Patent Publication Number: US-8118665-B2

Title: Wagering game providing rewards independent from gaming session

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/758,151, filed Jan. 15, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,384,337 which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to gaming terminals and gaming systems and, in particular, to a progressive wagering game that allows a player to remain eligible for a progressive jackpot after his or her gaming session at a gaming terminal has concluded. 
     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 each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are most likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting of the machines. 
     Consequently, shrewd operators strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines available because such machines attract frequent play and, hence, increase profitability to the operator. In the competitive gaming machine industry, there is a continuing need for gaming machine manufacturers to produce new types of games, or enhancements to existing games, which will attract frequent play by increasing the entertainment value and excitement associated with the game. 
     One concept that has been successfully employed to enhance the entertainment value of a game is that of a “secondary” or “bonus” game which may be played in conjunction with a “basic” game. The bonus game, which is entered upon the occurrence of a selected event or outcome of the basic game, may comprise any type of game, either similar to or completely different from the basic game. Such a bonus game produces a significantly higher level of player excitement than the basic game because it provides a greater expectation of winning than the basic game. 
     Another concept that has been employed to enhance player entertainment is the use of progressive games. In the gaming industry, a “progressive” game involves collecting coin-in data from participating gaming device(s) (e.g., slot machines), contributing a percentage of that coin-in data to a progressive jackpot amount, and awarding that jackpot amount to a player upon the occurrence of a certain jackpot-won event. A jackpot-won event typically occurs when a “progressive winning position” is achieved at a participating gaming device. If the gaming device is a slot machine, a progressive winning position may, for example, correspond to alignment of progressive jackpot reel symbols along a certain payline. The initial progressive jackpot is a predetermined minimum amount. That jackpot amount, however, progressively increases as players continue to play the gaming machine without winning the jackpot. Further, when several gaming machines are linked together such that several players at several gaming machines compete for the same jackpot, the jackpot progressively increases at a much faster rate, which leads to further player excitement. 
     In the existing progressive games, the progressive jackpot is available to anyone who is playing at a gaming terminal that is participating in the progressive game. While playing at the gaming terminals, players participating in the progressive game are excited about the possibility of winning a progressive jackpot amount that continues to increase as players continue to play. Once players conclude their gaming sessions at the gaming terminals, however, they often feel as though they have lost all chances of winning, and their sense of excitement is diminished. In particular, any expectations the players have of winning the progressive game are ended once they leave the gaming terminal. 
     While some progressive game features provide some enhanced excitement, there is a continuing need to develop new features for progressive games to satisfy the demands of players and operators. Preferably, such new features for progressive games will further enhance the level of player excitement. The present invention is directed to satisfying these needs in that it enables players to continue to feel the sense of excitement after the progressive gaming session has ended by providing a novel progressive game that allows players to continue to be eligible to win a progressive jackpot amount after their gaming session has ended. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a gaming terminal and method for playing a wagering game at a gaming terminal that is comprised of a basic game, a progressive payout, and an input device for identifying players who are playing the basic game and who become eligible for a progressive payout. The progressive payout can be awarded to a player during a selected time period. But, if the progressive payout is not awarded during the selected time period, then the progressive payout is awarded to an eligible player that is randomly selected in a drawing. The progressive payout can have first and second payouts that are awarded, respectively, during a first time period (e.g., per week) and a second time period (e.g., per month). Thus, the player does not need to be at the gaming terminal to win the progressive jackpot; rather, he or she can win it while at home or at work. 
     The present invention also relates to a gaming system for playing a progressive game that includes a progressive game controller that is connected to a plurality of gaming terminals, each terminal having an input device for identifying players who are competing for a progressive payout. A database for storing player-identification information obtained from the input device is connected to the progressive game controller. If the progressive payout is not awarded during a selected time period, then the progressive game controller randomly selects one of the players who is eligible for the progressive payout, and awards the progressive payout to that player. 
     Furthermore, the present invention relates to a method for playing a wagering game that has a progressive payout that can be awarded to a randomly selected player who concluded playing the wagering game, and who is not present at the gaming terminal when the random selection is made. 
