Patent Publication Number: US-8535147-B2

Title: Gaming system having progressive jackpots flexibly linked with common progressive pool

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE To RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/597,316, titled “Gaming System Having Progressive Jackpots Flexibly Linked With Common Progressive Pool” and filed Oct. 23, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,251,804 now allowed, which is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/US2008/005025, titled “Gaming System Having Progressive Jackpots Flexibly Linked With Common Progressive Pool” and filed Apr. 18, 2008, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/925,835, titled “Gaming System Having Progressive Jackpots Flexibly Linked With Common Progressive Pool” and filed on Apr. 23, 2007, each of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     COPYRIGHT 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to gaming machines, and methods for playing wagering games, and more particularly, to a gaming system having progressive jackpots flexibly linked with at least one common progressive pool. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Gaming machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines with players is dependent on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Therefore, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to continuously develop new games and improved gaming enhancements that will attract frequent play through enhanced entertainment value to the player. 
     One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is the concept of a “secondary” or “bonus” game that may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome in the basic game. Generally, bonus games provide a greater expectation of winning than the basic game and may also be accompanied with more attractive or unusual video displays and/or audio. Bonus games may additionally award players with “progressive jackpot” awards that are funded, at least in part, by a percentage of coin-in from the gaming machine or a plurality of participating gaming machines. Because the bonus game concept offers tremendous advantages in player appeal and excitement relative to other known games, and because such games are attractive to both players and operators, there is a continuing need to develop gaming systems with new types of bonus games to satisfy the demands of players and operators. 
     Traditionally, gaming machines employing progressive jackpots utilize discreet progressive jackpot systems for one or more groups of gaming machines. For example, a first group of gaming machines may be configured to contribute to a first progressive jackpot, while a second group of gaming machines may be configured to contribute to a second progressive jackpot. The two systems traditionally operate independently such that if the first progressive jackpot is triggered, one of the gaming machines in the first group receives the jackpot award and the first progressive jackpot is reset. The gaming machines in the second group, and the second progressive jackpot are unaffected. One problem that arises with such a configuration is that the independently operated progressive jackpot systems are not coordinated and therefore require longer periods of time to amass large jackpots to be awarded. This dilemma in turn causes lower frequency of jackpot triggering events, thereby diminishing from the excitement and enjoyment of the gaming system. Another problem arises is that even traditional progressive systems which offer multi-level progressive awards fail to adequately entertain and cause excitement amongst players, often only awarding the lowest level progressive award. The present invention is directed to solving these and other problems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system includes at least one memory device storing instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the gaming system to receive wagers in response to inputs via at least one input device, and increment one or more first progressive jackpots by respective individual increment amounts totaling a total increment amount. One or more second progressive jackpots are incremented by respective individual increment amounts totaling the total increment amount, the total increment amount being based on the received wagers. In response to a triggering event awarding at least one of the first progressive jackpots, the awarded first progressive jackpot is reset to its reset value and the individual increment amount for the awarded first progressive jackpot is deducted from at least one of the second progressive jackpots. 
     According to another aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method in a gaming system includes receiving wagers in response to inputs via at least one input device, and displaying on at least one display device one or more first progressive jackpots and one or more second progressive jackpots. The method further includes incrementing, by one or more processors, one or more of the first progressive jackpots by respective individual increment amounts totaling a total increment amount. One or more of the second progressive jackpots are incremented, by at least one of the one or more processors, by respective individual increment amounts totaling the total increment amount, the total increment amount being based on the received wagers. In response to a triggering event awarding at least one of the first progressive jackpots, the awarded first progressive jackpot is reset, by at least one of the one or more processors, to its reset value and the individual increment amount for the awarded first progressive jackpot is deducted from at least one of the second progressive jackpots. 
     According to yet another aspect of the invention, one or more machine-readable non-transitory storage media include instructions which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform a plurality of operations. The operations include receiving wagers in response to inputs via at least one input device, and incrementing one or more first progressive jackpots by respective individual increment amounts totaling a total increment amount. One or more second progressive jackpots are incremented by respective individual increment amounts totaling the total increment amount, the total increment amount being based on the received wagers. In response to a triggering event awarding at least one of the first progressive jackpots, the awarded first progressive jackpot is reset to its reset value and the individual increment amount for the awarded first progressive jackpot is deducted from at least one of the second progressive jackpots. 
     Additional aspects of the invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1   a  is a perspective view of a free standing gaming machine embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 1   b  is a perspective view of a handheld gaming machine embodying the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a block diagram of a control system suitable for operating the gaming machines of  FIGS. 1   a  and  1   b;    
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a plurality of traditional independent progressive systems; 
         FIG. 4  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a progressive wagering system flexibly linked to a common progressive pool; and 
         FIG. 5   a  is a flow chart illustrating a first link configuration of an example of operation of the progressive wagering system of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5   b  is a flow chart illustrating a second link configuration of the example of operation of the progressive wagering system of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5   c  is a flow chart illustrating a third link configuration of the example of operation of the progressive wagering system of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 5   d  is a flow chart illustrating a fourth link configuration of the example of operation of the progressive wagering system of  FIG. 4 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1   a , a gaming machine  10  is used in gaming establishments such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, the gaming machine  10  may be any type of gaming machine and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the gaming machine  10  may be an electromechanical gaming machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. 
     The gaming machine  10  comprises a housing  12  and includes input devices, including a value input device  18  and a player input device  24 . For output the gaming machine  10  includes a primary display  14  for displaying information about the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The gaming machine  10  may also include a secondary display  16  for displaying game events, game outcomes, and/or signage information. While these typical components found in the gaming machine  10  are described below, it should be understood that numerous other elements may exist and may be used in any number of combinations to create various forms of a gaming machine  10 . 
