Method and apparatus for directing a game in accordance with speed of play

• US 6,238,288 B1
• Filed: 12/31/1997
• Issued: 05/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: Walker Digital LLC (Walker Innovation Inc. (f/k/a Patent Properties, Inc.))
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrison, Jessica J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): NGUYEN, BINH AN DUC
• Application Number:
  US09/001,902
• Time in Patent Office: 1,245 Days
• Field of Search: 463/26, 463/16, 463/25, 463/20, 463/22, 463/23, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 463/43, 273/138.1, 273/139, 273/141 R, 273/DIG. 21, 273/440, 273/445, 273/454, 273/460, 273/461, 273/148 R, 273/94, 273/330, 273/143 A, 273/143 R , 273/DIG. 26, 700/90, 700/91, 700/92, 700/93
• US Class Current: 463/26
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• 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 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. The pay schedule for higher speeds of game play typically provides a higher payout percentage, which attracts players and provides an incentive to play faster and for longer periods of time. The greater speed of play and time period of playing may actually increase revenues derived from the gaming device, even though the payout percentage is higher. Speed of game play may be calculated by measuring the number of games played in a predetermined time period, or the time elapsed between games. The gaming device may select a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on this speed. Alternatively, the gaming device may determine a multiplier based on the speed of game play, and adjust a base payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

Claims

1. A method for directing a game, comprising:

calculating a speed of game play based on a number of plays per unit time; and

determining a pay schedule based on the speed of game play,

wherein a player payout percentage defined by the determined pay schedule is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a number of games in a predetermined time period.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a time elapsed between a first game and a second game.

4. The method of claim 3, in which the first game and the second game are consecutive games of a series of games.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

selecting a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed of game play.

6. The method of claim 1, in which the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

determining a multiplier based on the speed of game play.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising:

adjusting a payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing payment in accordance with the pay schedule.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein a first hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the first player payout percentage, wherein a second hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the second player payout percentage, and wherein the first hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the first speed of game play is greater than the hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the second speed of game play.

11. A method for directing a game, comprising:

calculating a speed of game play based on a number of plays per unit time; and

determining a pay schedule based on the speed of game play,

wherein the determined pay schedule is a first pay schedule defining a first player payout percentage if the speed of game play is a first speed, and is a second pay schedule defining a second player payout percentage if the speed of game play is a second speed,

wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed, and

wherein the first player payout percentage is greater than the second player payout percentage.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a number of games in a predetermined time period.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a time elapsed between a first game and a second game.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the first game and the second game are consecutive games of a series of games.

15. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

selecting a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed of game play.

16. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

determining a multiplier based on the speed of game play.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

adjusting a payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

18. The method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing payment in accordance with the pay schedule.

19. The method of claim 11, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

20. The method of claim 11, wherein a first hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the first player payout percentage, wherein a second hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the second player payout percentage, and wherein the first hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the first speed of game play is greater than the hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the second speed of game play.

21. A method for directing a game, comprising:

determining a speed of game play based on a number of plays per unit time; and

determining a payout based on the speed of game play,

wherein the payout is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

23. A method for directing a game, comprising:

detecting a value indicative of a speed of game play based on a number of plays per unit time; and

determining a payout based on the value,

wherein the payout is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

25. A method for directing a game, comprising:

calculating a speed of game play based on an elapsed time between plays; and

determining a pay schedule based on the speed of game play,

wherein a player payout percentage defined by the determined pay schedule is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

26. The method of claim 25, in which the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a number of games in a predetermined time period.

27. The method of claim 25, in which the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a time elapsed between a first game and a second game.

28. The method of claim 27, in which the first game and the second game are consecutive games of a series of games.

29. The method of claim 25, in which the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

selecting a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed of game play.

30. The method of claim 25, in which the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

determining a multiplier based on the speed of game play.

31. The method of claim 30, further comprising:

adjusting a payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

32. The method of claim 25, further comprising:

providing payment in accordance with the pay schedule.

33. The method of claim 25, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

34. The method of claim 25, wherein a first hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the first player payout percentage, wherein a second hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the second player payout percentage, and wherein the first hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the first speed of game play is greater than the hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the second speed of game play.

35. A method for directing a game, comprising:

calculating a speed of game play based on an elapsed time between plays; and

determining a pay schedule based on the speed of game play,

wherein the determined pay schedule is a first pay schedule defining a first player payout percentage if the speed of game play is a first speed, and is a second pay schedule defining a second player payout percentage if the speed of game play is a second speed,

wherein the first speed is greater than the second speed, and

wherein the first player payout percentage is greater than the second player payout percentage.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a number of games in a predetermined time period.

37. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of calculating a speed of game play comprises:

measuring a time elapsed between a first game and a second game.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein the first game and the second game are consecutive games of a series of games.

39. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

selecting a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on the speed of game play.

40. The method of claim 35, wherein the step of determining a pay schedule comprises:

determining a multiplier based on the speed of game play.

41. The method of claim 40, further comprising:

adjusting a payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

42. The method of claim 35, further comprising:

providing payment in accordance with the pay schedule.

43. The method of claim 35, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

44. The method of claim 35, wherein a first hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the first player payout percentage, wherein a second hold percentage is based on a difference between 1 and the second player payout percentage, and wherein the first hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the first speed of game play is greater than the hold percentage multiplied by a number of plays per unit time at the second speed of game play.

45. A method for directing a game, comprising:

determining a speed of game play based on an elapsed time between plays; and

determining a payout based on the speed of game play,

wherein the payout is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.

47. A method for directing a game, comprising:

detecting a value indicative of a speed of game play based on an elapsed time between plays; and

determining a payout based on the value,

wherein the payout is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein an average revenue received from a player per unit time is greater for the first speed of game play than for the second speed of game play.