     The above summary of the present invention is not intended to represent each embodiment or every aspect of the present invention. The detailed description and figures will describe many of the embodiments and aspects of the present invention. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings. 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a gaming terminal that is useful for operating an enhanced progressive game in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a control system that is used in conjunction with the gaming terminal of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an enhanced gaming method for awarding a progressive jackpot in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a plurality of gaming terminals that are useful for operating an enhanced progressive game having multiple progressive payouts in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment for a network that is useful for conducting the enhanced progressive games in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
       FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a typical gaming terminal  10  used by gaming establishments, such as casinos. With regard to the present invention, the gaming terminal  10  may be any type of gaming terminal and may have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the gaming terminal  10  may be a mechanical gaming terminal configured to play mechanical slots, or it may be an electromechanical or electrical gaming terminal configured to play a video casino game, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, etc. 
     As shown, the gaming terminal  10  has a top box including a rotating element  12  for playing a bonus game that may be played during or after the player has played the basic wagering game associated with the gaming terminal  10 . The gaming terminal  10  includes input devices, such as a wager acceptor  16 , a touch screen  21 , a push-button panel  22 , and a player-identification card reader  24 . For outputs, the gaming terminal  10  includes a progressive game display  25  for displaying the value of a progressive game, a main display  26  for displaying information about the wagering game, and a secondary display  27  that can display game-related information or other entertainment features. While these typical components found in the gaming terminal  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 terminal. 
     The wager acceptor  16  may be provided in many forms, individually or in combination. The wager acceptor  16  may include a coin slot acceptor or a note acceptor to input value to the gaming terminal  10 . Or, the wager acceptor  16  may include a card-reading device for reading a card that has a recorded monetary value with which it is associated. The card may also authorize access to a central account, which can transfer money to the gaming terminal  10 . 
     The push button panel  22  is typically offered, in addition to the touch screen  21 , to provide players with an option on how to make their game selections. Alternatively, the push button panel  22  provides inputs for one aspect of operating the game, while the touch screen  21  allows for inputs needed for another aspect of operating the game. 
     The operation of the basic wagering game is displayed to the player on the main display  26 . The main display  26  may take the form of a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution LCD, a plasma display, LED, or any other type of video display suitable for use in the gaming terminal  10 . As shown, the main display  26  includes a touch screen  21  overlaying the entire monitor (or a portion thereof) to allow players to make game-related selections. Alternatively, the gaming terminal  10  may have a number of mechanical reels to display the game outcome. 
     The player-identification card reader  24  allows for the identification of a player by reading a card with information indicating his or her true identity. Currently, the identification is 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 players&#39; 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-identification card reader  24 , which allows the casino&#39;s computers to register that player&#39;s wagering at the gaming terminal  10 . The gaming terminal  10  may use the secondary display  27  for providing the player with information about his or her account or other player-specific information. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the various components of the gaming terminal  10  are controlled by a central processing unit (CPU)  30  (such as a microprocessor or microcontroller). To provide the gaming functions, the CPU  30  executes a game program. The CPU  30  is also coupled to or includes a system memory  32 . The system memory  32  may comprise a volatile memory  33  (e.g., a random-access memory (RAM)) and a non-volatile memory  34  (e.g., an EEPROM). It should be appreciated that the CPU  30  may include one or more microprocessors. Similarly, the memory  32  may include multiple RAM and multiple program memories. 
     Communications between the peripheral components of the gaming terminal  10  and the CPU  30  occur through input/output (I/O) circuits  35   a . As such, the CPU  30  also controls and receives inputs from the peripheral components of the gaming terminal  10 . Further, the CPU  30  communicates with external systems via the I/O circuits  35   b . Although the I/O circuits  35  may be shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuits  35  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. 
