Wagering game providing rewards independent from gaming session

• US 8,118,665 B2
• Filed: 12/20/2007
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sg Gaming, Inc. (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: WMS Gaming Incorporated (Light & Wonder Incorporated)
• Inventors: Thomas, Alfred
• Primary Examiner(s): Suhol, Dmitry
• Assistant Examiner(s): SKAARUP, JASON M
• Application Number:
  US12/004,370
• Publication Number:
  US 20080108428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,524 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/26, 463/27, 463/42, 273/138, 273/138.1
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A wagering game is comprised of a basic game, a progressive game with a progressive payout, and an input device for identifying players who are playing the basic game and who become eligible for the progressive payout. The progressive payout can be awarded to a player during a selected time period. But, if the progressive payout is not awarded during the selected time period, the progressive payout is awarded to an eligible player that is randomly selected in a drawing. The progressive payout can have first and second payouts that are awarded, respectively, during a first time period (e.g., per week) and a second time period (e.g., per month). Thus, the player does not need to be at the gaming terminal to win the progressive jackpot.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method in a gaming system, the method comprising:

conducting, by one or more processors, a basic wagering game at one of a plurality of gaming terminals configured to receive wager inputs from a player to play a video casino game during a gaming session at the gaming terminal;

conducting, by the one or more processors, a secondary progressive game triggered by the basic wagering game, the secondary progressive game being distinct from the basic wagering game and having a progressive-winning outcome;

in response to an event other than the player achieving the progressive-winning outcome during the secondary progressive game, allowing, by the one or more processors, the player to become eligible for a special award during the gaming session;

identifying, by the one or more processors, the player who is playing for the special award during the gaming session, the player not receiving the special award during the gaming session;

concluding the gaming session at the gaming terminal;

allowing, by the one or more processors, the special award to accumulate for a time period after the player has concluded the gaming session and left the gaming terminal; and

awarding, by the one or more processors, the special award to the player at the end of the time period regardless of the player making additional wager inputs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the awarding occurs at another one of the plurality of gaming terminals.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the special award is a progressive award that progressively increases over time.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the player becomes eligible for the special award when the player presents a wager input.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the special award on a display located on at least one of the plurality of gaming terminals.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising displaying the special award on signage associated with the plurality of gaming terminals.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising displaying, via a display device, another special award, the another special award being different than the special award.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising causing the one or more processors to execute a plurality of instructions to enable the player to be eligible for the special award in addition to at least one other special award, the at least one other special award being different from the special award.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the special award has an initial value and a displayed awarded value, the player not receiving the displayed awarded value during the gaming session, wherein the allowing includes allowing the special award to accumulate from the initial value to the displayed awarded value for the time period after the player has concluded the gaming session and left the gaming terminal, and wherein the awarding includes awarding the displayed awarded value to the player at the end of the time period.

10. The method of claim 2, wherein the gaming terminal includes a first display for displaying a plurality of symbols that indicates a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game and a second display for displaying game-related information.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the second display displays player-specific information.

12. A computer-implemented method in a gaming system, the method comprising:

conducting, by one or more processors, a basic wagering game at a gaming terminal, the basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome, the basic game providing eligibility to play a secondary game, the secondary game being distinct from the basic wagering game and having a progressive-winning outcome;

identifying a player who is playing the basic game during a gaming session at the gaming terminal;

permitting the player, by the one or more processors, the opportunity to play the secondary game for a special award, the player playing for but not achieving the special award during the gaming session;

allowing the special award to accumulate for a time period after the player has concluded the gaming session and left the gaming terminal; and

awarding, by the one or more processors, the accumulated award to the player after the time period, regardless of whether the player is playing the basic wagering game at the gaming terminal.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the player becomes eligible for the secondary game when the player achieves a certain outcome in the basic game.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the player becomes eligible for the secondary game when the player presents an additional wager input associated with the secondary game.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying includes reading an identifier presented by the player.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying includes reading a personal identification number entered by the player.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the identifying includes reading a biometric marker presented by the player.

18. The method of claim 12, wherein the awarding occurs at a second gaming terminal.

19. A computer-implemented method in a gaming system, the method comprising:

conducting, by one or more processors, a basic game during a gaming session at a gaming terminal, the basic game having a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome;

identifying, by the one or more processors, a player who is playing the basic game during the gaming session at the gaming terminal;

as a result of play of the basic game, conducting, by the one or more processors, a secondary game during the gaming session, the secondary game being distinct from the basic wagering game and having a progressive-winning outcome;

in response to an event other than the player achieving the progressive-winning outcome in the secondary game, assigning a player-specific entry to the player during the gaming session at the gaming terminal, the player-specific entry being associated with an award;

allowing, by the one or more processors, the award associated with the player-specific entry to accumulate while the player is playing at the gaming terminal and after the player has concluded the gaming session and left the gaming terminal; and

awarding, by the one or more processors, the accumulated award to the player a certain time period after the player has concluded the gaming session and left the gaming terminal.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising instructing the player that the player is eligible for the accumulated award before the player concludes the gaming session and leaves the gaming terminal.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying the award associated with the player-specific entry on one or more display devices associated with the gaming terminal.

22. The method of claim 19, further comprising displaying the award associated with the player-specific entry on signage that is viewable by the player.

23. The method of claim 19, wherein the awarding of the accumulated award to the player includes displaying the name of the player on a display that is viewable by the player.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein the awarding of the accumulated award to the player includes displaying the accumulated award on a display that is viewable by the player.