     The value input device  18  may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination, and is preferably located on the front of the housing  12 . The value input device  18  receives currency and/or credits that are inserted by a player. The value input device  18  may include a coin acceptor  20  for receiving coin currency (see  FIG. 1   a ). Alternatively, or in addition, the value input device  18  may include a bill acceptor  22  for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input device  18  may include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming machine  10 . 
     The player input device  24  comprises a plurality of push buttons  26  on a button panel for operating the gaming machine  10 . In addition, or alternatively, the player input device  24  may comprise a touch screen  28  mounted by adhesive, tape, or the like over the primary display  14  and/or secondary display  16 . The touch screen  28  contains soft touch keys  30  denoted by graphics on the underlying primary display  14  and used to operate the gaming machine  10 . The touch screen  28  provides players with an alternative method of input. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen  28  at an appropriate touch key  30  or by pressing an appropriate push button  26  on the button panel. The touch keys  30  may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons  26 . Alternatively, the push buttons  26  may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys  30  may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. 
     The various components of the gaming machine  10  may be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing  12 , as seen in  FIG. 1   a , or may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the housing  12  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. Thus, the gaming machine  10  comprises these components whether housed in the housing  12 , or outboard of the housing  12  and connected remotely. 
     The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the primary display  14 . The primary display  14  can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display  14  may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the gaming machine  10 . As shown, the primary display  14  includes the touch screen  28  overlaying the entire display (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the primary display  14  of the gaming machine  10  may include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome in visual association with at least one payline  32 . In the illustrated embodiment, the gaming machine  10  is an “upright” version in which the primary display  14  is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the gaming machine may be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display  14  is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the gaming machine  10 . 
     A player begins play of the basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device  18  of the gaming machine  10 . A player can select play by using the player input device  24 , via the buttons  26  or the touch screen keys  30 . The basic game consists of a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline  32  that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly-selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game. 
     In some embodiments, the gaming machine  10  may also include a player information reader  52  that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. The player information reader  52  is shown in  FIG. 1   a  as a card reader, but may take on many forms including a ticket reader, bar code scanner, and RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. Currently, identification is generally used by casinos for rewarding certain players with complimentary services or special offers. For example, a player may be enrolled in the gaming establishment&#39;s loyalty club and may be awarded certain complimentary services as that player collects points in his or her player-tracking account. The player inserts his or her card into the player information reader  52 , which allows the casino&#39;s computers to register that player&#39;s wagering at the gaming machine  10 . The gaming machine  10  may use the secondary display  16  or other dedicated player-tracking display for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. Also, in some embodiments, the information reader  52  may be used to restore game assets that the player achieved and saved during a previous game session. 
     Depicted in FIG. lb is a handheld or mobile gaming machine  110 . Like the free standing gaming machine  10 , the handheld gaming machine  110  is preferably an electronic gaming machine configured to play a video casino game such as, but not limited to, blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, and roulette. The handheld gaming machine  110  comprises a housing or casing  112  and includes input devices, including a value input device  118  and a player input device  124 . For output the handheld gaming machine  110  includes, but is not limited to, a primary display  114 , a secondary display  116 , one or more speakers  117 , one or more player-accessible ports  119  (e.g., an audio output jack for headphones, a video headset jack, etc.), and other conventional I/O devices and ports, which may or may not be player-accessible. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1   b , the handheld gaming machine  110  comprises a secondary display  116  that is rotatable relative to the primary display  114 . The optional secondary display  116  may be fixed, movable, and/or detachable/attachable relative to the primary display  114 . Either the primary display  114  and/or secondary display  116  may be configured to display any aspect of a non-wagering game, wagering game, secondary games, bonus games, progressive wagering games, group games, shared-experience games or events, game events, game outcomes, scrolling information, text messaging, emails, alerts or announcements, broadcast information, subscription information, and handheld gaming machine status. 
     The player-accessible value input device  118  may comprise, for example, a slot located on the front, side, or top of the casing  112  configured to receive credit from a stored-value card (e.g., casino card, smart card, debit card, credit card, etc.) inserted by a player. In another aspect, the player-accessible value input device  118  may comprise a sensor (e.g., an RF sensor) configured to sense a signal (e.g., an RF signal) output by a transmitter (e.g., an RF transmitter) carried by a player. The player-accessible value input device  118  may also or alternatively include a ticket reader, or barcode scanner, for reading information stored on a credit ticket, a card, or other tangible portable credit or funds storage device. The credit ticket or card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the handheld gaming machine  110 . 
     Still other player-accessible value input devices  118  may require the use of touch keys  130  on the touch-screen display (e.g., primary display  114  and/or secondary display  116 ) or player input devices  124 . Upon entry of player identification information and, preferably, secondary authorization information (e.g., a password, PIN number, stored value card number, predefined key sequences, etc.), the player may be permitted to access a player&#39;s account. As one potential optional security feature, the handheld gaming machine  110  may be configured to permit a player to only access an account the player has specifically set up for the handheld gaming machine  110 . Other conventional security features may also be utilized to, for example, prevent unauthorized access to a player&#39;s account, to minimize an impact of any unauthorized access to a player&#39;s account, or to prevent unauthorized access to any personal information or funds temporarily stored on the handheld gaming machine  110 . 
     The player-accessible value input device  118  may itself comprise or utilize a biometric player information reader which permits the player to access available funds on a player&#39;s account, either alone or in combination with another of the aforementioned player-accessible value input devices  118 . In an embodiment wherein the player-accessible value input device  118  comprises a biometric player information reader, transactions such as an input of value to the handheld device, a transfer of value from one player account or source to an account associated with the handheld gaming machine  110 , or the execution of another transaction, for example, could all be authorized by a biometric reading, which could comprise a plurality of biometric readings, from the biometric device. 
     Alternatively, to enhance security, a transaction may be optionally enabled only by a two-step process in which a secondary source confirms the identity indicated by a primary source. For example, a player-accessible value input device  118  comprising a biometric player information reader may require a confirmatory entry from another biometric player information reader  152 , or from another source, such as a credit card, debit card, player ID card, fob key, PIN number, password, hotel room key, etc. Thus, a transaction may be enabled by, for example, a combination of the personal identification input (e.g., biometric input) with a secret PIN number, or a combination of a biometric input with a fob input, or a combination of a fob input with a PIN number, or a combination of a credit card input with a biometric input. Essentially, any two independent sources of identity, one of which is secure or personal to the player (e.g., biometric readings, PIN number, password, etc.) could be utilized to provide enhanced security prior to the electronic transfer of any funds. In another aspect, the value input device  118  may be provided remotely from the handheld gaming machine  110 . 
     The player input device  124  comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel for operating the handheld gaming machine  110 . In addition, or alternatively, the player input device  124  may comprise a touch screen mounted to a primary display  114  and/or secondary display  116 . In one aspect, the touch screen is matched to a display screen having one or more selectable touch keys  130  selectable by a user&#39;s touching of the associated area of the screen using a finger or a tool, such as a stylus pointer. A player enables a desired function either by touching the touch screen at an appropriate touch key  130  or by pressing an appropriate push button  126  on the button panel. The touch keys  130  may be used to implement the same functions as push buttons  126 . Alternatively, the push buttons may provide inputs for one aspect of the operating the game, while the touch keys  130  may allow for input needed for another aspect of the game. The various components of the handheld gaming machine  110  may be connected directly to, or contained within, the casing  112 , as seen in  FIG. 1   b , or may be located outboard of the casing  112  and connected to the casing  112  via a variety of hardwired (tethered) or wireless connection methods. Thus, the handheld gaming machine  110  may comprise a single unit or a plurality of interconnected parts (e.g., wireless connections) which may be arranged to suit a player&#39;s preferences. 
     The operation of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine  110  is displayed to the player on the primary display  114 . The primary display  114  can also display the bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display  114  preferably takes the form of a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, an LED, or any other type of display suitable for use in the handheld gaming machine  110 . The size of the primary display  114  may vary from, for example, about a 2-3″ display to a 15″ or 17″ display. In at least some aspects, the primary display  114  is a 7″-10″ display. As the weight of and/or power requirements of such displays decreases with improvements in technology, it is envisaged that the size of the primary display may be increased. Optionally, coatings or removable films or sheets may be applied to the display to provide desired characteristics (e.g., anti-scratch, anti-glare, bacterially-resistant and anti-microbial films, etc.). In at least some embodiments, the primary display  114  and/or secondary display  116  may have a 16:9 aspect ratio or other aspect ratio (e.g., 4:3). The primary display  114  and/or secondary display  116  may also each have different resolutions, different color schemes, and different aspect ratios. 
     As with the free standing gaming machine  10 , a player begins play of the basic wagering game on the handheld gaming machine  110  by making a wager (e.g., via the value input device  18  or an assignment of credits stored on the handheld gaming machine via the touch screen keys  130 , player input device  124 , or buttons  126 ) on the handheld gaming machine  110 . In at least some aspects, the basic game may comprise a plurality of symbols arranged in an array, and includes at least one payline  132  that indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes are randomly selected in response to the wagering input by the player. At least one of the plurality of randomly selected outcomes may be a start-bonus outcome, which can include any variations of symbols or symbol combinations triggering a bonus game. 
     In some embodiments, the player-accessible value input device  118  of the handheld gaming machine  110  may double as a player information reader  152  that allows for identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating the player&#39;s identity (e.g., reading a player&#39;s credit card, player ID card, smart card, etc.). The player information reader  152  may alternatively or also comprise a bar code scanner, RFID transceiver or computer readable storage medium interface. In one presently preferred aspect, the player information reader  152 , shown by way of example in  FIG. 1   b , comprises a biometric sensing device. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the various components of the gaming machine  10  are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)  34 , also referred to herein as a controller or processor (such as a microcontroller or microprocessor). To provide gaming functions, the controller  34  executes one or more game programs stored in a computer readable storage medium, in the form of memory  36 . The controller  34  performs the random selection (using a random number generator (RNG)) of an outcome from the plurality of possible outcomes of the wagering game. Alternatively, the random event may be determined at a remote controller. The remote controller may use either an RNG or pooling scheme for its central determination of a game outcome. It should be appreciated that the controller  34  may include one or more microprocessors, including but not limited to a master processor, a slave processor, and a secondary or parallel processor. 
     The controller  34  is also coupled to the system memory  36  and a money/credit detector  38 . The system memory  36  may comprise a volatile memory (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory (e.g., an EEPROM). The system memory  36  may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. The money/credit detector  38  signals the processor that money and/or credits have been input via the value input device  18 . Preferably, these components are located within the housing  12  of the gaming machine  10 . However, as explained above, these components may be located outboard of the housing  12  and connected to the remainder of the components of the gaming machine  10  via a variety of different wired or wireless connection methods. 
