Gaming system and method for providing an additional gaming currency

• US 9,569,930 B2
• Filed: 07/13/2016
• Issued: 02/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/30/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Baerlocher, Anthony J., Cohen, Alexander Casey Naglestad, Bekarian, Arram, DeWaal, Daniel
• Primary Examiner(s): Deodhar, Omkar
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Wei
• Application Number:
  US15/209,232
• Publication Number:
  US 20160321873A1
• Time in Patent Office: 216 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/25, 463/42
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3213 Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members
• 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 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• 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 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The gaming system includes a point or count based system to provide one or more awards to one or more players. Such points are accumulated by a player based on one or more events associated with the player'"'"'s gaming experience. The points or counts utilized in the gaming system are selectively redeemed by the player in exchange for one or more opportunities to win an award. It should be appreciated that in one embodiment, the equalizing units disclosed herein are different, separate and independent from any monetary based points or credits, any promotional based points or credits, or any player tracking points.

Claims

1. A gaming system comprising:

a controller;

a first gaming device configured to communicate with the controller, said first gaming device including;

at least one first gaming device display device,

a plurality of first gaming device input devices including a first gaming device acceptor, and a first gaming device cashout device,

at least one first gaming device processor, and

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

(i) if a first physical item is received via the first gaming device acceptor, establish a first credit balance based, at least in part, on a first monetary value associated with the received first physical item,

(ii) display a first primary game upon placement of a wager, wherein said first primary game is associated with a first average expected payback percentage, and

(iii) if a first cashout input is received via the first gaming device cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the first credit balance; and

a second gaming device configured to communicate with the controller, said second gaming device including;

at least one second gaming device display device,

a plurality of second gaming device input devices including a second gaming device acceptor and a second gaming device cashout device,

at least one second gaming device processor, and

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

(i) if a second physical item is received via the second gaming device acceptor, establish a second credit balance based, at least in part, on a second monetary value associated with the received second physical item,

(ii) display a primary game upon placement of a wager, wherein said second primary game is associated with a second, different average expected payback percentage, and

(iii) if a second cashout input is received via the second gaming device cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the second credit balance;

wherein upon an occurrence of an equalizing unit accumulation event, if a player is placing a first wager amount to play the first gaming device, said controller is configured to;

(a) determine a first quantity of equalizing units to accumulate, wherein said equalizing units are independent of any wagered credits, independent of any promotional credits and independent of any player tracking points, and said first quantity of equalizing units is based, at least in part, on the first average expected payback percentage associated with the primary game of the first gaming device, and

(b) communicate information based on the determined first quantity of equalizing units to the first gaming device, wherein the determined first quantity of equalizing units is displayable; and

wherein upon the occurrence of the equalizing unit accumulation event, if the player is placing the first wager amount to play the second gaming device, said controller is configured to;

(i) determine a second, different quantity of equalizing units to accumulate, wherein said second quantity of equalizing units is based, at least in part, on the second average expected payback percentage associated with the second primary game of the second gaming device, and

(ii) communicate information based on the determined second quantity of equalizing units to the second gaming device, wherein the determined second quantity of equalizing units is displayable.

2. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs based on at least one selected from the group consisting of an amount of wagers placed, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

3. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the quantity of equalizing units to accumulate is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of wagers placed, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

4. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs independent of any displayed events in any plays of said primary games.

5. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein the quantity of equalizing units to accumulate is based on player tracking information.

6. The gaming system of claim 1, wherein different quantities of equalizing units are redeemable for different award opportunities.

7. The gaming system of claim 6, wherein:

a first award opportunity is associated with a first average expected payout said first award opportunity associated with a first quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for a play of said first award opportunity, wherein said first quantity of equalizing units is based on the first average expected payout and at least part of the first quantity of equalizing units are accumulated independent of any outcome generated in any game played, and

a second award opportunity game is associated with a second average expected payout, said second award opportunity associated with a second quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for a play of said second award opportunity, wherein said second quantity of equalizing units is based on the second average expected payout and at least part of the second quantity of equalizing units are accumulated independent of any outcome generated in any game played.

8. A gaming system comprising:

a controller; and

at least one gaming device configured to communicate with the controller, said at least one gaming device including;

a plurality of input devices including an acceptor and a cashout 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 plurality of input devices to

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item,

(b) display a first game associated with a first average expected payout, said first game associated with a first quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for a play of said first game, wherein said equalizing units are independent of any wagered credits, independent of any promotional credits and independent of any player tracking points and said first quantity of equalizing units is based on the first average expected payout and at least part of the first quantity of equalizing units are accumulated independent of any outcome generated in any game played,

(c) display a second game associated with a second average expected payout, said second game associated with a second quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for a play of said second game, wherein said second quantity of equalizing units is based on the second average expected payout and at least part of the second quantity of equalizing units are accumulated independent of any outcome generated in any game played, and

(d) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

9. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the first game and the second game have the save average expected payouts.

10. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein a configuration of the first game is identical to a configuration of the second game.

11. The gaming system of claim 8, the first game and the second game have different average expected payouts such that the quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for the play of said first game is different than the quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for the play of said second game.

12. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the average expected payout for the first game is based, at least in part, on a wager placed on the first game and an average expected payback percentage associated with the first game.

13. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein the average expected payout for the second game is based, at least in part, on a wager placed on the second game and an average expected payback percentage associated with the second game.

14. The gaming system of claim 8, wherein said equalizing units are accumulated upon an occurrence of an equalizing unit accumulation event.

15. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

at an amount of wagers placed, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

16. The gaming system of claim 14, wherein when executed by the at least one processor upon the occurrence of the equalizing unit accumulation event, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to determine a quantity of equalizing units to accumulate for a player, wherein the determined quantity of equalizing units is based on an amount of credits wagered and an average expected payback percentage such that a same designated amount of credits wagered results in two different quantities of equalizing units to accumulate when two average expected payout percentages are different.

17. A gaming system comprising:

a plurality of input devices including an acceptor and a cashout device;

at least one display device configured to at least display;

(i) a first game associated with a first average expected payout, said first game associated with a first quantity of equalizing units required to play said first game, wherein said equalizing units are independent of any wagered credits, independent of any promotional credits and independent of any player tracking points and said first quantity of equalizing units is based on the first average expected payout, and

(ii) a second game associated with a second average expected payout, said second game associated with a second quantity of equalizing units required to play said second game, wherein said second quantity of equalizing units is based on the second average expected payout; and

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

(a) if a physical item is received via the acceptor, establish a credit balance based, at least in part, on a monetary value associated with the received physical item,

(b) display the first quantity of equalizing units required for a play of the first game and the second quantity of equalizing units required for a play of the second game,

(c) if a quantity of accumulated equalizing units is greater than the first quantity of equalizing units;

(i) enable a player to redeem the first quantity of equalizing units in exchange for the play of the first game, and

(ii) if the player redeems the first quantity of equalizing units;

(A) deduct the first quantity of equalizing units from the accumulated quantity of equalizing units, and

(B) provide the player any award in association with the play of the first game,

(d) if the accumulated quantity of equalizing units is greater than the second quantity of equalizing units;

(i) enable the player to redeem the second quantity of equalizing units in exchange for the play of the second game, and

(ii) if the player redeems the second quantity of equalizing units;

(A) deduct the second quantity of equalizing units from the quantity of accumulated equalizing units, and

(B) provide the player any award in association with the play of the second game, and

(e) if a cashout input is received via the cashout device, cause an initiation of any payout associated with the credit balance.

18. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the first game and the second game have the save average expected payouts.

19. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein a configuration of the first game is identical to a configuration of the second game.

20. The gaming system of claim 17, the first game and the second game have different average expected payouts such that the quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for the play of said first game is different than the quantity of equalizing units required to be redeemed in exchange for the play of said second game.

21. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the average expected payout for the first game is based, at least in part, on a wager placed on the first game and an average expected payback percentage associated with the first game.

22. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the average expected payout for the second game is based, at least in part, on a wager placed on the second game and an average expected payback percentage associated with the second game.

23. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein the quantity of accumulated equalizing units is based on player tracking information.

24. The gaming system of claim 23, wherein the quantity of accumulated equalizing units is based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of wagers placed, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

25. The gaming system of claim 17, wherein said equalizing units are accumulated upon an occurrence of an equalizing unit accumulation event.

26. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of wagers placed, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

27. The gaming system of claim 25, wherein when executed by the at least one processor upon the occurrence of the equalizing unit accumulation event, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to determine a quantity of equalizing units to accumulate for the player, wherein the determined quantity of equalizing units is based on an amount of credits wagered and an average expected payback percentage such that a same designated amount of credits wagered results in two different quantities of equalizing units to accumulate when two average expected payout percentages are different.

28. A gaming system server comprising:

at least one memory device; and

at least one processor configured to communicate with each of a plurality of gaming devices, wherein for each of the plurality of gaming devices, said at least one processor is configured to;

(a) receive data based on an identity of a player at said gaming device;

(b) receive data based on an amount of credits wagered by the identified player at said gaming device, wherein a credit balance of said gaming device is decreasable based on the amount of credits wagered by the identified player, said credit balance being increasable via an acceptor of a physical item associated with a monetary value, and said credit balance being decreasable via a cashout device;

(c) determine a quantity of equalizing units to accumulate for the identified player, wherein said equalizing units are independent of said credits wagered, independent of any promotional credits and independent of any player tracking points, and the determined quantity of equalizing units is based on the amount of credits wagered and the average expected payback percentage for said gaming device such that a same designated amount of credits wagered at two of said gaming devices results in two different quantities of equalizing units to accumulate when said two gaming devices are associated with different average expected payout percentages and said accumulated equalizing units are in addition to any credits provided based on any generated outcomes; and

(d) communicate data based on the determined quantity of equalizing units to accumulate to said gaming device, wherein said quantity of equalizing units are displayable to the identified player.

29. The gaming system server of claim 28, wherein the quantity of equalizing units to accumulate is determined upon an occurrence of an equalizing unit accumulation event.

30. The gaming system server of claim 29, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of credits wagered, an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

31. The gaming system server of claim 29, wherein the equalizing unit accumulation event occurs independent of any displayed events in any plays of any primary games.

32. The gaming system server of claim 28, wherein the quantity of equalizing units to accumulate is further based on at least one selected from the group consisting of:

an amount of awards provided, a generation of a symbol, a quantity of primary games played, an amount of time of game play, an occurrence of a designated threshold reached, a wager level, a length of time, a length of time after a designated amount is wagered, and a number of active gaming devices.

33. The gaming system server of claim 28, wherein the quantity of equalizing units to accumulate is further based on player tracking information.

34. The gaming system server of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor is configured to determine a quantity of player tracking points to accumulate for the identified player.

35. The gaming system server of claim 34, wherein the at least one processor is configured to communicate data based on the determined quantity of player tracking points to accumulate to said gaming device to display.

36. The gaming system server of claim 34, wherein each player tracking point is accumulated at a designated basis for each credit wagered without regard to an average expected payback percentage for said gaming device.

37. The gaming system server of claim 28, wherein different quantities of equalizing units are redeemable for different award opportunities.