System and method for automated play of multiple gaming devices

• US 6,634,942 B2
• Filed: 06/12/2001
• Issued: 10/21/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• 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: Sparico, Thomas M., Jorasch, James A., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gerrity, Stephen F.
• Application Number:
  US09/879,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20010031654A1
• Time in Patent Office: 861 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/20, 463/70, 463/40, 273/292, 273/293, 273/143.R
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3286 Type of games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

A method according to one embodiment of the present invention provides for: receiving a request for an automated session, in which the automated session comprises a plurality of games; initiating a first game of the automated session, the first game corresponding to a first gaming device; and initiating a second game of the automated session, the second game corresponding to a second gaming device.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving first outcome data representative of at least one game at a game device in, which the at least one game at the game device is initiated by a first player;

determining an automated session associated with a second player;

in which the automated session comprises at least one game that is not initiated by the second player;

determining at least one session parameter corresponding to the automated session; and

determining second outcome data based on the at least one session parameter and the first outcome data.

2. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one game at the game device is initiated by a handle pull.

3. The method of claim 1, in which the game device is a slot machine.

4. The method of claim 1, in which the game device is a video poker machine.

5. The method of claim 1, in which the at least one session parameter comprises at least one of:

a bet amount,

a type of game,

a period of time between games,

a start time,

an end time,

a number of games,

the credit balance,

a number of losses,

a number of wins,

an amount lost,

an amount won,

a number of plays without a win,

a number of plays without a loss,

a rate of loss, and

a rate of winning.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting at least a portion of the second outcome data to the second player.

7. The method of claim 6, in which the second player is remote from the game device.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transmitting at least a portion of the second outcome data to a communication device.

9. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device is remote from the game device.

10. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device is associated with the second player.

11. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device comprises a pager.

12. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device comprises a handheld device.

13. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device comprises a telephone.

14. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device comprises a personal digital assistant.

15. The method of claim 8, in which the communication device is associated with an internet protocol address.

16. The method of claim 8, in which transmitting the at least a portion of the second outcome data comprises;

transmitting the at least a portion of the second outcome data to the communication device via wireless communication.

17. The method of claim 1, in which determining the second outcome data comprises:

determining the second outcome data at a remote communication device that is associated with the second player.

18. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the first outcome data comprises:

receiving the first outcome data at a remote communication device that is associated with the second player.

19. A method comprising:

initiating a game at a game device;

receiving game data corresponding to the game initiated at the game device;

determining first session parameters corresponding to a first automated session, in which the first automated session comprises at least the game initiated at the game device, and in which the first automated session is associated with a first player;

determining second session parameters corresponding to a second automated session, in which the second automated session comprises at least the game initiated at the game device, and in which the second automated session is associated with a second player;

determining first outcome data based on the first session parameters and the game data; and

determining second outcome data based on the second session parameters and the game data.

20. The method of claim 19, in which the first session parameters comprise at least one of:

a bet amount,

a type of game,

a period of time between games,

a start time,

an end time,

a number of games,

the credit balance,

a number of losses,

a number of wins,

an amount lost,

an amount won,

a number of plays without a win,

a number of plays without a loss,

a rate of loss, and

a rate of winning.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting at least a portion of the first outcome data to the first player.

22. The method of claim 21, in which the first player is remote from the game device.

23. The method of claim 19, in which initiating the game comprises:

transmitting a signal to the game device, the signal being instructive to generate an outcome at the game device.

24. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting at least a portion of the first outcome data to a communication device.

25. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device is remote from the game device.

26. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device is associated with the first player.

27. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device comprises a pager.

28. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device comprises a handheld device.

29. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device comprises a telephone.

30. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device comprises a personal digital assistant.

31. The method of claim 24, in which the communication device is associated with an internet protocol address.

32. The method of claim 24, in which transmitting the at least a portion of the first outcome data comprises:

transmitting the at least a portion of the first outcome data to the communication device via wireless communication.

33. The method of claim 19,

in which the game data comprises an indication of a payout;

and

in which determining the first outcome data comprises;

determining at least one reel position based on the payout.

34. The method of claim 33, further comprising;

transmitting an indication of the at least one reel position to a remote communication device that is associated with the first player.

35. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

transmitting locking data to the game device.