Gaming machine bonusing method utilizing a player tracking card

Abstract

Methods and apparatus for providing a bonus on a gaming machine are disclosed. Specifically, a first bonus can be provided to a player on a gaming machine. During or for an outcome of the first bonus, an opportunity for a second bonus can be provided. Whether the opportunity has been met can be determined using player tracking information from a player tracking card inserted into the gaming machine. If the opportunity has been met, then a second bonus can be provided.

1 . A method for providing a bonus on a gaming machine comprising: 
 providing a first bonus to a player on a gaming machine;    providing an opportunity for a second bonus during the first bonus;    determining if the opportunity has been met using player tracking information; and    providing the second bonus if the opportunity has been met.    
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the opportunity is met if the player tracking information indicates that the player associated with the player tracking information is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or single win recipient.  
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the opportunity is met if a player tracking card is inserted into the gaming machine and a specified activity is performed in response to a specified event.  
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the specified event is an audio signal, a visual signal, or both an audio and visual signal.  
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the specified event is saved to the gaming machine or an associated gaming device as game state information.  
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the opportunity is met if a player tracking card is inserted into the gaming machine in response to a specified event.  
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the specified event is an audio signal, a visual signal, or both an audio and visual signal.  
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the specified event is saved to the gaming machine or an associated gaming device as game state information.  
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second bonus is a multiple of the first bonus.  
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second bonus is a bonus game.  
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second bonus is a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, credits, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second bonus is redeemable during a subsequent gaming session.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising displaying progress towards a bonus award, wherein one or more outcomes from the second bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the progress displayed is in the form of a puzzle, wherein a plurality of outcomes are used to complete the puzzle for the bonus award.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the bonus award is a multiple amount, a bonus game, credits, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the progress displayed is in the form of a diagram.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the bonus award is a multiple amount, a bonus game, credits, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player tracking information is associated with a player tracking card inserted into the gaming machine.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player tracking information is associated with a player tracking card, a smart card, Java card, memory stick, or wireless device.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the wireless device is a PDA, cell phone, Bluetooth-related item, or RFID device.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the player tracking information is associated with a virtual player tracking card used during an Internet gaming session.  
   
   
       22 . A method for providing a bonus award on a gaming machine comprising: 
 providing a first bonus to a player on a gaming machine;    receiving player tracking information associated with the player, wherein the player tracking information includes player status information; and    providing a second bonus during or for an outcome of the first bonus if the player tracking information meets a specified criteria.    
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the player status information includes whether the player is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 23 , wherein the specified criteria is met if the player status information indicates that the player is a preferred player, a member of a special group, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the player status information includes the player's level of patronage, frequency of game play, or a combination thereof, and wherein the specified criteria is a minimum level of patronage, frequency of game play, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 25 , wherein the level of patronage is determined by the number of game plays, denomination of one or more gaming machines played, the amount of credits bet during game play, or a combination thereof, by the player during a time interval.  
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the time interval accounts for the player's entire game playing history.  
   
   
       28 . A gaming system for providing a bonus award on a gaming machine comprising: 
 logic for providing a primary game, wherein the primary game is a game of chance;    logic for providing a first bonus, wherein the first bonus is provided based on player tracking information, a random event, or a combination thereof; and    logic for providing a second bonus, wherein the second bonus is provided during or for the first bonus, and wherein the second bonus is based on player tracking information.    
   
   
       29 . The gaming system of  claim 28 , wherein the logic for providing the first and second bonus is provided by a bonus server.  
   
   
       30 . The gaming machine system of  claim 28 , wherein the logic for providing the first and second bonus is provided by a master gaming controller associated with a gaming machine of the gaming system.  
   
   
       31 . The gaming machine system of  claim 28 , wherein the second bonus is a multiple of the first bonus.  
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the second bonus is a bonus game, a monetary prize, an in-kind prize, an indicia of credits, or a combination thereof.  
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 28 , wherein the player tracking information is stored on a player tracking server.  
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 28 , further comprising logic for displaying progress towards a bonus award, wherein one or more outcomes from the second bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.  
   
   
       35 . The method of  claim 34 , wherein one or more outcomes from the first bonus are used to progress towards the bonus award.