Multi-player bingo game with progressive jackpots

• US 7,951,004 B2
• Filed: 09/14/2004
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Wanex, Diane, Wolf, Bryan, Michaelson, Richard E., Saffari, Ali
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): Torimiro; Adetokunbo
• Application Number:
  US10/940,247
• Publication Number:
  US 20060052160A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,450 Days
• Field of Search: 463 39- 42
• US Class Current: 463/42
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/0645 Electric lottos or bingo games
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/162 Interface to dedicated audio devices, e.g. audio drivers, interface to CODECs
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3211 Display means
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3225 Data transfer within a gaming system, e.g. data sent between gaming machines and users
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3246 involving coins and/or banknotes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3272 Games involving multiple players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/42 for ticket printing or like apparatus , e.g. apparatus for dispensing of printed paper tickets or payment cards

Abstract

Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player'"'"'s wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players'"'"' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool.

Claims

1. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units at which a player is awarded a progressive jackpot award from the progressive jackpot, wherein at least two of the gaming units including a first gaming unit and a second gaming unit, the first gaming unit has a first maximum wager amount that a player is allowed to wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the second gaming unit has a second maximum wager amount that a player is allowed to wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at the first gaming unit;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of a wagering game at an input device of the first gaming unit;

subtracting the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from the player'"'"'s available credit at the first gaming unit in response to receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager, wherein the player'"'"'s available credit corresponds to the amount of the medium of currency deposited at the first gaming unit;

determining an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game;

determining a gaming network maximum wager amount equal to a maximum between the first maximum wager amount allowed to be wagered at the first gaming unit and the second maximum wager amount allowed to be wagered at the second gaming unit, wherein the first maximum wager amount is different than the second maximum wager amount; and

awarding a progressive jackpot award to the player in response to determining that the player'"'"'s outcome for the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome, wherein the progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the gaming network maximum wager amount that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network.

2. The method of claim 1, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second wagering game.

3. The method of claim 1, comprising:

configuring the gaming units to provide one wagering game;

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide the first maximum wager amount for an occurrence of the wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide the second maximum wager amount for an occurrence of the wagering game.

4. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that is awarded to a player for the first gaming unit, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the first maximum wager amount on the occurrence of the wagering game that is made at the first gaming unit to the gaming network maximum wager amount; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the first gaming unit before receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager.

5. The method of claim 1, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that is awarded to a player for the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the gaming network maximum wager amount; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the first gaming unit after receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager and before determining the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game.

6. A method for conducting at least one wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units at which a player is awarded a progressive jackpot award from the progressive jackpot, wherein at least two of the gaming units including a first gaming unit and a second gaming unit, the first gaming unit has a first maximum wager amount that a player is allowed to wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the second gaming unit has a second maximum wager amount that a player is allowed to wager on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game, the method comprising:

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at the first gaming unit;

adding the deposited amount of currency to the player'"'"'s available credit at the first gaming unit;

displaying the player'"'"'s available credit at the first gaming unit, wherein the player'"'"'s available credit is displayed as a number of credits, each credit having a corresponding monetary credit denomination such that the displayed number of credits multiplied by the credit denomination is equal to the monetary value of the player'"'"'s available credit;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of a wagering game at an input device of the first gaming unit, wherein the input for the player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the wagering game is a number of wagered credits, and wherein the amount of the player'"'"'s wager is equal to the number of wagered credits multiplied by the credit denomination;

subtracting the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game from the player'"'"'s available credit at the first gaming unit in response to receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager;

determining an outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game;

determining a gaming network maximum number of credits as a maximum between a first maximum number of wagered credits allowed to be wagered at the first gaming unit and a second maximum number of credits allowed to be wagered at the second gaming unit, wherein the first maximum number of credits is different than the second maximum number of credits; and

awarding a progressive jackpot award to the player in response to determining that the player'"'"'s outcome for the occurrence of the wagering game is a predetermined progressive jackpot winning outcome, wherein the progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the product of a gaming network maximum credit denomination that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network and the gaming network maximum number of credits that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network.

7. The method of claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second wagering game.

8. The method of claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide the first maximum number of credits that is wagered for an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide the second maximum number of credits that is wagered for an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game.

9. The method of claim 6, comprising:

configuring a first plurality of the gaming units to provide a first credit denomination that is wagered for an occurrence of the at least one wagering game; and

configuring a second plurality of the gaming units to provide a second credit denomination that is wagered for an occurrence of the wagering game.

10. The method of claim 6, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that is awarded to a player for the first gaming unit, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the product of a gaming unit credit denomination for the wagering game and the first maximum number of wagered credits that is wagered on an occurrence of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit to the product of a gaming network maximum credit denomination that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network and the gaming network maximum number of credits that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the first gaming unit before receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager.

11. The method of claim 6, comprising:

determining a maximum progressive jackpot award that is awarded to a player for the occurrence of the wagering game, wherein the maximum progressive jackpot award is equal to at least a portion of a progressive jackpot pool multiplied by the ratio of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the product of the gaming network maximum credit denomination that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network and the gaming network maximum number of credits that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at the first gaming unit of the gaming network; and

displaying the maximum progressive jackpot award amount at the first gaming unit after receiving the input for the player'"'"'s wager and before determining the outcome for the player for the occurrence of the wagering game.

