Patent ID: 9311779
Filing Date: 2016-04-12
CPC Classification: G07F

Claim Text:
1. A multi-site progressive processing method for providing an opportunity to win a progressive prize using a progressive processing system, wherein the progressive prize has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate, the progressive processing method comprising: selecting how many properties are incorporated into the multi-site progressive prize opportunity; connecting a plurality of gaming machines at respective selected properties via a communication network, the plurality of gaming machines being eligible to award the progressive prize; detecting, via an input device of at least one of the plurality of gaming machines, a physical item associated with a monetary value that establishes a credit balance; receiving inputs from active players initiating wagering games at the plurality of gaming machines including an input indicative of a wager drawn from the credit balance; selecting a selectable targeted progressive prize value; selecting a selectable targeted progressive prize time, which is a theoretical average time when the progressive prize is awarded; determining, via at least one of one or more controllers of the progressive processing system, one or more enticement factors including an erratic movement enticement factor to determine the progressive prize growth rate, wherein the erratic movement enticement factor contributes erratic movement to the progressive prize value growth rate that causes the progressive growth rate to erratically move in a+/−5% range, and wherein the progressive prize growth rate is determined using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and the one or more enticement factors; incrementing, via at least one of the one or more controllers, the progressive prize value in accordance with the progressive prize growth rate during a progressive processing bonus period; determining, via at least one of the one or more controllers, when the progressive prize is triggered during the progressive processing bonus period using a random number generation algorithm, and freezing the progressive prize value; and randomly selecting, via at least one of the one or more controllers, one or more winners from the active players at the plurality of gaming machines, the one or more winners receiving respective awards based on the frozen progressive prize value.