Method and apparatus for automatically operating a game machine

• US 7,997,974 B2
• Filed: 08/07/2006
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Original Assignee: IGT (International Game Technology)
• Inventors: Jorasch, James A., Gelman, Geoffrey M., Sammon, Russell P., Walker, Jay S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lewis; David L
• Assistant Examiner(s): DEODHAR, OMKAR A
• Application Number:
  US11/462,877
• Publication Number:
  US 20060287075A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,835 Days
• Field of Search: 463/20, 463/42, 463/40, 463/16, 463/17, 463/19, 463/22, 463/25
• US Class Current: 463/20
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• 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 17/3269 Timing aspects of game play, e.g. blocking/halting the operation of a gaming machine

Abstract

A gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Game play cycles may be continuously performed in the automated play mode without player input. One or more parameters for controlling the automated play mode may be determined based on player input and/or data or a program stored in the gaming device and/or data or a program stored in a controller in communication with the gaming device. Termination of the automated play mode may result from player input and/or may be determined on the basis of a parameter that may be determined on the basis of player input or may be determined automatically by the gaming device or by a controller in communication with the gaming device.

Claims

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

initiating an automated play mode of a gaming device, wherein;

(i) when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with;

(A) a then unknown quantity of a plurality of plays of a primary wagering game, and

(B) a then unknown total amount wagered on the unknown quantity of the plurality of plays of the primary wagering game,

(ii) each new play of the primary wagering game is commenced after a termination of a prior play of the primary wagering game without receiving any input from a player that requests the new play of the primary wagering game,

(iii) said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game are each associated with a distinct wager, and

(iv) said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game are each associated with an independently randomly generated outcome; and

subsequent to the initiation of the automated play mode and in response to a selection by the player of a review mode of the gaming device, presenting visual information that represents a replay of at least one of the plays of the primary wagering game.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the review mode of the gaming device includes one or more of:

(a) a play function, (b) a rewind function, (c) a fast forward function, and (d) a pause function.

2. A gaming device comprising:

a user interface;

a controller; and

a memory device which stores a plurality of instructions, which when executed by the controller, cause the controller to operate with the user interface to;

initiate an automated play mode, wherein;

(i) when the automated play mode is initiated, the automated play mode is associated with

(A) a then unknown quantity of a plurality of plays of a primary wagering game, and

(B) a then unknown total amount wagered on the unknown quantity of the plurality of plays of the primary wagering game,

(ii) each new play of the primary wagering game is commenced after a termination of a prior play of the primary wagering game without receiving any input from a player that requests the new play of the primary wagering game,

(iii) said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game are each associated with a distinct wager, and

(iv) said new play of the primary wagering game and said prior play of the primary wagering game are each associated with an independently randomly generated outcome; and

subsequent to the initiation of the automated play mode and in response to a selection by the player of a review mode of the gaming device, present visual information that represents a replay at least one of the plays of the primary wagering game.

4. The gaming device of claim 2, wherein the review mode of the gaming device includes one or more of:

(a) a play function, (b) a rewind function, (c) a fast forward function, and (d) a pause function.