US2006258422A1PendingUtilityA1

Methods and apparatus for free play mode operation of gaming devices

Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Apr 18, 2006Filed: Apr 18, 2006Published: Nov 16, 2006

Est. expiryApr 18, 2026(expired)· nominal 20-yr term from priority

Inventors:Jay S. Walker Daniel E. Tedesco Russell P. Sammon Jeffrey Y. Hayashida

G07F 17/32

PatentIndex Score

Cited by

References

Claims

Abstract

The invention includes methods and apparatus for offering a free play mode of electronic game device operation to players. In an embodiment, the method includes determining whether to offer the player a choice to switch the electronic gaming device from a regular mode of operation to a free play mode of operation, wherein the free play mode of operation maintains a credit balance for the player. The method also includes presenting the offer to the player based on the determination, and receiving an election from the player to switch the electronic game device from the regular mode of operation to the free play mode of operation. In an advantageous embodiment, the method may also include providing an indication that the electronic game device is operating in the free play mode of operation. Such an indication may include at least one of the following: an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is not eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that the player can win only reduced prizes, a message that the player cannot win any prizes, a message that one or more prize has been modified, reduced or eliminated, a message that the odds of at least one outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified

1 . A method, comprising:
determining whether to offer a player of an electronic game device a choice to switch the gaming device from a regular mode of operation to a free play mode of operation, wherein the free play mode of operation maintains a credit balance for the player; presenting the offer to the player based on the determination; and receiving an election from the player to switch the electronic game device from the regular mode of operation to the free play mode of operation.

2 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises providing the free play mode of operation.

3 . The method of claim 2 , further comprising providing an indication that the electronic game device is operating in the free play mode of operation.

4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the indication comprises at least one of an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is not eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that the player can win only reduced prizes, a message that the player cannot win any prizes, a message that at least one prize has been modified, reduced or eliminated, a message that the odds of at least one outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.

5 . The method of claim 3 , which further comprises displaying the indication at least one of upon initiating free play mode operation, after each outcome during free play mode, and during the entire time that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

6 . The method of claim 2 , which further comprises:
monitoring the electronic game device for the occurrence of a termination condition; and terminating the free play mode of operation when the termination condition occurs.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the termination condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a predetermined amount of time in free play mode, exceeding a predetermined threshold value of winning outcomes, a determination that demand for regular mode play of operation for the electronic game device is increasing, and a time of day indication.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining further comprises monitoring the electronic game device for the occurrence of a trigger condition, and presenting the offer based on the trigger condition.

9 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the trigger condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, exceeding a predetermined amount of time, exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in the credit balance, and a request by an eligible player.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the eligible player comprises at least one of a player using a player tracking card, a player who exceeds a predetermined credit balance, a player new to the electronic game device, a player who has been identified by a casino representative, a player who has at least a predetermined number of comp points, a player who has been playing the electronic game device for at least a predetermined duration, a player who has wagered at least a predetermined amount of money, and a player who has lost at least a predetermined amount of money.

11 . The method of claim 8 , wherein the trigger condition comprises a request by the player to utilize the free play mode of operation.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the request further comprises at least one of pressing a button, using a touch screen display, using an input device, asking a casino representative to provide free play mode operation, inputting at least one of a player tracking card, a coupon, a wagering ticket, a slots ticket, a voucher, and payment.

13 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises, during the regular mode of operation, permitting the credit balance to decline to zero.

14 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises, during the free play mode of operation, maintaining the credit balance by at least one of preventing the credit balance from declining at all, preventing the credit balance from declining to zero, and preventing the credit balance from declining more than a predetermined amount.

15 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises, when a winning outcome occurs during the free play mode of operation, permitting the credit balance to increase at least a predetermined amount.

16 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises, when a winning outcome occurs during the free play mode of operation, providing at least one of no payout, a reduced payout, a jackpot payout, a prize, a restricted payment, and at least one complimentary award.

17 . The method of claim 1 , which further comprises storing free play mode data in a memory of at least one of a dedicated storage device, at least one electronic game device, at least one electronic game server, and a casino server.

18 . The method of claim 17 , which further comprises storing free play mode data in the memory at least one of after completion of a free play mode session, several times per day, once per day, on a predetermined periodic basis, at all times, and on command.

19 . The method of claim 17 , which further comprises periodically transmitting the free play mode data to a central database.

20 . The method of claim 17 , which further comprises providing access to at least a portion of the free play mode data in the memory to at least one of authorized casino personnel, a regulator, and a player.

21 . The method of claim 17 , in which storing further comprises storing the free play mode data in at least one of a tabular form, in an object-oriented format, in an XML format, and in a relational database format.

