Method and apparatus for controlling the cost of playing an electronic gaming device
First Claim
1. A method of configuring electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
- implementing selected configuration parameters at each machine;
monitoring a plurality of variables related to play on the gaming machines;
establishing a predetermined criterion for one of said variables;
permitting play to occur at the machines;
selecting one of the machines when said one variable meets the criterion;
issuing a computer command; and
changing a configuration parameter of the selected machine responsive to the command.
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Abstract
Electronic gaming machines, such as slot machines or video poker machines are interconnected by a computer network. The behavior of each machine is controlled by configuring selected parameters such as game speed, payback percentage, or game appearance. As the machines are played, any of the selected parameters may be changed responsive to commands issued over the network. The commands are issued in response to predetermined changes in variables such as rate of play, player status, and the time of the day, week, or month. The payback percentage may be changed by implementing a new pay table at the selected machine or machines or by implementing a bonus period during which a percentage of all money played on the selected machines accrues in a bonus pool. During the bonus period, the selected machines are eligible for bonus awards that may be random or related to jackpots paid based on the pay tables in the selected machines.
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Citations
48 Claims
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1. A method of configuring electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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implementing selected configuration parameters at each machine;
monitoring a plurality of variables related to play on the gaming machines;
establishing a predetermined criterion for one of said variables;
permitting play to occur at the machines;
selecting one of the machines when said one variable meets the criterion;
issuing a computer command; and
changing a configuration parameter of the selected machine responsive to the command. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48)
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23. A method of configuring electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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permitting play to occur at the machines;
selecting one of the machines;
issuing a computer command; and
changing the game speed of the selected machine responsive to the command. - View Dependent Claims (25)
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35. A method of configuring electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:
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defining a first time period;
defining a second time period;
storing data representative to the first and second periods in the computer;
issuing a first computer command at the start of the first period;
implementing a first payback percentage for one of the gaming machines responsive to the first command;
permitting play to occur on the machines;
issuing a second computer command at the start of the second period; and
implementing a second payback percentage for said one gaming machine responsive to the second command.
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42. A method of configuring an electronic gaming machine comprising:
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implementing a pay table in the gaming machine;
monitoring a plurality of variables related to play on the gaming machine;
establishing a predetermined criterion for one of said variables;
permitting play to occur at the gaming machine;
tracking the amount of money played on the gaming machine;
allocating a predetermined percentage of the money played to a bonus pool;
initiating a bonus period when said one variable meets the criterion; and
paying in accordance with said pay table and from said bonus pool via the gaming machine.
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Specification