Wagering game system and method with combined variable randomness and skill-based prize selection

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10497216-B2
Application number	US-201816120377-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 3, 2018
Priority date	Feb 12, 2016
Publication date	Dec 3, 2019
Grant date	Dec 3, 2019

Abstract

A wagering game system and method include a bonus game for a game of chance that enables a player to win a bonus prize or select one of a plurality of bonus prizes. The bonus game receives input from a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a skill-based task having an outcome that has an influence on selection of one of the bonus prizes. A processor applies a randomness adjustment to the task or the outcome to further influence winning of, or selection of, one of the bonus prizes. The randomness adjustment is based on a skill level of the player. The skill level of the player may be adjusted based on wagering activity, prize history, or other factors.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system, comprising:
a gaming device comprising:
a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value;
a user interface configured to:
enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance; and
enable the player to initiate a cash out operation;

a processor programmed to:
add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player;
deduct the selected wager from the credit balance; and
decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation; and

a bonus game that enables the player to win a bonus prize, the bonus game having a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outcome that has an influence on winning the bonus prize, wherein the processor applies a randomness adjustment based on a skill level of the player to the task or the outcome to further influence winning of the bonus prize.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the randomness adjustment comprises applying a randomization factor of accuracy to the task or the outcome.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment to affect at least one of speed, dexterity, and agility required to perform the task.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the randomness adjustment comprises adding or subtracting a random period of time to a base period of time allowed to perform at least a portion of the task.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to apply the random adjustment by applying a random factor to at least one of a targeting angle or position, a starting angle or position, and a stopping angle or position associated with performing the task.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by adding or subtracting a random or predetermined value to a speed associated with performing the task.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein probability of the randomness adjustment varies based on available bonus prizes.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor is programmed to apply the randomness adjustment by assigning a random acceleration or deceleration to at least one motion associated with performing the task.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the random acceleration or deceleration makes performing the task more difficult to influence winning a high-value bonus prize.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player to maintain a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor adjusts probability of the randomness adjustment based on a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player based on prizes won by the player during a current gaming session.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the processor adjusts the skill level of the player based on accumulated wagering of the player over a predetermined period of time.

14. A method of winning a bonus prize for a game of chance, the method comprising:
receiving a physical item associated with a monetary value using a monetary input device of a gaming device;
enabling a player to select a wager for a game of chance using a user interface of the gaming device;
enabling the player to initiate a cash out operation using the user interface;
adding the monetary value to a credit balance for the player;
deducting the selected wager from the credit balance;
decreasing the credit balance in response to the cash out operation;
providing a bonus game that enables the player to win a bonus prize associated with the game of chance, the bonus game having a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outcome that has an influence on winning the bonus prize; and
applying, by the processor, a randomness adjustment to the task or the outcome to further influence winning the bonus prize, wherein the randomness adjustment is based on a skill level of the player.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the randomness adjustment comprises a randomization factor of accuracy applied to the task or the outcome.

16. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the random adjustment to affect at least one of speed, dexterity, and agility required to perform the task.

17. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises adding or subtracting a random period of time to a base period of time allowed to perform at least a portion of the task.

18. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying a randomization factor to at least one of a targeting angle or position, a starting angle or position, and a stopping angle or position associated with performing the task.

19. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the randomness adjustment by adding or subtracting a random or predetermined value to a speed associated with performing the task.

20. The method of claim 14 wherein probability of the randomness adjustment varies based on available bonus prizes.

21. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the randomness adjustment comprises applying the randomness adjustment by assigning an acceleration or deceleration to at least one motion associated with performing the task.

22. The method of claim 14 wherein applying the random adjustment comprises applying the random adjustment to make performing the task more difficult to influence selection of a high-value bonus prize.

23. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player to maintain a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time.

24. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting probability of the randomness adjustment based on a predetermined percentage or percentage range of money or credits returned to the player over a predetermined period of time.

25. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player based on prizes won by the player during a current gaming session.

26. The method of claim 14 further comprising adjusting the skill level of the player based on accumulated wagering of the player over a predetermined period of time.

27. A gaming device, comprising:
a monetary input device configured to receive a physical item associated with a monetary value;
a user interface configured to:
enable a player to select a wager for a game of chance;
enable the player to initiate a cash out operation; and
enable the player to play a bonus game to select one of a plurality of bonus prizes after winning the game of chance;

a processor programmed to:
add the monetary value to a credit balance for the player;
deduct the selected wager from the credit balance;
decrease the credit balance in response to the cash out operation;
provide the bonus game to the player via the user interface, wherein the bonus game receives input from a bonus prize input device configured to be manipulated by the player to perform a task having an outc

Assignees

• Gaming Arts LLC

Inventors

• Colvin David
• Colvin Eric D

Classifications

• G07F17/3297

  Fairground games, e.g. Tivoli, coin pusher machines, cranes · CPC title

• G07F17/3295

  Games involving skill, e.g. dexterity, memory, thinking · CPC title

• G07F17/3213

  Details of moving display elements, e.g. spinning reels, tumbling members · CPC title

• G07F17/3267 Primary

  Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games · CPC title

• G07F17/3209

  Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen · CPC title