Method, apparatus, and system for providing a player with opportunities to win a feature event award

• US 6,786,824 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Cannon, Lee E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica
• Assistant Examiner(s): Coburn, Corbett B
• Application Number:
  US09/866,388
• Publication Number:
  US 20020177483A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,201 Days
• Field of Search: 463/17, 463/20, 463/16, 463/25, 463/29, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements

Abstract

A method of gaming and related gaming devices and systems. A base, or primary game is employed wherein qualification for an additional feature event is based upon one or more predetermined activities associated with the primary game. The primary game may include a slot machine type game, video poker, or other electronic or electromechanical type gaming machines. The feature event wagering opportunity for which qualification is sought to be earned by a player may include a live contest, a reenacted live contest, or what is termed herein a future feature contest. Banks of machines may be networked for qualified participation in the feature event and such networking may include the linking of machines at remote locations and even the inclusion of gaming conducted via the Internet.

Claims

1. A method of conducting a gaming activity comprising:

receiving a wager from a player, the wager associated with a game;

generating an outcome of the game;

qualifying the player for at least one opportunity for at least one award associated with at least one feature event, the at least one feature event comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game; and

permitting the player to enhance the at least one opportunity based on continued play of the game subsequent to qualifying the player.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein permitting the player to enhance the at least one opportunity comprises allowing the player an opportunity to accrue more credits associated with the at least one feature event.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein permitting the player to enhance the at least one opportunity comprises allowing the player an opportunity to accrue more unit entries associated with the at least one feature event.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein permitting the player to enhance the at least one opportunity comprises allowing the player an opportunity to accrue more wagering points associated with the at least one feature event.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein permitting the player to enhance the at least one opportunity comprises allowing the player to attempt to qualify multiple times for the at least one feature event prior to a start of the at least one feature event.

6. A method according to claim 1, further comprising displaying the at least one feature event on a display screen.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein the display screen is separate from a gaming unit on which the player plays the game.

8. A method according to claim 1, wherein qualifying the player for the at least one opportunity further comprises qualifying the player for a plurality of opportunities for the at least one award.

9. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature event comprises a plurality of feature events.

10. A method according to claim 9, further comprising allowing the player to defer the at least one opportunity from a first feature event of the plurality of feature events to a second feature event of the plurality of feature events.

11. A method according to claim 9, further comprising activating each feature event in the plurality of feature events at time intervals.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the player plays to the game at a gaming unit operatively networked with a plurality of other gaming units, each gaming unit of the plurality of other gaming units configured for play of the game;

wherein the method further comprises qualifying at least another player for at least one opportunity, wherein the another player plays the game at one gaming unit of the plurality of other gaming, wherein qualification of the another player is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game by the another player.

13. A method according to claim 12, further comprising activating the at least one feature event upon qualification of a number of players from a plurality of players at the plurality of gaming units.

14. A method according to claim 12, further comprising configuring at least one award from the at least one feature event as a pari-mutuel award.

15. A method according to claim 12, wherein the gaming unit and at least one of the plurality of other gaming units are remotely located from each other.

16. A method according to claim 12, wherein a first group of the gaming unit and the plurality of other gaming units is at a first location, and a second group of the gaming unit and the plurality of other gaming units is at a second location remote from the first location;

wherein the at least one feature event includes a plurality of contestants;

wherein players at the first location are associated with a first contestant of the plurality of contestants;

wherein players at the second location are associated with a second contestant of the plurality of contestants.

17. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one feature event comprises a race having a plurality of race contestants.

18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising allowing the player to select at least one of the plurality of race contestants.

19. A method according to claim 17, further comprising allowing the player to select multiple race contestants of the plurality of race contestants.

20. A method according to claim 17, further comprising allowing the player to select an order of finish of the plurality of race contestants.

21. A method according to claim 1, further comprising activating the at least one feature event at a scheduled time.

22. A method according to claim 1, further comprising activating the at least one feature event responsive to at least one outcome of the game selected from a plurality of possible outcomes.

23. A method according to claim 1, further comprising activating the at least one feature event responsive to a sustained level of wager, rapidity of wager, or cumulative level of multiple wagers associated with the game.

24. A method according to claim 1, receiving a wager from the player associated with the at least one feature event, the wager associated with the at least one feature event independent of continued play of the game.

25. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes generating at least one outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes of the game.

26. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes receiving a wager associated with the game of a selected value from the player.

27. A method according to claim 1, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes receiving a wager associated with the game from the player.

