Methods and apparatus for free play mode operation of gaming devices
First Claim
1. A method, comprising:
- determining whether to offer a player of an electronic game device a choice to switch the gaming device from a regular mode of operation to a free play mode of operation, wherein the free play mode of operation maintains a credit balance for the player;
presenting the offer to the player based on the determination; and
receiving an election from the player to switch the electronic game device from the regular mode of operation to the free play mode of operation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The invention includes methods and apparatus for offering a free play mode of electronic game device operation to players. In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether to offer the player a choice to switch the electronic gaming device from a regular mode of operation to a free play mode of operation, wherein the free play mode of operation maintains a credit balance for the player. The method also includes presenting the offer to the player based on the determination, and receiving an election from the player to switch the electronic game device from the regular mode of operation to the free play mode of operation. In an advantageous embodiment, the method may also include providing an indication that the electronic game device is operating in the free play mode of operation. Such an indication may include at least one of the following: an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is not eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that the player can win only reduced prizes, a message that the player cannot win any prizes, a message that one or more prize has been modified, reduced or eliminated, a message that the odds of at least one outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.
250 Citations
64 Claims
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1. A method, comprising:
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determining whether to offer a player of an electronic game device a choice to switch the gaming device from a regular mode of operation to a free play mode of operation, wherein the free play mode of operation maintains a credit balance for the player;
presenting the offer to the player based on the determination; and
receiving an election from the player to switch the electronic game device from the regular mode of operation to the free play mode of operation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method, comprising:
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receiving payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game in a regular mode of operation on an electronic game device;
establishing a credit balance for the player associated with the payment;
providing the regular mode of electronic game device operation;
providing a free play mode of operation if the player requests free play mode; and
displaying at least one indication that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A method, comprising:
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receiving payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game on an electronic game device;
establishing a credit balance for the player associated with the payment;
providing a regular mode of electronic game device operation to the player;
determining an occurrence of at least one trigger condition; and
unlocking a free play mode of electronic game device operation based on the at least one trigger condition. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50)
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51. An electronic game device, comprising:
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a processor;
a memory coupled to the processor;
a payment system coupled to the processor and configured to accept payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game, and configured to establish a credit balance for the player;
at least one display device coupled to the processor configured to provide wagering game play and to display messages to the player; and
at least player one input device coupled to the processor;
wherein the memory stores a program and a database, and wherein the database includes data associated with a regular play mode of operation and a free play mode of operation, and wherein the program includes instructions executable by the processor that are operable to;
provide the regular mode of operation to the player;
provide the free play mode of operation upon request; and
display at least one indication that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode. - View Dependent Claims (52, 53, 54, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60)
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55. The electronic game device of claim 55, wherein the means for determining includes means for determining if a number of non-winning outcomes generated by the electronic game device exceeds a predetermined threshold number of non-winning outcomes.
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61. A system for providing free play mode of operation for at least one electronic game device of a network, comprising:
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a plurality of electronic game devices, at least one of the electronic game devices configured to provide a free play mode of electronic game device operation;
at least one server configured to communicate with the plurality of electronic game devices, and to receive free play mode data; and
at least one memory configured to obtain and to store the free play mode data, wherein the free play mode data includes data identifying the electronic game device, data identifying all other communicating devices associated with that electronic game device, data associated with at least one termination condition, and at least one of the time and date of each offer for free play mode operation and player data. - View Dependent Claims (62, 63, 64)
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Specification