     As seen in  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  is also connected to, and controls, the primary display  14 , the player input device  24 , and a payoff mechanism  40 . The payoff mechanism  40  is operable in response to instructions from the controller  34  to award a payoff to the player in response to certain winning outcomes that might occur in the basic game or the bonus game(s). The payoff may be provided in the form of points, bills, tickets, coupons, cards, etc. For example, in  FIG. 1   a , the payoff mechanism  40  includes both a ticket printer  42  and a coin outlet  44 . However, any of a variety of payoff mechanisms  40  well known in the art may be implemented, including cards, coins, tickets, smartcards, cash, etc. The payoff amounts distributed by the payoff mechanism  40  are determined by one or more pay tables stored in the system memory  36 . 
     Communications between the controller  34  and both the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  and external systems  50  occur through input/output (I/O) circuits  46 ,  48 . More specifically, the controller  34  controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming machine  10  through the input/output circuits  46 . Further, the controller  34  communicates with the external systems  50  via the I/O circuits  48  and a communication path (e.g., serial, parallel, IR, RC, 10bT, etc.). The external systems  50  may include a gaming network, other gaming machines, a gaming server, communications hardware, or a variety of other interfaced systems or components. Although the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that each of the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. 
     Controller  34 , as used herein, comprises any combination of hardware, software, and/or firmware that may be disposed or resident inside and/or outside of the gaming machine  10  that may communicate with and/or control the transfer of data between the gaming machine  10  and a bus, another computer, processor, or device and/or a service and/or a network. The controller  34  may comprise one or more controllers or processors. In  FIG. 2 , the controller  34  in the gaming machine  10  is depicted as comprising a CPU, but the controller  34  may alternatively comprise a CPU in combination with other components, such as the I/O circuits  46 ,  48  and the system memory  36 . The controller  34  may reside partially or entirely inside or outside of the machine  10 . The control system for a handheld gaming machine  110  may be similar to the control system for the free standing gaming machine  10  except that the functionality of the respective on-board controllers may vary. 
     The gaming machines  10 , 110  may communicate with external systems  50  (in a wired or wireless manner) such that each machine operates as a “thin client,” having relatively less functionality, a “thick client,” having relatively more functionality, or through any range of functionality there between. As a generally “thin client,” the gaming machine may operate primarily as a display device to display the results of gaming outcomes processed externally, for example, on a server as part of the external systems  50 . In this “thin client” configuration, the server executes game code and determines game outcomes (e.g., with a random number generator), while the controller  34  on board the gaming machine processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. In an alternative “thicker client” configuration, the server determines game outcomes, while the controller  34  on board the gaming machine executes game code and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machines. In yet another alternative “thick client” configuration, the controller  34  on board the gaming machine  110  executes game code, determines game outcomes, and processes display information to be displayed on the display(s) of the machine. Numerous alternative configurations are possible such that the aforementioned and other functions may be performed onboard or external to the gaming machine as may be necessary for particular applications. It should be understood that the gaming machines  10 , 110  may take on a wide variety of forms such as a free standing machine, a portable or handheld device primarily used for gaming, a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telephone or personal daily assistant (PDA), a counter top or bar top gaming machine, or other personal electronic device such as a portable television, MP3 player, entertainment device, etc. 
     Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a plurality of traditional progressive wagering systems  300   a,b,c,d  are diagrammed. Each of the progressive systems  300   a - d  plays a separate and distinct progressive wagering game  360   a,b,c,d . Thus, the four systems  300   a - d  may have wagering games  360   a - d  that may differ in theme, appearance, gameplay, betting structure, and may include any variety of mechanical, electromechanical or video displayed elements. Each progressive wagering system  300   a - d  is connected with a plurality of gaming machines or gaming devices  310 . The first system  300   a  includes three gaming machines  310   a,b,c . The second system  300   b  includes three gaming machines  310   d,e,f . The third system  300   c  includes three gaming machines  310   g,h,i . The fourth system  300   d  also includes three gaming machines  310   j,k,l.    
     As seen in  FIG. 3 , each of the gaming machines are connected to only one of the four systems  300   a,b,c,d . In this way, the gaming machines  310   a,b,c  of the first system  300   a  are separate, not connected with, and not in communication with the gaming machines  310   d - l  of the other three systems  300   b,c,d . The gaming machines  310  of each system  300   a - d  are connected to separate controllers  334   a - d  of the system  300   a - d  via a network. Each controller  334   a - d  controls the execution of the progressive wagering game  360   a - d  played on that system  300   a - d . Wagers which are input into the first system  300   a  for play on one of the gaming machines  310   a,b,c  of the system  300   a  are used to fund the first progressive wagering game  360   a  of that system  300   a . However, since the systems  300   a - d  do not communicate with one another, none of the wager inputs in one system  300  are used to fund the games  360  of another system  300 . In this way, there is no commingling of wagers or coin in between systems  300   a - d.    
     In  FIG. 4 , a linked progressive system  400  is shown. The linked system  400  comprises a plurality of linked progressive gaming subsystems  402   a - d , a common progressive pool  470 , and at least one controller  434 . Each of the progressive gaming subsystems  402   a - d  comprises a plurality of gaming devices  410 . For example, a first progressive gaming subsystem  402   a  includes three gaming devices  410   a,b,c  which may be any combination of freestanding gaming machines (such as the one in  FIG. 1   a ), handheld gaming devices (such as the one in FIG. lb) or other wagering game devices. As described herein with reference to  FIGS. 1   a ,  1   b  and  2 , each gaming device  410  has an associated wager input device for funding play. Each progressive wagering subsystem  402   a - d  executes at least one progressive wagering game  460   a - d , which may be any variety of wagering game having at least one progressively increasing jackpot. The progressive wagering games  460   a - d  may include selection games, slot reel games, board games, competitions, group games, interactive games, or any other wagering game in which one or more of the awards or prizes are progressive jackpots. In addition, each of the gaming devices  410  may execute one or more basic wagering games that may be independent of the progressive wagering game  460   a - d  of the subsystem  402   a - d  to which the gaming device  410  is connected. 
