Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same
First Claim
1. A method for providing a gaming session using a gaming device comprising the steps of:
- identifying at least one price parameter; and
determining a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established duration on said gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon said price parameter; and
initiating said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.
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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.
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Citations
59 Claims
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1. A method for providing a gaming session using a gaming device comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one price parameter; and determining a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established duration on said gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon said price parameter; and initiating said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A gaming device comprising:
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means for identifying at least one price parameter; means for initiating a flat rate play session of the gaming device, said flat play session lasting for a given period; and means, coupled to said means for initiating, for determining a flat rate price based on said price parameter for said flat rate play session. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A gaming device comprising:
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a player interface capable of receiving at least one player selected price parameter; a processor coupled to said player interface and configured to determine a flat rate price based on said player selected price parameter and initiate a flat rate play session upon payment of said flat rate price, said flat rate play session lasting for a pre-established duration and including multiple plays on the gaming device. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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31. A gaming system, comprising:
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a plurality of gaming devices, wherein a paid play on a gaming device initiates a random event which may result in a payout, each of said gaming devices including a player interface for receiving at least one player selected price parameter and an indication of player selection of a flat rate play session, said flat rate play session lasting a pre-established duration upon receipt of a flat rate price; a controller coupled to each of said plurality of gaming devices for communicating with said plurality of gaming devices, said controller including a memory device in which player information is stored; and a processor coupled to each of said player interface and configured to determine said flat rate price based on said player selected price parameter, said processor further configured to initiate said flat rate play session upon receipt of said flat rate payment. - View Dependent Claims (32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43)
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44. A method of providing a play session using a plurality of gaming devices, the method comprising the steps of:
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identifying at least one price parameter associated with a given gaming device; determining a flat rate price based upon said price parameter; receiving payment of said flat rate price; and initiating operation of said given gaming device in a flat rate play session upon payment of said flat rate price, said flat rate play session lasting a predetermined period. - View Dependent Claims (45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53)
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54. A method of playing a gaming device of a type wherein a paid play initiates a random event which may result in a payout, said method comprising the steps of:
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selecting to play the gaming device in an optional timed mode of operation for a flat rate price; providing a player selected price parameter, said flat rate price being based on said player selected price parameters; paying said flat rate price; and initiating operation of said gaming device in said timed mode of play. - View Dependent Claims (55, 56)
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57. An article of manufacture comprising:
a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising; means for identifying a price parameter; means for determining a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a gaming device based upon said price parameter; means for initiating said flat rate play session said flat rate play session lasting a predetermined period. - View Dependent Claims (58, 59)
Specification