Gaming system, gaming device and method for providing an award based on an outcome counter

• US 8,388,437 B2
• Filed: 07/07/2011
• Issued: 03/05/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 11/18/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Nicely, Mark C., Bolich, Kathleen
• Primary Examiner(s): CUFF, MICHAEL A
• Application Number:
  US13/178,246
• Publication Number:
  US 20110269523A1
• Time in Patent Office: 607 Days
• Field of Search: 463 16- 20
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3248 involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots
• 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

Methods and apparatus for providing an award based on a multiplicity of game outcomes. In one implementation the invention provides a method for providing a game. The method includes placing a bet by a player, playing of a game to produce a game outcome, evaluating a primary game outcome, paying a direct award if the primary outcome merits it, advancing a bonus accumulator if the primary outcome merits it, and if the bonus accumulator has advanced sufficiently, paying a bonus award to the player and clearing the bonus accumulator.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device including;

at least one input device,

at least one display device,

at least one processor, and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(b) generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(c) display to the player the generated game outcome, and

(d) provide to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome;

at least one server configured to operate with the plurality of gaming devices, said at least one server programmed to;

(a) determine if any of the generated game outcomes of any of the gaming devices are associated with a first counter modification condition,

(b) if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is associated with the first counter modification condition;

(i) add a count to a counter, said counter associated with each of the gaming devices,

(ii) cause a display of the total count of the counter in association with each of the gaming devices, and

(iii) if the total count of the counter reaches a designated count, provide a counter modification award to the player of the gaming device which generated the game outcome associated with the first counter modification condition,

(c) determine if any of the generated game outcomes of any of the gaming devices are associated with a second, different counter modification condition, and

(d) if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is associated with the second counter modification condition;

(i) reset the counter, and

(ii) cause a display of the reset counter in association with each of the gaming devices.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the first counter modification condition is associated with the generation of a first losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition is associated with the generation of a second, different losing game outcome.

4. The gaming system of claim 3, wherein if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is the second losing game outcome, the at least one server is programmed to set the counter to a designated value of at least one in association with the second losing game outcome.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the at least one server is programmed to enable each of the players of each of the gaming devices to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for the counter modification award.

6. A gaming system comprising:

at least one input device;

at least one display device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(b) generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(c) display to the player the generated game outcome,

(d) provide to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome,

(e) determine if the generated game outcome is associated with a first counter modification condition of a first counter,

(f) if the generated game outcome is associated with the first counter modification condition of the first counter;

(i) add a count to the first counter,

(ii) display a total count of the first counter, and

(iii) if the total count of the first counter reaches a first designated count, provide to the player a first counter modification award,

(g) determine if the generated game outcome is associated with a first counter modification condition of a second, different counter,

(h) if the generated outcome is associated with the first counter modification condition of the second counter;

(i) add a count to the second counter,

(ii) display a total count of the second counter, and

(iii) if the total count of the second counter reaches a second designated count, provide to the player a second counter modification award,

(i) determine if the generated game outcome is associated with at least one of;

a second, different counter modification condition of the first counter and a second, different counter modification condition of the second counter, and

(j) if the generated game outcome is associated with at least one of;

the second, different counter modification condition of the first counter and the second, different counter modification condition of the second counter;

(i) reset the first counter,

(ii) reset the second counter, and

(iii) display the reset first counter and the reset second counter.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the first designated count is different than the second designated count.

8. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to reset the first counter and the second counter if the total count of the first counter reaches the first designated count.

9. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to reset the first counter and the second counter if the total count of the second counter reaches the second designated count.

10. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the first counter modification award and the second counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

11. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein the first counter modification condition of the first counter is associated with the generation of a first losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition of the first counter is associated with the generation of a second, different losing game outcome.

12. The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the first counter modification condition of the second counter is associated with the generation of a third, different losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition of the second counter is associated with the generation of a fourth, different losing game outcome.

13. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to enable the player to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for at least one of the first counter modification award and the second counter modification award.

14. A gaming system comprising:

at least one input device;

at least one display device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(b) generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(c) display to the player the generated game outcome,

(d) provide to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome,

(e) if the generated game outcome is a first losing game outcome;

(i) add a count to a counter associated with the first losing game outcome,

(ii) display a total count of the counter associated with the first losing game outcome, and

(iii) if the total count of the counter reaches a designated count, provide to the player a counter modification award, and

(f) if the generated game outcome is associated with a second, different losing game outcome;

(i) reset the counter associated with the first losing game outcome,

(ii) reassociate the counter with the second losing game outcome,

(iii) add a counter to the counter reassociated with the second losing game outcome, and

(iv) display a total count of the counter reassociated with the second losing game outcome.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to reset the counter if the total count of the counter reaches the designated count.

16. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

17. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein when executed by the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to enable the player to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for the counter modification award.

