Method and apparatus for automatically operating a game machine
First Claim
1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
- receiving a player parameter selection at a slot machine from a player at the slot machine; and
initiating an automated play mode of said slot machine for the player based on said player parameter selection while the player is at the slot machine,the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown quantity of reel spins.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Game play cycles may be continuously performed in the automated play mode without player input. One or more parameters for controlling the automated play mode may be determined based on player input and/or data or a program stored in the gaming device and/or data or a program stored in a controller in communication with the gaming device. Termination of the automated play mode may result from player input and/or may be determined on the basis of a parameter that may be determined on the basis of player input or may be determined automatically by the gaming device or by a controller in communication with the gaming device.
53 Citations
38 Claims
-
1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
receiving a player parameter selection at a slot machine from a player at the slot machine; and initiating an automated play mode of said slot machine for the player based on said player parameter selection while the player is at the slot machine, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown quantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
-
-
8. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
receiving a player parameter selection at a slot machine from a player at the slot machine; and terminating an automated play mode of said slot machine for the player based on said player parameter selection while the player is at the slot machine, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown quantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
receiving a first signal that indicates selection of an automated play mode of a slot machine; in response to receiving the first signal, prompting a player of the slot machine to confirm selection of the automated play mode; receiving a second signal that indicates confirmation of the selection of the automated play mode; and initiating the automated play mode in response to receiving the second signal, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols. wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown guantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
-
-
20. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
initiating an automated play mode of a slot machine, the automated play mode being executed in accordance with a parameter; receiving a signal from a player at the slot machine during the automated play mode; changing the parameter in response to the received signal; and continuing executing the automated play mode in accordance with the changed parameter, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown guantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24)
-
-
25. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
executing an automated play mode of a slot machine in association with at a first rate of providing a plurality of reel spins of the slot machine; receiving a signal during the automated play mode; and in response to the received signal, executing the automated play mode in accordance with a second rate of providing a plurality of reel spins of the slot machine that is different from the first rate, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving any input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown guantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
-
-
35. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
executing an automated play mode of a slot machine such that a first amount is wagered per game play cycle for a plurality of game play cycles; receiving a signal from a player during the automated play mode; and in response to the received signal, executing the automated play mode such that a second amount is wagered per game play cycle, the second amount being different from the first amount, the automated play mode being a mode of operation of the slot machine in which a new reel spin is commenced after termination of a prior reel spin without receiving input from the player that requests the new reel spin at the slot machine, said new reel spin being independent of said prior reel spin, each reel spin of the automated play mode being associated with a distinct wager associated with said slot machine;
(i) randomly generating a plurality of symbols, (ii) displaying the randomly generated symbols and (iii) providing any award associated with the randomly generated symbols, wherein when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with a then unknown guantity of reel spins. - View Dependent Claims (36, 37)
-
-
38. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:
-
receiving an input of an automated play parameter from a player at a gaming device; initiating an automated play mode of said gaming device, said automated play mode including a plurality of plays of a primary wagering game, wherein each new play of the primary wagering game is commenced after a termination of a prior play of the primary wagering game without receiving any input from the player that requests the new play of the primary wagering game, said new play of the primary wagering game being independent of said prior play of the primary wagering game, said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game each being associated with a distinct wager and said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game each being associated with a randomly generated outcome; and terminating the automated play mode of said gaming machine if a winning outcome is randomly generated in any of the plays of the primary wagering game.
-
Specification