Computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus

• US 6,446,964 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2000
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Agincourt Gaming LLC
• Original Assignee: Lazer-Tron Corporation
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Petermeier, Norman B., Kelly, Matthew F., Oltmann, J. Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Chiu, Raleigh W.
• Application Number:
  US09/695,712
• Time in Patent Office: 687 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138.1, 273/138.2, 273/142.R, 273/142.B, 273/118, 273/123, 463/1, 463/7, 463/27
• US Class Current: 273/138.1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2007/0052 with a playstation for each participant, each with a separate playing field
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 5/045 using a rotating wheel and a fixed indicator, e.g. fortune wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 7/0058 electric A63F7/027, A63F7/3065 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3297 Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

An arcade game including a progressive bonus apparatus connected to a plurality of individual game units. The progressive bonus apparatus receives score contributions from each game unit to increase a progressive score. When players achieve a predetermined task on a game unit, they receive a non-monetary award based on the progressive score. Each game unit connected to the progressive bonus apparatus may take the form of an arcade-type game with a rotating wheel on which to base scoring. A playing piece is directed down a playing surface towards a target end, and the wheel is rotated according to the target that was hit by the playing piece. The position of the wheel when it stops rotating affects the score. A non-monetary award based on the score is dispensed to the player when the game is completed.

Claims

1. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus comprising:

a skill-based game of the type not subject to regulation as a gambling device including an award dispenser capable of dispensing an award based upon a skilled operation performed by a player of said game and a progressive bonus display operative to display a progressive score which can persist beyond a game play, said game being operative to provide a bonus award via said award dispenser based upon said progressive score to a player of said game when said player accomplishes a task which qualifies for a bonus award, wherein said progressive bonus display and said award dispenser are under computerized control by a control system including at least one microprocessor, at least one data bus coupled to said microprocessor, at least one read-only memory (ROM) coupled to said microprocessor to provide instructions to said microprocessor, and at least one random access memory (RAM) coupled to said microprocessor to provide scratch-pad memory for said microprocessor.

2. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said game is receptive to a token of monetary value to initiate a skilled game play for a player.

3. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 2 wherein said award is non-monetary.

4. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said award consists of at least one redemption ticket.

5. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said progressive score includes a sum of contributions over successive repetitions of said skilled game play.

6. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said progressive bonus display is a light-emitting display.

7. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 6 wherein said progressive bonus display includes at least one 7-segment digit display.

8. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 7 wherein said 7-segment digit display is a light emitting diode (LED) display.

9. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said award dispenser is controlled by a first microprocessor, and said progressive bonus display is controlled by a second microprocessor, where said first microprocessor is in communication with said second microprocessor.

10. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 1 wherein said progressive score is incremented by a predetermined value.

11. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 10 wherein said predetermined value is non-zero.

12. A computerized game apparatus with progressive bonus as recited in claim 11 wherein said progressive bonus is incremented prior to a game play.

13. A computerized game apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said progressive bonus is incremented after a game play.

14. A computerized game apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said progressive bonus is incremented during a game play.