Internet bonusing

Abstract

An Internet bonusing system includes an electronic gaming machine (EGM) having a memory area for receiving information relating to game play on the EGM and a player's activity associated with game play on the EGM and for storing the information. The EGM also includes a processor that is programmed to record play of the player on the EGM, encode at least a portion of the recorded play, and output a result of the encoding in a tangible form to the player. The Internet bonusing system also includes an Internet-enabled computer programmed to communicatively couple to a gaming website and to receive the result of the encoding through an input device communicatively coupled to the computer.

1 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a memory area configured to receive information relating to game play on the gaming machine and a player's activity associated with game play on the gaming machine and to store the information; and   a processor coupled to the memory area and programmed to:
 record play of the player on the gaming machine; 
 encode at least a portion of the recorded play; and 
 output a result of the encoding in a tangible form to the player for use in accessing a gaming website via the Internet. 
   
     
     
         2 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the gaming website is associated with a manufacturer of the gaming machine. 
     
     
         3 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the gaming machine is located in a casino and the gaming website is associated with an owner of the casino. 
     
     
         4 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the gaming website is associated with a third party sponsor of at least a portion of the game play. 
     
     
         5 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an outcome above a predetermined threshold triggers the processor to encode at least a portion of the recorded play. 
     
     
         6 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the result of the encoding is printed on a substrate. 
     
     
         7 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the substrate comprises a paper product. 
     
     
         8 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to encode at least a portion of the recorded play using a hash function. 
     
     
         9 . A method of tracking player activity, said method comprising:
 recording play of a player on a gaming machine;   encoding at least a portion of the recorded play using a hash function; and   outputting a result of the hash function to the player.   
     
     
         10 . A method in accordance with  claim 9 , wherein recording play of a player on a gaming machine comprises accumulating predetermined portions of data over an indeterminate period of time. 
     
     
         11 . A method in accordance with  claim 10 , further comprising evaluating the accumulated data in comparison to at least one rule. 
     
     
         12 . A method of Internet bonusing, said method comprising:
 receiving an output of a hash function from each of a plurality of players, the hash function output including a representation of recorded play of an associated player on a gaming machine at a first gaming venue encoded in the hash function output;   providing credit to the plurality of players for gaming on an Internet-based gaming site based on the respective received output;   scoring outcomes of the Internet gaming played by the plurality of players;   selecting a portion of the plurality of players based on at least one of a ranking of outcomes of the Internet gaming and a random selection; and   awarding a bonus to the selected portion.   
     
     
         13 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that is printed as graphical characters on a physical ticket. 
     
     
         14 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that IS electronically transmitted to at least a portion of the plurality of players. 
     
     
         15 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that is entered into an input device into a computer communicatively coupled to the Internet. 
     
     
         16 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that includes an identifier of the player whose play is recorded in the hash function output. 
     
     
         17 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that includes information relating to the type of games the player played on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         18 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein receiving an output of a hash function comprises receiving an output of a hash function that includes information relating to a wagering of the player on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         19 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein providing credit to the plurality of players for gaming on an Internet-based gaming site based on the respective received output comprises providing credit to the plurality of players that logon to a predetermined Internet gaming website associated with the output of the hash function. 
     
     
         20 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein selecting a portion of the plurality of players comprises selecting a portion of the plurality of players at a predetermined cutoff event. 
     
     
         21 . A method in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein awarding a bonus to the selected portion comprises awarding an invitation to compete in a gaming tournament at the first gaming venue. 
     
     
         22 . An Internet bonusing system comprising:
 a first server configured to host a gaming website and to receive a code via a network, the code based on information relating to player activity associated with game play on a gaming machine, the code generated when the information relating to player activity meets one of a plurality of rules, the code embodied on an offsite play ticket.   
     
     
         23 . An Internet bonusing system in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the first server includes programming code programmed instruct a processor to decode the received code and to determine a player profile that includes the player's gaming preferences and the player's game play activity prior to generation of the offsite play ticket. 
     
     
         24 . An Internet bonusing system in accordance with  claim 23 , wherein the first server includes programming code programmed instruct the processor to facilitate game play by the player on the gaming website using the determined player profile. 
     
     
         25 . An Internet bonusing system in accordance with  claim 22 , wherein the first server includes programming code programmed to instruct the processor to:
 for a plurality of players, determine a relative score of each player based on each player's game play on the gaming website;   determine a plurality of winning players after a predetermined period of game play on the gaming website; and   output an identification of the determined plurality of winning players.   
     
     
         26 . An Internet bonusing system in accordance with  claim 25 , further comprising a second server communicatively coupled to a plurality of gaming machines through a network, each of the plurality of gaming machines configured to receive game play commands from a respective one of the determined plurality of winning players. 
     
