Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-01-13
2002-04-23
Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Credit/debit monitoring or manipulation
C463S016000, C463S025000, C463S027000, C463S042000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06375568
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates interactive gaming systems.
2. Problem to be Solved
Slot machines have become one of the most popular wagering games available at casinos. Casinos are not as numerous as state lottery terminals and off-track-betting parlors. Casinos are located in a few geographical locations, i.e. Las Vegas, Reno, Atlantic City, Monte Carlo, Connecticut, etc. Therefore, casinos are not readily available to most consumers. Consequently, it is not possible for everyone to travel to a casino and experience the excitement and challenge of playing the slot machines or other wagering games. For example, one reason may be that many prospective players of wagering games are financially unable to incur travel and lodging costs. Another reason may be that the prospective players do not have sufficient time in their schedules to permit travel to a casino. A further reason is that prospective players may be physically unable to travel due to physical handicaps, injuries, sickness, etc. What is needed is a gaming system and process that allows players to experience the challenge and excitement of playing unique and highly entertaining wagering games regardless of the (i) geographical location of the players, (ii) financial inability to travel to a casino, and (iii) physical inability of the players to travel to casinos.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interactive gaming process and system.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interactive gaming process and system that allows participation by players over the internet.
It is a further of the present invention to provide a new and improved interactive gaming process and system that provides the players with relatively more enjoyment and entertainment while playing a wagering game.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a new and improved interactive gaming process and system that provides players with the opportunity to play as a group or play against each other.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in light of the ensuing description of the present invention.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to, in one aspect, an interactive gaming process comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a gaming system comprising:
(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game that provides a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played, and
(ii) a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;
(b) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;
(c) activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game and theme game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;
(d) controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;
(e) determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria;
(f) repeating steps (c)-(e) if in step (e), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria;
(g) designating the player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria as the Leader;
(h) thereafter, configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme;
(i) activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;
(j) controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;
(k) determining if the current Leader's theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria;
(l) repeating steps (b)-(k) if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader's theme game results no longer meet the first predetermined criteria;
(m) determining if any of the players' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria if it is determined in step (k) that the current Leader's theme game results continue to meet the first predetermined criteria;
(n) repeating steps (b)-(m) if in step (m), it is determined that there is no player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria; and
(o) providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player in the group of players if in step (m), it is determined that there is a player whose theme game results meet the second predetermined criteria.
In another aspect, the present invention is directed to an interactive gaming system comprising:
a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine having a wagering game and a theme game, the wagering game having features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played;
a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random;
means for configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;
means for activating each gaming machine to effect play of the wagering game;
means for controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;
first means for determining if there is a player whose theme game results meet a first predetermined criteria;
means, responsive to the first determining means, for designating the player whose theme game results meet the first predetermined criteria as the Leader;
means for configuring the gaming machines according to a second pay-out scheme when the designating means designates a player as the Leader;
means for activating the gaming machines to effect play of the wagering game in the second pay-out scheme;
means for controlling each gaming machine to play the theme game according to the results of the wagering game;
second means for determining if the current Leader's theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria;
third means for determining if any of the players' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria; and
means, responsive to the second and third determining means for providing a proportional share of a jackpot to each player in the group of players if the current Leader's theme game results still meet the first predetermined criteria, and at least one of the players' theme game results meet a second predetermined criteria.
In yet another aspect, the present invention is directed to a gaming process for use with the internet comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a gaming system comprising:
(i) a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players, each gaming machine being located at a remote internet site, each gaming machine comprising a personal computer that is programmed to display (i) a video slot machine having a plurality of reels and a pay line, and (ii) a theme game, each reel having indicia thereon that corresponds to the theme game wherein the results of the theme game are influenced by the combination of indicia at the pay-line after the reels are spun, and
(ii) a controller remote from the gaming machines for electronically linking the gaming machine and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect video slot machine outputs that are impartial and random;
(b) creating a wager account for each player;
(c) depositing funds into each wager account;
(d) configuring the gaming machines to a first pay-out scheme;
(e) activating each gaming machine to effect spinning of the reels of the video slot machine wherein each gaming machine is activated by a corresponding player;
(f) thereafter, de
Roffman Arnold P.
Ross Mark J.
Harrison Jessica J.
Interbet Corporation
Nuzzo Raymond A.
Rada, II Aiex F. R. P.
LandOfFree
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