     As will be discussed in more detail below with respect to  FIG. 5 , the gaming terminal  10  is typically operated as part of a game control network  40  having control circuitry and memory devices. The gaming terminal  10  often has multiple serial ports, each port dedicated to providing data to a specific host computer system that performs a specific function (e.g., accounting, player-tracking, or a progressive game control system, etc). To set up a typical serial communication hardware link to the host system, the typical RS-232 point-to-point communication protocol that is often present in the gaming terminal  10  is converted to an RS-485 (or RS-485-type) master-slave protocol so as to take advantage of some of the advantages of the RS-485 capability (e.g., multi-drop capability that allows many gaming terminals  10  to communicate with the game control network  40 ). To perform this function, a Slot Machine Interface Board (SMIB)  38  is used by the gaming terminal  10 . One SMIB  38  is typically present for each communication port in the gaming terminal  10 . The SMIB  38  may poll the gaming terminal  10  for data, or the SMIB  38  may only listen for data being transmitted from the gaming terminal  10  as it is produced on an event-driven basis. This data is stored on the SMIB  38  and is accessible to the game control network  40  via the RS-485 side of the SMIB  38 . It should be noted that the gaming terminal  10  can initially be designed to be configured for a typical RS-485 protocol, instead of the typical RS-232 protocol. Further, the gaming terminal  10  may simply be designed for an Ethernet connection, thereby eliminating the need for the SMIB  38 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a method for playing an enhanced progressive wagering game in accordance with the present invention. The method includes awarding a jackpot to a progressive game player who may or may not be present at the gaming terminal  10 . The method begins with identifying a player at step  52 , such that the player&#39;s identity is known and, if needed, the player&#39;s wagering inputs can be recorded by the casino&#39;s gaming network. A player can be identified by inputting a tracking card into the player-identification card reader  24  or through a radio frequency ID device. Alternatively, the player manually enters his or her information into an electronic form at the gaming terminal  10  (e.g., via a touchscreen). In a further alternative, a player can input a pin number into a player-identification input device, or a player can provide a biometric marker, such as a fingerprint, onto a player-identification input device on the gaming terminal  10 . Similarly, these devices can provide identification of the player, and allow tracking of the player&#39;s wager inputs, particularly for participation in the progressive games. 
     Following identification of the player at step  52  and a wager input by the player at the gaming terminal  10 , the player plays the basic game at step  54 . The basic game typically include a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. The randomly selected outcome is generated in response to the player&#39;s wager input. The basic game may include a start bonus game outcome, which allows the player to compete in a bonus game. 
     At some point while the player is at the gaming terminal  10 , the player may become eligible to play the progressive game at step  56 . Eligibility may be triggered by a variety of events. For example, the player may become eligible to play the progressive game by simply being identified (via one of the methods described herein) and playing the basic game, or by inputting an additional wager amount during the basic game. Alternatively, a player may become eligible to play the progressive game as a result of achieving a certain outcome in the basic game, or by inputting an additional wager amount and achieving a certain outcome in the basic game. In sum, there are a variety of triggering events for allowing the player to compete for the progressive jackpot. 
     After the player is eligible for and plays the progressive game, at step  58 , it is then determined whether the player has won the progressive game. If the player has won the progressive game, the player is awarded the progressive jackpot at that time at step  60 . If the player has not won the progressive game, then the progressive game ends at step  62 . The player may elect to continue playing the basic game at step  54  with another chance at becoming eligible to win the progressive jackpot, or the player may end his or her gaming session. At this time, the player may be instructed, at the gaming terminal  10 , that he or she is still eligible for the progressive payout if it is not awarded during a predetermined time period. 
     After the progressive game has ended and the player has not been awarded the progressive jackpot at step  62 , the player is automatically entered into a progressive jackpot drawing at step  64  for which the player is eligible to win the progressive jackpot even after he or she has concluded the gaming session. In one embodiment, the player is entered into the progressive jackpot drawing at the end of each unsuccessful attempt to win the progressive game jackpot. 
     In the event that no player wins the progressive jackpot at the end of a specified time period at step  66 , a random drawing is held at step  70  for all eligible players who had competed for the progressive jackpot. Many options are available for this drawing, such as briefly halting all gaming sessions at all eligible gaming terminals to perform the random drawing. The random selection of a player from the field of eligible players in the drawing can be performed and displayed on the secondary display  27 , and the identity of the winning player announced simultaneously. Alternatively, the random selection of the winning player can be announced at a later time. The progressive jackpot is then awarded to the player selected in the drawing at step  72 . If the player is no longer at the casino, the casino may arrange to have the player transported back to the casino to receive his or her jackpot. If a player has won the progressive jackpot by the end of the specified time period, then no drawing is conducted as indicated by step  68 . 