     Each of the progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  further includes at least one meter  404   a - d  for displaying progressive jackpot information for the subsystem  402   a - d  to players. The various meters  404   a - d  display jackpot levels and current jackpot values, and may display other information as well. The meters  404   a - d  may be dynamically updated to show incremental increases or decreases in jackpot values. The meters  404   a - d  may be freestanding meters, or may be incorporated into other displays, such as the display of one or more of the gaming devices  410  of a particular subsystem  402   a - d , a community display which is used to display other information, such as the execution and gameplay of the associated progressive wagering game  460   a - d , or integrated with any other display. 
     The gaming subsystems  402   a - d  are in communication with the progressive pool  470  and the controller  434  via one or more networks which may comprise wired or wireless connections, or both. The progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  and the progressive pool  470  are under control of the controller  434 . The controller  434  may comprises a single controller in communication with the progressive pool  470 , or may comprise a plurality of controllers in communication with various parts of the system  400 , including the gaming devices  410 , the meters  404 , and the pool  470 . The controller  434  operates the transfer of money between the gaming machines  410  and the progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d.  As shown in  FIG. 4 , for all coin-in received by the system  400 , the controller  434  removes the corresponding increment (in this embodiment, 5% as seen in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d ), and deposits the increment generated into the progressive pool  470  for further disbursement. The controller  434  further updates the meters  402   a - d  of the various progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  to reflect the addition of the increment generated. The controller  434  monitors the play of the progressive wagering games  460   a - d , and when a jackpot triggering event occurs, the controller  434  operates to (i) award the triggered jackpot from the winning progressive subsystem  402   a - d  to the proper gaming device  410  in the system  400 , (ii) pull the appropriate increment amount from the remaining non-winning progressive subsystems  402   a - d,  (iii) update the meters of the winning progressive subsystem  402   a - d  by resetting the triggered jackpot to its reset value, and (iv) updating the meters  404   a - d  of the non-winning subsystems  402   a - d  by deducting or decrementing the pulled increment amount. This operation of the system  400  under control of the controller  434  is detailed further herein with relation to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d.    
     As seen in  FIG. 4 , the various progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  have differing numbers of progressive jackpots available to be won. A first subsystem  402   a  has only a single progressive jackpot (level  1 ), which has a reset value of $10,000. A second subsystem  402   b  has two levels of progressive jackpots, having reset values of $500 and $2,000. A third subsystem  402   c  has four levels of progressive jackpots having reset values of $10, $150, $1,000 and $5,000 respectively. A fourth subsystem  402   d  also has four levels of progressive jackpots having reset values of $20, $100, $800 and $2,000 respectively. Each of the gaming devices  410  within, or associated with, a particular progressive wagering subsystem  402   a - d  participates in the associated progressive wagering game  460   a - d , and is eligible to win the associated progressive jackpots displayed on the meter  404   a - d.    
     Thus, for example, a player at a gaming device  410   j  associated with the fourth progressive wagering subsystem  402   d  plays the fourth progressive wagering game  460   d  and is eligible to win any of the four jackpots displayed on the fourth meter  404   d . However, in an embodiment, that player is not eligible to win any of the jackpots displayed on the other three meters  404   a - c . Moreover, in an embodiment, the player can only play the progressive wagering game  460   d  associated with the progressive wagering subsystem  402   d  with which his gaming device  410   j  is associated, and is unable to play the progressive wagering games  460   a - c  of the other three subsystems  402   a - c . In this way, the various progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  may appear to a player to be independent of one another in that they execute differing wagering games  460   a - d , and the jackpots of each subsystem  402   a - d  are available only to players of gaming machines  410  associated with such subsystem  402   a - d.  However, the progressive subsystems  402   a - d  are linked as described herein. 
     The various progressive subsystems  402   a - d  may be arranged in a variety of ways. For example, the first subsystem  402   a  may be a progressive wagering game  460   a  played on a community display which is mounted above a bank of gaming devices including the three devices  410   a,b,c  of the subsystem  402   a . In another embodiment, the second subsystem  402   b,  for example, may be a progressive wagering game  460   b  where the meter  404   b  id displayed on the displays of the individual gaming devices  410   d,e,f , which may be handheld devices networked together to form the subsystem  402   b . In yet another embodiment, the third subsystem  402   c  may comprise a plurality of free standing gaming machines  410   g,h,i  each having a progressive jackpots displayed on a meter  404   c  comprising separate LED displays mounted on each device  410   g,h,i  even though the devices  410   g,h,i  are not physically located proximate one another. Thus, the physical embodiments of the described progressive subsystems  402   a - d  and the components thereof can take on many different forms. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d , an example of the operation of the linked progressive system  400  from  FIG. 4  is shown. In  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d , the four Progressive Link Configurations (or four “links”) correspond to the four progressive wagering subsystems  402   a - d  displaying the various progressive wagering games  460   a - d  from  FIG. 4 . Thus, the term “links” is used herein interchangeably or synonymously with “progressive wagering games” and is also meant to signify the four subsystems  402  from  FIG. 4 . At step  500 , the linked progressive system  400  is shown at a reset or start up state. Each of the four link configurations includes meter values for the various levels of progressive jackpots on that link. At step  500 , the meter values display reset values for the various jackpots. Thus, for Link  1 , the level  1  reset value is $10,000.00. For Link  2 , the level  1  reset value is $500 and the level  2  reset value is $2,000. For Link  3 , the level  1  reset value is $10, the level  2  reset value is $150, the level  3  reset value is $1,000 and the level  4  reset value is $5,000. For Link  4 , the level  1  reset value is $20, the level  2  reset value is $100, the level  3  reset value is $800 and the level  4  reset value is $2,000. 