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

(a) causing each of a plurality of gaming devices

(i) enable a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(ii) generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(iii) display to the player the generated game outcome, and

(iv) provide to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome;

(b) causing the at least one server to execute a plurality of instructions to determine if any of the generated game outcomes of any of the gaming devices are associated with a first counter modification condition,

(c) if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is associated with the first counter modification condition;

(i) causing the at least one server to execute the plurality of instructions to add a count to a counter, said counter associated with each of the gaming devices,

(ii) causing a display of the total count of the counter in association with each of the gaming devices, and

(iii) if the total count of the counter reaches a designated count, providing a counter modification award to the player of the gaming device which generated the game outcome associated with the first counter modification condition,

(d) causing the at least one server to execute the plurality of instructions to determine if any of the generated game outcomes of any of the gaming devices are associated with a second, different counter modification condition, and

(e) if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is associated with the second counter modification condition;

(i) causing the at least one server to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the counter, and

(ii) causing a display of the reset counter in association with each of the gaming devices.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

20. The method of claim 18, wherein the first counter modification condition is associated with the generation of a first losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition is associated with the generation of a second, different losing game outcome.

21. The method of claim 20, which includes causing the at least one server to execute the plurality of instructions to set the counter to a designated value of at least one in association with the second losing game outcome if one of the generated game outcomes of one of the gaming devices is the second losing game outcome.

22. The method of claim 18, which includes enabling each of the players of each of the gaming devices to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for the counter modification award.

23. The method of claim 18, which is provided through a data network.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the data network is an Internet.

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

(a) enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(b) causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(c) causing at least one display device to display to the player the generated game outcome,

(d) providing to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome,

(e) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine if the generated game outcome is associated with a first counter modification condition of a first counter,

(f) if the generated game outcome is associated with the first counter modification condition of the first counter;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add a count to the first counter,

(ii) causing the at least one display device to display a total count of the first counter, and

(iii) if the total count of the first counter reaches a first designated count, providing to the player a first counter modification award,

(g) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine if the generated game outcome is associated with a first counter modification condition of a second, different counter,

(h) if the generated outcome is associated with the first counter modification condition of the second counter;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add a count to the second counter,

(ii) causing the at least one display device to display a total count of the second counter, and

(iii) if the total count of the second counter reaches a second designated count, providing to the player a second counter modification award,

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine if the generated game outcome is associated with at least one of;

a second, different counter modification condition of the first counter and a second, different counter modification condition of the second counter, and

(j) if the generated game outcome is associated with at least one of;

the second, different counter modification condition of the first counter and the second, different counter modification condition of the second counter;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the first counter,

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the second counter, and

(iii) causing the at least one display device to display the reset first counter and the reset second counter.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein the first designated count is different than the second designated count.

27. The method of claim 25, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the first counter and the second counter if the total count of the first counter reaches the first designated count.

28. The method of claim 25, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the first counter and the second counter if the total count of the second counter reaches the second designated count.

29. The method of claim 25, wherein at least one of the first counter modification award and the second counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

30. The method of claim 25, wherein the first counter modification condition of the first counter is associated with the generation of a first losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition of the first counter is associated with the generation of a second, different losing game outcome.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the first counter modification condition of the second counter is associated with the generation of a third, different losing game outcome and the second counter modification condition of the second counter is associated with the generation of a fourth, different losing game outcome.

32. The method of claim 25, which includes enabling the player to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for at least one of the first counter modification award and the second counter modification award.

33. The method of claim 25, which is provided through a data network.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein the data network is an Internet.

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

(a) enabling a player to place a wager on a play of a wagering game,

(b) causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to generate a game outcome from a plurality of game outcomes,

(c) causing at least one display device to display to the player the generated game outcome,

(d) providing to the player any award associated with the generated game outcome,

(e) if the generated game outcome is a first losing game outcome;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add a count to a counter associated with the first losing game outcome,

(ii) causing the at least one display device to display a total count of the counter associated with the first losing game outcome, and

(iii) if the total count of the counter reaches a designated count, providing to the player a counter modification award, and

(f) if the generated game outcome is associated with a second, different losing game outcome;

(i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the counter associated with the first losing game outcome,

(ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reassociate the counter with the second losing game outcome,

(iii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to add a counter to the counter reassociated with the second losing game outcome, and

(iv) causing the at least one display device to display a total count of the counter reassociated with the second losing game outcome.

36. The method of claim 35, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to reset the counter if the total count of the counter reaches the designated count.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the counter modification award is at least one selected from the group consisting of:

a static award amount, a random award amount, an award amount that is based on at least one of the generated game outcomes, a multiplier of a non-bonus award, a bonus round, an advancement to the bonus round, and an increase in a progressive award.

38. The method of claim 35, which includes enabling the player to place a supplemental wager to be eligible for the counter modification award.

39. The method of claim 35, which is provided through a data network.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein the data network is an Internet.