     In accordance with the present invention, multiple progressive jackpots may be awarded at selected time periods. The time periods may or may not be equal in duration. For example, a time period associated with a first progressive jackpot may be equal to a week; a time period associated with a second progressive jackpot may be equal to a month; and a time period associated with a third progressive jackpot may be equal to a year. When playing the progressive game, the player can be eligible for all three jackpots. From this example, if a first progressive jackpot is awarded to a player, then that player can be eligible for a random drawing for the second and third progressive jackpots, assuming that they are not awarded during their respective time periods. Thus, a player that plays a progressive game can become eligible for multiple progressive jackpots via multiple random drawings, which increases the excitement level and gives the player a greater expectation of winning. The excitement level is further enhanced by the opportunity to win a progressive jackpot even after the player&#39;s gaming session is concluded. 
     The amounts of multiple progressive jackpots may also vary. For instance, a first progressive payout may not be equal to a second progressive payout, and so on. The amounts may vary by an order of magnitude or more, and each may be funded by an equal or unequal portion of the players&#39; wager inputs. 
     The method described in  FIG. 3  provides the general steps of the present invention. The steps can be altered, and many other steps can be included. For example, in addition to displaying the outcome of the basic game on the main display  26 , a picture or name of a previously selected player receiving the progressive jackpot from the drawing at step  70  may be displayed on the secondary display  27 . This display of previous winners can serve to remind the player that progressive players can win while playing the progressive game at the gaming terminal  10  or even after the progressive game has ended and the player has left the gaming terminal  10 . The displays increase the entertainment value of the gaming terminals and encourage players to play again so that they will be entered once more into the field of players competing for the progressive jackpot. 
     The secondary display  27  may also display the random drawing of all eligible players  70  by means of a live video feed. A player at a gaming terminal  10  can, therefore, watch while a player is being randomly selected (perhaps even himself or herself), which adds to the excitement associated with the progressive game and increases its entertainment value. 
     In another alternative, at step  64 , the number of player entries into the random drawing can be changed based on predetermined criteria. For example, if a certain outcome is achieved during the basic game and the player is eligible for the progressive jackpot, then the player may receive two or three entries for the random drawing (not just one entry), assuming that he or she does not win the progressive jackpot. The gaming terminal  10  may be a slot machine and have an extra reel dedicated to the number of extra entries. Or, if the player has competed for the progressive jackpot a certain number of times in excess of a threshold (e.g., 100 attempts) within the predetermined time period, he or she may be awarded extra entries into the drawing. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  that can be used for operating the enhanced progressive game having multiple progressive payouts  92 ,  94 ,  96 . The plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  may be coupled to a progressive game controller (such as one described as part of the WAP network of  FIG. 5 ) that controls the overall function of the progressive game. The progressive game controller is coupled to a database that stores player-identification information. This information can be used to identify those players that are eligible for the progressive payouts. The identification of players can occur through the use of tracking cards, pin numbers, biometric markers, or any other method for identifying the player as described above. The progressive game controller randomly selects one of the players from the database in response to a progressive payout not being awarded during a selected time period, in accordance with the method described above. 
     The progressive game displays  25   a ,  25   b ,  25   c ,  25   d  that are attached to each of the plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  can display an amount of the single highest progressive payout (here the “Mega Party”) or all of the progressive payouts. The plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  can be connected to signage  90  that displays each of the progressive payouts  92 ,  94 ,  96 . The signage  90  can also include a display device  98  for displaying the identity of a randomly selected player receiving a progressive payout. The display device  98  and the secondary display devices  27  located at each of the plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  can also display the random selection of a player by live video feed. Thus, all players within viewing distance of the signage  90 , even those not playing the progressive game, can get caught up in the excitement of winning a progressive jackpot. The progressive game controller also controls the signage  90 . As the amount of the progressive jackpots increase, the progressive game controller changes the values on the signage  90  and the gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d.    
