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A gaming device and method of operation thereofRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Including Means For Processing Electronic Data (e.g., Computer/video Game, Etc.), Credit/debit Monitoring Or Manipulation (e.g., Game Entry, Betting, Prize Level, Etc.)A gaming device and method of operation thereof description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060211489, A gaming device and method of operation thereof. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a Continuation-in-part of commonly-owned, co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/521,875 entitled "A GAMING DEVICE AND METHOD OF OPERATION THEREOF", filed Mar. 8, 2000 in the name of Walker et al; which is a Continuation of commonly-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/052,291 filed Mar. 31, 1998 in the name of Walker et al and which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,068,552 on May 30, 2000. The entirety of the above-referenced Applications is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to gaming devices and, more specifically, to gaming devices which are customizable by the player. BACKGROUND [0003] One of the main goals of a casino is to keep its customers playing as long as possible, since longer play generates higher revenues. Casinos are thus interested in maintaining player interest and excitement, especially with regard to gaming device play, which encompasses a large portion of the casino's revenues and profits. [0004] People generally are more likely to be interested in something over which they have some say or control. They are more likely, on the other hand, to get easily frustrated, or bored, with something that they perceive to be determined purely by chance or luck, pre-defined, or in some other way completely out of their influence. [0005] Many players are also frustrated after losing for many spins in a row. They would love to improve their probability of winning but have no way of doing so. Players on a "hot streak", on the other hand, sometimes believe that they are almost certain to soon hit an outcome with a high payout. U.S. Pat. No. 5,851,147 to Stupak et al. discloses a method for allowing players to increase the jackpot of a gaming device. However, Stupak does not disclose allowing a player to increase payouts for other outcomes that a player may consider even more likely to occur than the outcome corresponding to the jackpot. Additionally, the method disclosed by Stupak lowers the payouts for one or more outcomes in return for increasing the payout of the jackpot. A player on a hot streak may not wish to lower any of the payouts. Therefore, a player wishing to get higher payouts will likely move to a new gaming device, but this means abandoning his "lucky" machine. [0006] There is, therefore, a need for a gaming device that induces the player to continue playing for extended periods of time. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0007] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an architecture of a programmable gaming device consistent with one or more embodiments of the present invention. [0008] FIG. 2 is an example of a front elevation view of the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0009] FIG. 3A is an example of a front elevation view of the gaming device of FIG. 1 showing a menu operable for customization. [0010] FIG. 3B is an example of a front elevation view of the gaming device of FIG. 1 showing a menu operable for customization and for imposing constraints. [0011] FIG. 4A is an exemplary illustration of a payout customization menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0012] FIG. 4B is an exemplary illustration of an alternative payout customization menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0013] FIG. 4C is an exemplary illustration of a payout customization and constraint menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0014] FIG. 4D is an exemplary illustration of an alternative payout customization and constraint menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0015] FIG. 5A is an exemplary illustration of a specific payout customization menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1. [0016] FIG. 5B is an exemplary illustration of a specific payout customization menu screen for the gaming device of FIG. 1, with certain customization choices grayed out. [0017] FIG. 6 is an exemplary illustration of adjusted `current payout` output based on the player's choices in FIG. 5. [0018] FIG. 7 is an example of a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a gaming device having a screen display appear in place of the payout schedule. [0019] FIG. 8 is an example of a front elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a gaming device having a screen display built into the middle part of the body of the machine. [0020] FIGS. 9A and 9B together comprise a flowchart representation of a customization step for a gaming device, in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention. Continue reading about A gaming device and method of operation thereof... Full patent description for A gaming device and method of operation thereof Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this A gaming device and method of operation thereof patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like A gaming device and method of operation thereof or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Bingo prize mapping system with additional ball draw Next Patent Application: Gaming control system Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the A gaming device and method of operation thereof patent info. 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