Method and system for time gaming with skill wagering opportunities

• US 7,722,461 B2
• Filed: 07/12/2006
• Issued: 05/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 07/12/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Gatto, Jean-Marie, De Courssou, Thierry Brunet
• Primary Examiner(s): JONES, SCOTT E
• Application Number:
  US11/457,137
• Publication Number:
  US 20080015004A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,413 Days
• Field of Search: 463/25, 463/1, 463 7- 20, 463/42
• US Class Current: 463/25
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3209 Input means, e.g. buttons, touch screen
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3223 Architectural aspects of a gaming system, e.g. internal configuration, master/slave, wireless communication

Abstract

A method and system for players to purchase a time credit, play a vibrant console type skill game and place countless numbers of bets until the time credit has elapsed. A two-player console type skill game allows two players to enter a fierce challenge and place countless numbers of bets until the time credit has elapsed. Wherever gaming regulation allows time-gaming AutoBet, then the bet outcome result (instead of fixed points) is briefly shown and accumulated each time a winning or losing feature is hit along the play path; otherwise a “BET” or “No Bet” prompt confirms that a betting opportunity has been offered and requests that the player confirm his or her intention to place the bet.

Claims

1. A method for enabling game play on a gaming machine, comprising the steps of:

modifying an existing console-type game or arcade-type game such that a plurality of wagering opportunities arise during the course of game play, the arising of the wagering opportunities being dependent upon the player'"'"'s skill;

activating a game session on the gaming machine with a credit of playing time, the game session enabling the player to play the modified console-type game or arcade-type game for an amount of time determined by the credit of playing time;

enabling the player to place a bet on at least one of the plurality of wagering opportunities during the game play;

determining, by the gaming machine, an elapsed time since a last bet was placed by the player,

determining and setting, by the gaming machine, an amount of the bet, the amount of the bet being determined at least partially dependent upon the determined elapsed time, such that a shorter determined lapsed time results in the gaming machine setting a smaller amount for the bet than does a comparatively longer determined elapsed time, and

randomly determining an outcome of the placed bet.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein an outcome amount of the placed bet is dependent upon the determined elapsed time.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the amount of the bet is debited from a credit account credited from a selected one of a cash acceptor, a cashless ticket-in reader, a bonus awarded and credits won in the course of a time game.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling step further comprises a step of receiving input from the player, the received input from the player indicating whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the bet is placed automatically by the gaming machine in an amount that is dependent upon the determined elapsed time since the last bet was placed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the enabling step enables the player to place the bet until a timeout period has elapsed.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the timeout period is selected by the player.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the game session terminates when the credit of playing time is exhausted.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when the player causes a cash-out event.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying step includes adding wagering opportunities for selected ones of game events that would otherwise cause points to be awarded or taken away during game play.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying step is carried out with the existing game console-type being a game configured for game play on a game console selected from the group consisting of a Sony game console, a Microsoft game console, and a Nintendo game console.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the game session activating step is carried out with the game session enabling a plurality of players to play the modified console-type game or arcade-type game in a multi-player mode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the game session of respective ones of the plurality of players lasts for an amount of time determined by respective credits of playing time of the plurality of players.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the enabling step includes a step of requiring the player to confirm whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the modifying step is carried out with the existing console-type game or arcade-type game being an at least partially skill-based game.

16. A method for enabling game play on a gaming machine, comprising the steps of:

configuring a skill-based game such that a plurality of wagering opportunities arise during the course of game play, the arising of the wagering opportunities being dependent upon the player'"'"'s skill;

activating a game session on the gaming machine with a credit of playing time, the game session enabling the player to play the skill-based game for an amount of time determined by the credit of playing time;

enabling the player to place a bet on at least one of the plurality of wagering opportunities during the game play;

determining, by the gaming machine, an elapsed time since a last bet was placed by the player,

determining and setting, by the gaming machine, an amount of the bet, the amount of the bet being determined at least partially dependent upon the determined elapsed time, such that a shorter determined lapsed time results in the gaming machine setting a smaller amount for the bet than does a comparatively longer determined elapsed time, and

randomly determining an outcome of the placed bet.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein an outcome amount of the placed bet is dependent upon the determined elapsed time.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the amount of the bet is debited from a credit account credited from a selected one of a cash acceptor, a cashless ticket-in reader, a bonus awarded and credits won in the course of a time game.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the enabling step further comprises a step of receiving input from the player, the received input from the player indicating whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the bet is placed automatically by the gaming machine in an amount that is dependent upon the determined elapsed time since the last bet was placed.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the enabling step enables the player to place the bet until a timeout period has elapsed.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the timeout period is selected by the player.

23. The method of claim 16, wherein the game session terminates when the credit of playing time is exhausted.

24. The method of claim 16, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when the player causes a cash-out event.

25. The method of claim 16, wherein the configuring step includes adding wagering opportunities for selected ones of game events that would otherwise cause points to be awarded or taken away during game play of the skill-based game.

26. The method of claim 16, wherein the configuring step is carried out with the skill-based game being a game configured for game play on a game console selected from the group consisting of a Sony game console, a Microsoft game console, and a Nintendo game console.

27. The method of claim 16, wherein the game session activating step is carried out with the game session enabling a plurality of players to play the skill based game in a multi-player mode.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the game session of respective ones of the plurality of players lasts for an amount of time determined by respective credits of playing time of the plurality of players.

29. The method of claim 16, wherein the enabling step includes a step of requiring the player to confirm whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

30. A gaming machine, comprising:

a modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game, configured such that a plurality of wagering opportunities arise during the course of game play, the arising of the waging opportunities being dependent upon the player'"'"'s skill;

a computer configured to activate a game session with a purchased credit of playing time, to run the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game, to enable player interactivity with the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game and to enable a player to place at least one bet as the wagering opportunities arise during game play of the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game, the computer being further configured to determine an elapsed time since a last bet was placed by the player and to determine and set an amount of the bet, the amount of the bet being determined at least partially dependent upon the determined elapsed time, such that a shorter determined lapsed time results in the computer setting a smaller amount for the bet than does a comparatively longer determined elapsed time;

a random outcome generator configured to randomly determine an outcome of the placed bet, and

a timer configured to determine a remaining amount of the credit of playing time, the game session ending when the remaining amount of the credit of playing time is exhausted.

31. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the existing console-type game or arcade-type game is modified such that the plurality of wagering opportunities arise when selected game events occur that would otherwise cause points to be awarded or taken away during game play of the existing console-type or arcade-type game.

32. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein an outcome amount of the place bet is dependent upon the determined elapsed time.

33. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the amount of the bet is debited from a credit account credited from a selected one of a cash acceptor, a cashless ticket-in reader, a bonus awarded and credits won in the course of a time game.

34. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is configured to receive input from the player, the received input from the player indicating whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

35. The gaming machine of claim 34, wherein the computer is further configured such that the enabling step enables the player to place the bet until a timeout period has elapsed.

36. The gaming machine of claim 35, wherein the timeout period is selected by the player.

37. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is configured to automatically place the at least one bet in an amount that is dependent upon the determined elapsed time.

38. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is configured to enable the player to place at least one bet in an amount that is pre-selected by the player.

39. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is a game configured for game play on a game console selected from the group consisting of a Sony game console, a Microsoft game console, and a Nintendo game console.

40. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is a game configured for multi-player gaming and wherein the game session the game session is configured to enable a plurality of players to play the modified console-type game or arcade-type game in a multi-player mode.

41. The gaming machine of claim 40, wherein the game session of respective ones of the plurality of players lasts for an amount of time determined by respective credits of playing time of the plurality of players.

42. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is configured to require the player to confirm whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

43. The gaming machine of claim 42, wherein the bet is automatically declined after a timeout period.

44. The gaming machine of claim 43, wherein the timeout period is selected by the player.

45. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the modified existing console-type game or arcade-type game is configured as an at least partially skill-based game.

46. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the random outcome generator includes a random number generator within the gaming machine.

47. The gaming machine of claim 30, wherein the random outcome generator includes a network connection for receiving game outcomes from a server coupled to a network.

48. A gaming machine, comprising:

a skill-based game configured such that a plurality of wagering opportunities arise during the course of game play, the arising of the wagering opportunities being dependent upon the player'"'"'s skill;

a computer configured to enable a game session with a purchased credit of playing time, to run the skill-based game, to enable player interactivity with the skill-based game and to enable a player to place at least one bet when the wagering opportunities arise during game play of the skill-based game, an amount of the at least one placed bet is at least partly dependent upon a time elapsed since a last bet was placed;

a computer configured to activate a game session with a purchased credit of playing time, to run the skill-based game, to enable player interactivity with the skill-based game and to enable a player to place at least one bet as the wagering opportunities arise during game play of the skill-based game, the computer being further configured to determine an elapsed time since a last bet was placed by the player and to determine and set an amount of the bet, the amount of the bet being determined at least partially dependent upon the determined elapsed time, such that a shorter determined lapsed time results in the computer setting a smaller amount for the bet than does a comparatively longer determined elapse time;

a random outcome generator configured to determine an outcome of the placed bet, and

a timer configured to determine a remaining amount of the credit of playing time, the game session ending when the remaining amount of the credit of playing time is exhausted.

49. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is modified such that the plurality of wagering opportunities arise as selected game events occur that would otherwise cause points to be awarded or taken away during game play of the skill-based game.

50. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein an outcome amount of the placed bet is dependent upon the determined elapsed time.

51. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the amount of the bet is debited from a credit amount credited from a selected one of a cash acceptor, a cashless ticket-in reader, a bonus awarded and credits won in the course of a time game.

52. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is configured to receive input from the player, the received input from the player indicating whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

53. The gaming machine of claim 52, wherein the computer is configured such that the bet is automatically declined after a timeout period.

54. The gaming machine of claim 53, wherein the timeout period is player selectable.

55. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is configured to automatically place the at least one bet in an amount that is dependent upon the determined.

56. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is configured to enable the player to place at least one bet in an amount that is pre-selected by the player.

57. The gaming machine of claim 56, wherein the amount of the bet pre-selected by the player is debited from a credit account credited from a selected one of a cash acceptor, a cashless ticket-in reader, a bonus awarded and credits won in the course of a time game.

58. The gaming machine of claim 56, wherein the game session of respective ones of the plurality of players lasts for an amount of time determined by respective credits of playing time of the plurality of players.

59. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is a game configured for game play on a game console selected from the group consisting of a Sony game console, a Microsoft game console, and a Nintendo game console.

60. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is a game configured for multi-player gaming and wherein the game session the game session is configured to enable a plurality of players to play the skill-based game in a multi-player mode.

61. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the skill-based game is configured to require the player to confirm whether the player wishes to place the bet or wishes to decline to place the bet.

62. The gaming machine of claim 61, wherein the computer is further configured such that the bet is automatically declined after a timeout period.

63. The gaming machine of claim 62, wherein the timeout period is selected by the player.

64. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the random outcome generator includes a random number generator within the gaming machine.

65. The gaming machine of claim 48, wherein the random outcome generator includes a network connection for receiving game outcomes from a server coupled to a network.

66. A method for enabling game play on a gaming machine, comprising the steps of:

activating a game session on the gaming machine with a credit of playing time, the game session enabling the player to play a primary game of chance for an amount of time determined by the credit of playing time;

enabling primary wagers to be placed on the primary game during the game session;

for each primary wager placed and won, determining an amount of credits due to the player as a function of an elapsed time since a previous primary wager was placed during the game session such that a shorter elapsed time results in the gaming machine determining a smaller amount of credits due to the player for each primary wager placed and won than does a comparatively longer elapse time;

occasionally halting game play on the primary game upon occurrence of a predetermined event within the primary game and offering one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities of limited duration, and

re-enabling game play on the primary game when the limited duration has elapsed or when the player has availed him or herself of the additional gaming opportunity.

67. The method of claim 66, wherein the credit of playing time is controlled by a down-counting timer and wherein the method further includes ending the game session when the down-counting timer reaches a predetermined number.

68. The method of claim 66, wherein the credit of playing time is controlled by an up-counting timer and wherein the method further includes ending the game session when the up-counting timer reaches a predetermined number.

69. The method of claim 66, wherein the game session terminates when the credit of playing time is exhausted.

70. The method of claim 66, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when game play on the primary game is halted and unfrozen when game play on the primary game is re-enabled.

71. The method of claim 66, wherein any remaining credit of playing time continues to decrement when game play on the primary game is halted and when play on the primary game is re-enabled.

72. The method of claim 66, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when the player causes a cash-out event.

73. The method of claim 66, wherein the additional wagering opportunity is offered more infrequently each time the player declines to avail him or herself of the offered additional wagering opportunity.

74. The method of claim 66, wherein the primary game play is re-enabled as of a point where the primary game play was halted to offer the additional waging opportunity.

75. The method of claim 66, wherein the primary game play is re-enabled at a different point in the primary game than where the primary game was halted to offer the additional wagering opportunity.

76. The method of claim 66, wherein the contextually driven additional wagering opportunities offered are dependent upon a state of the primary game as of a time when game play on the primary game is halted.

77. The method of claim 66, further including a step of offering at least one contextually driven additional wagering opportunity when one or more predetermined events occur external to the gaming machine.

78. The method of claim 66, further comprising an initial step of dispensing to the player an ID instrument associated with the amount of playing time purchased by the player, the ID instrument being submitted to the gaming machine to activate the game session.

79. The method of claim 66, wherein the offering step is configured to offer to the player one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities that are structured based upon player data associated with a loyalty card of the player.

80. The method of claim 66, wherein the offering step is configured to offer to the player one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities that are structured based upon at least one of a past performance and behavior of the player.

81. A method for a player to wager on a gaming machine, comprising the step of:

activating a game session on the gaming machine with a credit of playing time, the game session enabling the player to play primary games of chance for an amount of time determined by the credit of playing time;

enabling successive primary games to be triggered during the game session;

determining and setting an amount of the wager for each game played during the game session as a function of an elapsed time since a triggering of a previous game played during the game session such that a shorter elapsed time results in the gaming machine setting a smaller amount for the wager than does a comparatively longer elapsed time;

occasionally halting game play of a primary game being played upon occurrence of a predetermined event within the primary game and offering to the player one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities of limited duration, and

re-enabling game play on the primary game when the limited duration has elapsed or when the player has availed him or herself of the additional gaming opportunity.

82. The method of claim 81, wherein the credit of playing time is controlled by a down-counting timer and wherein the method further includes ending the game session when the down-counting timer reaches a predetermined number.

83. The method of claim 81, wherein the credit of playing time is controlled by an up-counting timer and wherein the method further includes ending the game session when the up-counting timer reaches a predetermined number.

84. The method of claim 81, wherein the game session terminates when the credit of playing time is exhausted.

85. The method of claim 81, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when game play on the primary game is halted and unfrozen when game play on the primary game is re-enabled.

86. The method of claim 81, wherein any remaining credit of playing time continues to decrement when game play on the primary game is halted and when play on the primary game is re-enabled.

87. The method of claim 81, wherein any remaining credit of playing time is frozen when the player causes a cash-out event.

88. The method of claim 81, wherein the additional wagering opportunity is offered more infrequently each time the player declines to avail him or herself of the offered additional wagering opportunity.

89. The method of claim 81, wherein the primary game play is re-enabled as of a point where the primary game play was halted to offer the additional wagering opportunity.

90. The method of claim 81, wherein the primary game play is re-enabled at a different point in the primary game than where the primary game was halted to offer the additional wagering opportunity.

91. The method of claim 81, wherein the contextually driven additional wagering opportunities offered are dependent upon a state of the primary game as of a time when game play on the primary game is halted.

92. The method of claim 81, further comprising an initial step of dispensing to the player an ID instrument associated with the amount of playing time purchased by the player, the ID instrument being submitted to the gaming machine to activate the game session.

93. The method of claim 81, wherein the offering step is configured to offer to the player one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities that are structured based upon player data associated with a loyalty card of the player.

94. The method of claim 81, wherein the offering step is configured to offer to the player one or more contextually driven additional wagering opportunities that are structured based upon at least one of a past performance and behavior of the player.