US 8,133,112 B2Granted

Gaming device for a flat rate play session and method of operating same

AssigneeWalker Digital, LLC

InventorsJay S. Walker, James A. Jorasch, Geoffrey M. Gelman, Magdalena M. Fincham, Steven M. Santisi, Norman C. Gilman, Thomas M. Sparico

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Abstract

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the player's credit account.

Claims32

Dependent claims

A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:

outputting, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game and by use of a display component of the gaming device, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,
wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,
wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receiving, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;
determining at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;
receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
initiating the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

13 more elements

A device, comprising:

a processor;
and
a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:
output, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,
wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,
wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receive, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;
determine at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;
receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
initiate the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

16 more elements

A system, comprising:

a plurality of gaming devices;
and
a controller operable to communicate with the plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, the controller being further operable to:
output, to a player of one of the gaming devices, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,
wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,
wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receive, from the player, a selection of the at least one flat rate play session;
determine at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;
receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
initiate the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

16 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

outputting, to a player of a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a flat rate play session that may be purchased via the gaming device, the indication including a price of the flat rate play session,
wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of play of the gaming device during which the player need not make funds available for plays, the period spanning a plurality of plays of the gaming device,
wherein the flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of the flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receiving, from the player, a selection of the flat rate play session;
determining at least one parameter that defines the flat rate play session;
receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
initiating the flat rate play session in accordance with the at least one parameter.

13 more elements

A method of operating a gaming device, comprising:

outputting, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase, each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,
wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,
wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein the flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during a given flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receiving, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;
receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
causing the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.

12 more elements

A device, comprising:

a processor;
and
a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to:
output, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,
each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,
wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,
wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receive, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;
receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
cause the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.

16 more elements

A system, comprising:

a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, the controller being further operable to:
output, via a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,
each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,
wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,
wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receive, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;
receive, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
cause the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith;
the system further comprising the plurality of gaming devices.

15 more elements

A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:

outputting, via a gaming device operable to facilitate a wagering game, an indication of a plurality of flat rate play session packages that are available for purchase,
each flat rate play session package having associated therewith a price and at least one parameter defining the flat rate play session of the package,
wherein each flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a player need not make funds available between plays, the period of time spanning multiple plays of the gaming device,
wherein each flat rate play session defines at least one of a minimum number of plays comprising the session or a minimum amount of time comprising the session,
wherein each flat rate play session defines a wager amount attributable to each play of the flat rate play session,
wherein, during the flat rate play session, monetary payouts won based on outcomes generated via a random number generator are added to a credit meter balance associated with the flat rate play session, and
further wherein the price of a given flat rate play session is determined by a processor of a computing device performing the following steps:
(i) simulating a number of flat rate play sessions defined by (a) the at least one of a minimum number of plays or the minimum amount of time, (b) the wager amount and (c) a probability of achieving each active monetary payout available during the flat rate play session, the number being greater than one;
(ii) determining, for each simulated flat rate play session, a sum of the net winnings expected to be paid at a conclusion of the simulated flat rate play session;
(iii) averaging the sums of net winnings based on the number of flat rate play sessions simulated, thereby determining an average cost of the flat rate play session to a casino;
and
(iv) adding in a preferred amount of profit to the average cost of the flat rate play session, thereby determining the price;
receiving, from a player, a selection of one of the flat rate play session packages;
receiving, from the player, prepayment of the price prior to a first play of the flat rate play session being initiated;
and
causing the gaming device to be configured to conduct the flat rate play session of the selected package in accordance with the at least one parameter associated therewith.

13 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 10/986,529Filed 10 Nov 2004 · continuation
Priority: 23 Jun 1997
Published: US 2005/0085295 A121 Apr 2005
Granted: 13 Mar 2012
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification4 codes

G07F 17/3244
For games, toys, sports, or amusements: payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
G07F 17/32
Coin-freed apparatus for hiring articles; Coin-freed facilities or services: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
G07F 17/3269
Game play aspects of gaming systems: timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine
G07F
Coin-freed or like apparatus

Family

Application08/880,838Parent of this continuation · filed 23 Jun 1997
Application09/518,760Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 3 Mar 2000
Application60/282,792Us provisional application · filed 10 Apr 2001
Application10/001,089Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Nov 2001
US 2005/0085295 A1Pre-grant publication · published 21 Apr 2005
US 7,140,964 B2Parent of this continuation
US 6,319,127 B1Parent of this continuation-in-part
Application10/001,089Parent of this continuation-in-part
US 6,077,163 AParent of this continuation
Application09/518,760Parent of this continuation
US 2002/0147040 A1Published application
US 8,133,112 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.