APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR FACILITATING AUTOMATED PLAY OF GAME MACHINE

• US 20060247041A1
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Published: 11/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Geoffrey M. Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon
• Original Assignee: Daniel E. Tedesco, Geoffrey M. Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Russell P. Sammon
• Inventors: Tedesco, Daniel E., Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Application Number:
  US11/456,882
• Publication Number:
  US 20060247041A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/29
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

According to some embodiments of the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Termination of and/or changes in the automated play mode may be related to player input, other types of information about a player (or the player'"'"'s body), and/or whether a player is directing attention to play of the gaming device.

Claims

1. At method comprising:

initiating play of a gaming device for a player in a mode;

determining if the player is directing attention to the gaming device; and

terminating play in the mode if the player is not directing attention to the gaming device.

2-36. -36. (canceled)