     Moreover, each link includes configuration data comprising specific information relating to the hit frequency, reset expected value (reset E.V.) and increment for each of the links, and the jackpots on such link. Thus, as seen in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d , for the level  1  jackpot, the only jackpot on link  1 , the hit frequency is 0.00001, which means that particular jackpot will be awarded or triggered on average once every 100,000 plays of the wagering game. The reset EV for the same level  1  jackpot is 0.100. The reset EV is a function of the reset value and the hit frequency, and is given by the formula in Equation 1:
 
Reset EV=Reset Value×Hit Frequency=$10,000×0.00001=0.100  Equation 1
 
     The increment is the percentage of coin-in received that is added to the meter value. Thus, in this embodiment, the increment has been designated as five percent (5%), meaning that five percent of all wagers received into the system are added to the meter values of the system. The increment may be received from primary wagers, secondary wagers, or any other monetary inputs into the system. 
     For Links  2 ,  3 , and  4 , the various hit frequencies, reset EVs and increments are shown in  FIGS. 5   b - 5   d . Because these links are multi-level jackpot links, each level jackpot has its own hit frequency, reset EV and increment. However, the total reset EV for all of the jackpots on Link  2  is equal to 0.100. Similarly, the total reset EV for Links  3  and  4  is also 0.100. Moreover, each jackpot on Links  2 ,  3 , and  4  has its own increment value. However, the total increment for Link  2  is five percent (5%). Similarly, the total increment for Links  3  and  4  is also five percent (5%). Thus, all four links, regardless of how many levels of jackpots are on the link, have the same total reset EV and the same total increment. 
     At step  502 , the system  400  is shown after $2,500 of coin in has been received into the system. The coin in can be received at any wager input device or any of the gaming devices connected to the system  400 . The meters are incremented by an amount equal to the coin in received times the increment percentage, which in this instance is $2,500 multiplied by five percent (5%) which is $125 of increment to be added to the meters of the system. As seen in step  502 , $125 is added to the meters of each link. Since link  1  is a single level progressive jackpot, the entirety of the $125 is added to the level  1  jackpot such that the meter reads $10,125. For link  2 , the $125 is added in part to the level  1  jackpot and in part to the level  2  jackpot. Specifically, fifty dollars ($50) is added to the level  1  jackpot and seventy-five dollars ($75) is added to the level  2  jackpot, such that the updated meter values reflect $550 and $2075, respectively. The increment amount of $125 is divided between the two jackpot levels in proportion to the jackpot increment percentage relative to the total increment percentage for that link. For example, of the five percent (5%) increment for link  2 , three percent (3%) goes to the level  2  jackpot and two percent (2%) goes to the level  1  jackpot. Thus, in relative proportion, for every dollar of increment received by link  2 , sixty percent (3%/5%) is added to the level  2  jackpot, and forty percent (2%/5%) is added to the level  1  jackpot. Thus, in this instance, when $125 of increment is received by link  2 , $75 goes to the level  2  jackpot and $50 goes to the level  1  jackpot. 
     Similarly, link  3  is a multi-level jackpot progressive, which in this embodiment has four levels of jackpots. The increment percentages for levels  1  through  4  on link  3  are 1.8%, 1.2%, 1.0% and 1.0%, respectively. Like the other links, the increment amount of $125 is also added to link  3 , and distributed among the four levels of jackpots in proportion to their relative increment percentages as compared to the overall increment percentage of 5%. Thus, of the $125 to be added to the link  3  meters, $45 [$125×(1.8%/5%)] is added to the level  1  jackpot, $30 [$125×(1.2%/5.0%)] is added to the level  2  jackpot, $25 [$125×(1.0%/5.0%)] is added to the level  3  jackpot and $25 [$125×(1.0%/5.0%)] is added to the level  4  jackpot. The meter reflects these added amounts in step  502  showing values of $55, $180, $1,025, and $5,025, respectively, for the four jackpot levels on link  3 . In similar fashion, the four jackpot levels of link  4  are updated to reflect the addition of the $125 increment. Of the $125 added, $45 [$125×(2.0%/5.0%)] is added to the level  1  jackpot, $30 [$125×(1.2%/5.0%)] is added to the level  2  jackpot, $25 [$125×(1.0%/5.0%)] is added to the level  3  jackpot, and $20 [$125×(0.8%/5.0%)] is added to the level  4  jackpot. The meter reflects these added amounts in step  502  showing values of $70, $130, $825, and $2,020, respectively, for the four jackpot levels on link  4 . 
     In step  504 , a triggering event has caused the $55 jackpot (the level  1  jackpot on link  3 ) to be awarded. Thus, the $55 award is awarded to one of the players of the system as a result of the triggering event. Because the jackpot that was triggered has a reset value of $10, and was triggered at $55, the amount that must be removed is the difference between the trigger value and the reset value, which in this case is $45. Therefore, $45 is removed or “pulled” from each link as seen in step  504 . On link  1 , since there is only one jackpot level, the entire $45 is pulled from the level  1  meter, and the updated meter shows a value of $10,080 for the level  1  jackpot. On link  2 , the $45 increment to be pulled is first pulled from the lowest level jackpot (level  1 ) if available, and then any remainder is pulled from consecutively higher level jackpots if necessary. This is done to ensure that none of the meters is permitted to be decremented below its reset value. In this instance, the entire $45 can be pulled off of the level  1  jackpot without decrementing the level  1  meter below its reset value. Thus, the $45 is removed from level  1 , and the updated meter shows a value of $505 for the level  1  jackpot. On link  3  (the jackpot winning link), the entire $45 is pulled from the level  1  jackpot (the triggered jackpot) which causes the level  1  meter to be reset to its reset value of $10. On link  4 , the $45 increment to be pulled is removed from the level  1  jackpot, and the updated meter shows a value of $25 for the level  1  jackpot. 
