Random pay gaming system using weighting function with maximum, minimum, and average value

• US 7,811,168 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 10/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Gaming Enhancements Incorporated
• Inventors: Bertram, William K., Parham, Tyler Thomas, Michaelson, Richard E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hoel; Matthew D.
• Application Number:
  US10/378,052
• Publication Number:
  US 20060089196A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,784 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 12- 28, 463 40- 42
• US Class Current: 463/27
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• 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

Abstract

A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a plurality of possible game outcomes, is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random award from the prize pool for each of at least two game outcomes from the plurality of game outcomes.

Claims

1. A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of ranked game outcomes, the method comprising:

determining, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of ranked game outcomes occurring; and

calculating, by the gaming device, a first weighted random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

calculating, by the gaming device, a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate second weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value;

qualifying the wager amount to win at least one of the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount from the prize pool for the at least two ranked game outcomes from the plurality of ranked game outcomes; and

displaying the at least one of the first and second random amounts from the prize pool.

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

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining the first programmer input and the second programmer input comprising determining a plurality of programmer inputs specifying an average value for selected ranked game outcomes in the plurality of ranked game outcomes.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a contribution rate to the prize pool for each selected ranked game outcomes; and

determining a prize pool size based on the specified average value for each selected ranked game outcomes.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining the plurality of programmer inputs specifying the average value for each ranked game outcome comprises using a number of possible game outcomes, the determined contribution rate of each ranked game outcome, and the determined prize pool size to determine the average value for each ranked game outcome.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising using two modes to determine the random amount, wherein a first mode uses a mode that increases the prize pool and a second mode uses a mode that qualifies the wager amount to win the first random amount and the second random amount.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first mode is used until a first pool amount is reached and the second mode is used until a second pool amount is reached.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the function comprises a continuous function.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming device is coupled to one or more gaming devices.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the gaming device is coupled to a controller, the controller qualifying the wager.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount are generated upon initiation of game play.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the first and second range of values of the prize pool comprise monetary values.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the function comprises an exponential function.

14. A gaming system for providing a game using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of ranked game outcomes, the system comprising:

a gaming device configured to receive a wager amount and an input to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of ranked game outcomes occurring; and

a controller, in response to the input, configured to;

determine, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

calculate a first weighted random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

calculate a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate second weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value; and

qualify the wager amount to win at least one of the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount from the prize pool for the at least two ranked game outcomes from the plurality of ranked game outcomes.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

16. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller is coupled to the gaming device through a network.

17. The system of claim 14, wherein the gaming device includes the controller.

18. The system of claim 14, wherein the controller comprises logic to, if each possible game outcome includes a specified average value, qualify the wager amount to win weighted random amounts for all of the possible ranked game outcomes.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the controller comprises logic to use two modes to determine the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount, wherein a first mode uses a mode that increases the prize pool and a second mode uses a mode that qualifies the wager amount to win the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the controller comprises logic to switch between the first and second modes depending on a value of the prize pool.

21. The system of claim 14, wherein the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount are generated upon initiation of game play.

22. A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a progressive prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of game outcomes, the method comprising:

receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of game outcomes occurring;

determining a random amount using a function that calculates the random amount using a minimum amount, the total amount of the progressive prize pool, and a specified average value, wherein the random amount calculated by the function is included within the minimum and the total amount of the progressive prize pool, wherein the function is configured to output random amounts for the first outcome that average over time substantially the specified average value;

qualifying the wager amount to win the random amount from the progressive prize pool and a total amount of the progressive prize pool, wherein the random amount is awarded based on a first outcome in the plurality of game outcomes and the total amount is awarded based on a second outcome in the plurality of game outcomes, wherein the first outcome and the second outcome are predetermined winning outcomes based on possible game outcomes in the game play of the game; and

displaying the random amount from the progressive prize pool.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein an average contribution rate to the prize pool is greater than an average award over a number of game plays.

24. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

storing a number of game plays required to pay out the total amount of the prize pool in a game play (N1);

storing a number of games required for the random amount (N2);

storing a contribution rate over an amount of games N2 (C);

storing an average random value over the amount of games (A); and

wherein an average random amount awarded over the amount of games is equal to (N1/N2)*(C−

A).

25. The method of claim 22, wherein a contribution rate is greater than the average value thereby increasing the prize pool until the total amount is won.

26. The method of claim 22, wherein the gaming device is coupled to one or more gaming devices.

27. The method of claim 22, wherein the gaming device is coupled to a controller, the controller qualifying the wager.

28. The method of claim 22, wherein the random amounts from the prize pool for each of at least two ranked game outcomes is generated upon initiation of game play.

29. A system for providing a game using random payout from a progressive prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of game outcomes, the system comprising:

a gaming device configured to receive a wager amount and an input to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of game outcomes occurring; and

a controller, in response to the input, configured to;

calculate a random amount using a function that calculates the random amount using a minimum amount, the total amount, and a specified average value, wherein the random amount calculated by the function is included within the minimum amount and the total amount, wherein the function is configured to calculate random amounts that average over time substantially the specified average value;

qualify the wager amount to win the random amount from the progressive prize pool and a total amount of the progressive prize pool,

wherein the random amount is awarded based on a first outcome in the plurality of game outcomes and the total amount is awarded based on a second outcome in the plurality of game outcomes,

wherein the first outcome and the second outcome are predetermined winning outcomes based on possible game outcomes in the game play of the game.

30. The system of claim 29, wherein the controller is coupled to the gaming device through a network.

31. The system of claim 29, wherein the gaming device includes the controller.

32. The system of claim 29, wherein a contribution rate is greater than the average value thereby increasing the prize pool until the total amount is won.

33. The system of claim 29, wherein the random amount from the prize pool is generated upon initiation of game play.

34. A gaming device for providing a game using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of ranked game outcomes, the gaming device comprising:

an input to receive a wager amount;

logic configured to determine, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

logic configured to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of ranked game outcomes occurring;

logic configured to calculate a first weighted random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

logic configured to calculate a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate second weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value;

logic configured to cause the wager amount to be eligible to win at least one of the first weighted random amount from the prize pool for a first ranked game outcome in the plurality of possible ranked game outcomes and the second weighted random amount from the prize pool for a second ranked game outcome from the plurality of possible ranked game outcomes.

35. The gaming device of claim 34, further comprising logic to, if each possible ranked game outcome includes a specified average value, qualify the wager amount to win weighted random amounts for each of the possible ranked game outcomes.

36. The gaming device of claim 35, further comprising logic to use a two modes to determine the random amount, wherein a first mode uses a mode that increases the prize pool and a second mode uses a mode that qualifies the wager amount to win the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount.

37. The gaming device of claim 36, further comprising logic to switch between the first and second modes depending on a value of the prize pool.

38. The gaming device of claim 34, wherein the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount are generated upon initiation of game play.

39. A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of possible ranked game outcomes, the method comprising:

determining, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play of the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of game outcomes occurring;

calculating, by the gaming device, a first weighted random amount from a prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

calculating, by the gaming device, a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second weighted random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate second weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value; and

causing the wager amount to be eligible to win at least one of the first weighted random amount from the prize pool for a first ranked game outcome in the plurality of possible ranked game outcomes and the second weighted random amount from the prize pool for a second ranked game outcome from the plurality of possible ranked game outcomes.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein receiving the wager amount comprises receiving the wager amount from a player, wherein causing the wager amount to be eligible comprises causing the player to be eligible to win the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount.

41. The method of claim 39, wherein the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount are generated upon initiation of game play.

42. A method of providing a game using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a possible plurality of possible ranked game outcomes, the method comprising:

determining, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

qualifying a player for the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of the possible plurality of ranked game outcomes occurring;

calculating, by a computing device, a first weighted random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

calculating, by the computing device, a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second weighted random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate weighted second random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value; and

causing the player to be eligible to win at least one of the first weighted random amount from the prize pool for a first ranked game outcome in the plurality of ranked game outcomes and the second weighted random amount from the prized pool for a second ranked game outcome from the plurality of ranked game outcomes.

