Progressive wagering system

• US 6,435,968 B1
• Filed: 10/27/2000
• Issued: 08/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lawrence J. Torango
• Original Assignee: Lawrence J. Torango
• Inventors: Torango, Lawrence J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cheng, Joe H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/698,941
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 463/27, 463/13, 463/12, 463/25, 463/26, 463/29, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 273/274, 273/203, 273/3.VY, 273/142.R, 273/410, 273/453
• US Class Current: 463/27
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/0017 progressive jackpot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/081 electric
• 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 linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.

Claims

1. A free play apparatus in communication with at least one gaming device and in communication with a central system, the free play apparatus being adapted to participate in at least one linked progressive prize, the free play apparatus comprising:

(A) means for communicating with the central system;

(B) means for monitoring the gaming device and detecting play;

(C) means for dividing a total wager amount for a progressive prize by a wager amount to obtain a maximum random number range;

(D) means for generating a random number within the maximum random number range;

(E) means for determining that a prize award event has occurred if the random number is a predetermined prize winning number.

2. The free play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for communicating with said central system comprises a gaming environment manager for facilitating communication between the free play apparatus and said central system.

3. The free play apparatus of claim 1 wherein said means for communicating with said central system comprises a device driver, said device driver being adapted to qualify data according to at least one event.

4. A method of operating a free play apparatus, the free play apparatus being in communication with a gaming device, comprising the following steps:

(A) detecting initiation of play on the gaming device;

(B) detecting a wager amount wagered in the gaming device;

(C) dividing a total wager amount for a progressive prize by the wager amount to obtain a maximum random number range;

(D) generating a random number within the maximum random number range; and

(E) determining that a prize award event has occurred if the random number is a predetermined prize winning number.

5. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of disabling the gaming device when a prize award event has occurred.

6. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of notifying the player that a prize award event has occurred.

7. The method of claim 4 further comprising the step of notifying the central system when a prize award event has occurred.