Patent US6012983A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6012983A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated play gaming device
Assignee: International Game Technology
•
Filing: 1996-12-30
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Granted: 2000-01-11
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Expires: 2016-12-30
Abstract
Abstract A method and device for automated, repetitive play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters player identifying information and player parameter selections at a gaming device. The gaming device stores the player parameter selections and proceeds to initiate automated play of the gaming device. Such automated play occurs while the gaming device is unattended by the player, while a remote communications device, such as a pager, transmits certain results to the player. Furthermore, no other player may use the gaming device during such automated play. The automated play session ends upon occurrence of a limiting criterion such as the expiration of funds, or upon the manual termination of the automated play session by an external action.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
- 👤 Thomas M. Sparico
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:28
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 71
Claim 1
Independent Claim
33 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a limiting criterion of play; initiating automated play of a gaming device; and terminating automated play of said gaming device upon occurrence of said limiting criterion.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
33 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a limiting criterion of play; initiating automated play of a gaming device; and terminating automated play of said gaming device upon occurrence of said limiting criterion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of communicating to said gaming device a play option; and wherein said initiating step comprises automatically operating said gaming device in accordance with said play option.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 2 wherein said play option comprises an option selected from the group consisting of: bet per play and time between plays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said limiting criterion of play comprises a criterion selected from the group consisting of: lock end time, maximum number of plays, total payout, total losses, maximum payout, and current credit balance.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said initiating step comprises transmitting a locking signal to said gaming device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of receiving outcome data; and notifying a player of said outcome data.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said notifying step occurs upon occurrence of said limiting criterion of play.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said step of notifying occurs at a predetermined interval.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 8 wherein said predetermined interval is a predetermined time interval.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6 wherein said gaming device is a slot machine.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 10 wherein said outcome data comprises a data selected from the group consisting of: reel position and amount of payout.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said terminating step comprises terminating automated play of said gaming device upon occurrence of either said limiting criterion of play or a manual player termination signal, whichever occurs first.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
26 words
A method comprising: communicating a player parameter selection to a gaming device; and initiating automated play of said gaming device based on said player parameter selection.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
26 words
A method comprising: communicating a player parameter selection to a gaming device; and initiating automated play of said gaming device based on said player parameter selection.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises communicating player identifying information to said gaming device.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises inserting a player tracking card into said gaming device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises communicating a play option.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises communicating a limiting criterion of play.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises communicating a player identification number.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 13 wherein said communicating step comprises identifying a source of funds from which payment for automated play of said gaming device and to which credit for winning during automated play of said gaming device is made.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising receiving outcome data from said gaming device.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said receiving step comprises a step selected from the group consisting of: receiving a page on a pager, receiving a call on a telephone, receiving a call on a cellular telephone, and receiving a page through an intercom system.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 20 wherein said gaming device is a slot machine and said outcome data comprises data selected from the group consisting of: reel position and payout.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of receiving an actual limiting value.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 23 wherein said actual limiting value comprises a value selected from the group consisting of: current credit balance, total winnings, total losses, and actual number of plays.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of remotely receiving notification of a current credit balance.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising the step of remotely adjusting a credit balance.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
27 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a player parameter selection; and receiving a locking signal from a server to initiate automated play of a gaming device.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
27 words
A method comprising the steps of: receiving a player parameter selection; and receiving a locking signal from a server to initiate automated play of a gaming device.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said gaming device is a slot machine.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28 further comprising the step of generating outcome data.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 29 wherein said outcome data comprises a reel position.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 29 further comprising the step of transmitting said outcome data to said server.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 27 further comprising the step of terminating automated play of said gaming device upon receiving an unlocking signal from said server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said player parameter selection comprises a play option.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 33 wherein said play option comprises one of the group consisting of: time between game plays and bet per game.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said automated play comprises repetitively playing said gaming device.