28. A method according to claim 1, wherein the at least one opportunity includes an opportunity for the player to place a wager remotely via a personal computer coupled to the Internet.

29. A method according to claim 1, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

30. A method of conducting a gaming activity comprising:

receiving a wager from a player, the wager associated with a game;

generating an outcome of the game;

qualifying the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, wherein at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprises at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game;

allowing the player to defer the at least one opportunity from a first feature event of the plurality of feature events to a second feature event of the plurality of feature events.

31. A method according to claim 30, further comprising receiving at least an additional wager from the player between the first feature event and the second feature event, the at least an additional wager associated with continued play of the game;

and

generating at least an additional outcome of the game between the first feature event and the second feature event.

32. A method according to claim 30, wherein allowing the player to defer the at least one opportunity from the first feature event to the second feature event comprises providing an event token to the player.

33. A method according to claim 32, wherein the event token is indicative of an event wager.

34. A method according to claim 30, wherein allowing the player to defer the at least one opportunity from the first feature event to the second feature event comprises providing an event qualification ticket to the player.

35. A method according to claim 34, wherein the qualification ticket includes event wager information.

36. A method according to claim 30, wherein allowing the player to defer the at least one opportunity from the first feature event to the second feature event comprises indicating event qualification on a smart card of the player.

37. A method according to claim 36, further comprising indicating an event wager on the smart card of the player.

38. A method according to claim 30, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

39. A method of conducting a gaming activity comprising:

receiving a wager from a player of a plurality of players, the wager associated with a game;

generating an outcome of the game;

qualifying the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, wherein at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprises at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game; and

activating the at least one feature event upon qualification of a number of players in the plurality of players, wherein the number of players is at least two.

40. A method according to claim 39, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes generating at least one outcome selected from a plurality of possible outcomes of the game.

41. A method according to claim 39, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes receiving a wager associated with the game of a selected value from the player.

42. A method according to claim 39, wherein the activity associated with play of the game includes receiving a wager associated with the game from the player.

43. A method according to claim 39, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

44. A gaming device, comprising:

a wager input device to receive a wager from a player;

an input device to allow the player to make an input selection;

a controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to allow the player to make a wager associated with a game via the wager input device,

the controller being programmed to allow the player to play the game,

the controller being programmed to determine an outcome of the game,

the controller being programmed to qualify the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to a predetermined activity associated with play of the game, and

the controller being programmed to permit the player to enhance the at least one opportunity based on continued play of the game subsequent to qualifying the player.

45. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the player an opportunity to accrue more credits associated with the at least one feature event subsequent to qualifying the player.

46. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the controller is configured to allow the player an opportunity to accrue more unit entries associated with the at least one feature event subsequent to qualifying the player.

47. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the controller is programmed to allow the player an opportunity to accrue more wagering points associated with the at least one feature event subsequent to qualifying the player.

48. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the controller is configured to allow the player to continue to play the game prior to a start of the at least one feature event subsequent to qualifying the player.

49. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the controller is configured to allow the player to attempt to qualify multiple times for the at least one feature event prior to a start of the at least one feature event.

50. A gaming device according to claim 44, further comprising a game display device operatively coupled to the controller;

wherein the controller is programmed to display the outcome of the game via the game display device.

51. A gaming device according to claim 44, further comprising a feature event display device operatively coupled to the controller;

wherein the controller is programmed to display feature events via the feature event display device.

52. A gaming device according to claim 51, wherein the controller is programmed to activate the at least one feature event.

53. A gaming device according to claim 44, further comprising a communications device operatively coupled to the controller and to a network;

wherein the controller is programmed to send feature event entry information associated with the player to a central controller via the communications device, wherein the controller is operatively coupled to the network.

54. A gaming device according to claim 53, wherein the controller is programmed to receive feature event payout information associated with the player from the central controller via the communications device.

55. A gaming device according to claim 44, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

56. A gaming device, comprising:

a wager input device to receive a wager from a player;

an input device to allow the player to make an input selection;

a controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the input device, the controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor,

the controller being programmed to allow the player to make a wager associated with a game via the wager input device,

the controller being programmed to allow the player to play the game,

the controller being programmed to determine an outcome of the game,

the controller being programmed to qualify the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to a predetermined activity associated with play of the game, and

the controller being programmed to allow the player to defer the at least one opportunity from a first feature event of the plurality of feature events to a second feature event of the plurality of feature events.

57. A gaming device according to claim 56, wherein the controller is configured to receive at least an additional wager from the player between the first feature event and the second feature event, the at least an additional wager associated with continued play of the game;

and

wherein the controller is configured to generate at least an additional outcome of the game between the first feature event and the second feature event.

