Gaming system having awards provided based on rate of play
First Claim
1. A gaming system comprising:
- a plurality of gaming devices; and
a controller configured to operate with the plurality of gaming devices to;
(a) repeatedly 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 game play activity from the plurality of gaming devices,(b) at a first point in time;
(i) determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the first point in time, a first ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined first ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the first point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the first point in time,(ii) for each of the gaming devices, determine a first probability of being selected to win a designated award, the first probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first rankings, and(iii) if a triggering event occurs;
(A) select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first probabilities, and(B) cause the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award, and(c) at a second, different point in time;
(i) determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the second point in time, a second ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined second ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the second point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the second point in time,(ii) for each of the gaming devices, determine a second probability of being selected to win the designated award, the second probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second rankings, and(iii) if the triggering event occurs;
(A) select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second probabilities, and(B) cause the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Gaming systems and methods for operating a gaming system are provided. The gaming system includes a controller operable with a plurality of gaming devices. Based at least in part on wagering activity, the controller determines a ranking for a plurality of gaming devices in the gaming system. The controller determines a plurality of the ranked gaming devices that are eligible for a designated award and, for each of the plurality of eligible gaming devices, determines a probability of being selected to win the designated award. The controller selects at least one of the eligible gaming devices based part on the determined probability for said at least one eligible gaming device, and causes the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A gaming system comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices; and a controller configured to operate with the plurality of gaming devices to; (a) repeatedly 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 game play activity from the plurality of gaming devices, (b) at a first point in time; (i) determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the first point in time, a first ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined first ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the first point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the first point in time, (ii) for each of the gaming devices, determine a first probability of being selected to win a designated award, the first probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first rankings, and (iii) if a triggering event occurs; (A) select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first probabilities, and (B) cause the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award, and (c) at a second, different point in time; (i) determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the second point in time, a second ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined second ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the second point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the second point in time, (ii) for each of the gaming devices, determine a second probability of being selected to win the designated award, the second probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second rankings, and (iii) if the triggering event occurs; (A) select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second probabilities, and (B) cause the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming devices operable with a controller, the method comprising:
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(a) causing the controller to repeatedly 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 game play activity from the plurality of gaming devices, (b) at a first point in time; (i) causing the controller to determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the first point in time, a first ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined first ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the first point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the first point in time, (ii) for each of the gaming devices, causing the controller to determine a first probability of being selected to win a designated award, the first probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first rankings, and (iii) if a triggering event occurs; (A) causing the controller to select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined first probabilities, and (B) causing the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award, and (c) at a second, different point in time; (i) causing the controller to determine, based on the acquired ranking components at the second point in time, a second ranking of each of the plurality of the gaming devices, wherein for each of said gaming devices, the determined second ranking of said gaming device is based on a comparison of the acquired ranking components of said gaming device at the second point in time relative the acquired ranking components of each of the other gaming devices at the second point in time, (ii) for each of the gaming devices, causing the controller to determine a second probability of being selected to win the designated award, the second probability being greater than zero percent and less than one hundred percent and the determination being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second rankings, and (iii) if the triggering event occurs; (A) causing the controller to select at least one of the gaming devices, said selection being based, at least in part, on at least one of the determined second probabilities, and (B) causing the at least one selected gaming device to provide the designated award. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification