Gaming device and method of operation thereof
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;
determining a second element of the gaming device, wherein the second element corresponds to a third value; and
determining a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming device such as a video based gaming device provides a player the ability to modify at least one element of the gaming device. The gaming device may then modify other elements to ensure a desired house advantage. The probability of occurrence for one or more outcomes, the payout corresponding to one or more outcomes, and the wager amount required to play a game, may be modified by a player. The gaming device may then automatically determine changes in the values of other elements in order to maintain a constant house advantage. The player may also impose constraints on the value of one or more elements so that the gaming device cannot change the constrained elements in maintaining the house advantage. Software running on the gaming device may use an equation that takes into account pertinent elements such as the size of the jackpot, the size of the wager needed to play each game, and probability of hitting the jackpot during a game. Based on the equation, the software may adjust elements other than the element(s) specified by the player so that, for example, the house advantage remains constant with each game. A player interface provides an easy to use method of modifying selected elements.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;
determining a second element of the gaming device, wherein the second element corresponds to a third value; and
determining a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element. - View Dependent Claims (2)
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3. A method, comprising:
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determining a first category of elements of a gaming device, wherein the first category of elements is the set of all elements, each of which describes the probability of occurrence of an outcome on the gaming device;
determining a second category of elements of a gaming device, wherein the second category of elements is the set of all elements, each of which describes the payout of an outcome on the gaming device;
determining an order in which to present the first category and the second category, thereby determining an order of customizable categories;
presenting to a player the first and second categories according to the order of customizable categories;
receiving a selection of one of the first category of elements or the second category of elements, thereby receiving a selection of a customizable category, wherein the customizable category is the first category;
determining a first element in the customizable category, wherein the first element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “
orange-orange-orange”
on the gaming device;
determining a second element in the customizable category, wherein the second element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “
cherry-cherry-bar”
on the gaming device;
determining an order in which to present the first element and the second element, thereby determining an order of customizable elements;
presenting to the player the first and second elements according to the order of customizable elements;
receiving a selection of one of the first element or the second element, thereby receiving a selection of a customizable element, wherein the customizable element is the probability of occurrence of the outcome “
cherry-cherry-bar”
on the gaming device;
determining a first value for the customizable element, wherein the first value is 0.005;
receiving an indication of a second value for the customizable element, wherein the second value is 0.009;
receiving a selection of a third element, thereby receiving a selection of a compensating element, wherein the compensating element is the number of comp points to be provided to the player for a single game played on the gaming device;
determining a third value for the compensating element, wherein the third value is 3; and
determining a fourth value for the compensating element based on at least one of the first value of the customizable element, the second value of the customizable element, and the third value of the compensating element, wherein the fourth value is 1. - View Dependent Claims (4)
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5. A method comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to be eligible to play a game in which an element assumes a particular value; and
determining, based on the request, a rate of play that is to be required of the player in order for the player to be eligible to play the game in which the element assumes the particular value.
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6. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value, wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;
determining a rate of play that is to be required of the player in order for the player to be eligible to receive a payout of the second value;
generating the outcome on the gaming device;
determining whether the player has played in accordance with the rate of play required of the player; and
providing, after determining that the player has played in accordance with the rate of play required of the player, a payout of the second value. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value, wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;
receiving a commitment from the player to perform an activity in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;
generating the outcome on the gaming device; and
providing a payout of the second value. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16)
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14. The method of 13, wherein the step of modifying comprises:
modifying, in response to a request from a player, the payout from a first value to a second value for a limited number of handle pulls.
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17. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value, wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;
receiving a payment from the player in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;
generating the outcome on the gaming device; and
providing a payout of the second value.
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18. The method of 17,
wherein the step of modifying comprises: modifying, in response to a request from a player, a payout from a first value to a second value for a limited number of handle pulls.
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19. The method of 17,
wherein the step of receiving comprises: receiving from the player a payment that is not a wager.
