IP Library Granted Patent US 8,360,869
Granted Patent B2
US 8,360,869 · App. 12/113,039 · Granted Jan 29, 2013

Power winners processing engine

Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly (Alamo, CA); Patricia A. McMahan (Vineland, NJ); Frank J. Silvestro (Tuckerton, NJ); Wayne W. Walkwitz (Waterford Works, NJ); Paul C. McLaughlin (Brigatine, NJ); Ryan Randazzo (Glendora, NJ)
Assignee: Bally Gaming, Inc.
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 8,360,869
App. No.
12/113,039
Granted
Jan 29, 2013
Kind
B2
Abstract

A progressive processing engine is disclosed for a multi-site casino or resort wide promotional winners selection. The system selects a winner based on playing with a card at a table game or slot machine, or just being at an active slot machine, opened table game, or other activity within a resort.

Claims (27)

1. A multi-site progressive gaming engine interconnected to a gaming machine that is linked to a server, and wherein the progressive gaming engine has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate during a progressive game, the progressive gaming engine comprising:

a selectable multi-site properties value, wherein the selectable multi-site properties value defines a number of properties incorporated into the multi-site progressive prize engine;

a selectable targeted progressive prize value, wherein the targeted progressive prize value is selectable by an administrator before the progressive game is initiated;

a selectable targeted progressive prize time which is a theoretical average time when the progressive prize is awarded, wherein the targeted progressive prize time is selectable by an administrator before the progressive game is initiated;

one or more enticement factors including an erratic movement enticement factor, wherein the erratic movement enticement factor contributes erratic movement the progressive prize value growth rate that causes the progressive growth rate to erratically increase and decrease in a +/−5% range, and wherein the progressive prize growth rate is determined using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and the one or more enticement factors; and

a random number generation algorithm that tests to determine if there is a progressive prize win at each time slice, which is calculated from the selectable targeted progressive prize time, before selecting one or more winners of the progressive prize, and wherein the selectable targeted progressive prize time is used to calculate the time period for testing for a progressive prize win;

wherein if a progressive prize win has not been identified, the progressive prize value is incremented by the progressive prize growth rate; and

wherein if a progressive prize win has been identified, one or more winners of the progressive prize are determined using the server.

2. The multi-site progressive gaming engine of claim 1 , wherein eligible players are designated as players at slot machines, players at table games, or players at slot machines and table games.

3. The multi-site progressive gaming engine of claim 1 , wherein eligible players are designated as players from active players with cards, active players without cards, or all active players.

4. A multi-site progressive processing engine interconnected to one or more gaming machines that are linked to a server, wherein the engine provides an opportunity to win a progressive prize, wherein the engine has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate, the progressive processing engine comprising:

a selectable multi-site properties value, wherein the selectable multi-site properties value defines a number of properties incorporated into the multi-site progressive prize engine;

a selectable targeted progressive prize value, wherein the targeted progressive prize value is a modifiable by an administrator;

a selectable targeted progressive prize time which is a theoretical average time when the progressive prize is awarded, wherein the targeted progressive prize time is modifiable by an administrator, and wherein the progressive prize growth rate is calculated using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and an erratic movement enticement factor, wherein the erratic movement enticement factor contributes erratic movement to the progressive prize value growth rate that causes the progressive growth rate to erratically increase and decrease in a +/−5% range; and

an algorithm that tests to determine if there is a progressive prize win at each time slice, which is successive from the selectable targeted progressive prize time, before selecting one or more winners of the progressive prize, and wherein the selectable targeted progressive prize time is used to calculate the time period for testing for a progressive prize win;

wherein the progressive prize value is incremented by the progressive prize growth rate; and

wherein if a progressive prize win has been identified, one or more winners of the progressive prize are determined using the server.

5. The multi-site progressive processing engine of claim 4 , wherein eligible players are designated as players at slot machines, players at table games, or players at slot machines and table games.

6. The multi-site progressive processing engine of claim 4 , wherein eligible players are designated as players from active players with cards, active players without cards, or all active players.

7. A multi-site progressive processing engine interconnected to one or more gaming machines that are linked to a server, wherein the engine provides an opportunity to win a progressive prize, wherein the engine has a progressive prize value that increases according to a progressive prize growth rate, the progressive processing engine comprising:

a selectable multi-site properties value, wherein the selectable multi-site properties value defines a number of properties incorporated into the multi-site progressive prize engine;

a selectable progressive prize value at which the progressive prize is given, wherein the selectable progressive prize value is modifiable by an administrator; and

a selectable targeted progressive prize time which is a theoretical average time when the progressive prize is awarded, wherein the targeted progressive prize time is modifiable by an administrator, and wherein the progressive prize growth rate is calculated using the selectable targeted progressive prize value, the selectable targeted progressive prize time, and an erratic movement enticement factor, wherein the erratic movement enticement factor contributes erratic movement to the progressive prize value growth rate that causes the progressive growth rate to erratically increase and decrease in a +/−5% range;

wherein the progressive prize value is incremented by the progressive prize growth rate; and

wherein a progressive prize win is identified by testing at each time slice, which is calculated from the selectable targeted progressive prize time, before selecting one or more winners of the progressive prize, after which one or more winners of the progressive prize are determined using the server.

8. The multi-site progressive processing engine of claim 7 , wherein eligible players are designated as players at slot machines, players at table games, or players at slot machines and table games.

9. The multi-site progressive processing engine of claim 7 , wherein eligible players are designated as players from active players with cards, active players without cards, or all active players.

Assignments (5)
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 →
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 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Nov 30, 2013
From: BALLY GAMING, INC.
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
Reel/Frame 031745/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 6, 2008
From: KELLY, BRYAN M.; MCMAHAN, PATRICIA A.; SILVESTRO, FRANK J.; WALKWITZ, WAYNE W.; MCLAUGHLIN, PAUL C.; RANDAZZO, RYAN
To: BALLY GAMING, INC.
Reel/Frame 021637/0951 →
Continuity (2)
Continuation In Part 11208198 · Aug 19, 2005
Related Publication 20080305865A1 · Dec 11, 2008