ENHANCED PAYOUT FEATURE FOR GAMING MACHINES
First Claim
1. Apparatus for encouraging an increased coin in of a gaming machine of a type that makes a payout to a player in response to play of the machine resulting in a payout event, comprising:
- generating means, connected to said gaming machine, for generating a timing signal during an enhanced payout interval, said gaming machine providing an enhanced payout in concurrent response to the timing signal and the payout event; and
indicating means, connected to said generating means, for indicating the existence of said enhanced payout interval in response to the timing signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming machine of the type that disgorges a payout is provided a signal that defines an enhanced payout interval of selective duration. A count down display provides a visual and/or audible indication of the time remaining for the enhanced payout interval. The machine disgorges an enhanced payout in concurrent response to the signal and a payout event. In one embodiment, a signal generator periodically provides a timing pulse to the gaming machine of a duration that comprises the enhanced payout interval. When a payout event occurs during the enhanced payout interval, the machine disgorges an enhanced payout. The enhanced payout may be inhibited when the coin in of the machine between timing pulses is less than a predetermined amount. In another embodiment, clock pulses increment an activity counter during a pre-selected activity interval. The enhanced payout signal may be provided to the gaming machine after the activity interval. Should coin in not occur in sufficient frequency or amount during the activity interval, the activity counter is reset, thereby preventing the enhanced payout.
110 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for encouraging an increased coin in of a gaming machine of a type that makes a payout to a player in response to play of the machine resulting in a payout event, comprising:
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generating means, connected to said gaming machine, for generating a timing signal during an enhanced payout interval, said gaming machine providing an enhanced payout in concurrent response to the timing signal and the payout event; and
indicating means, connected to said generating means, for indicating the existence of said enhanced payout interval in response to the timing signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. Apparatus for encouraging an increased play of a gaming machine of a type that provides a coin in signal in response to an increased coin in and makes an enhanced payout in concurrent response to an enhanced payout signal and the play resulting in a payout event, comprising:
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a clock pulse source;
an idle time counter connected to said clock pulse source and to the gaming machine, said idle time counter being incremented in response to a clock pulse and reset in response to the coin in signal, said idle time counter providing an idle time signal in response to being incremented for a known idle time without being reset;
an activity counter connected to said clock pulse source and to the gaming machine, said activity counter providing said enhanced payout signal in response to being incremented during an activity interval;
resetting means for resetting said activity counter in response to said idle time signal and in response to said enhanced payout signal being provided during the enhanced payout interval; and
indicating means for indicating the existence of said enhanced payout interval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. Apparatus for encouraging an increased play of a gaming machine of a type that makes a payout in response to a play resulting in a payout event, comprising:
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counting means for counting a coin in of the machine; and
conditioning means for conditioning the payout in response to said coin in. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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Specification