Game based on speed of play

• US 8,439,739 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2011
• Issued: 05/14/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Walker, Jay S., Jorasch, James A., Tedesco, Daniel E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elisca, Pierre E
• Application Number:
  US13/212,618
• Publication Number:
  US 20110306407A1
• Time in Patent Office: 635 Days
• Field of Search: 463/16, 463/17, 463/19, 463/20
• US Class Current: 463/17
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2001/008 adapted for being playable on a screen
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/323 wherein the player is informed, e.g. advertisements, odds, instructions
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3234 about the performance of a gaming system, e.g. revenue, diagnosis of the gaming system
• 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 17/3255 Incentive, loyalty and/or promotion schemes, e.g. comps, gaming associated with a purchase, gaming funded by advertisements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3267 Game outcomes which determine the course of the subsequent game, e.g. double or quits, free games, higher payouts, different new games
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. In some embodiments, a count is adjusted throughout a multiple play session based on point values associated with symbols on the reels of a slot machine, and payouts are awarded in accordance with (i) a finishing count, and/or (ii) a “virtual average speed”.

Claims

1. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to;

(a) monitor a plurality of plays of a game, and

(b) calculate a speed of game play for the plurality of plays of the game, said calculation being based on a number of plays per unit time; and

causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to employ a pay schedule for at least one subsequent play of the game based on the calculated speed of game play, wherein an average expected payout percentage defined by the employed pay schedule for the at least one subsequent play of the game is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

2. The method of claim 1, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate the speed of game play based on a number of plays of the game which have occurred for a predefined amount of time.

3. The method of claim 1, which includes causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to calculate the speed of game play based on a predetermined number of plays of the game.

4. The method of claim 1, which is provided through a data network.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data network is the internet.

6. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

receiving payment for a predetermined number of at least three distinct plays of a game;

calculating a speed of game play of the game for each of the plurality of predetermined number of plays of the game, said calculated speed of game play being based on a number of plays of the game per unit of time;

causing at least one display device to display an indication of the calculated speed of game play; and

for each of the predetermined number of plays of the game, displaying an outcome.

7. The method of claim 6, which includes providing a payout based in part on the calculated speed of game play.

8. The method of claim 6, which is provided through a data network.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the data network is the internet.

10. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to;

(a) determine an amount of revenue received per unit of time from a player playing a wagering game, and

(b) determine an amount of a modifier based on the amount of the revenue, wherein the modifier is of a first amount for a first amount of revenue and of a second amount for a second amount of revenue, the first amount of revenue being greater than the second amount of revenue;

for a play of the wagering game, causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to;

(a) determine a base amount for a payout, and

(b) calculate the payout by modifying the base amount by the modifier; and

providing the payout to the player.

11. The method of claim 10, which is provided through a data network.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the data network is the internet.

13. A method of operating a gaming system, said method comprising:

causing at least one processor to execute a plurality of instructions to determine a value indicative of an amount of revenue received per unit of time from a player playing a wagering game, wherein determining the value indicative of the amount of revenue received includes determining a modifier and the modifier is of a first amount if the amount of the revenue is a first amount of revenue and the modifier is of a second amount if the amount of the revenue is a second amount revenue, the first amount is greater than the second amount and the first amount of revenue is greater than the second amount of revenue;

causing the at least one processor to execute the plurality of instructions to determine a payout based on the determined value, wherein determining the payout based on the modifier includes;

determining a base value for the payout, and determining the payout by modifying the base value using the determined modifier; and

providing the determined payout to the player.

14. The method of claim 13, which is provided through a data network.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the data network is the internet.

16. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) monitor a plurality of plays of a game,

(b) calculate a speed of game play for the plurality of plays of the game, said calculation being based on a number of plays per unit time, and

(c) employ a pay schedule for at least one subsequent play of the game based on the calculated speed of game play, wherein an average expected payout percentage defined by the employed pay schedule for the at least one subsequent play of the game is greater for a first speed of game play than for a second speed of game play, the first speed being greater than the second speed.

17. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein when executed the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to calculate the speed of game play based on a number of plays of the game which have occurred for a predefined amount of time.

18. The gaming system of claim 16, wherein when executed the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to calculate the speed of game play based on a predetermined number of plays of the game.

19. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) receive payment for a predetermined number of at least three distinct plays of a game,

(b) calculate a speed of game play of the game for each of the plurality of predetermined number of plays of the game, said calculated speed of game play being based on a number of plays of the game per unit of time,

(c) display an indication of the calculated speed of game play, and

(d) for each of the predetermined number of plays of the game, display an outcome.

20. The gaming system of claim 19, wherein when executed the at least one processor, the plurality of instructions cause the at least one processor to provide a payout based in part on the calculated speed of game play.

21. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) determine an amount of revenue received per unit of time from a player playing a wagering game,

(b) determine an amount of a modifier based on the amount of the revenue, wherein the modifier is of a first amount for a first amount of revenue and of a second amount for a second amount of revenue, the first amount of revenue being greater than the second amount of revenue,

(c) for a play of the wagering game;

(i) determine a base amount for a payout, and

(ii) calculate the payout by modifying the base amount by the modifier, and

(d) provide the payout to the player.

22. A gaming system comprising:

at least one display device;

at least one input device;

at least one processor; and

at least one memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to operate with the at least one display device and the at least one input device to;

(a) determine a value indicative of an amount of revenue received per unit of time from a player playing a wagering game, wherein determining the value indicative of the amount of revenue received includes determining a modifier and the modifier is of a first amount if the amount of the revenue is a first amount of revenue and the modifier is of a second amount if the amount of the revenue is a second amount revenue, the first amount is greater than the second amount and the first amount of revenue is greater than the second amount of revenue,

(b) determine a payout based on the determined value, wherein determining the payout based on the modifier includes;

determining a base value for the payout, and determining the payout by modifying the base value using the determined modifier, and

(c) provide the determined payout to the player.