Patent ID: 8382586
Filing Date: 2013-02-26
Classification: G07F

Abstract:
1. A multi-site progressive processing method for providing an opportunity to win a progressive prize using a progressive processing system, wherein the progressive processing system includes one or more gaming machines connected to a server, and wherein the progressive processing method has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate, the progressive processing method comprising: funding a progressive prize using non-gaming funds; selecting how many properties are incorporated into the multi-site progressive prize opportunity; receiving a selectable targeted progressive prize value that is selectable by an administrator before a progressive game is initiated; receiving a selectable targeted progressive prize time, which is a theoretical average time when the progressive prize is awarded, and that is selectable by an administrator before a progressive game is initiated; using one or more enticement factors including an erratic movement enticement factor to determine the progressive prize value 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 increase and decrease 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; determining when the progressive prize is triggered at a random time during a progressive processing bonus period by using a random number generation algorithm that tests to determine if there is a progressive prize win at each time slice, which is calculated from the selectable targeted progressive prize time, before selecting one or more winners of the progressive prize; halting the growing progressive prize value when the trigger time has been reached; notifying a winners application that it is time to select one or more random winners from among eligible players; randomly selecting one or more winners based upon criteria in the winners application using a server of the progressive processing system; and sending the progressive prize to one or more winners' player account or to an awarding marketing location.