Method of reserving electronic game machine

Abstract

A method of reserving an electronic game machine, which allows a user to be identified by the machine and lock it for a period of time. The user may return to the game and resume play within the allotted time period. If the user does not return within the allotted time period, or if he begins play at another machine, the locked machine can resume an unlocked position ready for play by others.

1 . A method of temporarily reserving an electronic game machine in an establishment, comprising:
 identifying a user of the machine;   reserving the machine for a period of time based on an input from the user; and   unlocking the machine based on a second input from the user or an establishment operator.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the machine further includes a reader. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the reader recognizes an identification-enabled object associated with the user. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the device is a card reader. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the identification-enabled object is a magnetic memory card. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the identification-enabled object is further linked to an account associated with the establishment. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the period of time is predetermined by the establishment operator. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein the period of time can be varied by the establishment operator. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the period of time is selected by the user. 
   
   
       10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the period of time is chosen by the user from predetermined options selected by the establishment operator. 
   
   
       11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the predetermined options can be varied by the establishment operator. 
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first input from the user is the identification of the user by the machine. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first input from the user is a selection to reserve the machine from choices presented on the machine. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the machine allows the user to accumulate credits based on game play. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein reserving the machine debits credits from total credits accumulated by the user on the machine. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 6  wherein reserving the machine debits points from the user's account. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second input from the user is a selection to unlock the machine from choices presented on the machine. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second input from the user is the identification of the user by a second machine. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second output from the user is a selection to unlock the machine from choices presented on a second machine. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second output from the user is failure by the user to return for identification by the machine before the time period lapses.