METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING THE COST OF PLAYING AN ELECTRONIC GAMING DEVICE

• US 20020058546A2
• Filed: 06/06/2001
• Published: 05/16/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/12/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Acres Gaming Incorporated (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Acres, John F
• Granted Patent: US 7,798,899 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3227 Configuring a gaming machine, e.g. downloading personal settings, selecting working parameters
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3251 involving media of variable value, e.g. programmable cards, programmable tokens
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3258 Cumulative reward schemes, e.g. jackpots

Abstract

Abstract of Disclosure

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.

Claims

1. A method of operating electronic gaming machines interconnected by a computer network to a host computer comprising:

permitting play to occur at the machines;

monitoring the status of a player of one of said machines;

selecting said one machine responsive to player status;

paying a bonus to the player via said one machine.

2. The method of claim 49 wherein monitoring the status of a player of one of said machines comprises determining whether a player of one of said machines is a member of one of a plurality of classes.

3. The method of claim 50 wherein determining whether a player of one of said machines is a member of one of a plurality of classes comprises:

issuing a unique identification card to the player; and

sensing engagement of the card with a reader associated with said one gaming machine.

4. The method of claim 51 wherein information relating to the player'"'"'s class membership is reflected in stored data that is accessible by the host computer.

5. The method of claim 49 wherein the status of the player comprises whether the player is recognized by a player-tracking system operated on the network.

6. The method of claim 49 wherein said method further comprises issuing a computer command from the host computer.

7. The method of claim 54 wherein paying a bonus to the player via said one machine comprises paying a bonus to the player via said one machine responsive to the computer command.

8. The method of claim 49 wherein said method further comprises implementing a pay table in each machine and wherein said bonus is independent of any payment to the player resulting from the pay table.