Free long distance calls on slot machines

• US 6,530,835 B1
• Filed: 08/18/2000
• Issued: 03/11/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/21/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• 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): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/641,903
• Time in Patent Office: 935 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/12-13, 463/16, 463/20, 463/25-29, 463/40, 463/41, 463/42, 463/30, 463/36, 273/143.R, 273/292, 273/293, 379/90.01, 379/91.01, 379/93.13, 379/114.01, 379/114.03, 379/114.05, 379/114.11, 379/114-5-1, 379/115.02, 379/144.05, 379/143, 705/1, 705/14, 705/35, 705/41, 902/22, 902/23, 340/825, 340/825.33, 340/323.R, 340/870.01, 340/870.07, 340/870.16
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3253 involving articles, e.g. paying in bottles, paying out toys

Abstract

A gaming machine that provides free long distance telephone calls, or audio entertainment, as a reward for the continued playing of the gaming machine. The player may continue the free long distance phone call, or continue receiving the audio entertainment, as long his play meets a predetermined level of usage criteria.

Claims

1. A method of providing telephone service, comprising:

receiving currency deposited into a gaming machine;

enabling a game play in response to the receipt of currency; and

enabling a connection to the telephone service for a predetermined period of time in response to the game play.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the connection to the telephone service is enabled for a period of time that depends on the amount of the received currency.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising providing a warning at a time before the period of time expires that also depends on the amount of the received currency.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the telephone service is geographically limited.

5. A method of providing telephone service, comprising:

providing a gaming machine into which a player deposits currency to initiate a game play; and

granting to the player access to a telephone service for a predetermined period of time in response to the depositing of currency into the gaming machine.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the access to the telephone service is granted for a period of time that depends on the amount of the deposited currency.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising providing a warning at a time before the period of time expires that also depends on the amount of the deposited currency.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the telephone service is geographically limited.

9. A method of making a telephone call, comprising:

depositing currency into a gaming machine;

playing the gaming machine;

receiving access to a telephone connections for a predetermined period of time in response to the playing of the gaming machine; and

placing a telephone call using the telephone connection.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the access to the telephone connection is received for a period of time that depends on the amount of the deposited currency.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising providing a warning at a time before the period of time expires that also depends on the amount of the deposited currency.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the telephone call is geographically limited.

13. A method of providing a service, comprising:

receiving currency deposited into a gaming machine;

enabling a game play in response to the receipt of currency;

enabling a connection to the service for a predetermined period of time in response to the game play; and

maintaining the connection beyond the predetermined period of time if a payment for continued use of the service is received.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the service includes a telephone service.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the service includes a premium telephone service.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the premium telephone service is selected from the group consisting of a sports telephone service, an adult entertainment telephone service, a psychic entertainment telephone service, and a chat telephone service.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the service includes an audio service.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein the payment for continued use of the service is made via a credit card account.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein the payment for continued use of the service is made via a calling card account.

20. A method of providing a service, comprising:

providing a gaming machine into which a player deposits currency to initiate a game play;

granting to the player access to a service for a predetermined period of time in response to the depositing of currency into the gaming machine; and

continuing to grant to the player access to the service beyond the predetermined period of time if a payment for continued access of the service is received.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the service includes a telephone service.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the service includes a premium telephone service.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the service includes an audio service.

24. The method of claim 20, wherein the payment for continued access of the service is made via a credit card account.

25. The method of claim 20, wherein the payment for continued access of the service is made via a calling card account.

30. The method of claim 21, wherein the payment for continued access of the service is made via a credit card account.

31. The method of claim 21, wherein the payment for continued access of the service is made via a calling card account.

26. A method of accessing a service, comprising:

depositing currency into a gaming machine;

playing the gaming machine;

receiving access to the service for a predetermined period of time in response to the playing of the gaming machine; and

continuing to receive access to the service beyond the predetermined period of time by making a payment for continued access of the service.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the service includes a telephone service.

28. The method of claim 26, wherein the service includes a premium telephone service.

29. The method of claim 26, wherein the service includes an audio service.

32. A gaming machine adapted to provide telephone service, comprising:

means for receiving currency deposited into the gaming machine;

means for enabling a game play in response to the receipt of currency; and

means for enabling a connection to the telephone service for a predetermined period of time in response to the game play.

33. A gaming machine adapted to provide a service, comprising:

means for receiving currency deposited into the gaming machine;

means for enabling a game play in response to the receipt of currency;

means for enabling a connection to the service for a predetermined period of time in response to the game play; and

means for maintaining the connection beyond the predetermined period of time if a payment for continued use of the service is received.