Method and apparatus for providing regular entrance into a bonus game

• US 7,871,323 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 01/18/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Zucker, David F., Suarez, Jose A., Garcia, Victor M., Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Santisi, Steven M., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol; Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): Rustemeyer; Malina K
• Application Number:
  US10/790,934
• Publication Number:
  US 20040235551A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,513 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25
• US Class Current: 463/16
• 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 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3276 wherein the players compete, e.g. tournament
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3281 wherein game attributes are transferred between players, e.g. points, weapons, avatars

Abstract

A method is disclosed for providing entry into a bonus game at a gaming device, where the bonus games may occur at predictable times and may payout predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed entry into a bonus game every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed entry into a bonus game. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide entry in bonus rounds simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

(a) at a first point in time, causing at least one processor of a wagering game device to execute a plurality of instructions to;

(i) determine a current time; and

(ii) determine a reference time, wherein, at the first point in time, the determined reference time is different than the determined current time;

(b) at a second, different point in time, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) determine that the second point in time has a predetermined relationship to the determined reference time; and

(ii) in response to the determination that the second point in time has the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time;

(x) initiate a first play of a bonus game, said initiation of the first play of the bonus game occurring independent from any outcome generated during any play of any other game and said first play of the bonus game having a first average expected payout which is based, at least in part, on the second point in time having the predetermined relationship to the determined reference time;

(y) cause at least one display device to display the first play of the bonus game, said first play of the bonus game being displayed distinct and independent from any outcome generated during any play of any game other than the first play of the bonus game; and

(z) determine an outcome for the first play of the bonus game, said outcome being determined independent from any outcome generated during any play of any game other than the first play of the bonus game; and

(c) at a third, different point in time, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(i) determine that a triggering event has occurred, the triggering event occurring independent of the third point in time; and

(ii) in response to the occurrence of the triggering event, cause the at least one display device to display a second, different play of the bonus game, said second, different play of the bonus game having a second, different average expected payout.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a reference time includes determining a beginning of a next hour.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein determining a reference time includes determining a time that is a predetermined number of minutes before a beginning of a next hour.

4. The method of claim 1, which includes determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion, wherein the display of said first play of said bonus game is based, at least in part, on the player satisfying the at least one criterion.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has made a specified number of handle pulls at the wagering game device.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has made a specified number of handle pulls at the wagering game device within a time interval beginning a specified period of time prior to the determined reference time, and ending with the determined reference time.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has made a specified number of handle pulls at the wagering game device within a time interval beginning one hour prior to the determined reference time, and ending with the determined reference time.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has wagered, at the wagering game device, an amount of currency whose aggregate value is at least a specified value, within a time interval beginning a specified period of time prior to the determined reference time, and ending with the determined reference time.

9. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has paid, in taxes to the wagering game device, an amount of currency whose aggregate value is at least a specified value, within a time interval beginning a specified period of time prior to the determined reference time, and ending with the determined reference time.

10. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has maintained a specified average rate of play at the wagering game device within a time interval beginning a specified period of time prior to the determined reference time, and ending with the determined reference time.

11. The method of claim 4, wherein determining whether a player has satisfied at least one criterion includes determining whether the player has paid a fee to the wagering game device in exchange for insurance that the player will be provided entry into said first play of the bonus game.