BUDGET-DEFINED FLAT RATE PLAY CONTRACT PARAMETERS

• US 20060229127A1
• Filed: 06/12/2006
• Published: 10/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,914,374 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 17/3239 Tracking of individual players
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session or contract costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session or contract spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. In some embodiments, an expected cost of the flat rate play session or contract may be determined. In some embodiments, a flat rate play session or contract and/or one or more parameters thereof may be determined based upon a price (or other parameter) that a player is wiling to pay for flat rate play at a gaming device.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving an indication of a price a player is willing to pay for flat rate play at a gaming device;

determining a desired profit of the flat rate play at the gaming device;

calculating, based at least upon the price and the desired profit, a target cost for the flat rate play at the gaming device;

determining a flat rate play session with an expected cost substantially equal to the target cost, wherein the flat rate play session is defined by one or more parameters; and

initializing play of the flat rate play session in accordance with the one or more parameters.

2-20. -20. (canceled)