Gaming systems and methods for use in providing random rewards

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016351002-A1
Application number	US-201615236883-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Aug 15, 2016
Priority date	Jun 11, 2012
Publication date	Dec 1, 2016
Grant date	—

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

1 - 35 . (canceled)

36 . A computer-implemented method for providing a random reward associated with at least one game that is operable on a gaming machine, said method comprising:
transmitting an advertisement to a player playing the gaming machine by a gaming server communicatively coupled to the gaming machine; receiving, by the gaming server, an acknowledgment that the advertisement was viewed by the player of the gaming machine; transmitting, by the gaming server, after receipt of the acknowledgement, a code associated with the random reward, the code being representative of an entry to win the random reward; redeeming, at the gaming server, from a portable computing device, the code; determining whether the player won the random reward based on the received code at the time of receipt of the code and the player meeting at least one predetermined condition; and providing a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward at the time of the redemption of the code.

37 . The method of claim 36 , wherein transmitting an advertisement to a player comprises transmitting the advertisement to a portable computing device of the player.

38 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising receiving gaming activity data representative of an interaction of a player with the gaming machine through an input interface of the gaming machine, the input interface including at least one of a button, a touch-sensitive screen, a bill acceptor, and a printer.

39 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising receiving the gaming activity data from the gaming machine and transmitting the code to the portable computing device of the player via the gaming machine and based on the gaming activity data.

40 . The method of claim 36 , further comprising determining that the at least one predetermined condition is met if at least one of an amount wagered by the player exceeds a predetermined threshold, the player plays the at least one game within a predetermined time window, an amount of time the player has played the at least one game exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the player plays the at least one game with a predetermined number of other players satisfying a predetermined relationship.

41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein satisfying a predetermined relationship comprises being a member of a circle of friends of the player.

42 . The method of claim 36 , wherein redeeming the code comprises receiving the code based on a predetermined condition that is satisfied by the gaming activity data, the predetermined condition includes the player playing the at least one game with a predetermined number of other players that have a predetermined relationship with the player, the predetermined relationship is one or more of the following: the player has a player tracking account that is associated with the other players; the player is associated with the other players on a social media web site; the player and each of the other players have selected to be a part of a defined group of players.

43 . A gaming server for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game operable on a gaming machine, 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, when said processor executes the computer-executable instructions, said processor is programmed to:
receive gaming activity data of a player playing the at least one game with a circle of friends of the player, the gaming activity data determined by an interaction of a player through an input interface of the gaming machine, the input interface including at least one of a button, a touch-sensitive screen, a bill acceptor, and a printer;
transmit, by the gaming server, to a portable computing device of the player based on the received data, an advertisement;
receive, by the gaming server, an acknowledgment that the advertisement was viewed by the player;
transmit, after receipt of the acknowledgement, a code associated with the random reward, the code being representative of an entry to win the random reward;
receive, from the portable computing device, the code;
determine whether the player won the random reward based on the received code at the time of receipt of the code; and
provide a notification indicating whether the player won the random reward at the time of the determining.

44 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further programmed to receive the gaming activity data from a gaming machine and to transmit the code to the gaming machine based on the gaming activity data.

45 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further programmed to provide the code if at least one predetermined condition is met, the at least one predetermined condition includes at least one of the player plays the at least one game within a predetermined time window, an amount wagered by the player exceeds a predetermined threshold, and an amount of time the player has played the at least one game exceeds a predetermined threshold.

46 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further programmed to provide the notification that the player won the random reward if at least one predetermined condition is met, the at least one predetermined condition includes at least one of the code is received within a predetermined time window, an amount wagered by the player exceeds a predetermined threshold, the player plays the at least one game with a predetermined number of other players satisfying a predetermined relationship, the code matches a predetermined winning code, and the code is received after a predetermined number of other codes have been received within a predetermined time window.

47 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further configured to provide a plurality of codes to the player for the random reward, and to receive the plurality of codes from the player.

48 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further configured to weight odds of winning the random reward based on at least one factor, the at least one factor includes at least one of an amount wagered during the at least one game, an amount of time the player played the at least one game, a number of codes received from the player, a number of codes received from other players satisfying a predetermined relationship with the player, and a player status.

49 . The gaming server of claim 43 , wherein said processor is further programmed to receive a payment credit from the player and to provide at least one additional code to the player based on the payment credit.

50 . A gaming system for use in providing a random reward associated with at least one game, said gaming system comprising:
a gaming machine configured to present the at least one game to a player and to present at least one code associated with a random reward to the player, the code being representative of an entry to win the random reward; and a gaming server coupled to said gaming machine, said gaming server is programmed to:
receive gaming activity data of the player from said gaming machine, the gaming activity data determined by an interaction of a player through an input interface of the gaming machine, the input interface including at least one of a button, a touch-sensitive screen, a bill acceptor, and a printer;
transmit, by the gaming server, to a portable computing device of the player based on the received data, an advertisement;
receive, by the

Assignees

• Video Gaming Tech Inc

Inventors

• Thacker Christopher John
• Milligan Daniel William

Classifications

• G07F17/3262

  Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played · CPC title

• G07F17/3258

  Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots · CPC title

• G07F17/3251

  involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens · CPC title

• G07F17/3211

  Display means · CPC title

• G07F17/3246

  involving coins and/or banknotes · CPC title