Combined behavior schedules of reinforcement system

Abstract

A system and method for modifying the behavior of a user are disclosed. In one embodiment, such a system may be a gaming device comprising a display, an input device, a timer and a processor circuit in communication with the display, the input device and the timer. The processor circuit calculates a time based frequency of inputs from the input device and compares the frequency of inputs against one or more predetermined thresholds for determining a game result and causing the display to display the game result to the user.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of operating a device to modify a behavior of a user, the method comprising:
 receiving a plurality of inputs from the user at a user input device;   calculating a frequency of input from said plurality of inputs;   determining a result of said inputs utilizing a combined differential reinforcement of high rate schedule and a variable interval schedule; and   providing said result to said user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein said device is a gaming device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein said determining comprises comparing said frequency of input against a predetermined threshold wherein said result is determined according to a variable interval schedule when said frequency is above said predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising providing a visual representation to said user representing frequency of input to said user at an output device. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  further comprising displaying said result to said user on a display. 
     
     
         6 . A computer readable medium encoded with processing instructions for implementing the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         7 . A gaming device comprising:
 a display;   an input device for receiving inputs from a user;   a timer; and   a processor circuit in communication with said display, said input device and said timer which calculates a frequency of inputs from said input device and determines a game result utilizing a combined differential reinforcement of high rate schedule and a variable interval schedule, said processor circuit being operable to cause said display to display said game result to said user.   
     
     
         8 . The gaming device of  claim 7  wherein said processor circuit compares said frequency of inputs against a predetermined threshold wherein said game result is determined according to said variable interval schedule when said frequency is above a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         9 . The gaming device of  claim 8  wherein said game result is determined according to one of a plurality of variable interval schedules wherein each of said plurality of variable interval schedules has a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         10 . The gaming device of  claim 9  wherein each of said variable interval schedules has a unique predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         11 . The gaming device of  claim 9  wherein said each of said plurality of variable interval schedules has a unique amount level at which gaming results are provided to a user. 
     
     
         12 . The gaming device of  claim 8  wherein said game result determined according to first variable interval schedule when said frequency is above said predetermined threshold and wherein said game result is set to a negative result when said frequency is below said predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         13 . The gaming device of  claim 7  wherein said processor circuit is operable to cause said display to provide a prompt to said user, said prompt instructing, said user to provide inputs at a greater frequency when said frequency of inputs is below said predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         14 . The gaming device of  claim 7  further comprising an indicator for providing an indication to said user representing said frequency of inputs as calculated by said processor circuit. 
     
     
         15 . The gaming device of  claim 14  wherein said processor circuit causes said indicator to indicate to said user that said frequency of inputs is greater than a predetermined threshold. 
     
     
         16 . The gaming device of  claim 15  wherein said indicator comprises a visual indictor.