     In step  506 , an additional $1,000 of coin in is received into the system. Again, the total increment is calculated by multiplying the coin in by the total increment percentage (5%). Thus, in this instance an additional $50 of increment is received, and each link in the system is updated to reflect the additional increment received from the additional coin in. As seen in step  506 , on link  1  the level  1  meter receives the entire $50 and shows an updated amount of $10,030. On link  2 , the $50 is divided between the two jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $20, the level  2  meter receiving $30, and the updated meter showing $525 and $2,105 for the two levels, respectively. On link  3 , the $50 is divided among the four jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $18, the level  2  meter receiving $12, the level  3  meter receiving $10, the level  4  meter receiving $10, and the updated meter showing $28, $192, $1,035, and $5,035 for the four levels, respectively. On link  4 , the $50 is divided among the four jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $20, the level  2  meter receiving $12, the level  3  meter receiving $10, the level  4  meter receiving $8, and the updated meter showing $45, $142, $835, and $2,028 for the four levels, respectively. 
     Later, at step  508 , the $2,105 jackpot (level  2  on link  2 ) is awarded in response to another jackpot triggering event. Thus, the $2,105 award is awarded to one of the players of the system as a result of the triggering event. Because the jackpot that was triggered has a reset value of $2,000, and was triggered at $2,105, the amount of the increment that must be pulled is the difference between the trigger value and the reset value, which in this case is $105. Therefore, $105 is removed or pulled from each link as seen in step  508 . On link  1 , since there is only one jackpot level, the entire $105 is pulled from the level  1  meter, and the updated meter shows a value of $10,025 for the level  1  jackpot. On link  2  (the jackpot winning link), the entire $105 is pulled from the level  2  jackpot (the triggered jackpot) which causes the level  2  meter to be reset to its reset value of $2,000. The level  1  jackpot is not disturbed because all of the increment on link  2  is pulled from the level of the triggered jackpot. 
     On link  3 , the $105 increment to be pulled is first pulled from the lowest level jackpot (level  1 ) if available, and then any remainder is pulled from consecutively higher level jackpots if necessary. In this instance, the entire $105 cannot be pulled off of the level  1  jackpot without decrementing the level  1  meter below its reset value. Thus, only $18 of the $105 is removed from level  1 , causing the level  1  jackpot to be decremented to its reset value of $10. This leaves $87 to still be decremented from the other jackpot levels on link  3 . Next, the level  2  meter is decremented down to its reset value. In this instance, only $42 can be removed from the level  2  jackpot before it reaches its reset value or $150. Thus, $45 remains to be decremented. Next, the level  3  meter is decremented down to its reset value. In this instance, only $35 can be removed from the level  3  jackpot before it reaches it reset value of $1,000. This leaves a remainder of $10 of the $105 amount to be decremented from the level  4  meter. After the $10 is removed from the level  4  jackpot, all of the $105 increment to be pulled has been removed, and the meter shows the updated values of $10, $150, $1000, and $5,025, respectively, for the four jackpot levels on link  3 . On link  4 , the same process is used to pull first from the level  1  jackpot, then any remainder from levels  2 ,  3 , and  4  successively until the entire $105 is pulled. Thus, in step  508 , after the $105 is pulled from the four jackpot levels, the meter shows updated values of $20, $100, $800 and $2,025 for the four jackpot levels. 
     In step  510 , another $1,500 of coin in is received by the system. Five percent (5%) of this amount comprises the increment amount, which in this instance is $75 to be added to the meters of all four links. As before, since link  1  only has one jackpot, the entirety of the $75 is added to the level  1  jackpot and the updated meter reflects the new jackpot value of $10,100. On link  2 , the $75 is divided between the two jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $30, the level  2  meter receiving $45, and the updated meter showing $555 and $2,045 for the two levels, respectively. On link  3 , the $75 is divided among the four jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $27, the level  2  meter receiving $18, the level  3  meter receiving $15, the level  4  meter receiving $15, and the updated meter showing $37, $168, $1,015, and $5,040 for the four levels, respectively. On link  4 , the $75 is divided among the four jackpot levels with the level  1  meter receiving $30, the level  2  meter receiving $18, the level  3  meter receiving $15, the level  4  meter receiving $12, and the updated meter showing $50, $118, $815, and $2,037 for the four levels, respectively. 
     In step  512 , the $10,100 jackpot (level  1  on link  1 ) is awarded in response to yet another jackpot triggering event. Thus, the $10,100 award is awarded to one of the players of the system as a result of the triggering event. Because the jackpot that was triggered has a reset value of $10,000, and was triggered at $10,100, the amount of increment that must be pulled is the difference between the trigger value and the reset value, which in this case is $100. Therefore, $100 is removed or pulled from each link as seen in step  512 . On link  1  (the jackpot winning link), the entire $100 is pulled from the level  1  jackpot (the triggered jackpot) which causes the level  1  meter to be reset to its reset value of $10,000. On link  2 , the $100 increment to be pulled is first pulled from the lowest level jackpot (level  1 ) if available, and then any remainder is pulled from consecutively higher level jackpots if necessary. In this instance, the entire $100 cannot be pulled off of the level  2  jackpot without decrementing the level  2  meter below its reset value. Thus, only $55 of the $100 is removed from level  1 , causing the level  1  jackpot to be decremented down to its reset value of $500. This leaves $45 to still be decremented from the other jackpot levels on link  2 . Next, the level  2  meter is decremented down to its reset value. In this instance, the entire remainder of $45 can be, and is, decremented from the level  2  jackpot meter, causing it to be decremented to its reset value of $2,000. 