12. A method for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot over a gaming network, comprising:

providing a progressive jackpot pool having a main pool and a reserve pool, wherein the main pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot and the reserve pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot;

receiving a deposit of an amount of a medium of currency by a player at a gaming unit of the gaming network;

receiving input for a player'"'"'s wager on an occurrence of the wagering game at an input device of the gaming unit;

calculating a predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager to be added to the progressive jackpot pool;

automatically calculating a main pool funding amount, wherein the main pool funding amount is equal to a percentage of the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager, wherein the percentage of the predetermined portion is determined based on the current main pool amount, and wherein the percentage is determined automatically by the gaming network;

adding the main pool funding amount to the main pool amount;

adding the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager minus the main pool funding amount to the reserve pool amount;

storing a desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool;

comparing the main pool amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a second percentage greater than zero in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said storing the desired minimum jackpot amount comprises storing the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage.

15. The method of claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

16. The method of claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies linearly from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

17. The method of claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is within a predetermined range of balances of the main pool, wherein the third percentage is less than the first percentage and greater than the second percentage, and wherein the range of balances of the main pool is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount.

18. The method of claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage increases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

19. The method of claim 12, comprising:

storing a minimum seed amount and the desired minimum jackpot amount for the main pool at the gaming network, wherein the minimum seed amount is less than the desired minimum jackpot amount;

comparing the main pool amount to the minimum seed amount and to the desired minimum jackpot amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the first percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount;

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by the second percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the first percentage is greater than the second percentage; and

multiplying the predetermined portion of the player'"'"'s wager by a third percentage in response to determining that the main pool amount is greater than the minimum seed amount and less than the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the value of the third percentage varies according to a parabolic function from a maximum equal to the first percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the minimum seed amount to a minimum equal to the second percentage when the main pool amount is equal to the desired minimum jackpot amount, wherein the rate of change of the third percentage decreases as the main pool amount increases from the minimum seed amount to the desired minimum jackpot amount.

20. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot when a player of a wagering game has a progressive jackpot winning outcome for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

segregating a progressive jackpot pool into a main pool and a reserve pool, wherein the main pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot and the reserve pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot;

awarding the player a progressive jackpot award, wherein the progressive jackpot award amount is equal to a first main pool amount of the main pool multiplied by a proration ratio, and wherein the proration ratio is a number less than or equal to one;

calculating a second main pool amount of the main pool equal to the first main pool amount minus the progressive jackpot award amount;

calculating a transfer amount equal to a first reserve pool amount of the reserve pool multiplied by the proration ratio, wherein the transfer amount is configured to be transferred from the reserve pool to the main pool;

calculating a third main pool amount of the main pool equal the second main pool amount plus the transfer amount;

calculating a second reserve pool amount of the reserve pool equal to the first reserve pool amount minus the transfer amount;

comparing the transfer amount to zero before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero.

21. The method of claim 20, comprising:

comparing the second main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the second main pool amount in response to determining that the second main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount.

22. The method of claim 20, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

23. The method of claim 20, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to zero before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero;

comparing the second main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the second pool amount in response to determining that the second main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before calculating the third main pool amount and the second reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the maximum wager amount that is wagered on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the progressive jackpot is implemented in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units, wherein the gaming network provides at least one wagering game having a progressive jackpot winning outcome for which a player may win the progressive jackpot award, and wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.

26. A method for reseeding a progressive jackpot when a player of a wagering game has a progressive jackpot winning outcome for an occurrence of the wagering game, the method comprising:

segregating a progressive jackpot pool into a main pool and a reserve pool, wherein the main pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot and the reserve pool includes money related to the progressive jackpot;

awarding the player a progressive jackpot award, wherein the progressive jackpot award amount is equal to a main pool amount multiplied by a proration ratio, and wherein the proration ratio is a number less than or equal to one;

subtracting the progressive jackpot award amount from the main pool amount;

calculating a transfer amount equal to a reserve pool amount multiplied by the proration ratio, wherein the transfer amount is configured to be transferred from the reserve pool to the main pool;

adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount;

subtracting the transfer amount from the reserve pool amount;

comparing the transfer amount to zero before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and subtracting the transfer amount from the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to zero in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than zero.

27. The method of claim 26, comprising:

comparing the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount.

28. The method of claim 26, comprising:

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

29. The method of claim 26, comprising:

comparing the main pool amount to a minimum seed amount for the main pool before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount;

calculating a minimum transfer amount equal to the minimum seed amount minus the main pool amount in response to determining that the main pool amount is less than the minimum seed amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the minimum transfer amount;

setting the transfer amount equal to the minimum transfer amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is less than the minimum transfer amount;

comparing the transfer amount to the progressive jackpot award amount before adding the transfer amount to the main pool amount and the reserve pool amount; and

setting the transfer amount equal to the progressive jackpot award amount in response to determining that the transfer amount is greater than the progressive jackpot award amount.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to the maximum wager amount that is wagered on an occurrence of the wagering game at the gaming unit.

31. The method of claim 26, wherein the progressive jackpot is implemented in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units, wherein the gaming network provides at least one wagering game having a progressive jackpot winning outcome for which a player may win the progressive jackpot award, and wherein the proration ratio is equal to the ratio of the amount of the player'"'"'s wager on the occurrence of the wagering game to a gaming network maximum wager amount that is wagered on an occurrence of one of the at least one wagering game at a gaming unit of the gaming network.