IP Library Granted Patent US 7,320,641
Granted Patent B2
US 7,320,641 · App. 11/097,484 · Granted Jan 22, 2008

Method and system for increasing player participation of a gaming device

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,320,641
App. No.
11/097,484
Granted
Jan 22, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A system and method are set form for increasing a players participation and entertainment value in the play of a gaming device such as a slot machine. The system and method includes offering a prize award such as a product or service for the player obtaining a predetermined outcome such as a jackpot. The prize has an acquisition cost (A) to the game operator who assigns to the prize a pay table value (B) for calculation and configuring the performance of the gaming device. The player attributes a value (C) to the prize. The system and method are configured such that (A)≦(B)<(C).

Claims (20)

1. A method for increasing player participation in a gaming device, comprising: providing a game having a hit frequency for each winning outcome;

assigning a non-monetary prize to each winning outcome, the prize having a player perceived value greater than an acquisition cost of the prize, and wherein the player perceived value is a monetary value the player associates with the non-monetary prize; and

configuring the gaming device to increase player participation in the gaming device, wherein a player-perceived performance value of the gaming device is greater than a device performance value of the gaming device, wherein the player-perceived performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and the player perceived value, and the device performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and an assigned pay table value.

2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising assigning a pay table value to the non-monetary prize.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the assigned pay table value is greater than the acquisition cost of the non-monetary prize, and the player perceived value is greater than the assigned pay table value.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein the assigned pay table value is greater than or equal to the acquisition cost of the non-monetary prize, and the player perceived value is greater than the assigned pay table value.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising providing a means for dispensing to the player the non-monetary prize or a voucher redeemable for the non-monetary prize.

6. A method for increasing player participation in a game device, comprising: providing a game having a hit frequency for each winning outcome;

assigning a non-monetary prize to each winning outcome, the prize having an acquisition value less than or equal to a pay table value, and a player perceived value greater than the pay table value; and

configuring the gaming device to increase player participation in the gaming device, wherein a player-perceived performance value of the gaming device is greater than a device performance value of the gaming device.

7. The method of claim 6 , wherein the player-perceived performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and the player perceived value.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the device performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and the assigned pay table value.

9. The method of claim 6 , further comprising providing a means for dispensing to the player the non-monetary prize or a voucher redeemable for the non-monetary prize.

10. A method for increasing player participation in a gaming device, comprising:

providing a game having a hit frequency for each winning outcome;

assigning a non-monetary prize to at least one winning outcome;

setting an acquisition value and an assigned pay table value for the non-monetary prize, wherein a player perceived value of the prize is a monetary value the player associates with the non-monetary prize, and wherein the player perceived value is greater than the acquisition value and the assigned pay table value;

configuring the gaming device to increase player participation in the gaming device, wherein a player-perceived performance value of the gaming device is greater than a device performance value of the gaming device; and providing a means for dispensing to the player the non-monetary prize or a voucher redeemable for the non-monetary prize.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the player-perceived performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and the player perceived value.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the device performance value is a sum of a product of the hit frequency for each winning outcome and the assigned pay table value.

Assignments (8)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE THE APPLICATION NUMBER PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 051642 FRAME: 0164. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Mar 21, 2023
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 063460/0211 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Jan 18, 2020
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: SG GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 051642/0164 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Apr 11, 2018
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045909/0513 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2017
From: SCIENTIFIC GAMES INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 044889/0662 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS (RELEASES RF 031745/0183) Recorded Jul 25, 2017
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 043326/0729 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 1, 2014
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
To: SHFL ENTERTAINMENT, INC; ARCADE PLANET, INC.; BALLY GAMING, INC; BALLY GAMING INTERNATIONAL, INC.; BALLY TECHNOLOGIES, INC.; SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
Reel/Frame 034501/0049 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 27, 2014
From: SIERRA DESIGN GROUP, INC.
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 034066/0294 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: SIERRA DESIGN GROUP
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0183 →