     Continuing in step  512 , on link  3 , the $100 increment to be pulled is first pulled from the lowest level jackpot (level  1 ) if available, and then any remainder is pulled from consecutively higher level jackpots if necessary. In this instance, the entire $100 cannot be pulled off of the level  1  jackpot without decrementing the level  1  meter below its reset value. Thus, only $27 of the $100 is removed from level  1 , causing the level  1  jackpot to be decremented to its reset value of $10. This leaves $73 to still be decremented from the other jackpot levels on link  3 . Next, the level  2  meter is decremented down to its reset value. In this instance, only $18 can be removed from the level  2  jackpot before it reaches its reset value or $150. Thus, $55 remains to be decremented. Next, the level  3  meter is decremented down to its reset value. In this instance, only $15 can be removed from the level  3  jackpot before it reaches it reset value of $1,000. This leaves a remainder of $40 of the $100 amount to be decremented from the level  4  meter. After the $40 is removed from the level  4  jackpot, it reaches its reset value of $5,000, all of the $100 increment to be pulled has been removed, and the meter shows the updated values of $10, $150, $1000, and $5,000, respectively, for the four jackpot levels on link  3 . On link  4 , the same process is used to pull first from the level  1  jackpot, then any remainder from levels  2 ,  3 , and  4  successively until the entire $100 is pulled. Thus, in step  508 , after the $100 is pulled from the four jackpot levels, the meter shows updated values of $20, $100, $800 and $2,000 for the four jackpot levels. Thus, in an embodiment, when the triggered jackpot is on a link having only a single jackpot level, the result is that all of the jackpots on all of the links of the system are reset to their reset values. 
     In operation, the various subsystems  402 , or “links” may be activated or deactivated such that some, one, all, or none of them are operational at any time. If one of the subsystems  402  is activated while others are operational, the then current total increment of the progressive pool  470  must be allocated to the reset values of the jackpots on the newly added link. This causes those jackpots on the newly added link to be “synchronized” or “brought up to speed” with the current increment generated in the system  400 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 4-5   d , if links  1 ,  3 , and  4  are operational and link  2  is added, link  2  should not be activated with the jackpots at the reset levels. Instead, the proper levels of the jackpots on link  2  depend on the total increment of the pool at that time. For example, if the total increment of the pool is $100, then a portion of the total increment must be added to each jackpot in similar fashion as described above herein. Thus, for the level  1  jackpot on link  2 , the meter value should be the reset value plus the proper portion of the $100 increment, which in this case is $500+[$100×(2.0%/5.0%)]=$540. Similarly, the meter value of the level  2  jackpot on link  2  should be $2,000+[$100×(3.0%/5.0%)]=$2,060. Thus, in this example, if link  2  is activated at a point when links  1 ,  2  and  4  have been previously operational and the progressive pool holds $100 of increment, the proper values of the level  1  and level  2  jackpots on link  2  should be $540 and $2,060, respectively. Other links activated at other points in time should be set to proper meter values in similar fashion. 
     It should be understood that the steps in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  are shown in discrete moments of time after certain amounts of coin in have been accumulated by the system. In operation, the coin in is not typically accumulated in lump sum fashion, but rather gradually and incrementally over time. Thus, for example, in step  502  when indicated that $2,500 of coin in has been accumulated, it should be understood that the $2,500 may be accumulated by multiple wagers on multiple gaming devices of the system, and that the increment of 5% represents a portion of each wager input, which has accumulated for a time period to be a coin in of $2,500 and an increment of $125. Additionally, the meters of the various jackpots are incremented gradually as well to reflect the stream of coin-in and increment being pulled therefrom. Thus, in an embodiment, the meters may be relatively constantly changing and increasing as increment is collected from the coin in. The steps in  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d  are to be understood as time captures of certain moments of time during operation of the example embodiment described. 
     It should also be understood that when a certain amount of coin in is received, and a corresponding amount of increment is generated, the increment is added to each of the links on the system. Thus, at least one jackpot (and possibly more) on each link is increased in response to the generation of the increment. It is appropriate to add the generated increment to each link because when a jackpot triggering event causes a jackpot to be awarded, a corresponding increment amount is pulled or deducted from each non-winning link. In other words, the increment collected is added to all of the links, and when a jackpot is won, it is pulled from the remaining non-winning links, as described herein with relation to  FIGS. 5   a - 5   d.  In this way, the correct amount of money is both added and subtracted from the progressive pool so as to be consistent with the actual coin in and increment generated. 
     The linked progressive system  400  of the present invention offers a number of benefits and advantages over traditional independently operated progressive systems. Because an increment amount generated by coin in is added to all of the links of the system  400 , the meters displaying the jackpot amounts all increment simultaneously which adds to the players excitement and enjoyment. Moreover, the jackpots of the system  400  may be configured to be triggered more frequently as a result of the configuration of the system  400 . The system  400  also allows increment from coin in received at any of the gaming devices in the system to fund a plurality or even all of the progressive wagering games. Thus, a player playing one progressive wagering game funds the progressive jackpots of multiple wagering games thereby allowing the jackpots to grow more rapidly. Moreover, when a jackpot is awarded, the increment pulled or decremented from the non-winning progressive jackpots is relatively small so as to be relatively inconsequential to the enjoyment of players. 
     Each of these embodiments and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the claimed invention, which is set forth in the following claims.