Systems, methods and apparatus for facilitating a flat rate play session on a gaming device and example player interfaces to facilitate such

• US 20060040730A1
• Filed: 11/09/2005
• Published: 02/23/2006
• 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., Tedesco, Robert C., Walker, Jay S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,360,857 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

In accordance with some embodiments, there is provided a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing a flat rate play session using a gaming device. The flat rate play session may define a duration of, for example, a period of time, a number of game plays, and/or a number of qualifying events. In some embodiments, a flat rate play session may define a game and a wager amount per game play. In some embodiments, a player may be allowed to change the game and/or the wager amount per game play during the flat rate play session. In some embodiments, a retail price may be calculated for the flat rate play session based on a number of simulations of the flat rate play session and a desired profit margin. In some embodiments, various user interfaces (e.g., touch-screen menus) may be used to allow a player to select and purchase a flat rate play session. Various user interfaces (e.g., touch-screen menus) may also be used to allow a player to reconfigure a flat rate play session during the duration of the flat rate play session.

Claims

1. A method for determining a price, comprising:

determining a duration of a flat rate play session and a value of a price parameter;

simulating play of the flat rate play session for the duration of the flat rate play session, using the value of the price parameter;

determining, based upon the simulation, a simulated payout amount; and

adding a profit margin amount to the simulated payout amount.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation comprises a plurality of simulations and the simulated payout amount comprises an average simulated payout amount for the plurality of simulations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation is conducted via a gaming device.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the simulation is conducted via a software program.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the profit margin amount is equal to zero.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the profit margin amount is less than zero.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the price parameter comprises a plurality of price parameters and the value of the price parameter comprises a value for each price parameter from the plurality of price parameters.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of the value of the price parameter.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an indication of a request for a price for the flat rate play session.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the price parameter comprises at least one of:

(i) an amount wagered;

(ii) a jackpot structure;

(iii) a time of a day;

(iv) a day of a week;

(v) a day of a month;

(vi) a day of a year;

(vii) a week of a month;

(viii) a week of a year;

(ix) a month of a year;

(x) a type of gaming device;

(xi) a player status rating;

(xii) an availability of a gaming device;

(xiii) a forecasted availability of a gaming device;

(xiv) a number of active jackpots;

(xv) a number of winning plays;

(xvi) a time between plays;

(xvii) a traffic of potential players;

(xviii) stakes of play; and

(xix) an external event.

11. A method for determining a price, comprising:

determining a duration of a flat rate play session and a value of a price parameter;

simulating play of the flat rate play session for the duration of the flat rate play session, using the value of the price parameter;

determining, based upon the simulation, a simulated payout amount;

adding a profit margin amount to the simulated payout amount, thereby determining an initial retail price; and

determining a final retail price for the flat rate play session based on the initial retail price.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein determining the final retail price comprises rounding the initial retail price to the next lowest whole dollar.

13. A method comprising:

outputting, via a gaming device, a retail price for a flat rate play session, wherein the retail price corresponds to a first number of credits playable on the gaming device;

receiving, via the gaming device, a request to purchase the flat rate play session, the request including a payment of the retail price;

initiating the flat rate play session, wherein initiating the flat rate play session comprises setting a credit meter balance of the gaming device to a second amount, the second amount being different from the first amount and the credit meter balance reflecting the number of credits available for wagering on the gaming device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the second amount is zero and the first amount is greater than zero.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising:

determining an initiation of a game play for the flat rate play session;

determining a wager amount for the game play; and

deducting the wager amount from the credit meter balance, wherein the credit meter balance reflects a negative number as a result of the deduction.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the flat rate play session defines a game, a wager amount per game play, and a duration, and further comprising:

receiving a request, during the flat rate play session, to change at least one of the game and the wager amount per game play.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising:

determining whether at least one of the credit meter balance and a remaining duration of the flat rate play session is to be adjusted based on the request.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the determination of whether at least one of the credit meter balance and the remaining duration of the flat rate play session needs to be adjusted is performed based on a cost of the flat rate play session, the cost being calculated based on the requested change.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the determination of whether at least one of the credit meter balance and the remaining duration of the flat rate play session needs to be adjusted is performed further based on a desired profit margin for the flat rate play session.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

determining that a winning outcome has been obtained during the flat rate play session, the winning outcome corresponding to at least one of bonus period of time and bonus number of game plays; and

extending a remaining duration of the flat rate play session by the at least one of the bonus period of time and the bonus number of game plays.