Multi-player bingo with slept awards reverting to progressive jackpot pool
First Claim
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1. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of a predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the method comprising:
- receiving a first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at a gaming unit;
comparing the first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array;
determining that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns;
determining a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array;
providing a first sleep time period for the player to make a first prize claiming input selection at an input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount;
storing the first interim pattern award amount if the player inputs the first prize claiming input within the first sleep time period;
receiving a second batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit;
comparing the second batch of sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array;
determining that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a second interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first and second batches matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns;
determining a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array;
providing a second sleep time period for the player to make a second prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount;
adding a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the second interim pattern award amount minus the first interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period and the second interim pattern award amount is greater than the first interim pattern award amount; and
awarding the first interim pattern award amount to the player if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may sleep interim pattern awards and progressive jackpot awards by failing to claim the awards by acknowledging the awards at the gaming unit within a finite sleep time period. The slept interim pattern awards and slept progressive jackpot awards may be added to a progressive jackpot pool.
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of a predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the method comprising:
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receiving a first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at a gaming unit; comparing the first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; determining that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; determining a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; providing a first sleep time period for the player to make a first prize claiming input selection at an input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; storing the first interim pattern award amount if the player inputs the first prize claiming input within the first sleep time period; receiving a second batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; comparing the second batch of sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; determining that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a second interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first and second batches matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; determining a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; providing a second sleep time period for the player to make a second prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; adding a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the second interim pattern award amount minus the first interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period and the second interim pattern award amount is greater than the first interim pattern award amount; and awarding the first interim pattern award amount to the player if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of a predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the method comprising:
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receiving a batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at a gaming unit; comparing the batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; determining that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; determining a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; determining that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a second interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; determining a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array, wherein the second interim pattern award amount is less than or equal to the first interim pattern award amount; providing a first sleep time period for the player to make a first prize claiming input selection at an input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; providing a second sleep time period for the player to make a second prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; adding a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the first interim pattern award amount minus the second interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool if the player does not input the first prize claiming input within the first sleep time period and the first interim pattern award amount is greater than the second interim pattern award amount; and awarding the second interim pattern award amount to the player if the player inputs the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the method comprising:
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configuring a gaming unit to receive a first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; configuring the gaming unit to compare the first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to determine that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; configuring the gaming unit to determine a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to provide a first sleep time period for the player to make a first prize claiming input selection at an input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; configuring the gaming unit to store the first interim pattern award amount if the player inputs the first prize claiming input within the first sleep time period; configuring the gaming unit to receive a second batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; configuring the gaming unit to compare the second batch of sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to determine that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first and second batches matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; configuring the gaming unit to determine a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to provide a second sleep time period for the player to make a second prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; configuring the gaming unit to transmit a message to a progressive jackpot network computer to add a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the second interim pattern award amount minus the first interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period and the second interim pattern award amount is greater than the first interim pattern award amount; and configuring the gaming unit to award the first interim pattern award amount to the player if the player does not input the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the method comprising:
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configuring a gaming unit to receive a batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; configuring the gaming unit to compare the batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to determine that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; configuring the gaming unit to determine a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; configuring the gaming unit to determine that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game if a second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; configuring the gaming unit to determine a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array, wherein the second interim pattern award amount is less than or equal to the first interim pattern award amount; configuring the gaming unit to provide a first sleep time period for the player to make a first prize claiming input selection at an input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; configuring the gaming unit to provide a second sleep time period for the player to make a second prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; configuring the gaming unit to transmit a message to a progressive jackpot network computer to add a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the first interim pattern award amount minus the second interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool if the player does not input the first prize claiming input within the first sleep time period and the first interim pattern award amount is greater than the second interim pattern award amount; and configuring the gaming unit to award the second interim pattern award amount to the player if the player inputs the second prize claiming input within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a network computer and a plurality of gaming units, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of the predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the gaming unit comprising:
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an input device for inputting a plurality of input selections; a display device; a gaming unit memory device; a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing a player to deposit a medium of currency; a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to the player; a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the input device, the display device, the gaming unit memory device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the gaming unit controller being programmed to receive a first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; the gaming unit controller being programmed to compare the first batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game in response to determining that a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to provide a first sleep time period for the player to make a prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the gaming unit memory device to store the first interim pattern award amount in response to detecting input by the player within the first sleep time period; the gaming unit controller being programmed to receive a second batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; the gaming unit controller being programmed to compare the second batch of sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game in response to determining that a second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the first and second batches matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to provide a second sleep time period for the player to make a prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; the gaming unit controller being programmed to transmit a message to a progressive jackpot network computer to add a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the second interim pattern award amount minus the first interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool in response to not detecting input by the player within the second sleep time period and determining that the second interim pattern award amount is greater than the first interim pattern award amount; and the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense the first interim pattern award amount to the player in response to not detecting input by the player within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25)
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26. A gaming unit for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a network computer and a plurality of gaming units, wherein the wagering game is a multi-player game wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia, wherein one of the players wins the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a predetermined game winning pattern of game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array with the sequentially selected game indicia, and wherein the outcome of the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome if a pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected game indicia matches one of a plurality of the predetermined progressive jackpot winning patterns, the gaming unit comprising:
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an input device for inputting a plurality of input selections; a display device; a gaming unit memory device; a currency-accepting mechanism that is capable of allowing a player to deposit a medium of currency; a value-dispensing mechanism that is capable of dispensing value to the player; a gaming unit controller operatively coupled to the input device, the display device, the gaming unit memory device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism, the gaming unit controller being programmed to receive a batch of the sequentially selected game indicia at the gaming unit; the gaming unit controller being programmed to compare the batch of the sequentially selected game indicia to the game indicia of the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine that the player has won a first interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game in response to determining that a first interim pattern formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches one of a plurality of predetermined interim patterns; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine a first interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the first interim pattern matched by the first interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine that the player has won a second interim pattern award for the occurrence of the wagering game in response to determining that a second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array formed by game indicia on the player'"'"'s unique game array matching sequentially selected indicia in the batch matches a second one of the predetermined interim patterns; the gaming unit controller being programmed to determine a second interim pattern award amount for the player corresponding to the second interim pattern matched by the second interim pattern on the player'"'"'s unique game array, wherein the second interim pattern award amount is less than or equal to the first interim pattern award amount; the gaming unit control unit being programmed to provide a first sleep time period for the player to make a prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the first interim pattern award amount; the gaming unit controller being programmed to provide a second sleep time period for the player to make a prize claiming input selection at the input device of the gaming unit to claim the second interim pattern award amount; the gaming unit controller being programmed to transmit a message to a progressive jackpot network computer to add a progressive jackpot contribution equal to the first interim pattern award amount minus the second interim pattern award amount to the progressive jackpot pool in response to not detecting input by the player within the first sleep time period and determining that the first interim pattern award amount is greater than the second interim pattern award amount; and the gaming unit controller being programmed to cause the value-dispensing mechanism to dispense the second interim pattern award amount to the player in response to detecting input by the player within the second sleep time period. - View Dependent Claims (27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
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Original AssigneeIGT (International Game Technology)
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InventorsWolf, Bryan, Saffari, Ali
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Primary Examiner(s)Hotaling, II; John M
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Assistant Examiner(s)Hylinski; Steven J.
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Application NumberUS10/756,429Publication NumberTime in Patent Office2,128 DaysField of Search463 16- 19, 463 25- 28US Class Current463/19CPC Class CodesG07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or...G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, ...
