Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same
US6077163A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 23, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 20, 2000 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 23, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG07F17/32
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
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.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.