Skill based prize games for wide area networks

• US 6,007,426 A
• Filed: 03/17/1998
• Issued: 12/28/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/05/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Rlt Acquisition Inc.
• Inventors: Kelly, Matthew F., Kelly, Bryan M., Petermeier, Norman B., Kroeckel, John G., Link, John E.
• Primary Examiner(s): MANUEL, GEORGE C
• Application Number:
  US09/040,654
• Time in Patent Office: 651 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/16, 463/22, 463/23, 463/25, 463/36, 463/37, 463/30, 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/440
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/04 Payment circuits
• 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 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• 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

Abstract

The present invention provides a prize redemption system for use with one or more game apparatuses. The prize redemption system includes a server in communication with the game apparatuses to form a wide area network that may include the Internet. A game is provided on a game apparatus for a player to play in exchange for monetary input, and prize credits are credited to the player based on the game outcome. A prize selection menu is then displayed by the game apparatus, the menu including one or more prizes, where the player may select a prize that has a prize cost within the player'"'"'s prize credit amount. The player is dispensed a specific prize ticket that is redeemable for the selected prize. The game apparatus can also provide specific prizes and tournament games played for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players. An operator can adjust prizes and payout percentages of the system to achieve a desired profitability for game apparatuses. Prize input is entered into a prize table describing multiple available prizes and also describing payout information that indicates a desired amount of payout that the operator wishes to provide back to players of the game apparatus in terms of the value of the prizes. Prize information, such as prize costs and specific prize win ratios, is automatically determined by the system for each of the prizes in view of the desired profitability of the game apparatus.

Claims

1. A method for providing a redemption system for players of a game apparatus, said method comprising:

providing a game on said game apparatus for a player to play;

providing a number of prize credits for said player based on an outcome of said game;

providing a prize selection menu for said player, said prize selection menu displaying at least cne prize selectable by said player; and

receiving an indication of a selection of a prize by said player, said indication resulting from input by player using an input device of said game apparatus, wherein said selected prize is provided to said player after said indication is received;

wherein said game apparatus is included in a system comprising a plurality of game apparatuses coupled together such that players of said plurality of game apparatuses may all choose prizes from a prize database communicated to said plurality of game apparatuses;

wherein said plurality of game apparatuses communicate with a server which includes said prize database;

wherein said plurality of game apparatuses are coupled together via a network including the Internet and communicate with a network protocol selected from the group of network protocols including TCP/IP and IPX.

2. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said player plays said game in exchange for monetary input from said player to said game apparatus.

3. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said outcome of said game is influenced by skill of said player.

4. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said prize selection menu is displayed on a display screen of said game apparatus.

5. A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said game is an action video game which provides a player with opportunities to utilize dexterity in increasing said game score.

6. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising a step of dispensing a specific prize ticket describing said selected prize and which is redeemable for said prize.

7. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said prize selection menu includes a prize cost for each of said prizes provided in said prize selection menu, and wherein prize credits equal to said prize cost are subtracted from said player'"'"'s prize credits after said player has selected said prize.

8. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said providing a game includes providing an option to said player of playing a single game for prize credits based on a game score and providing an option to said player of playing a tournament game for a tournament prize contributed to by multiple players of said game apparatus.

9. A method as recited in claim 8 wherein when said tournament game is selected by said player, said player does not receive said prize credits.

10. A method as recited in claim 7 wherein said providing a game includes providing a specific prize goal during said game that may be achieved by skill of said player, and wherein if said specific prize goal is achieved, said player receives a specific prize.

11. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said providing a game includes providing a specific prize to said player based on a random determination.

12. A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said specific prize is determined using a prize table listing specific prizes that can be won by a player when said specific prize goal is achieved.

13. A method as recited in claim 7 further comprising a step of checking whether a progressive goal was achieved by said player using skill in said game, such that if said progressive goal is achieved, progressive bonus prize credits are awarded to said player, said progressive bonus credits being contributed to by multiple players of said game apparatus.

14. A method as recited in claim 7, wherein said player may store said number of prize credits to an account, said number of prize credits being available to said player at future uses of said game apparatus to use in selecting a prize.

15. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said selected prize is provided to said player by dispensing a specific prize ticket which describes said selected prize and which said player may redeem to receive said selected prize.

16. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said selected prize is provided to said player by sending an indication of said selected prize to a prize provider such that said player may receive said selected prize from said prize provider.

17. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said game is a card game in which said outcome of said game is, at least in part, randomly influenced.

18. A method as recited in claim 2 wherein said game apparatus is a computer device provided at a home of a player.

19. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising a step of displaying advertising or promotional information on said game apparatus, wherein said advertising information pertains to a prize displayed in said prize table.

20. A method as recited in claim 18 wherein said advertising or promotional information portrays a particular brand of product, wherein said particular brand of product is available as a prize in said prize table.

