# US 8,540,562 B2 · Advantage bingo bonus > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 8,540,562 B2 - Document ID: US8540562B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/655,453 - Filed: 2007-01-19 - Published: 2007-05-24 - Granted: 2013-09-24 - Earliest claimed: 2007-01-19 - Assignees: Igt - Applicants: Jay Roper; Cara Iddings; Craig A. Paulsen - Inventors: Jay Roper; Cara Iddings; Craig A. Paulsen - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8540562B2 ## CPC - G07F 17/3267: {Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games} - G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements - G07F 17/3202: {Hardware aspects of a gaming system, e.g. components, construction, architecture thereof} - G07F 17/3237: {about the players, e.g. profiling, responsible gaming, strategy/behavior of players, location of players} - G07F 17/3248: {involving non-monetary media of fixed value, e.g. casino chips of fixed value} - G07F 17/3262: {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} - G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00}) ## Abstract One or more instances of a bonus game (e.g., Class II games such as Bingo games) may be provided to players of another wagering game (e.g., a Class III game such as a slot game, a poker game, etc.). Some implementations of the invention allow players to exchange indicia of credit (e.g., money, game credits, or player loyalty points) for bonus opportunities. For example, players may be able to purchase one or more Bingo cards for Bingo bonus games. Some implementations award bonus opportunities to players based on wager levels, game results, a player's level in a player loyalty program and/or other criteria. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A gaming method, comprising: providing a Class III wagering game for play for which there is an established plurality of ranks of players of the Class III wagering game and an established correspondence between each rank and a respective level of bonus Bingo games; identifying prior to commencement of play by a player a set of players for each respective rank who will receive an offer to play the respective corresponding level of bonus Bingo games; determining whether the player is included in a set of players for an established rank who will receive an offer to play the respective level of bonus Bingo games corresponding to said established rank; and offering the player an opportunity to play the respective corresponding level of bonus Bingo games if it is determined that the player is included in the set of players for said established rank. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of the plurality of ranks includes referencing data pertaining to a player loyalty program. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the establishment of the plurality of ranks includes referencing recent player activity. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the offering step comprises offering Bingo cards for the bonus Bingo games in response to events pertaining to the Class III wagering game. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the offering step comprises offering Bingo cards for the bonus Bingo games in exchange for money, player loyalty points or game credits. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the offering step comprises: offering, to a first rank of players, an opportunity to play a first level of bonus Bingo games; and offering, to a second rank of players, an opportunity to play a second level of bonus Bingo games. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the offering step comprises: offering, to a first rank of players, an opportunity to play a first level of bonus Bingo games at no extra charge; and offering, to a second rank of players, an opportunity to play a second level of bonus Bingo games in exchange for money, player loyalty points or game credits. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1, wherein the Class III wagering game comprises a slot game, a poker game, a blackjack game, a keno game or a baccarat game. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1 wherein the Class III wagering game is provided for play on a remote game player over a network. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The gaming method of claim 1 wherein the levels of bonus Bingo games are provided for play in a gaming establishment. ### Claim 11 A gaming system, comprising: means for providing a Class III wagering game; means for establishing a plurality of ranks of players of the Class III wagering game; means for making a correspondence between each established rank of players and a respective level of bonus Bingo games; means for identifying prior to commencement of play by a player a set of players for each rank who will receive an offer to play the respective corresponding level of bonus Bingo games; means for determining whether the player is included in a set of players for an established rank who will receive an offer to play the respective level of bonus Bingo games corresponding to said established rank; and means for offering the player an opportunity to play the respective corresponding level of bonus Bingo games if it is determined that the player is included in the set of players for said established rank. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the establishing means comprises means for referencing data pertaining to a player loyalty program. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the establishing means comprises means for referencing recent player activity. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises means for offering Bingo cards for the bonus Bingo games in response to events pertaining to the Class III wagering game. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises means for offering Bingo cards for the bonus Bingo games in exchange for money, player loyalty points or game credits. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises: means for offering, to a first rank of players, an opportunity to play a first level of bonus Bingo games; and means for offering, to a second rank of players, an opportunity to play a second level of bonus Bingo games. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises: means for offering, to a first rank of players, an opportunity to play a first level of bonus Bingo games at no extra charge; and means for offering, to a second rank of players, an opportunity to play a second level of bonus Bingo games in exchange for money, player loyalty points or game credits. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the Class III wagering game comprises a slot game, a poker game, a blackjack game, a keno game or a baccarat game. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises an electronic gaming machine. ### Claim 20 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises a kiosk. ### Claim 21 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11, wherein the offering means comprises a server. ### Claim 22 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11 wherein the Class III wagering game is provided for play on a remote game player over a network. ### Claim 23 (depends on 11) The gaming system of claim 11 wherein the levels of bonus Bingo games are provided for play in a gaming establishment.