Patents Examined by Reginald Renwich
  • Method of awarding a bonus prize in the play of a plurality of gaming machines
    Patent number: 8425311
    Abstract: By awarding bonuses during predetermined bonus periods, gaming establishments can exercise greater control over bonus wins and, in doing so, can create player excitement and increase play during historically off-peak times, realizing greater revenue for the casino. The time based bonus begins when a maximum time for the bonus period is selected and divided into time increments, with each time increment having its own weight. A winning increment is randomly selected and a bonus is awarded when the time increment has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: IGT
    Inventors: Richard J. Schneider, Lawrence R. Pitman, Michael B. Shelby