Methods and apparatus for facilitating a flat rate play session and for extending same

• US 20060035701A1
• Filed: 10/20/2005
• Published: 02/16/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Sparico, Thomas M., Fincham, Magdalena M., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 7,862,424 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3244 Payment aspects of a gaming system, e.g. payment schemes, setting payout ratio, bonus or consolation prizes

Abstract

The present invention is directed generally to a method and apparatus for operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. The gaming device identifies price parameters and determines the flat rate price of playing the gaming device based on those price parameters. In one embodiment, identifying price parameters includes receiving player selected price parameters. In another embodiment, price parameters further incorporate operator selected price parameters. Should the player decide to pay the flat rate price, the player simply deposits the necessary funds into the gaming device or makes a credit account available for the gaming device to debit. Once the player initiates play, the gaming device tracks the duration remaining in the flat rate play session and stops the play when the given period has elapsed. During the play, payouts are made either directly to the player in the form of coins or indirectly in the form of credits to the players credit account.

Claims

3-1. The method of claim 1, wherein outputting the indication of the at least one flat rate price package comprises outputting a graphic representation of the at least one flat rate price package via a video display area.

15. A gaming device, comprising:

a processor operable to facilitate a wagering game; and

a memory, the memory storing a program for directing the processor to;

outputt an indication of at least one flat rate price package, each of the at least one flat rate price packages defining a respective at least one predetermined price parameter and thereby defining at least one flat rate play session;

receive a selection of one of the at least one flat rate price package, thereby determining a selected flat rate play session;

receive a payment corresponding to a price of the selected flat rate play session; and

authorize play of the gaming device in accordance with the selected flat rate play session.

16. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein the gaming device comprises a video poker device and wherein the memory further stores a program for directing the processor to facilitate a video poker game on the video poker device.

17. The gaming device of claim 15, wherein the gaming device further comprises a video display area configured with touch screen capabilities and wherein the processor is operable with the program to receive output the indication of the at least one flat rate price package via the video display area and receive a selection of the at least one flat rate price package via the video display area.

18. A computer readable medium storing a program for directing a processor of a device, the program operable to cause a device to:

output an indication of at least one flat rate price package, each of the at least one flat rate price packages defining a respective at least one predetermined price parameter and thereby defining at least one flat rate play session;

receive a selection of one of the at least one flat rate price package, thereby determining a selected flat rate play session;

receive a payment corresponding to a price of the selected flat rate play session; and

authorize play of the gaming device in accordance with the selected flat rate play session.

19. The computer readable medium, wherein the device comprises the gaming device.