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20. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value, wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;
receiving an agreement from the player to have a portion of future payouts withheld in accordance with predetermined rules in exchange for which the player will be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome;
generating the outcome on the gaming device; and
providing a payout of the second value.
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21. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify a value of a payout from a first value to a second value, wherein the payout corresponds to an outcome of a gaming device;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the payout from the first value to the second value;
determining a first number of comp points provided per pull at the gaming device;
determining a second number of comp points to be provided per pull based on at least one of the first number of comp points and the second value; and
setting the second number of comp points as the number of comp points to be provided per pull in order for the player to be eligible to receive a payout of the second value upon the occurrence of the outcome.
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22. A method, comprising:
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receiving from a player an indication of a first element at a gaming device;
receiving from the player an indication that the value of the first element must not be changed;
determining a second element at the gaming device, wherein the second element is not the first element; and
determining a value for the second element.
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23. A method comprising:
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receiving from a player a selection of a category of elements of a gaming device, wherein the category of elements comprises at least two elements, and wherein each element in the category is associated with a respective value; and
modifying a respective value for each of one or more elements in the category of elements. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify the value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;
determining at least two categories of elements of the gaming device, wherein the at least two categories each have a respective ranking relative to the others;
selecting a category of elements from the at least two categories of elements based on the respective rankings;
selecting a second element from the selected category;
determining a third value for the second element; and
determining a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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30. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify the value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
modifying, in response to the request from the player, the value of the first element from the first value to the second value;
determining two categories of elements;
selecting one of the two categories of elements according to one or more predetermined criteria;
selecting a second element from the selected category of elements;
determining a third value for the second element; and
determining a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, and the third value of the second element.
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31. A method, comprising:
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receiving a request from a player to modify the value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
receiving a request from the player to modify the value of a second element of the gaming device from a third value to a fourth value;
modifying, in response to the requests from the player, the value of the first element of the gaming device from the first value to the second value, and the value of the second element of the gaming device from the third value to the fourth value.
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32. A method, comprising:
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determining at least two categories of elements of a gaming device, wherein each of the at least two categories has a ranking relative to each of the others;
presenting the at least two categories of elements to a player, wherein the at least two categories of elements are presented according to their respective rankings;
receiving from the player a selection of one of the at least two categories of elements;
presenting to the player one or more elements from within the selected category of elements;
receiving from the player a selection of one of the presented elements; and
modifying the value of the element. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method, comprising:
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determining a category of elements of a gaming device;
determining a score for the category of elements, wherein the score is based on at least one of;
(i) the familiarity of a player with the category;
(ii) the regulatory hurdles associated with changing the value of an element falling within the category;
(iii) the complexity associated with changing the value of an element falling within the category;
(iv) the number of elements within the category;
(v) the anticipated psychological impact upon a player of changing the value of an element falling within the category;
(vi) prior interest expressed by a player in the category;
(vii) the information that would be revealed to a player by changing the value of an element falling within the category; and
(viii) the degree to which changing an element falling within the category would be in keeping with an established metaphor; and
determining whether to present the category of elements to a player based on the score. - View Dependent Claims (38)
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39. A method, comprising:
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modifying, in response to a request from a player, a value of a first element of a gaming device from a first value to a second value;
determining a first monetary worth per unit value of the first element;
determining a second element of the gaming device;
determining a third value of the second element;
determining a second monetary worth per unit value of the second element; and
determining a fourth value for the second element based on at least one of the first value of the first element, the second value of the first element, the first monetary worth, the second monetary worth, and the third value of the second element.
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40. A method, comprising:
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receiving from a player a selection of a type of prize to be paid for an outcome at a gaming device, wherein the type of prize is at least one of;
(i) cash;
(ii) credits;
(iii) foreign currency;
(iv) merchandise;
(v) discounts;
(vi) free stays in a hotel room;
(vii) services;
(viii) video clips;
(ix) audio clips;
(x) software;
(xi) tickets;
(xii) stamps;
(xiii) comp points;
(xiv) frequent flyer miles; and
(xv) internet currency.
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Specification