Dynamic threshold for pool-based bonus promotions in electronic gaming systems
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United States of America Patent
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Mar 19, 2002
Grant Date -
N/A
app pub date -
Feb 4, 1999
filing date -
Sep 11, 1998
priority date (Note) -
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for awarding bonuses over a gaming network having a plurality of gaming machines, such as slot machines, interconnected by a network. Play is allowed to occur on a plurality of gaming machines as the bonus pool, common to the gaming machines over the network is incremented responsive to play on the plurality of gaming machines. The total number of eligible gaming machines is detected responsive to play on each of the plurality of gaming machines. A first threshold value is set in consideration of the total number of eligible gaming machines detected. A bonus period would be initiated when the bonus pool satisfies the first threshold value. Accordingly, the threshold necessary to start the bonus period would be low if few players are detected, and high if many players are detected. Bonus amounts are paid from the bonus pool to the eligible gaming machines after which time the bonus period would end. Alternately, bonuses would be paid responsive to detected triggering events during the bonus period, such as the occurrence of a special symbol on the slot machine reels. The bonus period would end when the bonus pool moves below a second threshold value after which time the bonus pool would be incremented for subsequently occurring bonus periods.
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- 15 United States
- 10 France
- 8 Japan
- 7 China
- 5 Korea
- 2 Other
Patent Owner(s)
- IGT
International Classification(s)
Inventor(s)
Inventor Name | Address | # of filed Patents | Total Citations |
---|---|---|---|
Bartholomew, Robert P | Corvallis, OR | 11 | 1034 |
Canon, Joseph W | Albany, OR | 2 | 1192 |
Hart, Joseph G | Corvallis, OR | 1 | 377 |
Pitman, Lawrence R | Corvallis, OR | 11 | 1410 |
Schneider, Richard J | Las Vegas, NV | 82 | 12406 |
Shelby, Michael B | Corvallis, OR | 11 | 1166 |
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Fee | Large entity fee | small entity fee | micro entity fee |
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Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unavoidable | $700.00 | $350.00 | $175.00 |
Surcharge after expiration - Late payment is unintentional | $1,640.00 | $820.00 | $410.00 |
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