Computerized gaming system and a method of operating thereof

Abstract

The present invention discloses a computerized gaming system enabling providing a bonus for a user who plays a game, a method of operating the system and a bonus module to be used in conjunction with the system. The computerized gaming system is configured to be used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, wherein the system further comprises a bonus module operatively coupled to at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage unit; at least one element of said group is configured to provide bonus-related data to the bonus module; the bonus module is configured to accommodate one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions; to obtain data from at least one element of said group, to process the obtained data in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and, depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.

1 - 22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A computerized gaming system configured to be used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, wherein
 (a) the system further comprises a bonus module operatively coupled to at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage unit;   (b) at least one element of said group is configured to provide bonus-related data to the bonus module;   (c) the bonus module is configured
 i) to accommodate one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions; 
 ii) to obtain bonus-related data from at least one element of said group, 
 iii) to process the obtained data in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and 
 iv) depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with regard to a bonus award. 
   
     
     
         24 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the game server is configured to recognize a bonus-related game event and, in accordance with the recognized event, to provide the bonus module with game-related data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or part thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the billing unit is configured to recognize a bonus-related finance event and, in accordance with the recognized event, to provide the bonus module with finance-related data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or part thereof. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the storage unit is configured to recognize a bonus-related event and, in accordance with the recognized event, to provide the bonus module with user-related data, thus giving rise to bonus-related data or part thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the bonus module is configured to obtain bonus-related data from at least one element of said group in a pull mode. 
     
     
         28 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the bonus-related data are selected from a group comprising data relevant to one or more users; data relevant to one or more games; history of bonuses provided for one or more users and/or one or more games; combination of two or more above. 
     
     
         29 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the bonus module is further configured to determine whether, when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus award. 
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 23  wherein the billing unit is further configured to credit a user's account when the user receives a monetary bonus. 
     
     
         31 . A bonus module configured for use with a computerized network-based gaming system comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, wherein said bonus module is operatively coupled to at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage unit and configured:
 (a) to accommodate one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions:   (b) to obtain bonus related data from at least one element of said group,   (c) to process the obtained data in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and,   (d) depending on a processing outcome, to inform the game server and/or the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.   
     
     
         32 . The bonus module of  claim 31  further configured to obtain bonus-related data from at least one element of said group in a pull mode. 
     
     
         33 . The bonus module of  claim 31  further configured to obtain bonus-related data from at least one element of said group in a push mode upon occurring a certain bonus-related event. 
     
     
         34 . The bonus module of  claim 31  further configured to determine whether, when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus award. 
     
     
         35 . A method of operating a computerized gaming system configured to be used in a network environment and comprising a gaming server operatively coupled to a billing unit and a storage unit, the method comprising:
 (a) obtaining and accommodating one or more predefined and/or configurable rules for bonus calculating and/or bonus award conditions;   (b) automated obtaining bonus-related data from at least one element of a group comprising the gaming server, the billing unit and the storage unit;   (c) processing the obtained data in accordance with accommodated rules and conditions, and   (d) depending on a processing outcome, automated informing the game server and/or the billing unit with regard to a bonus award.   
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the at least part of bonus-related data is game-related data obtained from the game server in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related game event. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the at least part of bonus-related data is finance-related data obtained from the billing unit in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related finance event. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the at least part of bonus-related data is user-related data obtained from the storage unit in a push mode upon recognition of bonus-related user event. 
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 35  wherein at least part of bonus-related data is obtained from at least one element of said group in a pull mode. 
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 35  wherein the bonus-related data are selected from a group comprising data relevant to one or more users; data relevant to one or more games; history of bonuses provided for one or more users and/or one or more games;
 combination of two or more above. 
 
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising determine whether, when and/or in which manner to provide the bonus award. 
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 35  further comprising updating a user's account when the user receives a monetary bonus. 
     
     
         43 . A computer program comprising computer program code means for performing all the steps of  claim 35  when said program is run on a computer. 
     
     
         44 . A computer program as claimed in  claim 43  embodied on a computer readable medium.