Bonus server with community bonus round gaming

Abstract

A bonus server system comprises a network interface and a processor. The network interface is configured to receive game information from a first game machine and transmit an initiation message to the first game machine and to a second game machine. The processor is configured to determine whether to initiate a community bonus round based on at least some of the game information and generate the initiation message based on the determination to initiate the community bonus round.

1 . A bonus server system comprising: 
 a network interface configured to receive game information from a first game machine and transmit an initiation message to the first game machine and to a second game machine; and    a processor configured to determine whether to initiate a community bonus round based on at least some of the game information and generate the initiation message based on the determination to initiate the community bonus round.    
   
   
       2 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to monitor the first game machine to determine if a triggering event to initiate the community bonus round has occurred.  
   
   
       3 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to command the first game machine to display a request to join the community bonus round and receive a reply indicating an acceptance or refusal.  
   
   
       4 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to command the first game machine to display a bonus message indicating that the community bonus round has been initiated.  
   
   
       5 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to calculate a score of one or more players in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       6 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to determine a result of the community bonus round.  
   
   
       7 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to operate the community bonus round.  
   
   
       8 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to upload software onto the first game machine and the second game machine to prepare for participation in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       9 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the first game machine comprises a slot machine.  
   
   
       10 . The bonus server system of  claim 1  wherein the processor is configured to command the first game machine to print one or more coupons redeemable by a player.  
   
   
       11 . A method for gaming, the method comprising: 
 receiving game information from a first game machine;    determining to initiate a community bonus round based on at least some of the game information;    generating an initiation message based on the determination to initiate the community bonus round; and    transmitting the initiation message to the first game machine and to a second game machine.    
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising monitoring the first game machine to determine if a triggering event to initiate the community bonus round has occurred.  
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising commanding the first game machine to display a request to join the community bonus round and receive a reply indicating an acceptance or refusal.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising commanding the first game machine to display a bonus message indicating that the community bonus round has been initiated.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising calculating a score of one or more players in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising determining a result of the community bonus round.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising operating the community bonus round.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising uploading software onto the first game machine and the second game machine to prepare for participation in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the first game machine comprises a slot machine.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 11  further comprising commanding the first game machine to print one or more coupons redeemable by a player.  
   
   
       21 . A software product for gaming, the software product comprising: 
 software operational when executed by a processor to direct the processor to receive game information from a first game machine, determine to initiate a community bonus round based on at least some of the game information, generate an initiation message based on the determination to initiate the community bonus round, and transmit the initiation message to the first game machine and to a second game machine; and    a storage medium configured to store the software.    
   
   
       22 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to monitor the first game machine to determine if a triggering event to initiate the community bonus round has occurred.  
   
   
       23 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to command the first game machine to display a request to join the community bonus round and receive a reply indicating an acceptance or refusal.  
   
   
       24 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to command the first game machine to display a bonus message indicating that the community bonus round has been initiated.  
   
   
       25 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to calculate a score of one or more players in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       26 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to determine a result of the community bonus round.  
   
   
       27 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to operate the community bonus round.  
   
   
       28 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to upload software onto the first game machine and the second game machine to prepare for participation in the community bonus round.  
   
   
       29 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the first game machine comprises a slot machine.  
   
   
       30 . The software product of  claim 21  wherein the software is operational when executed by the processor to command the first game machine to print one or more coupons redeemable by a player.