Claim 39
Independent Claim
42 words
A device comprising: means for storing a player parameter selection; means for initiating automated and repetitive play of a game in accordance with said player parameter selection; and means, in communication with said means for initiating automated play, for terminating automated play.
Claim 40
Independent Claim
42 words
A device comprising: means for storing a player parameter selection; means for initiating automated and repetitive play of a game in accordance with said player parameter selection; and means, in communication with said means for initiating automated play, for terminating automated play.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 36 further comprising a means for receiving said player parameter selection, said means for receiving in communication with said means for storing.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 37 wherein said player parameter selection includes a limiting criterion of play and wherein said means for terminating terminates automated play upon occurrence of said limiting criterion.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
17 words
The device of claim 36 further comprising a means for receiving outcome data from said gaming device.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 39 wherein said means for receiving is a pager.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 36 wherein said means for initiating automated play comprises a means for generating a locking signal.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gaming device comprising: means for receiving a player parameter selection; and means for initiating automated play in accordance with said player parameter selection.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
24 words
A gaming device comprising: means for receiving a player parameter selection; and means for initiating automated play in accordance with said player parameter selection.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 42 further comprising a means, in communication with said means for initiating automated play, for communicating outcome data to a server.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 43 wherein the gaming device is a slot machine.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
12 words
The device of claim 44 wherein said outcome data comprises reel position.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
26 words
The device of claim 45 further comprising a means, in communication with said means for initiating automated play, for receiving a locking signal from said server.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 42 further comprising a means, in communication with said means for initiating automated play, for terminating automated play of the gaming device upon occurrence of a limiting criterion of play.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gaming device comprising: a memory device having a player parameter selection stored therein; a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured for initiating automated play of the gaming device.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
A gaming device comprising: a memory device having a player parameter selection stored therein; a processor in communication with said memory device, said processor configured for initiating automated play of the gaming device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
13 words
The device of claim 48 wherein the gaming device is a slot machine.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
14 words
The device of claim 49 wherein said player parameter selection comprises a play option.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
23 words
The device of claim 50 wherein said processor is configured for initiating automated play of said slot machine according to said play option.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
31 words
The device of claim 49 wherein said player parameter selection comprises a limiting criterion of play, said processor configured for initiating automated play until occurrence of said limiting criterion of play.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
20 words
The device of claim 49 wherein said processor is configured to generate outcome data, said outcome data comprising reel position.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
16 words
The device of claim 48 further comprising a touch screen in communication with said memory device.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 48 further comprising a keypad in communication with said memory device.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
61 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising means for initiating automated play of a gaming device, said means for initiating including means for generating a locking signal, and means for initiating termination of automated play upon occurrence of a limiting criterion of play.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
61 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising means for initiating automated play of a gaming device, said means for initiating including means for generating a locking signal, and means for initiating termination of automated play upon occurrence of a limiting criterion of play.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
48 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising means for interpreting a locking signal and a means for initiating automated play of a gaming device in response to said locking signal.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
48 words
An article of manufacture comprising: a computer readable medium having a computer readable program code means embodied thereon, said computer readable program code means comprising means for interpreting a locking signal and a means for initiating automated play of a gaming device in response to said locking signal.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
35 words
A method comprising the steps of: initiating automated play of a gaming device; and terminating automated play of the gaming device upon occurrence of a limiting criterion specified by a player of the gaming device.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
35 words
A method comprising the steps of: initiating automated play of a gaming device; and terminating automated play of the gaming device upon occurrence of a limiting criterion specified by a player of the gaming device.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the step of initiating is triggered by the player at a remote location relative to the gaming device.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 58 wherein the step of initiating is triggered by the player specifying the limiting criterion from a remote location relative to the gaming device.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 58 further including the step of providing status of the automated play of the gaming device to the player.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 61 further including the step of revising the limiting criterion by the player in response to the step of providing status.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-10 | 2003-07-12 | 2004-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-10 | 2007-07-12 | 2008-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-10 | 2011-07-12 | 2012-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |