Method and apparatus for promoting play on a network of gaming devices

• US 20030148807A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 08/07/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Acres Gaming Incorporated (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Acres, John
• Granted Patent: US 6,910,964 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

A method and apparatus for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices is described. A percentage of a wager played on each gaming device is accumulated into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server. The bonus pool is compared to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes. One of the gaming devices is selected when the threshold value is substantially met. A bonus prize funded by the bonus pool is awarded to the selected gaming device.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a bonusing promotion system using a bonus server interconnected to a plurality of gaming devices, comprising the steps of:

accumulating a percentage of a wager played on each gaming device into a bonus pool stored on the bonus server;

comparing the bonus pool to a threshold value stored on the bonus server each time the bonus pool changes;

selecting one of the gaming devices when the threshold value is substantially met; and

awarding a bonus prize funded by the bonus pool to the selected gaming device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of accumulating further comprises the steps of:

recording the wager on a meter on each gaming device;

receiving a meter reading on the bonus server from the meter on each gaming device;

comparing the meter reading to a meter reading previously received from the gaming device to form a delta value; and

determining the percentage of the wager based on the delta value for each gaming device and adding the percentage to the bonus pool.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein the step of receiving a meter reading further comprises the step of:

receiving the meter reading from each of the gaming devices at substantially regular time intervals.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of selecting one of the gaming devices further comprises the steps of:

choosing one of the gaming devices at random.

5. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

accumulating a further percentage of a wager played on each gaming device into a hidden bonus pool stored on the bonus server.

6. A method according to claim 5, further comprising the steps of:

rolling the hidden pool over into the bonus pool after the step of awarding.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

generating an anticipation message after the step of comparing when the bonus pool is within a predetermined count from the threshold value, the predetermined count representing a number of wagers required by the bonus pool to substantially meet the threshold value.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of:

generating an award message for receipt by the gaming devices after the step of generating an anticipation message.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein the step of generating an award message further comprises the steps of:

locking the gaming devices from further game play;

providing a visual indicator on the gaming devices; and

providing an audible indicator on the gaming devices.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

sending a win message to a bank controller interposed between the bonus server and the gaming devices.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of:

activating a visual display on the bank controller responsive to receipt of the win message.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising the step of:

activating a sound bank on the bank controller responsive to receipt of the win message.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

monitoring wagering activity frequency on each gaming device; and

selecting those of the gaming devices with such a wagering activity frequency exceeding a predefined frequency as eligible to win the bonus prize.

14. A method of operating gaming devices interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:

permitting players to play the gaming devices;

paying to each device in accordance with a pay table stored in the device;

selecting one of the gaming devices for a bonus;

indicating to the player of the selected device that the device is selected; and

paying the bonus at the device responsive to a player-generated input to the gaming device.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said method further includes:

establishing a predetermined minimum level of gaming device play;

detecting wagers made at each of the gaming devices;

initiating a bonus period during which gaming devices that exceed the minimum level are eligible to be paid the bonus and gaming devices which do not exceed the minimum level are not eligible for the bonus.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein initiating a bonus period comprises transmitting a command over the network to the gaming devices.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said method further comprises:

using the network to track the amount of money played on the selected gaming devices; and

allocating a predetermined percentage played to a bonus pool.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the bonus period is initiated after the bonus pool exceeds a predetermined level.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein indicating to the player of the selected device that the device is selected comprises transmitting a pay command from the host computer over the network.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said method further comprises:

storing data defining the predetermined minimum level of gaming device play in a memory at the gaming device; and

comparing the level of gaming device play with the stored data.

21. The method of claim 15 wherein said method further includes indicating to a player of the gaming device whether or not the gaming device is eligible to be paid a bonus.

22. A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:

permitting play to occur at the machines;

operating a player-tracking system on the network;

determining which players are tracked;

predefining a bonus that is payable only to a tracked player; and

paying the bonus to one of the tracked players.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said method further comprises establishing a predefined criterion for the bonus that is payable only to a tracked player.

24. The method of claim 23 wherein paying the bonus to one of the tracked players comprises paying the bonus when the predefined criterion is met.

25. The method of claim 22 wherein determining which players are tracked comprises determining which machines have a player-tracking card inserted into an associated card reader.

26. The method of claim 22 wherein paying the bonus to one of the tracked players comprises paying the bonus via the tracked player'"'"'s gaming machine.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein paying the bonus via the tracked player'"'"'s gaming machine comprises sending a signal over the network to the tracked player'"'"'s gaming machine.

28. The method of claim 22 wherein said method further comprises paying all players pursuant to a pay table in each gaming machine.