Player gaming console, gaming machine, networked gaming system and method

• US 7,896,735 B2
• Filed: 11/12/2007
• Issued: 03/01/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: LNW Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Bally Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Kelly, Bryan M., Lockard, Dennis, Tallcott, Jeffrey, Kroeckel, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca; Pierre E
• Assistant Examiner(s): Renwick; Reginald A
• Application Number:
  US11/938,644
• Publication Number:
  US 20090069087A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,205 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 0, 463/262
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games

Abstract

Games, networked gaming systems, gaming machines and methods are disclosed that provide various player-centric games and rewards to the casino patrons.

Claims

1. A player console for enabling the play of a bonus game at a gaming machine of the type providing a base game and having an apparatus for a player to make a wager of a denomination and amount to play the base game, said console comprising:

a microprocessor;

a video display;

a player input apparatus;

said microprocessor configured to control the video display to display to the player at least one of,

a representation including a scalar and numeric representation to the player of a rewards level reached by the player from a plurality of levels during successive plays of the base game, said rewards level related to the amount of the player'"'"'s wager to play the base game and said rewards level determining a feature of the bonus game;

an eligibility illuminator including a scalar having an end and providing to the player a graphic representation of the progression toward eligibility to play the bonus game during the play of a series of base games, said eligibility indicated when said scalar reaches said end.

2. The player console apparatus of claim 1, the game eligibility illuminator scalar including one or more light sections illuminating upon a playing threshold being achieved by a player;

upon each light section being illuminated, the game initiator being illuminated and enabling the player to play the bonus game.

3. The player console apparatus of claim 1, the bonus game comprising a bingo game.

4. The player console apparatus of claim 1 including a player informational portion,

the player information portion identifying the bonus game available and information for the player to activate the game.

5. The player console apparatus of claim 4, the gaming apparatus main display including

a player informational activation portion causing the player informational portion to be provided to the player,

the bonus game comprising a poker game;

the player informational portion providing information about requirements to activate the bonus game and further providing information about the awards associated with each winning hand of cards;

the awards comprising either player point or monetary values or a combination thereof depending upon the winning hand of cards.

6. The player console apparatus of claim 1 including a result portion providing information about the outcome of the bonus game play,

in the event of a winning result, the result portion including an award collection portion enabling the player to collect the reward.

7. The player console apparatus of claim 1 including an advertising portion, the advertising portion including information about game play and potential awards.

8. The player console of claim 1 comprising said microprocessor configured to display a representation including a scalar and numeric representation to the player of a rewards level reached by the player from a plurality of levels during the play of the base game, said rewards level related to at least one of the amount and denomination of the player'"'"'s wager to play the base game and said rewards level determining a feature of the bonus game.

9. The player console of claim 1 comprising said microprocessor is configured to display a game name section having a perimeter and including said eligibility illuminator as a scalar along at least a portion of said perimeter.

10. The player console of claim 1 comprising a button, actuation of which plays the bonus game, said microprocessor configured to, in concert with said eligibility illuminator reaching said end, enable said button when the player becomes eligible to play the bonus game.

11. A device for enabling the play of a bonus game at a gaming machine of the type providing a base game and having an apparatus for a player to make a wager of a denomination and amount to play the base game and having a video display associated therewith, said device comprising:

a microprocessor;

a player input apparatus;

said microprocessor configured to control the video display to display to the player,

a representation including a scalar and numeric representation to the player of a rewards level reached by the player from a plurality of levels during the play of the base game, said rewards level related to the amount of the player'"'"'s wager to play the base game and said rewards level determining a feature of the bonus game;

a bonus game name section defining a perimeter therefore; and

an eligibility illuminator including an illuminated scalar along at least a portion of the perimeter and providing to the player a graphic representation of the progression toward eligibility to play the bonus game during the play of a series of base games.