58. A gaming device according to claim 56, wherein the controller is configured to cause the gaming device to provide an event token to the player.

59. A gaming device according to claim 58, wherein the event token is indicative of an event wager.

60. A gaming device according to claim 56, wherein the controller is configured to cause the gaming device to provide an event qualification ticket to the player.

61. A gaming device according to claim 60, wherein the qualification ticket includes event wager information.

62. A gaming device according to claim 56, wherein the controller is configured to cause the gaming device to indicate event qualification on a smart card of the player.

63. A gaming device according to claim 62, wherein the controller is configured to cause the gaming device to indicate an event wager on the smart card of the player.

64. A gaming device according to claim 56, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

65. A gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of individual gaming units, at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units comprising;

a wager input device to receive a wager from a player of a plurality of players;

an input device to allow the player to make an input selection;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the input device, the gaming unit controller comprising a gaming unit processor and a gaming unit memory operatively coupled to the gaming unit processor,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to make a wager via the wager input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to play a game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine an outcome of the game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to qualify the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to permit the player to enhance the at least one opportunity based on continued play of the game subsequent to qualification of the player; and

an event controller operatively coupled to the plurality of gaming units, the event controller being configured to initiate the at least one feature event.

66. A gaming system according to claim 65, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises an event display operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller;

and

wherein the event controller is configured to cause the at least one feature event to be displayed on the event display of the at least one individual gaming unit.

67. A gaming system according to claim 66, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises a game display unit operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, wherein the game display unit is separate from the event display;

and

wherein the gaming unit controller is configured to display the outcome of the game via the game display unit.

68. A gaming system according to claim 66, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises a game display unit operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, the game display unit including a display screen;

and

wherein the display screen comprises the event display.

69. A gaming system according to claim 65, further comprising an event display communicatively coupled to the event controller, wherein the event display is separate from the plurality of individual gaming units;

and

wherein the event controller is configured to cause the at least one feature event to be displayed on the event display.

70. A gaming system according to claim 65, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

71. A gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of individual gaming units, at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units comprising;

a wager input device to receive a wager from a player of a plurality of players;

an input device to allow the player to make an input selection;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the input device, the gaming unit controller comprising a gaming unit processor and a gaming unit memory operatively coupled to the gaming unit processor,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to make a wager via the wager input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to play a game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine an outcome of the game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to qualify the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to defer the at least one opportunity from a first feature event of the plurality of feature events to a second feature event of the plurality of feature events; and

an event controller operatively coupled to the plurality of gaming units, the event controller being configured to initiate the at least one feature event.

72. A gaming system according to claim 71, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises an event display operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller;

and

wherein the event controller is configured to cause the at least one feature event to be displayed on the event display of the at least one individual gaming unit.

73. A gaming system according to claim 72, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises a game display unit operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, wherein the game display unit is separate from the event display;

and

wherein the gaming unit controller is configured to display the outcome of the game via the game display unit.

74. A gaming system according to claim 72, wherein the at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units further comprises a game display unit operatively coupled to the gaming unit controller, the game display unit including a display screen;

and

wherein the display screen comprises the event display.

75. A gaming system according to claim 71, further comprising an event display communicatively coupled to the event controller, wherein the event display is separate from the plurality of individual gaming units;

and

wherein the event controller is configured to cause the at least one feature event to be displayed on the event display.

76. A gaming system according to claim 71, wherein the game comprises at least one of a poker game, a blackjack game, a slots game, a bingo game, and a keno game.

77. A gaming system, comprising:

a plurality of individual gaming units, at least one individual gaming unit of the plurality of individual gaming units comprising;

a wager input device to receive a wager from a player of a plurality of players;

an input device to allow the player to make an input selection;

a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the wager input device and the input device, the gaming unit controller comprising a gaming unit processor and a gaming unit memory operatively coupled to the gaming unit processor,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to make a wager via the wager input device,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to allow the player to play a game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine an outcome of the game,

the gaming unit controller being programmed to qualify the player for at least one opportunity for an award from a plurality of feature events, at least one feature event of the plurality of feature events comprising at least one of a live contest, a reenacted live contest, and a future feature contest, wherein qualification for the at least one opportunity is responsive, at least in part, to an activity associated with play of the game, and

an event controller operatively coupled to the plurality of gaming units, the event controller being configured to activate the at least one feature event upon qualification of a number of players in the plurality of players, wherein the number of players is at least two.