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  Bingo-opolyRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), In A Chance Application, Lot Match Or Lot Combination (e.g., Roulette, Lottery, Etc.), Plural Lots (e.g., Keno, Etc.), Plural Matches Create Pattern (e.g., Bingo, Etc.)The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070032289. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/142,779 filed Jun. 2, 2005 entitled "Post Play Bingo." The entire content of said application is incorporated by reference. FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM [0003] This application contains a computer program on CD-ROM, attached as Appendix A and incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] 1. Field of Invention [0005] This invention relates to methods and processes for a bingo-related prize distribution and marketing system whereby use of and participation in such is determined by results of play in a primary traditional bingo game and conditioned upon a player's ongoing presence in the primary game location and/or continued participation in ongoing primary games. [0006] 2. Prior Art [0007] Bingo in its traditional form is a game enjoyed by millions and familiar to millions more. The proliferation of charity, for-profit and tribal gaming, the advent of the computer age and the worldwide Internet explosion have spawned an intensely competitive bingo environment. Bingo game operators are continually seeking new ways to not only draw initial interest to their games but, more importantly, maintain that interest, build player loyalty and increase revenues. [0008] Traditional bingo is played with bingo "cards" containing 25 squares arranged in a 5.times.5 grid, with the letters "B." "I," "N," "G," and "O" at the top of each column. The squares of each column are randomly assigned numbers ranging from 1 to 75, inclusive, with each column encompassing 15 numbers (i.e. B 1-15, I 16-30, etc.). Players purchase cards prior to the start of each game and compete to match preannounced patterns on their cards to numbers randomly selected and "called" by the game operator (i.e. "B 12," "0 71," etc.). The first player to match the preannounced pattern wins the game and a predetermined prize. Traditionally, once a player completes the pattern, calls "bingo," is confirmed the winner and awarded his/her prize, the game ends. Traditional bingo is commonly played in "sessions" consisting of a series of bingo games played one after another at one location over the course of an evening or afternoon. [0009] Over time, player demand for increased speed of play, game novelty and attractive prize awarding schemes has risen dramatically. One popular response has been the advent of "good neighbor" games in which the prize is shared between the winning player and those seated to his or her immediate right and/or left. Another is "instant," or fast bingo, which games can be played in rapid succession on electronic devices. In addition, "add-on" games are commonly offered wherein players may purchase additional add-on bingo cards to use for play in a particular primary game. Players compete in the primary game using the additionally purchased add-on cards, which are configured in the same fashion as traditional bingo cards. If the winner achieves "bingo" on one of the add-on cards, he or she is then entitled to an additional prize, as well as the original prize offered in the primary game. If the game winner achieves bingo without an add-on card, no additional prize is awarded for that add-on game. Today's bingo player, however, is not satisfied by a session of relatively slow-moving, common, traditional bingo games with a single player winning a single prize each game. [0010] Bingo halls now compete with and incorporate electronic and computer-based devices in their operations. These devices allow players to monitor more cards per game (as many as 50 or more) and play more games through computer-generated random ball calls. In this context, bingo in its traditional form is still being played, but at a more rapid pace. Bingo players, however, continue to demand novelty. [0011] Currently, 46 of 50 states permit the play of traditional bingo. Federally, traditional bingo is classified as Class II gaming by the National Indian Gaming Commission. This includes the basic characteristics of requiring more than one participant, having a preannounced prize and pattern for a winner to complete on bingo cards sold prior to commencement of the game, a random number call and an element of competition between players. Class III gaming encompasses what are commonly known as slot machines, where players play against the machine itself. Class III gaming is universally prohibited in traditional bingo hall-type operations and is of the type conducted in casinos. [0012] In response to player demand for novelty in this age of computers and electronic gaming devices, a way to give traditional bingo players "more bang for the buck" has presented the bingo industry with a dilemma. Many "bingo-styled" games played on electronic machines violate the rules of traditional bingo by failure to meet the criteria of having more than one participant or involving an element of competition between players. As a result, games of this type cannot be operated in traditional bingo hall settings without violating current state law or federal regulations. [0013] The challenge thus facing traditional bingo operators is maintaining the integrity of traditional bingo while, at the same time, satisfying player novelty demand and cultivating player loyalty. The concept of Post Play Bingo described in related U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/142,779 filed Jun. 2, 2005 is an invention which was designed, in broader terms, to address this industry challenge. Bingo-opoly is an invention which specifically effectuates the Post Play Bingo concept by incorporating its unique attributes in a revolutionary prize distribution and marketing process. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION--OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES [0014] The objects and advantages of the Bingo-opoly invention are directed toward the shortcomings of the prior art in responding to current bingo market demands in numerous ways: [0015] A. The use of Bingo-opoly does not affect or alter the primary underlying and universally accepted traditional bingo game. As a result, game operators do not jeopardize the legality of their operations by offering gaming which may otherwise be prohibited. [0016] B. By use of Bingo-opoly across a series of primary traditional bingo games within a bingo session, several advantages are realized: [0017] 1. Player excitement is increased with the prospect of additional winnings and prize sharing, which may be progressive through the session. [0018] 2. Player competition is heightened and continued across games. [0019] 3. Player demand for novelty is addressed by the unique aspects of Bingo-opoly. [0020] 4. Players are given incentive to play throughout the entire session. [0021] C. By use of Bingo-opoly across a series of bingo sessions, several advantages are realized: [0022] 1. Player excitement is increased with the prospect of additional winnings and prize sharing, which may be progressive over a series of sessions. [0023] 2. Player competition is heightened between players not only within individual sessions but over a series of sessions. [0024] 3. Player demand for novelty is addressed by the unique aspects of Bingo-opoly. [0025] 4. Players are given incentive to return to the location offering Bingo-opoly in order to compete in ongoing add-on Bingo-opoly games and share in prizes awarded. [0026] 5. Player loyalty is increased to locations offering Bingo-opoly participation across sessions. [0027] D. The concept of prize sharing within Bingo-opoly, an offshoot of "good neighbor bingo," is accepted and popular with players. [0028] E. Use of Bingo-opoly acts as a forced marketing tool as players have a continuing stake in winning and prize sharing across ongoing games within individual sessions and across a series of sessions, so long as they are present at the bingo location and/or participate in ongoing primary games. [0029] F. Bingo-opoly allows operators flexibility to alter prize distribution, which adds to player excitement, increases player competition and builds player loyalty to the location offering Bingo-opoly. [0030] G. Flexibility in winning and prize distribution criteria allows operators to comply with unique local laws, regulations and player tastes. [0031] H. Operators can increase overall player participation and revenues through use of Bingo-opoly. [0032] I. The concept of Bingo-opoly is equally applicable to a paper-based primary game operation as to one utilizing electronic assistive devices. SUMMARY [0033] Bingo-opoly is an invention by which participation and prize distribution are determined by the results of play in a primary traditional bingo game, but does not in any way alter the play of such game. The unique requirement of continuing player presence in the location and/or ongoing participation in subsequent primary games overcomes numerous deficiencies in the existing art of the bingo industry related to player demand for novelty in games, prize distribution, marketing, the cultivation of player loyalty and increasing bingo operation revenues. DRAWINGS [0034] The following drawings illustrate the exemplary features and various embodiments of the invention. Continue reading... Full patent description for Bingo-opoly Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Bingo-opoly patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. 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