Techniques for generating random awards using a plurality of average values

• US 7,575,517 B2
• Filed: 12/15/2005
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertram, William K., Parham, Tyler Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Hotaling, II; John M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): D'AGOSTINO, PAUL ANTHONY
• Application Number:
  US11/303,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20060160612A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,342 Days
• Field of Search: 463/216, 463 21- 22, 463 25- 28
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically
• 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 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3288 Betting, e.g. on live events, bookmaking

Abstract

A method of providing a game for a gaming device is provided. The method includes providing a plurality of average values. Average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool. A wager amount and an input to initiate game play are received. An average value is selected from the plurality of average values and a random award is determined from the prize pool. The random award is determined from the average value selected from the plurality of average values.

Claims

1. A method of providing random awards for a game for a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool, wherein average values in the plurality of average values are selectable for an event that results during playing of the game;

selecting for the event over multiple game plays, whereby volatility is introduced into award determination, at least a first average value representing a first value of the prize pool and a second average value representing a second value of the prize pool, whereby the first and second average values are different;

generating the random awards using the first average value or the second average value, wherein the random awards vary in value over multiple game plays when generated for the event, wherein a first distribution of values for random awards generated using the first average value is different from a second distribution of values for random awards generated using the second average value, to increase volatility in distribution of the values of the random awards generated for the event over multiple game plays; and

awarding, using the gaming device, at least one of the generated random awards over multiple game plays when the event occurs.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the prize pool is progressive.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first value of the prize pool and the second value of the prize pool represent different percentages of the prize pool.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second average value are randomly selected from the plurality of average values.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising determining a minimum value and a maximum value, wherein generating the random awards from the prize pool comprises using a function that uses the minimum value, average value, and maximum value to determine the generated random awards.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the selecting and generating are performed in response to receiving a wager amount and an input to initiate game play of the game.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

performing game play to determine a game outcome; and

determining a game award in addition to the random awards, wherein the game award is determined based on the game outcome.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the random awards are generated without regard to game outcome.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the random awards are determined before, during or after game play of the game.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein generating the random awards comprises using a function of a random number such that an average of the random awards awarded over of the multiple game plays is equal to an average of weighted averages of the plurality of average values.

11. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating a portion of the wager amount to the prize pool.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising allocating a portion of non-gaming revenues to the prize pool.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting at least one of the random awards into a non-monetary award.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the conversion is performed after the at least one the random awards is determined.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the random awards are a percentage of the prize pool.

27. The method of claim 1, wherein farther comprising displaying, using the gaming device, the at least one of the generated random awards.

16. A method of providing random awards for a game for a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool, wherein average values in the plurality of average values are selectable for an event that results during playing of the game;

determining that random awards should be generated substantially before, during, or substantially after multiple game plays being played on the gaming device;

when it is determined that the random awards should be generated, selecting for the event over multiple game plays, whereby volatility is introduced into award determination, at least a first average value representing a first value of the prize pool and a second average value representing a second value of the prize pool, whereby the first and second average value different; and

generating the random awards using the first average vale or the second average value, whereby the random awards vary in value over multiple game plays when generated for the event, wherein the first distribution of the value for random awards generated using the first average value is different from a second distribution of values for random awards generated using the second average value, to increase volatility in distribution of the values of the random awards generated for the event over multiple game play; and

awarding, using the gaming device, at least one of the generated random awards over multiple game play when the events occurs.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein determining that the random awards should be generated comprises making the determination after an input to initiate game play and a wager amount are received.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein determining that the random awards should be generated comprises making the determination after a trigger event.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising converting at least one of the random awards into a non-monetary value.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the conversion is performed after the at least one of the random awards is determined.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second average values are randomly selected from the plurality of average values.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the first and second average values represent percentages of the prize pool.

24. The method of claim 16, further comprising determining a minimum value and a maximum value, wherein generating the random awards from the prize pool comprises using the minimum value, average value, and maximum value to determine the random awards.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein generating the random awards comprises using a function of a random number such that an average of the random awards awarded over a number of plays is equal to an average of weighted averages of the plurality of average values.

28. The method of claim 16, further comprising displaying, using the gaming device, the at least one of the generated random awards.

26. A method of providing random awards for a game using a gaming device, the method comprising:

providing a plurality of average values, wherein average values in the plurality of average values represent different values of a prize pool, wherein average values in the plurality of average values are selectable for an event that results during playing of the game;

selecting for the event over the multiple game plays, whereby volatility is introduced into award determination, at least a first average value representing a predetermined value of thee prize pool and a second average value representing a second value of the prize pool, whereby the first and second average values are different; and

generating the random awards using the first average value of the second average value, wherein the random awards vary in value over multiple game plays when generated for the event, wherein a first distribution of values for random awards generated using the first average value is different from a second distribution of values for random awards generated using the second average value to increase volatility in distribution of values for random awards generated for the event over multiple game plays; and

awarding, using the gaming device, at least one of the generated random awards over multiple game plays when the event occurs.