       FIG. 5  illustrates a network  120  that is useful for conducting the progressive games that are described above. As used herein, this network  120  will be referred to as the wide-area progressive (“WAP”) network  120 . The WAP network  120  typically includes components within a casino  122  and components at a remote location  124 . Within the casino  122 , a plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c  are connected through a multi-drop serial line  126  to a WAP carousel controller  128 . The multi-drop serial line  126  may be, for example, an RS-485 serial data line, which is compatible with and linked to the SMIB  38  ( FIG. 2 ) within the gaming terminal  10 . A WAP site controller  130  is connected to the WAP carousel controller  128  through an ethernet connection  152 . 
     To link the WAP site controller  130  to the remote location  124 , the casino  122  includes one or more switches  154  and routers  156 . The router  156  within the casino  122  is connected through a phone line to a corresponding router  158  at the remote location  124 . A WAP central site server  160  at the remote location  124  is coupled to the router  158  through a switch  162  and an ethernet connection  164 . The WAP central site server  160  is connected to a player-identification server  166  to allow for the exchange of player data and progressive game data stored within the player-identification server  166 . 
     In operation, a player identifies himself or herself to the WAP network  120  at the gaming terminal  10   a  through a player-tracking card for the casino, an identification card that is specific to the WAP network, entry of a login name and personal password or pin number, a radio frequency ID device, through biometric inputs, or any other method for identifying the player. The player&#39;s information is transmitted along the multi-drop serial line  126  and collected by the WAP carousel controller  128 . As two of its functions, the WAP carousel controller  128  serves to quickly collect player-identification data from a plurality of gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  and to communicate progressive game information to selected ones of the gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  where progressive games are being played. 
     Once a player begins to play the progressive game at the gaming terminal  10   a , the player-identification data is collected at the WAP site controller  130  and processed into a format for transmission to the WAP central site server  160  at the remote location  124 . After transmission to the WAP central site server  160 , the player-identification data is saved at the player-identification server  166 . 
     After the player has completed the gaming session at the gaming terminal  10   a , all information concerning the game play that occurred in the progressive game is transmitted from the WAP site controller  130  to the WAP central site server  160 . Accordingly, updated player information and game play information regarding the progressive game is stored within the player-identification server  166 . 
     If the progressive jackpot is not awarded to a player during a selected time period, the WAP central site server  160  uses the player-identification data that is saved at the player-identification server  166  to randomly select a player that is eligible for the progressive jackpot. The randomly selected player may or may not be at a gaming terminal, or even on the casino floor. The player can be identified, however, using player-identification data that was saved at the player-identification server  166 . The player can then be notified of his or her selection as the progressive jackpot winner, and instructed on how to claim the jackpot. 
     Information related to the randomly selected player is then transmitted to the WAP site controller  130 . Based on this information from the remote location  124 , the WAP site controller  130 , via the WAP carousel controller  128 , communicates with the gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d . After the randomly selected player is awarded the progressive jackpot, the gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  may be instructed to display a picture of the randomly selected player with the progressive jackpot, i.e., a check for the amount of the progressive jackpot. Alternatively, the gaming machines  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  may be instructed to display a live video feed of the randomly selected player being awarded the progressive jackpot. 
     The present invention contemplates that the WAP central site server  160  can be linked to various types of gaming terminals in several casinos. Thus, players can play progressive games at several different casinos and qualify for the random drawing of the progressive game jackpot or jackpots. 
     The WAP network  120  in  FIG. 5  is merely one example of many possible networks that can be developed to support a progressive game. Many other types of connections between the gaming terminals  10   a ,  10   b ,  10   c ,  10   d  and the WAP site controller  130  and between the WAP site controller  130  and the WAP central site server  160  can be utilized. Further, the WAP network  120  can be located entirely within the casino  122  and dedicated to only one casino  122 , such that it performs all functions related to the progressive game within the casino  122 . In such an embodiment, all information regarding the player and his or her chances for winning the drawing for the progressive jackpot are stored locally in databases within the casino  122 . 
     While the present invention has been described with reference to one or more particular embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the drawings described above can award several players a portion of the progressive jackpot so as to increase the number of winners in the drawing. 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.