Device and method for providing payouts based on activity and ranks of other gaming sessions

• US 7,361,085 B2
• Filed: 11/14/2001
• Issued: 04/22/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zynga Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Downs, Michael D., Walker, Jay S., Packes, John M. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pezzuto; Robert E.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Deodhar; Omkar A.
• Application Number:
  US09/991,168
• Publication Number:
  US 20020065123A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,351 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463 25- 27, 463/1, 463/24, 273/143.R, 273/138.1
• US Class Current: 463/16
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

One embodiment of the present invention provides for determining a first gaming session; determining a rank of the first gaming session; determining at least one gaming session, each at least one gaming session of the first set having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session, determining data corresponding to the at least one gaming session; determining at least one bonus based on the data; and applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises;

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a number of prior gaming sessions that are not concluded; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the number.

2. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises;

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a number of subsequent gaming sessions that are not concluded; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the number.

3. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises;

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a start time; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the start time.

4. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising

the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises;

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a duration; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the duration.

5. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of the first gaming session comprises;

providing an offer to assign the rank to the first gaming session in exchange for an amount of funds.

6. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises;

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a rate of play; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the rate of play.

7. The method of claim 6, in which determining the data comprises:

determining at least one outcome corresponding to the at least one other gaming session.

8. The method of claim 6, in which determining the data comprises:

determining at least one payout corresponding to the at least one other gaming session.

9. The method of claim 6, in which the at least one bonus comprises an increased probability of winning for at least one play of the first gaming session.

10. The method of claim 6, in which the at least one bonus comprises a payout.

11. The method of claim 10, in which applying comprises:

dispensing an amount of coins.

12. The method of claim 6, in which the at least one bonus comprises a secondary game play.

13. The method of claim 6, in which applying comprises:

determining an account associated with the first gaming session; and

applying the at least one bonus to the account.

14. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a second gaming session of a second player; and

displaying an indication of the second gaming session of the second player to a first player,

in which the first player is associated with the first gaming session.

15. The method of claim 14, in which displaying an indication comprises:

determining a rank of the second gaming session based on a rate of play of the second gaming session; and

displaying an indication of the rank of the second gaming session to the first player.

16. The method of claim 14, in which determining the second gaming session comprises:

determining the second gaming session of the second player, the second gaming session having a rank that is not lower than a predetermined rank.

17. The method of claim 6, in which the rate of play is based on an aggregate amount wagered in the first gaming session.

18. The method of claim 6, in which the rate of play is based on how many game plays have been conducted in the first gaming session.

19. The method of claim 6, in which the rate of play is based on a determined number of game plays per unit time.

20. The method of claim 6, in which the rate of play is based on a determined amount wagered per unit time.

21. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a rank of a player associated with the first gaming session, in which the rank of the player is different than the rank of the first gaming session.

22. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

determining a rank of a gaming device associated with the first gaming session, in which the rank of the gaming device is different than the rank of the first gaming session.

23. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 6.

24. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

the computer readable medium of claim 23 in communication with the processor.

25. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank of the first gaming session based on at least one of the following;

a measure of wagering in the first gaming session,

a number of prior gaming sessions of at least one other player, and

a number of subsequent gaming sessions of at least one other player;

determining at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is different than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data;

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session; and

displaying information corresponding to a plurality of gaming sessions, including the first gaming session.

26. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information via a wall display.

27. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information via a cable system.

28. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying respective ranks of the plurality of gaming sessions.

29. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying respective bonus statuses of a plurality of gaming devices.

30. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying information about respective players for the plurality of gaming sessions.

31. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of at least one gaming session initiated subsequent to the first gaming session.

32. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of at least one gaming session initiated prior to the first gaming session.

33. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of only gaming sessions having respective ranks that are not higher than the rank of the first gaming session.

34. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of only gaming sessions having respective ranks that are not less than the rank of the first gaming session.

35. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when at least a portion of the information changes.

36. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the rank of the first gaming session changes.

37. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the rank of the first gaming session is likely to change.

38. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the first gaming session is eligible for a bonus.

39. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of a bonus level potentially achievable for the first gaming session if the first gaming session continues.

40. The method of claim 25, in which displaying comprises:

determining a player preference for what types of information are displayed; and

displaying the information in accordance with the player preference.

41. The method of claim 25, in which the measure of wagering comprises an aggregate amount wagered in the first gaming session.

42. The method of claim 25, in which the measure of wagering comprises how many game plays have been conducted in the first gaming session.

43. The method of claim 25, in which the measure of wagering comprises a determined number of game plays per unit time.

44. The method of claim 25, in which the measure of wagering comprises a determined amount wagered per time.

45. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 25.

46. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

the computer readable medium of claim 45 in communication with the processor.