22 . The method of claim 17 , further comprising:
analyzing the free play mode data for a plurality of players; determining at least one trend based on the analysis; and modifying at least one trigger condition for use in determining future offers for free play mode.

23 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating free play mode data associated with the player; analyzing the free play mode data; and determining at least one modified offer for free play mode based on the analysis.

24 . The method of claim 23 , further comprising providing the modified offer for free play mode operation to the player when the player utilizes the electronic game device in the future.

25 . A method, comprising:
receiving payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game in a regular mode of operation on an electronic game device; establishing a credit balance for the player associated with the payment; providing the regular mode of electronic game device operation; providing a free play mode of operation if the player requests free play mode; and displaying at least one indication that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

26 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the player request comprises at least one of pressing a button, pressing an appropriate portion of a touch screen display, using an input device, asking a casino representative to provide free play mode operation, and inputting at least one of a player tracking card, a coupon, a wagering ticket, a slots ticket, a voucher, and payment.

27 . The method of claim 25 , wherein the at least one indication comprises at least one of an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is not eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that the player can win only reduced prizes, a message that the player cannot win any prizes, a message that at least one prize has been modified, reduced or eliminated, a message that the odds of at least one outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.

28 . The method of claim 25 , which further comprises displaying the indication at least one of upon entering free play mode operation, after each outcome during free play mode, and during the entire time that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

29 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising offering the free play mode to the player if a trigger condition occurs.

30 . The method of claim 29 , wherein the trigger condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, exceeding a predetermined amount of time, exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in the credit balance, and a request by an eligible player.

31 . The method of claim 30 , wherein the eligible player comprises at least one of a player using a player tracking card, a player who exceeds a predetermined credit balance, a player new to the electronic game device, a player who has been identified by a casino representative, a player who has at least a predetermined number of comp points, a player who has been playing the electronic game device for at least a predetermined duration, a player who has wagered at least a predetermined amount of money, and a player who has lost at least a predetermined amount of money.

32 . The method of claim 25 , further comprising ending the free play mode of electronic game device operation when a termination condition occurs.

33 . The method of claim 32 , wherein the termination condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a predetermined amount of time in free play mode, exceeding a predetermined threshold value of winning outcomes, a determination that demand for regular mode play of operation for the electronic game device is increasing, and a time of day indication.

34 . The method of claim 25 , which further comprises, during the regular mode of operation, permitting the credit balance to decline to zero.

35 . The method of claim 25 , which further comprises, during the free play mode of operation, maintaining the credit balance by at least one of preventing the credit balance from declining at all, preventing the credit balance from declining to zero, and preventing the credit balance from declining more than a predetermined amount.

36 . The method of claim 25 , which further comprises, when a winning outcome occurs during the free play mode of operation, providing at least one of no payout, a reduced payout, a predetermined increase in the credit balance, a jackpot payout, a prize, a restricted payment, and at least one complimentary award.

37 . A method, comprising:
receiving payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game on an electronic game device; establishing a credit balance for the player associated with the payment; providing a regular mode of electronic game device operation to the player; determining an occurrence of at least one trigger condition; and unlocking a free play mode of electronic game device operation based on the at least one trigger condition.

38 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising offering the player a choice to switch to the free play mode of operation from the regular mode of operation, and providing the free play mode of operation if the player accepts the offer.

39 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising providing the free play mode of operation at least one of automatically, and after the player provides an indication to utilize the free play mode of operation.

40 . The method of claim 39 , further comprising ending the free play mode of operation when a termination condition occurs.

41 . The method of claim 40 , wherein the termination condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a predetermined amount of time in free play mode, exceeding a predetermined threshold value of winning outcomes, a determination that demand for regular mode play of operation for the electronic game device is increasing, and a time of day indication.

42 . The method of claim 37 , which further comprises, during the regular mode of operation, permitting the credit balance to decline to zero.

43 . The method of claim 37 , which further comprises, during the free play mode of operation, maintaining the credit balance by at least one of preventing the credit balance from declining at all, preventing the credit balance from declining to zero, and preventing the credit balance from declining more than a predetermined amount.

44 . The method of claim 37 , which further comprises, when a winning outcome occurs during the free play mode of operation, providing at least one of no payout, a reduced payout, a predetermined increase in the credit balance, a jackpot payout, a prize, a restricted payment, and at least one complimentary award.

45 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the trigger condition comprises at least one of:
exceeding a threshold value of losing outcomes, exceeding a predetermined amount of time, exceeding a predetermined percentage decline in the credit balance, and a request by an eligible player.

