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

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2018308316-A1
Application number	US-201816022261-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 28, 2018
Priority date	Mar 20, 2008
Publication date	Oct 25, 2018
Grant date	—

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.

First claim

I claim:

1 . A gaming device comprising:
a base game; at least one number generator configured to select a trigger threshold; at least one counter that progresses based on play of the base game; an award comprising at least one of a secondary game and a bonus feature that is configured to be enabled when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold; and a process configured to modify the count by a number that is a function of a payback percentage of the base game.

2 . The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the award is configured to be randomly enabled on an average frequency that is related to play of the base game.

3 . The gaming device of claim 1 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of the payback percentage to the count.

4 . The gaming device of claim 3 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of 1 plus the payback percentage to the count.

5 . The gaming device of claim 4 wherein the function of 1 plus the payback percentage comprises (1+the payback percentage).

6 . The gaming device of claim 4 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of 1 minus the payback percentage to the count.

7 . A gaming system comprising:
a first base game; a second base game; a counter configured to generate a count related to play of at least one of the first and second base games; a process configured to modify the count by a number that is a function of a payback percentage of at least one of the base games; and an award comprising at least one of a secondary game and a bonus feature that is configured to be enabled based on the count.

9 . The gaming system of claim 7 , further comprising:
a number generator configured to select a trigger threshold; and at least one award mechanism configured to enable the award when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.

9 . The gaming system of claim 7 wherein the award mechanism is configured to be randomly enabled on an average frequency that is related to play of at least one of the base games.

10 . The gaming system of claim 7 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of the payback percentage to the count.

11 . The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of 1 plus the payback percentage to the count.

12 . The gaming system of claim 10 wherein the process is further configured to modify the count by adding a function of 1 minus the payback percentage to the count.

13 . The gaming system of claim 12 wherein the function of 1 minus the payback percentage comprises (1−the payback percentage).

14 . A method of operating a gaming device comprising:
selecting at least one trigger threshold; generating at least one count that progresses responsive to play of a game implemented on the gaming device; modifying the count as a function of a payback percentage of the game; and enabling an award comprising at least one of a bonus feature and a secondary game when the count bears a predefined relationship to the trigger threshold.

15 . The method of claim 14 further comprising randomly enabling the award on an average frequency that is related to play of the game.

16 . The method of claim 14 further comprising modifying the count by adding a function of the payback percentage to the count.

17 . The method of claim 16 further comprising modifying the count by adding a function of 1 plus the payback percentage to the count.

18 . The method of claim 16 further comprising modifying the count by adding a function of 1 minus the payback percentage to the count.

19 . The method of claim 18 wherein the function of 1 minus the payback percentage comprises (1−the game payback percentage).

Assignees

• Patent Invest & Licensing Co

Inventors

• Acres John F

Classifications

• G07F17/3244 Primary

  Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes · CPC title

• G07F17/3267

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

• G07F17/3286

  Type of games · CPC title

• G07F17/323

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

• G07F17/3258

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