The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jan. 18, 2011
Filed:
Mar. 02, 2004
Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield, CT (US);
James A. Jorasch, Stamford, CT (US);
David F. Zucker, Winnetka, IL (US);
Jose A. Suarez, Fairfield, CT (US);
Stephen C. Tulley, Fairfield, CT (US);
Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stamford, CT (US);
Victor M. Garcia, New Haven, CT (US);
Daniel E. Tedesco, Huntington, CT (US);
Steven M. Santisi, Ridgefield, CT (US);
Jay S. Walker, Ridgefield, CT (US);
James A. Jorasch, Stamford, CT (US);
David F. Zucker, Winnetka, IL (US);
Jose A. Suarez, Fairfield, CT (US);
Stephen C. Tulley, Fairfield, CT (US);
Geoffrey M. Gelman, Stamford, CT (US);
Victor M. Garcia, New Haven, CT (US);
Daniel E. Tedesco, Huntington, CT (US);
Steven M. Santisi, Ridgefield, CT (US);
IGT, Reno, NV (US);
Abstract
A method is disclosed for providing entry into a bonus game at a gaming device, where the bonus games may occur at predictable times and may payout predictable amounts. In one or more embodiments, a gaming device may provide a guaranteed entry into a bonus game every hour on the hour, so long as a player meets one or more criteria. Criteria may include a total amount wagered, a total number of handle pulls completed, or a total amount of time spent at a gaming device. One or more embodiments provide a method for withholding value from a player in order that the value may delivered later in the form of a guaranteed entry into a bonus game. One or more embodiments provide a method whereby multiple gaming devices may provide entry in bonus rounds simultaneously, thereby creating mutually reinforcing sounds and visual displays.