Patent US1831270A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US6168522B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6168522B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for operating a gaming device to dispense a specified amount
Assignee: International Game Technology
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Filing: 1998-03-31
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Granted: 2001-01-02
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Expires: 2018-03-31
Abstract
Abstract A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.
Inventors
- 👤 Jay S. Walker
- 👤 James A. Jorasch
- 👤 Magdalena Mik
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 15:50
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F17/00; G07F17/32; G07F17/326; G07F17/3272; G07F17/3281; G07F17/3244
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: determining a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; determining a dispensed amount that is less than the balance; dispensing an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjusting the balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
54 words
A method for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: determining a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; determining a dispensed amount that is less than the balance; dispensing an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjusting the balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the step of dispensing an amount of currency comprises: activating a hopper to dispense the amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the step of determining a dispensed amount that is less than the balance comprises: receiving a signal specifying the dispensed amount.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the step of determining a dispensed amount that is less than the balance comprises: determining the dispensed amount in accordance with a balance management rule.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 4 , in which the balance management rule specifies that the dispensed amount be a difference between the balance and a predetermined threshold.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 5 , in which the predetermined threshold is an initial balance.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 4 , in which the balance management rule specifies that the dispensed amount be a predetermined percentage of a difference between the balance and a predetermined threshold.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 , in which the step of adjusting the balance by the dispensed amount comprises: decreasing the balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a program, and the processor operative with the program to determine a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; determine a dispensed amount that is less than the balance; dispense an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjust the balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
77 words
An apparatus for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a program, and the processor operative with the program to determine a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; determine a dispensed amount that is less than the balance; dispense an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjust the balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: establishing a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; initiating a play of the gaming device, the play having a corresponding wager amount and winning amount; adjusting the balance in dependence on the wager amount and the winning amount, thereby generating a first adjusted balance; determining a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance; dispensing an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjusting the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount, thereby generating a second adjusted balance.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
100 words
A method for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: establishing a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; initiating a play of the gaming device, the play having a corresponding wager amount and winning amount; adjusting the balance in dependence on the wager amount and the winning amount, thereby generating a first adjusted balance; determining a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance; dispensing an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjusting the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount, thereby generating a second adjusted balance.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 10 , in which the step of dispensing an amount of currency comprises: activating a hopper to dispense the amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 , in which the step of determining a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance comprises: receiving a signal that specifies the dispensed amount.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 10 , in which the step of determining a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance comprises: determining the dispensed amount in accordance with a balance management rule.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 13 , in which the balance management rule specifies that the dispensed amount be a difference between the first adjusted balance and a predetermined threshold.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 , in which the predetermined threshold is an initial balance.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 13 , in which the balance management rule specifies that the dispensed amount be a predetermined percentage of a difference between the first adjusted balance and a predetermined threshold.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 , in which the balance management rule specifies that the dispensed amount be a predetermined percentage of the winning amount.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 10 , in which the step of adjusting the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount comprises: decreasing the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 10 , further comprising: preventing selection of a wager amount that is greater than an available amount, the available amount being a difference between the balance and a predetermined threshold.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a program, and the processor operative with the program to establish a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; initiate a play of the gaming device, the play having a corresponding wager amount and winning amount; adjust the balance in dependence on the wager amount and the winning amount, thereby generating a first adjusted balance; determine a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance; dispense an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjust the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount, thereby generating a second adjusted balance.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
123 words
An apparatus for operating a gaming device to provide a monetary output, comprising: a processor; and a memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing a program, and the processor operative with the program to establish a balance credited to a player of the gaming device; initiate a play of the gaming device, the play having a corresponding wager amount and winning amount; adjust the balance in dependence on the wager amount and the winning amount, thereby generating a first adjusted balance; determine a dispensed amount that is less than the first adjusted balance; dispense an amount of currency that is based on the dispensed amount; and adjust the first adjusted balance by the dispensed amount, thereby generating a second adjusted balance.
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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) | 2004-01-02 | 2004-07-03 | 2005-01-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-01-02 | 2008-07-03 | 2009-01-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-01-02 | 2012-07-03 | 2013-01-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |