System and method enabling extension of a time element in a game

• US 7,740,534 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2004
• Issued: 06/22/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E., Tulley, Stephen C., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Vo; Peter DungBa
• Assistant Examiner(s): Shah; Milap
• Application Number:
  US10/778,984
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162130A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,321 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463 16- 20, 463/25, 463/29, 273/138.1, 273/139
• US Class Current: 463/16
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a system and method for facilitating the extension of a time-based element in a game of chance. In some embodiments, the time-based element may be extended as a result of a random event, such as the outcome of a random number generator. In other embodiments, the time-based element may be extended as a result of a player'"'"'s purchase of the time extension.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system including a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, the method comprising:

causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate, on a gaming device, a game having a designated outcome that does not depend on any skill of a player of the game, the game being associated with an extendable time-based element and the game having a first average expected payout prior to any extension of the time-based element;

receiving a command to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the command being triggered by at least one of;

(a) a random number being determined, and (b) a player'"'"'s performance in the game being at least equal to a performance threshold such that the player is performing at least as well as indicated by the performance threshold; and

in response to receiving the command, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the game having a second, different average expected payout after the extension of the time-based element.

2. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the command comprises:

receiving the command from the player.

3. The method of claim 1, in which receiving the command comprises:

receiving the command from a device.

4. The method of claim 3, in which receiving the command comprises:

evaluating at least one rule.

5. The method of claim 3, in which receiving the command comprises:

extending the time-based element when a game parameter meets a predetermined threshold.

6. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

determining a random amount; and

extending the time-based element by the random amount.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

providing an offer to purchase a time extension.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether to provide an offer for a time extension.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to purchase a time extension.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

measuring a time associated with the time-based element associated with the game.

11. The method of claim 10, in which measuring a time associated with the time-based element of the game comprises:

starting a timer.

12. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a relevant time period associated with the time-based element associated with the game.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

recalculating an expiration time associated with the extended time-based element.

14. The method of claim 1, in which the game is a basic game.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the game comprises at least one random element.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the at least one random element comprises a random number.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the time-based element comprises an expiration period associated with a symbol.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the symbol is tracked to determine a qualification of the player of the game for a bonus payment.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the time-based element comprises a period of time tracked in order to determine a qualification of the player of the game for at least one comp benefits.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein the designated outcome has a first probability of occurring in association with the game prior to any extension of the time-based element and the designated outcome has a second, different probability of occurring in association with the game after the extension of the time-based element.

21. An apparatus comprising:

a processor; and

a storage device in communication with the processor, the storage device storing a program which is capable of directing the processor to;

initiate a game having a designated outcome that does not depend on any skill of a player of the game, the game being associated with an extendable time-based element and the game having a first average expected payout prior to any extension of the time-based element;

receive a command to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the command being triggered by at least one of;

(a) a random number being determined, and (b) a player'"'"'s performance in the game being at least equal to a performance threshold such that the player is performing at least as well as indicated by the performance threshold; and

in response to receiving the command, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the game having a second, different average expected payout after the extension of the time-based element.

22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the command is received from the player.

23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the command is received from a device.

24. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to evaluate at least one rule in association with receiving the command.

25. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to extend the time-based element when a game parameter meets a predetermined threshold.

26. The apparatus of claim 23, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to determine a random amount and extend the time-based element by the determined random amount.

27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to provide an offer to the player to purchase a time extension.

28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to determine whether to provide an offer to the player for a time extension.

29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein a request to purchase a time extension is received.

30. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to measure a time associated with the time-based element associated with the game.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein measuring a time associated with the time-based element associated with the game comprises:

starting a timer.

32. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to determine a relevant time period associated with the time-based element associated with the game.

33. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein when executed by the processor, the plurality of instructions cause the processor to recalculate an expiration time of the extended time-based element.

34. The apparatus of claim 21, in which the game is a basic game.

35. A computer readable medium storing a plurality of instructions executable by a processor to cause the processor to:

initiate a game having a designated outcome that does not depend on any skill of a player of the, the game being associated with an extendable time-based element and the game having a first average expected payout prior to any extension of the time-based element;

receive a command to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the command being triggered by at least one of;

(a) a random number being determined, and (b) a player'"'"'s performance in the game being at least equal to a performance threshold such that the player is performing at least as well as indicated by the performance threshold; and

in response to receiving the command, extend the time-based element associated with the game, the game having a second, different average expected payout after the extension of the time-based element.

36. A method of operating a gaming system including a memory device which includes a plurality of instructions, the method comprising:

causing a processor to execute the plurality of instructions to initiate, on a gaming device, a game having a designated outcome that does not depend on any skill of a player of the game, the game being associated with an extendable time-based element and the game having a first average expected payout prior to any extension of the time-based element;

receiving a command to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the command being triggered by at least one of;

(a) a random number being determined, and (b) a player'"'"'s performance in the game being at least equal to a performance threshold such that the player is performing at least as well as indicated by the performance threshold; and

in response to receiving the command, causing the processor to execute the plurality of instructions to configure the gaming device to extend the time-based element associated with the game, the gaming having a second, different average expected payout after the extension of the time-based element.