METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR FACILITATING A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND FOR EXTENDING SAME

• US 20070004504A1
• Filed: 07/06/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena Fincham, Robert Tedesco, Thomas Sparico
• Original Assignee: James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena Fincham, Robert Tedesco, Thomas Sparico
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Sparico, Thomas, Walker, Jay, Tedesco, Robert, Fincham, Magdalena
• Application Number:
  US11/428,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20070004504A1
• 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 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

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 players credit account.

Claims

1. A method for providing a gaming session of a wagering game using a gaming device comprising the steps of:

outputting an indication of at least one flat rate price package, each of the at least one flat rate price packages defining a respective at least one predetermined price parameter and thereby defining at least one flat rate play session;

receiving a selection of one of the at least one flat rate price package, thereby determining a selected flat rate play session;

receiving a payment corresponding to a price of the selected flat rate play session; and

authorizing play of a gaming device in accordance with the selected flat rate play session.

2-19. -19. (canceled)