43. The method of claim 42, wherein the first weighted random amount and the second weighted random amount are generated upon initiation of game play.

44. A method comprising:

determining, for at least two ranked game outcomes, a first programmer input of information based on a first specified average value, a first specified minimum award value, and a first specified maximum award value, the first specified average value being between the first specified minimum award value and first specified maximum award value, and a second programmer input of information based on a second specified average value, a second specified minimum award value, and a second specified maximum award value, the second specified average value being between the second specified minimum award value and second specified maximum award value;

qualifying a player for the game, wherein playing of the game can result in at least one of a possible plurality of ranked game outcomes occurring;

calculating, by a computing device, a first weighted random amount from the prize pool using a function that calculates the first weighted random amount using the first specified minimum value, the first specified maximum value and the first specified average value, wherein the calculated first weighted random amount is generated between the first specified minimum value of the prize pool and the first specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate first weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the first specified average value;

calculating, by the computing device, a second weighted random amount from the prize pool using the function, which calculates the second weighted random amount using the second specified minimum value, the second specified maximum value and the second specified average value, wherein the calculated second random amount is generated between the second specified minimum value of the prize pool and the second specified maximum value of the prize pool, wherein the function is configured to calculate second weighted random amounts that average over time substantially the second specified average value; and

playing the game, wherein a final game outcome in the plurality of game outcomes is determined by the playing of the game; and

if the final game outcome is one of the first ranked game outcome or the second ranked game outcome, awarding the player of the game the first random weighted amount from the prize pool if the final game outcome is the first ranked game outcome and awarding the player of the game the second weighted random amount if the final game outcome is the second ranked game outcome from the plurality of ranked game outcomes.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the calculating of the first weight random amount and the second random amount is performed upon qualifying the player for the game.

46. A method of awarding payouts from a prize pool using a gaming device, the method comprising:

determining a programmer input of information based on an average value, minimum award value, and maximum award value, the average value being between the minimum award value and maximum award value;

determining a continuous function, the continuous function including one or more parameters (“

parameterized continuous function”

), wherein the one or more parameters are calculated using the information based on the average value, the minimum award value, and the maximum award value, wherein a variable of the parameterized continuous function is for a weighted random award value, wherein the parameterized continuous function calculates weighted random award values that average over time substantially the average value;

receiving, by the gaming device, a wager amount;

receiving an input to initiate game play; and

qualifying the wager amount to win a weighted random award value;

calculating the weighted random award value by solving for the variable of the parameterized continuous function using a random number, wherein the weighted random award value is calculated from the variable, the calculated weighted random award value being between the minimum award value and the maximum award value; and

awarding, using the gaming device, the weighted random award value calculated using the parameterized continuous function.

47. The method of claim 46, wherein the prize pool is fixed.

48. The method of claim 46, further comprising allocating a portion of the wager amount to the prize pool.

49. The method of claim 46, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising allocating a portion of non-gaming revenues to the prize pool.

51. The method of claim 46, wherein the parameterized continuous function that calculates weighted random awards in a continuous range of values from the minimum award value to the maximum award value.

52. The method of claim 46, wherein a value of the weighted random award value has not been stored before the calculation of the weighted random award value using the parameterized continuous function.

53. The method of claim 46, wherein the parameterized continuous function comprises an exponential function.

54. The method of claim 46, wherein awarding the weighted random award value is dependent on game outcome.

55. The method of claim 46, wherein awarding the weighted random award value is not dependent on game outcome.

56. The method of claim 46, wherein qualifying includes detecting a players card is inserted into the gaming device.

57. The method of claim 46, wherein, when a portion of the wager amount or non-gaming revenue contributed to the prize pool reaches at least one predetermined amount, the method further comprising triggering a bonus game to award the weighted random award value.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein when an amount of portions of wager amounts from the gaming device or one or more other gaming devices reaches at least one predetermined amount, triggering the bonus game to award at least one weighted random award value.

