Gaming systems and methods for use in providing random rewards

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11941941-B2
Application number	US-202318154435-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jan 13, 2023
Priority date	Jun 11, 2012
Publication date	Mar 26, 2024
Grant date	Mar 26, 2024

Abstract

Systems and methods for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game are disclosed. One exemplary method includes receiving, by a gaming server, data representative of gaming activity of a player of the at least one game, providing, by the gaming server, a code associated with the random reward, wherein the code is representative of an entry to win the random reward, receiving, by the gaming server, data representative of a text message including the code, determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code, and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A computer-implemented method for use in providing a random benefit associated with at least one electronic game, said method comprising:
receiving, by a server from a game play device, electronic inputs corresponding to game play activity by a player, wherein the game play activity is associated with a player tracking account associated with the player, and wherein the player tracking account is stored by the server within a memory;
transmitting, by the server to a portable computing device of the player, a code provided for entry towards a random benefit;
storing, by the server within the memory, the code linked to the player tracking account;
after storing the code within the memory linked to the player tracking account, receiving, by the server from the portable computing device, the code linked to the player tracking account during game play activity;
in response to receiving the code from the portable computing device, determining, by the server, that the player is eligible to receive the random benefit by (i) verifying that the received code matches the transmitted code, and (ii) determining that a trigger condition associated with the game play activity and the random benefit is satisfied; and
transmitting, by the server to the portable computing device, a notification regarding the random benefit in response to determining that the player is eligible to receive the random benefit.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising determining that the trigger condition for the random benefit is satisfied, wherein the trigger condition includes one of an amount wagered during the game play activity and an amount of time spent by the player on the game play activity.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the server, an input credit from the player; and
transmitting, by the server to the portable computing device, at least one additional code based on the input credit, wherein the input credit is deducted from a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 3 , further comprising storing, by the server, the at least one additional code within the memory linked to the player tracking account.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting, by the server, an award credit to the player as the random benefit, wherein the award credit is added to a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the portable computing device is one of a cellular phone and a tablet computing device of the player.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the code is transmitted to the portable computing device as a text message via a messaging server, and wherein the server stores the code within the memory for later retrieval.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 7 , further comprising transmitting, by the server to the portable computing device, an input credit for the text message, wherein the input credit is deducted from a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

9. A gaming server for use in providing a random benefit associated with at least one electronic game, said gaming server comprising:
a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer-executable instructions; and
a processor coupled to said computer-readable storage medium for executing the computer-executable instructions, wherein, when said processor executes the computer-executable instructions, said processor is programmed to:
receive, from a game play device, electronic inputs corresponding to game play activity by a player, wherein the game play activity is associated with a player tracking account associated with the player, and wherein the player tracking account is stored by the gaming server within a memory;
transmit, to a portable computing device of the player, a code provided for entry towards a random benefit;
store, within the memory, the code linked to the player tracking account;
after storing the code within the memory linked to the player tracking account, receive, from the portable computing device, the code linked to the player tracking account during game play activity;
in response to receiving the code from the portable computing device, determine that the player is eligible to receive the random benefit by (i) verifying that the received code matches the transmitted code, and (ii) determining that a trigger condition associated with the game play activity and the random benefit is satisfied; and
transmit, to the portable computing device, a notification regarding the random benefit in response to determining that the player is eligible to receive the random benefit.

10. The gaming server of claim 9 , wherein the trigger condition for the random benefit includes one of an amount wagered during the game play activity and an amount of time spent by the player on the game play activity.

11. The gaming server of claim 9 , wherein said processor is further configured to:
receive an input credit from the player; and
transmit, to the portable computing device, at least one additional code based on the input credit, wherein the input credit is deducted from a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

12. The gaming server of claim 11 , wherein said processor is further configured to store the at least one additional code within the memory linked to the player tracking account.

13. The gaming server of claim 9 , wherein said processor is further configured to transmit an award credit to the player as the random benefit, wherein the award credit is added to a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

14. The gaming server of claim 9 , wherein the portable computing device is one of a cellular phone and a tablet computing device of the player.

15. The gaming server of claim 14 , wherein code is transmitted to the portable computing device as a text message via a messaging server, and wherein the server stores the code within the memory for later retrieval.

16. The gaming server of claim 15 , wherein said processor is further configured to transmit, to the portable computing device, an input credit for the text message, wherein the input credit is deducted from a credit amount associated with the player tracking account.

17. A gaming system for use in providing a random benefit associated with at least one electronic game, said gaming system comprising:
a gaming machine configured to present the at least one electronic game to a player; and
a gaming server coupled to said gaming machine, wherein said gaming server is programmed to:
receive, from a game play device, electronic inputs corresponding to game play activity by a player, wherein the game play activity is associated with a player tracking account associated with the player, and wherein the player tracking account is stored by the server within a memory;
transmit, to a portable computing device of the player, a code provided for entry towards a random benefit;
store, within the memory, the code linked to the player tracking account;
after storing the code within the memory linked to the player tracking account, receive, from the portable computing device, the code linked to the player tracking account during game play activity;
in response to receiving the code from the portable computing device, determine that the player is eligible to receive the random benefit by (i) verifying that the received code matches the transmitted c

Assignees

• Video Gaming Tech Inc

Inventors

• Thacker Christopher John
• Milligan Daniel William

Classifications

• G07F17/3218 Primary

  wherein at least part of the system is portable · CPC title

• G07F17/3206

  Player sensing means, e.g. presence detection, biometrics · CPC title

• G07F17/3209

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

• G07F17/3211

  Display means · CPC title

• G07F17/323

  wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions · CPC title