21. A method as recited in claim 2 further comprising a step of receiving prize input information from an operator prior to said game being played by said player, said prize input information indicating said prize costs of said prizes.

22. A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said prize selection menu is displayed on an apparatus separate from said game apparatus.

23. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said redemption system includes a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network.

24. A method as recited in claim 23 wherein said server controls said game played on said game apparatus over said network.

25. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein said network is the Internet.

26. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein said network is a wide area network.

27. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein said redemption system includes a plurality of said game apparatus in communication through a network, wherein the game is played interactively among the players at said game apparatus over said network.

28. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said network is the Internet.

29. A method as recited in claim 27, wherein said network is a wide area network.

30. A method for providing a prize redemption system for a game apparatus, said prize redemption system being customizable by an operator, said method comprising:

displaying a prize table on a display;

receiving prize input which is stored on a storage medium and displayed in said prize table, said prize input characterizing a plurality of prizes that are to be available in said redemption system to players of said game apparatus;

receiving payout input from said operator which is stored on said storage medium, said payout input indicating a desired amount of payout that said operator wishes to provide back to said players of said game apparatus in terms of a monetary value of said plurality of prizes; and

automatically determining prize information for each of said plurality of prizes, said prize information determining how frequently said prizes are to be won by players of said game apparatus, wherein said prize information is determined in accordance with said desired amount of payout and is stored on said storage medium.

31. A method as recited in claim 30 wherein said game apparatus receives monetary income from players in exchange for allowing use of said game apparatus.

32. A method as recited in claim 31 wherein said prize input includes monetary costs of said prizes.

33. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said prize information includes a prize cost for each of said plurality of prizes in terms of prize credits winnable by players playing a game on said game apparatus, wherein said prize cost is determined in accordance with said desired amount of payout and is stored on said storage medium.

34. A method as recited in claim 33 wherein said payout input includes a global payout percentage value indicating a desired percentage of said monetary income earned by said game apparatus that said operator wishes to provide back to players in the form of said prizes.

35. A method as recited in claim 34 wherein said prize costs are determined using an average number of prize credits awarded per game played on said game apparatus, wherein said average number of prize credits awarded per game is determined by recording and averaging prize credits won by players over multiple games played on said game apparatus.

36. A method as recited in claim 34 wherein said list of prizes from said prize table is provided to said game apparatus to be displayed to said players as a menu by said game apparatus, said menu allowing said players to select a prize from said menu after winning at least one prize credit by playing a game on said game apparatus.

37. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein each of said prizes can be won as a specific prize on said game apparatus, and wherein said prize information includes a win ratio for each of said plurality of prizes in terms of how many times said particular prize is won as a specific prize on said game apparatus, wherein said win ratio is determined in accordance with said desired amount of payout and is stored on said storage medium.

38. A method as recited in claim 37 wherein a prize is won as a specific prize when a player achieves a specific prize goal on said game apparatus, said specific prize goal being achieved by skill of said player.

39. A method as recited in claim 38 wherein said payout input includes a global win percentage value indicating a desired percentage of said monetary income earned by said game apparatus that said operator wishes to provide back to players in the form of said specific prizes.

40. A method as recited in claim 37 wherein a prize is won as a specific prize when a specific prize goal is achieved on said game apparatus, said specific prize goal being achieved by random chance.

41. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said prize input is received manually from said operator.

42. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said prize table is displayed by a computer apparatus which includes said storage medium, and wherein said prize input is received from a remote apparatus linked to said computer apparatus.

43. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said display is included in said game apparatus such that said prize table is displayed on said game apparatus, and wherein said storage medium is included as a storage device in said game apparatus.

44. A method as recited in claim 32 wherein said prize input includes text or pictorial information describing said prizes.

45. A method as recited in claim 31 wherein said operator may manually adjust said prize information to provide a desired amount of said payout.

46. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said redemption system includes a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network.

47. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein said redemption system includes a server for controlling said prize redemption system over said network.

48. A method as recited in claim 46, wherein said network is the Internet.

49. A method as recited in claim 30, wherein said redemption system includes a plurality of said game apparatus in communication through a network.

50. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein said redemption system includes a server for controlling said prize redemption system over said network.

51. A method as recited in claim 49, wherein said network is the Internet.

52. A prize redemption system, comprising:

a game apparatus including;

a game processor for controlling a game on said game apparatus, said game providing a number of prize credits to a player in connection with said player playing said game;

receiving means for receiving monetary input from said player, said receiving means being coupled to said game processor;

an input device coupled to said game processor and providing commands to said game from said player;

an output display device coupled to said game processor for providing visual feedback for said game;

means for providing a prize selection menu on said display device, said prize selection menu presenting a plurality of prizes, each of said prizes having a prize credit cost which has been determined in accordance with a desired payout value of an operator of said game apparatus, wherein said player selects one of said prizes using said input device, said selected prize having a prize credit cost less than or equal to said prize credits awarded to said player; and

a prize output device coupled to said game processor for outputting an indication of said selected prize to said player such that said player may use said indication to redeem said selected prize; and

a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network.

