IP Library Granted Patent US 12,633,196
Granted Patent B2
US 12,633,196 · App. 18/528,073 · Granted May 19, 2026

Bonus with proximity of occurrence related to base game outcomes or payback percentage

Inventor: John F. Acres (Las Vegas, NV)
Assignee: Acres Technology
G07F17/3244G07F17/32G07F17/323G07F17/3258G07F17/3267G07F17/3286
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,633,196
App. No.
18/528,073
Granted
May 19, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Each play of a base game increases the likelihood of winning a bonus award. A display provides a graphical indication of the change in likelihood of winning the bonus award. In one aspect, the bonus award comprises the opportunity to play a secondary game. In another aspect, winning the bonus award may be based on payback percentage or outcomes of the base game. In yet another aspect, the timing of the next bonus award can be configured, or otherwise based on one or more conditions.

Claims (43)

1 . A method comprising:

based on receiving one or more wagers, executing a game on an electronic gaming machine, wherein the game is associated with a trigger threshold;

based on executing the game on the electronic gaming machine, generating a count;

determining one or more winning outcomes, wherein the one or more winning outcomes are associated with one or more credit amounts;

incrementing, based on the one or more winning outcomes, the count as a function of the one or more credit amounts; and

awarding a bonus award when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more wagers are received via one or more of: a low power communications module, an internet connected module, a cash acceptor, coin acceptor, token acceptor, credit transfer, or electronic funds transfer.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the electronic gaming machine comprises one or more of: a virtual slot machine, a virtual card machine, or a virtual table game.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the bonus award comprises one or more opportunities to play a secondary game.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein incrementing the count as a function of the one or more credit amounts comprises incrementing the count in proportion to the one or more credit amounts.

6 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising delaying, based on a user selection, awarding the bonus award.

7 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:

receiving a player identifier; and

transferring, based on the player identifier, the one or more credit amounts to an account associated with the player identifier.

8 . One or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing processor executable instructions thereon, which, when executed by at least one processor cause the at least one processor to:

based on receiving one or more wagers, execute a game on an electronic gaming machine, wherein the game is associated with a trigger threshold;

based on executing the game on the electronic gaming machine, generate a count;

determine one or more winning outcomes, wherein the one or more winning outcomes are associated with one or more credit amounts;

increment, based on the one or more winning outcomes, the count as a function of one or more credit amounts; and

award a bonus award when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.

9 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the one or more wagers are received via one or more of: a low power communications module, an internet connected module, a cash acceptor, coin acceptor, token acceptor, credit transfer, or electronic funds transfer.

10 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the electronic gaming machine comprises one or more of: a virtual slot machine, a virtual card machine, or a virtual table game.

11 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the bonus award comprises one or more opportunities to play a secondary game.

12 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the processor executable instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to increment the count as a function of the one or more credit amounts further cause the at least one processor to increment the count in proportion to the one or more credit amounts.

13 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to delay, based on a user selection, awarding the bonus award.

14 . The one or more non-transitory computer-readable media of claim 8 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the at least one processor, further cause the at least one processor to:

receive a player identifier; and

transfer, based on the player identifier, the one or more credit amounts to an account associated with the player identifier.

15 . An apparatus comprising:

one or more processors; and

memory storing processor executable instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus to:

based on receiving one or more wagers, execute a game on apparatus, wherein the game is associated with a trigger threshold;

based on executing the game on the apparatus, generate a count;

determine one or more winning outcomes, wherein the one or more winning outcomes are associated with one or more credit amounts;

increment, based on the one or more winning outcomes, the count as a function of one or more credit amounts; and

award a bonus award when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.

16 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the one or more wagers are received via one or more of: a low power communications module, an internet connected module, a cash acceptor, coin acceptor, token acceptor, credit transfer, or electronic funds transfer.

17 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein apparatus comprises one or more of: a virtual slot machine, a virtual card machine, or a virtual table game.

18 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the bonus award comprises one or more opportunities to play a secondary game.

19 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to delay, based on a user selection, awarding the bonus award.

20 . The apparatus of claim 15 , wherein the processor executable instructions, when executed by the one or more processors, further cause the one or more processors to:

receive a player identifier; and

transfer, based on the player identifier, the one or more credit amounts to an account associated with the player identifier.

Assignments (2)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 5, 2023
From: ACRES, JOHN F.
To: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
Reel/Frame 065769/0699 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Dec 5, 2023
From: PATENT INVESTMENT & LICENSING COMPANY
To: ACRES TECHNOLOGY
Reel/Frame 065788/0183 →
Continuity (8)
Continuation 16866975 · May 5, 2020
Continuation 16247859 · Jan 15, 2019
Continuation 16022261 · Jun 28, 2018
Continuation 14954233 · Nov 30, 2015
Division 13603793 · Sep 5, 2012
Division 12405824 · Mar 17, 2009
Provisional Application 61038314 · Mar 20, 2008
Related Publication 20240112536A1 · Apr 4, 2024
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