Time-based award system with dynamic value assignment

Abstract

A gaming machine coupled to at least one server via a network includes a display device configured to display a base game to a player playing at the gaming machine, and a controller coupled to the display device. The controller is configured to determine an outcome during play of the base game, and award at least one token based on the outcome of the base game, wherein a value of the token based on as additional play of the base game by the player.

The invention is claimed as follows: 
     
         1 . A gaming system comprising:
 a display device;   an input device;   a processor; and   a memory device that stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to operate with the display device and the input device to:   (a) initiate a play of a primary game;   (b) determine an outcome of said play of the primary game;   (c) display the determined outcome of said play of the primary game;   (d) upon an occurrence of a bonus triggering event:
 (i) initiate a play of a bonus game; 
 (ii) determine an outcome of said play of the bonus game; 
 (iii) display the determined outcome of said play of the bonus game; and 
 (iv) upon an occurrence of a token triggering event in association with said play of the bonus game, award the player a token having a monetary value; and 
   (e) for each awarded token:
 (i) display the monetary value of said token; 
 (ii) upon an occurrence of a token value increase event in association with at least one play of at least one of the primary game and the bonus game, increase the monetary value of said token; and 
 (iii) enable the player to redeem said token for the monetary value of said token. 
   
     
     
         2 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the token value increase event occurs based on a frequency of play of the primary game by the player. 
     
     
         3 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein the token triggering event occurs when the player has accumulated a designated quantity of elements during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         4 . The gaming system of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to accumulate at least one element for the player upon an occurrence of a designated event during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         5 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein each awarded token is one of a plurality of different types of tokens. 
     
     
         6 . The gaming system of  claim 1 , wherein a first initial monetary value of a token of a first type is different than a second initial monetary value of a token of a second different type. 
     
     
         7 . A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
 (a) causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to initiate a play of a primary game;   (b) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine an outcome of said play of the primary game;   (c) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with a display device to display the determined outcome of said play of the primary game;   (d) upon an occurrence of a bonus triggering event:
 (i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate a play of a bonus game; 
 (ii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine an outcome of said play of the bonus game; 
 (iii) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the display device to display the determined outcome of said play of the bonus game; and 
 (iv) upon an occurrence of a token triggering event in association with said play of the bonus game, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to award the player a token having a monetary value; and 
   (e) for each awarded token:
 (i) causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to operate with the display device to display the monetary value of said token; 
 (ii) upon an occurrence of a token value increase event in association with at least one play of at least one of the primary game and the bonus game, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to increase the monetary value of said token; and 
 (iii) enabling the player to redeem said token for the monetary value of said token. 
   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the token value increase event occurs based on a frequency of play of the primary game by the player. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the token triggering event occurs when the player has accumulated a designated quantity of elements during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to accumulate at least one element for the player upon an occurrence of a designated event during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein each awarded token is one of a plurality of different types of tokens. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein a first initial monetary value of a token of a first type is different than a second initial monetary value of a token of a second different type. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , which is provided through a data network. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the data network is an internet. 
     
     
         15 . A non-transitory computer readable medium that stores a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to:
 (a) initiate a play of a primary game;   (b) determine an outcome of said play of the primary game;   (c) cause a display device to display the determined outcome of said play of the primary game;   (d) upon an occurrence of a bonus triggering event:
 (i) initiate a play of a bonus game; 
 (ii) determine an outcome of said play of the bonus game; 
 (iii) cause the display device to display the determined outcome of said play of the bonus game; and 
 (iv) upon an occurrence of a token triggering event in association with said play of the bonus game, award the player a token having a monetary value; and 
   (e) for each awarded token:
 (i) cause the display device to display the monetary value of said token; 
 (ii) upon an occurrence of a token value increase event in association with at least one play of at least one of the primary game and the bonus game, increase the monetary value of said token; and 
 (iii) enable the player to redeem said token for the monetary value of said token. 
   
     
     
         16 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the token value increase event occurs based on a frequency of play of the primary game by the player. 
     
     
         17 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein the token triggering event occurs when the player has accumulated a designated quantity of elements during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         18 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the plurality of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to accumulate at least one element for the player upon an occurrence of a designated event during said play of the bonus game. 
     
     
         19 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein each awarded token is one of a plurality of different types of tokens. 
     
     
         20 . The non-transitory computer readable medium of  claim 15 , wherein a first initial monetary value of a token of a first type is different than a second initial monetary value of a token of a second different type.