53. A system as recited in claim 52, wherein said server controls said game played on said game apparatus over said network.

54. A system as recited in claim 52, wherein said network is the Internet.

55. A system as recited in claim 52, wherein said network is a wide area network.

56. A system as recited in claim 52, wherein said server controls said game apparatus over the network to output an indication of said selected prize.

57. A prize redemption system, comprising:

a plurality of game apparatus in communication through a network, each of said game apparatus including;

a game processor for controlling a game on said game apparatus, said game providing a number of prize credits to a player in connection with said player playing said game;

receiving means for receiving monetary input from said player, said receiving means being coupled to said game processor;

an input device coupled to said game processor and providing commands to said game from said player;

an output display device coupled to said game processor for providing visual feedback for said game;

means for providing a prize selection menu on said display device, said prize selection menu presenting a plurality of prizes, each of said prizes having a prize credit cost which has been determined in accordance with a desired payout value of an operator of said game apparatus, wherein said player selects one of said prizes using said input device, said selected prize having a prize credit cost less than or equal to said prize credits awarded to said player; and

a prize output device coupled to said game processor for outputting an indication of said selected prize to said player such that said player may use said indication to redeem said selected prize,

wherein said game is played interactively among the players at said game apparatus over said network.

58. A system as recited in claim 57, wherein said network is the Internet.

59. A system as recited in claim 57, wherein said network is a wide area network.

60. A method for providing a prize redemption system for a game apparatus, said prize redemption system including a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network, said prize redemption system being customizable by an operator, said method comprising:

receiving a prize list on a game apparatus, said prize list including names of a plurality of prizes available to be won by playing said game apparatus, wherein said game apparatus receives monetary income from players in exchange for use of said game apparatus, and wherein said players may win prize credits by playing said game apparatus;

receiving a cost of each of said prizes on said game apparatus; and

determining on said game apparatus a prize cost to be associated with each of said plurality of prizes, said prize cost being in terms of prize credits and determined in view of a desired profitability of said game apparatus, and wherein a player of said game apparatus may select one of said prizes by exchanging a number of prize credits equal to said prize cost of said selected prize.

61. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein said network is the Internet.

62. A method as recited in claim 61, wherein communication is carried out on said network with a network protocol selected from the group of network protocols including TCP/IP and IPX.

63. A method as recited in claim 60, wherein said network is a wide area network.

64. A method for providing a tournament game on a game apparatus, the method comprising:

(a) providing a tournament game for a player on said game apparatus;

(b) providing a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network;

(c) receiving monetary input from a player to allow said player to participate in said tournament by playing said tournament game;

(d) contributing at least a portion of said monetary input towards a tournament prize;

(e) implementing said tournament game, including receiving input from said player during said tournament game, and providing a game score based on an outcome of said tournament game;

(f) repeating steps (a) through (d) until said tournament is determined to have concluded; and

(g) providing said tournament prize to one or more winning players selected from participants of said tournament.

65. A method as recited in claim 64, wherein said network is the Internet.

66. A method as recited in claim 65, wherein communication is carried out on said network with a network protocol selected from the group of network protocols including TCP/IP and IPX.

67. A method as recited in claim 64, wherein said network is a wide area network.

68. A game apparatus providing a prize redemption system, the game apparatus comprising:

a game processor for controlling a game on said game apparatus, said game providing a number of prize credits to a player in connection with said player playing said game, said game processor also providing a prize selection menu, said prize selection menu presenting a plurality of prizes, each of said prizes having a prize credit cost which has been determined in accordance with a desired payout value of an operator of said game apparatus, wherein said player selects one of said prizes using said input device, said selected prize having a prize credit cost less than or equal to said prize credits awarded to said player;

a monetary input device that receives monetary input from said player, said monetary input device being coupled to said game processor;

an input device coupled to said game processor and providing commands to said game from said player;

an output display device coupled to said game processor and displaying said prize selection menu and providing visual feedback for said game;

a prize output device coupled to said game processor that outputs an indication of said selected prize to said player such that said player may use said indication to redeem said selected prize; and

a server in communication with said game apparatus to form a network.

69. A game apparatus as recited in claim 68, wherein said network is the Internet.

70. A game apparatus as recited in claim 69, wherein communication is carried out on said network with a network protocol selected from the group of network protocols including TCP/IP and IPX.

71. A game apparatus as recited in claim 68, wherein said network is a wide area network.