     
         27 . An Internet bonusing system in accordance with  claim 26 , wherein said second server includes programming code programmed to instruct a second processor to:
 determine a relative score of each player based on each player's game play on an associated one of the plurality of gaming machines;   determine a rank of the plurality of winning players after a predetermined period of game play on the associated one of the plurality of gaming machines; and   output an identification of the determined winning players.   
     
     
         28 . A method of generating a redemption code, said method comprising:
 recording data related play of a player on an electronic gaming machine (EGM);   detecting that the recorded data meets a threshold value;   combining the data to form a single value in response to the detection;   generating a hash value from the single value using a hash function;   encoding the hash value in a message; and   presenting the message to the player.   
     
     
         29 . A method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein combining the data to form a single value comprises transposing the recorded data and combining the transposed data to form the single value. 
     
     
         30 . A method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein encoding the hash value in a message comprises encrypting the hash value and encoding the encrypted hash value in the message. 
     
     
         31 . A method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein presenting the message to the player comprises printing the message on a medium. 
     
     
         32 . A method in accordance with  claim 28 , wherein presenting the message to the player comprises electronically transmitting the message to the player. 
     
     
         33 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a memory area configured to store information relating to game play on said gaming machine and a player's activity associated with game play on said gaming machine; and   a processor coupled to said memory area, wherein said processor is programmed to:
 monitor the game play information; 
 process the game play information using a plurality of rules; 
 initiate generation of an offsite play ticket when at least one of the plurality of rules is met; 
 encode the game play information; and 
 present the code to the player. 
   
     
     
         34 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein said processor is programmed to encode the game play information based on an identifier associated with the at least one of the plurality of rules. 
     
     
         35 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 33 , wherein said memory area is further configured to store at least one encryption key, and wherein said processor is further programmed to encrypt the code. 
     
     
         36 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a memory area configured to store information relating to initiation of at least one feature mode of operation; and   a processor coupled to the memory area and configured to:
 detect a trigger during the game play by the player; 
 prompt the player to enter a code; and 
 initiate the at least one feature mode of operation on the gaming machine based on the code. 
   
     
     
         37 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein the processor is further configured to store game play information relating to play on the gaming machine by a player to the memory area, to generate the code based on the game play information, and to present the code to the player. 
     
     
         38 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 37 , wherein the processor is configured to generate the code by encoding at least a portion of the stored game play information using a hash function. 
     
     
         39 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein the trigger is a preselected outcome during game play by the player. 
     
     
         40 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein the trigger is a preselected combination of inputs by the player at the gaming machine. 
     
     
         41 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 36 , wherein the processor is further configured to detect an expiration status of the code when entered by the player. 
     
     
         42 . A gaming machine in accordance with  claim 41 , wherein the processor is further configured to present the player with an option to extend an expiration date of the code upon a detection that the code has expired. 
     
     
         43 . A gaming method comprising:
 receiving a code from a player via a network;   providing a trigger to the player for entry into a gaming machine;   detecting the trigger during play by the player on the gaming machine;   enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine in response to detecting the trigger.   
     
     
         44 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein receiving a code comprises receiving an output of the gaming machine as graphical characters on a physical ticket. 
     
     
         45 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein receiving a code comprises receiving a code that is electronically transmitted to the player. 
     
     
         46 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein receiving a code comprises receiving an output of a hash function that is provided to the player. 
     
     
         47 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 46 , further comprising encoding at least a portion of recorded play by the player on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         48 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein detecting a trigger comprises detecting a preselected outcome during game play by the player on the gaming machine. 
     
     
         49 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein detecting a trigger comprises detecting a preselected combination of inputs by the player at the gaming machine. 
     
     
         50 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprises enabling a bonus feature that is accessible on the gaming machine during a preselected time period. 
     
     
         51 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprises:
 identifying a second gaming machine to be played by the player;   detecting play by the player on the second gaming machine; and   enabling the feature mode of play on the second gaming machine.   
     
     
         52 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprises:
 detecting the trigger during play by a second player on a second gaming machine; and   enabling the feature mode of play on the first gaming machine and the second gaming machine.   
     
     
         53 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , wherein enabling a feature mode of play on the gaming machine comprises providing the player with entry into a gaming tournament. 
     
     
         54 . A gaming method in accordance with  claim 43 , further comprising:
 tracking an identifier of the feature mode of play enabled on the gaming machine; and   enabling a second feature mode of play on the gaming machine in response to detection of a second trigger.   
     
     
         55 . A gaming machine comprising:
 a memory area configured to store information relating to initiation of at least one feature mode of operation and information relating to game play by a player at the gaming machine; and   a processor coupled to the memory area and configured to:
 record play by the player on the gaming machine; 
 encode at least a portion of the recorded play; 
 output a result of the encoding in a tangible form to the player for use in accessing a gaming website via the Internet; 
 detect a trigger during the game play by the player; 
 prompt the player to enter the result; and 
 initiate the at least one feature mode of operation on the gaming machine based on the code and the trigger.