device causes the event to occur at the remote device.

8. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 1 wherein the event is applying a credit to the remote device.

9. A system for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 8 wherein applying the credit includes inserting a token into the remote device.

10. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs comprising:

providing a first bonus machine having a bonus value and at least one game capable of providing a player with an award;

providing a remote device in communication with the first bonus machine, the remote device operable to provide information to the first bonus machine and having a purpose independent of the first bonus machine, and communicating information to the first bonus machine in response to an event; and

processing the information to influence the bonus value.

11. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein the event occurs at the bonus machine.

12. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 further comprising providing a second bonus machine coupled to the first bonus machine, wherein the bonus value is synchronized between the first bonus machine and the second bonus machine.

13. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein the event is a lapse of a period of time.

14. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein the event occurs at the remote device, and wherein processing the information includes incrementing the bonus value.

15. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein the event is when motion is detected by a motion detection device in a pre-determined geographical location associated with the first bonus machine.

16. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein a user of the remote device causes the event.

17. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein the event is a credit applied to the remote device.

18. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 17 wherein the credit applied is a token inserted into an slot.

19. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 10 wherein communicating information includes sending a serial data message.

20. A method for providing a bonus with multiple remote inputs as claimed in claim 19 wherein the serial data message includes channel identification information.