46 . The method of claim 45 , wherein the eligible player comprises at least one of a player using a player tracking card, a player who exceeds a predetermined credit balance, a player new to the electronic game device, a player who has been identified by a casino representative, a player who has at least a predetermined number of comp points, a player who has been playing the electronic game device for at least a predetermined duration, a player who has wagered at least a predetermined amount of money, and a player who has lost at least a predetermined amount of money.

47 . The method of claim 37 , wherein the trigger condition comprises a request by the player to utilize the free play mode of operation, and wherein the request comprises at least one of pressing a button, using a touch screen display, using an input device, asking a casino representative to provide free play mode operation, inputting at least one of a player tracking card, a coupon, a wagering ticket, a slots ticket, a voucher, and payment.

48 . The method of claim 37 , further comprising displaying an indication that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

49 . The method of claim 48 , wherein the indication comprises at least one of an audio message, a video message, written instructions, a message that the player is not eligible to win predetermined prizes, a message that the player can win only reduced prizes, a message that the player cannot win any prizes, a message that one or more prize has been modified, reduced or eliminated, a message that the odds of at least one outcome have been modified, and a message that at least one feature of the electronic game device has been enabled, disabled or altered.

50 . The method of claim 48 , which further comprises displaying the indication at least one of upon entering free play mode operation, after each outcome during free play mode, and during the entire time that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

51 . An electronic game device, comprising:
a processor; a memory coupled to the processor; a payment system coupled to the processor and configured to accept payment from a player desiring to play a wagering game, and configured to establish a credit balance for the player; at least one display device coupled to the processor configured to provide wagering game play and to display messages to the player; and at least player one input device coupled to the processor; wherein the memory stores a program and a database, and wherein the database includes data associated with a regular play mode of operation and a free play mode of operation, and wherein the program includes instructions executable by the processor that are operable to:
provide the regular mode of operation to the player;
provide the free play mode of operation upon request; and
display at least one indication that the electronic game device is operating in free play mode.

52 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , wherein the processor is operative to monitor the electronic game device for the occurrence of a termination condition, and to terminate the free play mode of operation when the termination condition occurs.

53 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , wherein the processor is operative to monitor the electronic game device for the occurrence of a trigger condition, and to determine an offer for the free play mode of operation based on the trigger condition.

54 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , further comprising means for determining if the player perceives that the electronic game device is in a cold period coupled to the processor to provide input for the determination of a trigger condition.

55 . The electronic game device of claim 55 , wherein the means for determining includes means for determining if a number of non-winning outcomes generated by the electronic game device exceeds a predetermined threshold number of non-winning outcomes.

56 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , further comprising means for determining if the player is feeling frustrated, coupled to the processor to provide input for the determination of a trigger condition.

57 . The electronic game device of claim 56 , wherein the means for determining if the player is feeling frustrated comprises:
a play activator coupled to the processor; and a sensor coupled to the play activator and the processor, wherein the sensor is operable to generate a signal indicative of an amount of force that the player exerts on the play activator, and wherein the processor is operable to receive the signal and determine if the amount of force exceeds a predefined threshold amount of force.

58 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , wherein the program further comprises instructions operable to determine a reduced awards amount associated with the free play mode of operation.

59 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , further comprising an input/output device coupled to the processor and operable to switch the electronic game device back to the regular mode of operation from the free play mode of operation when at least one of a request is received and a termination condition occurs.

60 . The electronic game device of claim 51 , further comprising at least one of a peripheral device, a smart card, a USB key device, a personal digital assistant, a handheld device, and a casino personnel device configured to access the memory and to obtain at least a portion of free play mode data.

61 . A system for providing free play mode of operation for at least one electronic game device of a network, comprising:
a plurality of electronic game devices, at least one of the electronic game devices configured to provide a free play mode of electronic game device operation; at least one server configured to communicate with the plurality of electronic game devices, and to receive free play mode data; and at least one memory configured to obtain and to store the free play mode data, wherein the free play mode data includes data identifying the electronic game device, data identifying all other communicating devices associated with that electronic game device, data associated with at least one termination condition, and at least one of the time and date of each offer for free play mode operation and player data.

62 . The system of claim 61 , which further comprises a casino server having the at least one memory and configured to automatically analyze the free play mode data and to generate at least one of a report, and at least one instruction for taking at least one action, based on the analysis.

63 . The system of claim 61 , wherein the at least one instruction causes at least one of termination of the free play mode of operation, and communication with a casino representative.

64 . The system of claim 61 , further comprising at least one of a peripheral device, a smart card, a USB key device, a personal digital assistant, and a casino personnel device configured to access the at least one memory and to obtain at least a portion of the free play mode data.

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