Gaming system having awards provided based on rate of play
First Claim
1. A method for operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a controller, the method comprising:
- (a) acquiring a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from a plurality of players of the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time;
(b) displaying to the plurality of players a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (iii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;
(c) displaying to the plurality of players an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of players;
(d) determining a ranking for each of the plurality of players of the plurality of gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity from said player during the single designated period of time;
(e) determining if a triggering event occurs; and
(f) if the triggering event occurs,(i) selecting at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and
(ii) providing an award to the selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming system and method for operating a gaming system is provided. The gaming system includes a central server that is linked to a plurality of gaming devices. The central server monitors wager and play activity on the gaming devices during a period of time. Based at least in part on the wager and play activity, the central server determines a ranking for one or more players or for one or more gaming devices in the gaming system. The central server selects which player(s) will be provided one or more awards based on the determined ranking. The determined ranking is based, at least in part, on the speed, skill and/or wagering activity of the one or more players.
400 Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a controller, the method comprising:
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(a) acquiring a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from a plurality of players of the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time; (b) displaying to the plurality of players a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (iii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) displaying to the plurality of players an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of players; (d) determining a ranking for each of the plurality of players of the plurality of gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity from said player during the single designated period of time; (e) determining if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs, (i) selecting at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and (ii) providing an award to the selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices; and a controller configured to communicate with the plurality of gaming devices to; (a) acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time; (b) display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (iii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) display an indicator moving between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (d) determine a ranking for each of a plurality of the gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for each of said gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the determined ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said gaming device relative the acquired ranking components for each of the other ranked gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the acquired ranking components for said gaming device are based at least in part on the wager activity from said gaming device during the single designated period of time; (e) determine whether a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) select at least one gaming device, wherein for each ranked gaming device, a determination to select said gaming device is based on the determined ranking of said gaming device relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked gaming devices, and (ii) cause the selected gaming device to provide an award to the player of the selected gaming device, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected gaming device'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A gaming system comprising:
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a controller; and a plurality of gaming devices, wherein at least one gaming device includes; a display device; and a gaming device processor programmed to operate with the controller and the display device to; acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time; display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;display an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; determine a ranking for each of a plurality of gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for each of said gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the determined ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said gaming device relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the acquired ranking components for said gaming device are based at least in part on the wager activity from said gaming device during the single designated period of time; determine if a triggering event occurs; and if the triggering event occurs; (i) select at least one gaming device from the plurality of ranked gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, a determination to select said gaming device is based on the determined ranking of said gaming device relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked gaming devices; and (ii) cause the controller to provide an award to a player of the selected gaming device, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected gaming device'"'"'s determined ranking.
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30. A memory device which includes a plurality of instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices to:
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(a) acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time; (b) displaying a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (iii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) displaying an indicator moving between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and a second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (d) determine a ranking for each of a plurality of gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for said gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the determined ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said gaming device relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the acquired ranking components for said gaming device are based at least in part on the wager activity from said gaming device during the single designated period of time; (e) determine if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) select at least one gaming device from the plurality of ranked gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, a determination to select said gaming device is based on the determined ranking of said gaming device relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked gaming devices; and (ii) cause the processor to provide an award to a player of the selected gaming device, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected gaming device'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (31)
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32. A method for operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a controller, the method comprising:
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(a) acquiring a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from the plurality of gaming devices during a single designated period of time; (b) displaying a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (iii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) displaying an indicator moving between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and a second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (d) determining a ranking for each of the plurality of gaming devices based on the acquired ranking components for each of said gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the determined ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said gaming device relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, the acquired ranking components for said gaming device are based at least in part on the wager activity from said gaming device during the single designated period of time; (e) determining if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) selecting at least one gaming device from the plurality of ranked gaming devices, wherein for each ranked gaming device, a determination to select said gaming device is based on the determined ranking of said gaming device relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked gaming devices; and (ii) providing an award to a player of the selected gaming device, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected gaming device'"'"'s determined ranking.
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33. A method for ranking a plurality of players of a plurality of gaming devices playing a game, the method comprising:
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(a) acquiring a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of players, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity from the plurality of players during a single designated period of time; (b) display to the plurality of players a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) display to the plurality of players an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of players; (d) determining a ranking for each of the plurality of players based on the acquired ranking components of each of the other said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity from said player during the single designated period of time; (e) determining if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) selecting at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and (ii) providing an award to the selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices; and a controller configured to communicate with the plurality of gaming devices to; (a) display a game playable upon a wager by a player, wherein the game is playable by a plurality of players; (b) acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity of a player associated with each gaming device during a single designated period of time; (c) display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(d) display an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (e) determine a ranking for each of a plurality of the players based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity of said player during the single designated period of time; (f) determine if a triggering event occurs; and (g) if the triggering event occurs;
(i) select at least one player after a triggering event occurs, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players, and (ii) provide the selected player an award, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55)
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56. A gaming system comprising:
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a controller; and a plurality of gaming devices, wherein at least one gaming device includes; a display device; and a gaming device processor programmed to operate with the controller and the display device to; acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity of a player associated with each gaming device during a single designated period of time; display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;display an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; determine a ranking for each of a plurality of players based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity of said player during the single designated period of time; determine if a triggering event occurs; and if the triggering event occurs; (i) select at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and (ii) cause the processor to provide an award to at least one selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking.
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57. A memory device which includes a plurality of instructions, that when executed by at least one processor, cause a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices to:
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(a) acquire a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity of a player associated with each gaming device during a single designated period of time; (b) display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) display an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (d) determine a ranking for each of a plurality of players based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity of said player during the single designated period of time; (e) determine if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) select at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and (ii) cause the processor to provide an award to at least one selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking. - View Dependent Claims (58)
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59. A method for operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a controller, the method comprising:
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(a) acquiring a plurality of ranking components from each of the plurality of gaming devices, wherein the ranking components are based at least in part on wager activity of a player associated with each gaming device during a single designated period of time; (b) display a representation of;
(i) the single designated period of time, (ii) a first point of time of the single designated period of time, and (ii) a second point of time of the single designated period of time;(c) display an indicator which moves between the first point of time of the single designated period of time and the second point of time of the single designated period of time to indicate a portion, but not all, of the single designated period of time from which the ranking components are acquired from the plurality of gaming devices; (d) determining a ranking for each of a plurality of players based on the acquired ranking components for each of said players, wherein for each ranked player, the determined ranking of said player is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components for said player relative to the acquired ranking components for each of the other ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, the acquired ranking components for said player are based at least in part on the wager activity of said player during the single designated period of time; (e) determining if a triggering event occurs; and (f) if the triggering event occurs; (i) selecting at least one player from the plurality of ranked players, wherein for each ranked player, a determination to select said player is based on the determined ranking of said player relative to the determined rankings of the other ranked players; and (ii) causing the processor to provide an award to at least one selected player, wherein the award is based, at least in part, on the selected player'"'"'s determined ranking.
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Specification