Granted Patent B2

US 7,361,085 · App. 09/991,168 · Granted Apr 22, 2008

Abstract

Claims (137)

1. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises:

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a number of prior gaming sessions that are not concluded; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the number.

2. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises:

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a number of subsequent gaming sessions that are not concluded; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the number.

3. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises:

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a start time; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the start time.

4. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising

the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises:

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a duration; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the duration.

5. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of the first gaming session comprises:

providing an offer to assign the rank to the first gaming session in exchange for an amount of funds.

6. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank for each of a plurality of gaming sessions comprising the first gaming session and at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is not higher than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data; and

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session,

in which determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions comprises:

determining for each of the plurality of gaming sessions a rate of play; and

determining the rank of each of the plurality of gaming sessions based on the rate of play.

7. The method of claim 6 , in which determining the data comprises:

determining at least one outcome corresponding to the at least one other gaming session.

8. The method of claim 6 , in which determining the data comprises:

determining at least one payout corresponding to the at least one other gaming session.

9. The method of claim 6 , in which the at least one bonus comprises an increased probability of winning for at least one play of the first gaming session.

10. The method of claim 6 , in which the at least one bonus comprises a payout.

11. The method of claim 10 , in which applying comprises:

dispensing an amount of coins.

12. The method of claim 6 , in which the at least one bonus comprises a secondary game play.

13. The method of claim 6 , in which applying comprises:

determining an account associated with the first gaming session; and

applying the at least one bonus to the account.

14. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining a second gaming session of a second player; and

displaying an indication of the second gaming session of the second player to a first player,

in which the first player is associated with the first gaming session.

15. The method of claim 14 , in which displaying an indication comprises:

determining a rank of the second gaming session based on a rate of play of the second gaming session; and

displaying an indication of the rank of the second gaming session to the first player.

16. The method of claim 14 , in which determining the second gaming session comprises:

determining the second gaming session of the second player, the second gaming session having a rank that is not lower than a predetermined rank.

17. The method of claim 6 , in which the rate of play is based on an aggregate amount wagered in the first gaming session.

18. The method of claim 6 , in which the rate of play is based on how many game plays have been conducted in the first gaming session.

19. The method of claim 6 , in which the rate of play is based on a determined number of game plays per unit time.

20. The method of claim 6 , in which the rate of play is based on a determined amount wagered per unit time.

21. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining a rank of a player associated with the first gaming session, in which the rank of the player is different than the rank of the first gaming session.

22. The method of claim 6 , further comprising:

determining a rank of a gaming device associated with the first gaming session, in which the rank of the gaming device is different than the rank of the first gaming session.

23. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 6 .

24. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

the computer readable medium of claim 23 in communication with the processor.

25. A method comprising:

determining a first gaming session;

determining a rank of the first gaming session based on at least one of the following:

a measure of wagering in the first gaming session,

a number of prior gaming sessions of at least one other player, and

a number of subsequent gaming sessions of at least one other player;

determining at least one other gaming session, each at least one other gaming session having a respective rank that is different than the rank of the first gaming session;

determining data corresponding to the at least one other gaming session;

determining at least one bonus based on the data;

applying the at least one bonus to the first gaming session; and

displaying information corresponding to a plurality of gaming sessions, including the first gaming session.

26. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information via a wall display.

27. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information via a cable system.

28. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying respective ranks of the plurality of gaming sessions.

29. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying respective bonus statuses of a plurality of gaming devices.

30. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying information about respective players for the plurality of gaming sessions.

31. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of at least one gaming session initiated subsequent to the first gaming session.

32. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of at least one gaming session initiated prior to the first gaming session.

33. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of only gaming sessions having respective ranks that are not higher than the rank of the first gaming session.

34. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of only gaming sessions having respective ranks that are not less than the rank of the first gaming session.

35. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when at least a portion of the information changes.

36. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the rank of the first gaming session changes.

37. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the rank of the first gaming session is likely to change.

38. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying the information when the first gaming session is eligible for a bonus.

39. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

displaying an indication of a bonus level potentially achievable for the first gaming session if the first gaming session continues.

40. The method of claim 25 , in which displaying comprises:

determining a player preference for what types of information are displayed; and

displaying the information in accordance with the player preference.

41. The method of claim 25 , in which the measure of wagering comprises an aggregate amount wagered in the first gaming session.

42. The method of claim 25 , in which the measure of wagering comprises how many game plays have been conducted in the first gaming session.

43. The method of claim 25 , in which the measure of wagering comprises a determined number of game plays per unit time.

44. The method of claim 25 , in which the measure of wagering comprises a determined amount wagered per time.

45. A computer readable medium storing instructions configured to direct a processor to perform the method of claim 25 .

46. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

the computer readable medium of claim 45 in communication with the processor.

Assignments (8)