Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same
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Accused Products
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.
69 Citations
87 Claims
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1-59. -59. (canceled)
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60. A method of conducting a flat rate play session at a gaming device, comprising:
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receiving, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;
initiating, in response to the payment, the single play;
initiating, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;
determining, via a processor, a beginning time for the flat rate play session;
determining an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and
stopping the flat rate play session upon determining the end time. - View Dependent Claims (61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75)
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76. A device, comprising:
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a processor; and
a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;
receive, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;
initiate, in response to the payment, the single play;
initiate, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;
determine, by the processor, a beginning time for the flat rate play session;
determine an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and
stop the flat rate play session upon determining the end time.
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77. A system, comprising:
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a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of gaming devices, the controller being further operable to;
receive an indication of receipt, at a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices, a payment for a single play;
determine an initiation at the gaming device, in response to the payment, of the single play;
initiate, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;
determine a beginning time for the flat rate play session;
determine an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and
stop the flat rate play session upon determining the end time;
the system further comprisingthe plurality of gaming devices.
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78. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:
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receiving, at a gaming device, a payment for a single play;
initiating, in response to the payment, the single play;
initiating, at the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session is a period of play of the gaming device during which a player need not make funds available for any play, the period encompassing a plurality of plays;
determining a beginning time for the flat rate play session;
determining an end time for the flat rate play session upon a satisfaction of a predetermined condition, thereby determining a duration of the flat rate play session, such that the duration is a first duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a first time and the duration is a second duration if the predetermined condition is satisfied at around a second time; and
stopping the flat rate play session upon determining the end time.
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79. A method of operating a gaming device, the method comprising:
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initiating, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;
tracking, via a processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;
determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and
terminating the flat rate play session. - View Dependent Claims (80, 81, 82, 83, 84)
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85. A device, comprising:
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a processor; and
a storage device in communication with said processor and storing instructions adapted to be executed by said processor to;
initiate, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;
track, by the processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;
determine, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and
terminate the flat rate play session.
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86. A medium storing instructions adapted to be executed by a processor to perform a method of operating a gaming device, said method comprising:
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initiating, at a gaming device that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make funds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;
tracking, via a processor, plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;
determining, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and
terminating the flat rate play session.
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87. A system, comprising:
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a controller operable to communicate with a plurality of gaming devices, the controller being further operable to;
initiate, at a gaming device of the plurality of gaming devices that otherwise requires pre-payment for each play of the gaming device, a flat rate play session, wherein the flat rate play session comprises a period of time during which a plurality of plays may be initiated by a player without the player having to make finds available between plays, and further wherein the flat rate play session is of a variable duration, such that an end time for the flat rate play session is not determinable at initiation of the flat rate play session;
track plays initiated on the gaming device during the flat rate play session;
determine, based on the plays, that the flat rate play session is to be terminated; and
terminate the flat rate play session;
the system further comprisingthe plurality of gaming devices.
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Specification