GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

• US 20070004502A1
• Filed: 06/19/2006
• Published: 01/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/1997
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Geoffrey Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena Fincham, Norman Gilman, Steven Santisi, Thomas Sparico
• Original Assignee: Geoffrey Gelman, James Jorasch, Jay S. Walker, Magdalena Fincham, Norman Gilman, Steven Santisi, Thomas Sparico
• Inventors: Jorasch, James, Sparico, Thomas, Gelman, Geoffrey, Walker, Jay, Gilman, Norman, Fincham, Magdalena, Santisi, Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/425,044
• Publication Number:
  US 20070004502A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/25
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

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 player'"'"'s credit account. In accordance with one embodiment, a player may enter into a contract, wherein the contract specifies the flat rate play session as described above.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

a storage device; and

a processor in communication with the storage device,

the storage device storing a program for controlling the processor; and

the processor operative with the program to;

determine a flat rate price for a flat rate play session of a pre-established number of plays with a gaming device, said flat rate price being based upon at least one price parameter; and

initiate said flat rate play session upon receiving an indication of payment of said flat rate price.

2-25. -25. (canceled)