59. The method of claim 58, wherein once the bonus game is triggered, the method further comprising:

randomly selecting at least one of the gaming device and the one or more other gaming devices; and

awarding the weighted random award value to the selected gaming device.

60. The method of claim 46, wherein awarding comprises displaying the weighted random award value to a player.

61. The method of claim 60, wherein the weighted random award value is displayed before or during game play.

62. The method of claim 46, wherein awarding comprises causing output of the weighted random award value at a device connected to the gaming device.

63. A system for providing a game using random payout from a prize pool, the system comprising:

a gaming device configured to receive a wager amount and an input to initiate game play; and

a controller configured to;

determine a programmer input of information based on an average value, minimum award value, and maximum award value, the average value being between the minimum award value and maximum award value;

determine a continuous function, the continuous function including one or more parameters (“

parameterized continuous function”

), wherein the one or more parameters are calculated using the information based on the average value, the minimum award value, and the maximum award value, wherein a variable of the parameterized continuous function is for a weighted random award value, wherein the parameterized continuous function calculates weighted random award values that average over time substantially the average value

qualify the wager amount to win a random award value;

calculate the weighted random award value by solving for the variable of the parameterized continuous function using a random number, wherein the weighted random award value is calculated from the variable, the weighted random award value being between the minimum award value and the maximum award value,

wherein the gaming device is configured to award the random award value.

64. The system of claim 63, wherein a contribution rate is greater than the average value thereby increasing the prize pool.

65. The system of claim 63, wherein the prize pool is fixed.

66. The system of claim 63, wherein the prize pool is progressive.

67. The system of claim 63, wherein the controller is configured to allocate a portion of the wager amount to the prize pool.

68. The system of claim 67, wherein the controller is configured to allocate a portion of non-gaming revenues to the prize pool in addition to the portion of the wager amount.

69. The system of claim 63, further comprising allocating a portion of non gaming revenues to the prize pool.

70. The system of claim 63, wherein the parameterized continuous function calculates the random award values in a continuous range of values from the minimum award value to the maximum award value.

71. The system of claim 63, wherein a value of random award value has not been stored before the calculation of the weighted random award value using the parameterized continuous function.

72. The system of claim 63, wherein the parameterized continuous function comprises an exponential function.

73. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

logic encoded in one or more computer readable storage media for execution by the one or more computer processors and when executed operable to;

determine a programmer input of information based on an average value, minimum award value, and maximum award value, the average value being between the minimum award value and maximum award value;

determine a continuous function, the continuous function including one or more parameters (“

parameterized continuous function”

), wherein the one or more parameters are calculated using the information based on the average value, the minimum award value, and the maximum award value, wherein a variable of the parameterized continuous function is for a weighted random award value, wherein the parameterized continuous function calculates weighted random award values that average over time substantially the average value;

receive a wager amount;

receive an input to initiate game play; and

qualify the wager amount to win a weighted random award value, wherein the random award value is determined by solving for the variable of the parameterized continuous function, wherein the weighted random award value is calculated from the variable, the calculated random award value being between a minimum award value and a maximum award value; and

award the weighted random award value calculated by the function.

74. An apparatus comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

logic encoded in one or more computer readable storage media for execution by the one or more computer processors and when executed operable to;

determine a programmer input of information based on an average value, minimum award value, and maximum award value, the average value being between the minimum award value and maximum award value;

determine a continuous function, the continuous function including one or more parameters (“

parameterized continuous function”

), wherein the one or more parameters are calculated using the information based on the average value, the minimum award value, and the maximum award value, wherein a variable of the parameterized continuous function is for a weighted random award value, wherein the parameterized continuous function calculates weighted random award values that average over time substantially the average value;

receive an indication to determine a random award value;

calculate the weighted random award value by solving for the variable of the parameterized continuous function using a random number, wherein the weighted random award value is calculated from the variable, the weighted random award value being between the minimum award value and the maximum award value; and

cause awarding of the weighted random award value.