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Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating sameRelated 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.)Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070004502, Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
PRIORITY CLAIM TO CO-PENDING APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application continuation-in-part application of (i) commonly-owned, co-pending provisional application 60/282,792 entitled GAMING CONTRACTS and filed Apr. 10, 2001 in the name of Walker et al., and (ii) commonly-owned, co-pending patent application Ser. No. 09/518,760 entitled GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME and filed Mar. 3, 2000, which is a continuation patent application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/880,838 entitled "GAMING DEVICE FOR A FLAT RATE PLAY SESSION AND A METHOD OF OPERATING SAME", filed on Jun. 23, 1997 and issued Jun. 20, 2000 as U.S. Pat. No. 6,077,163. Each of these applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to the structure and operation of at least one gaming device, such as a slot machine, wherein a flat rate price purchases a flat rate play session comprising multiple plays. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] There are numerous types of gaming devices in use today. Most of these gaming devices, such as slot machines, video blackjack machines, video poker machines, and the like, require the player of the device to purchase individual plays at a set cost or wager per play. Because players can only purchase individual plays, they may stop playing after any individual play. Furthermore, having to purchase each individual play is inconvenient. Thus, a need exists for a gaming device allowing more convenient and efficient methods of play. [0006] One scenario in which players seemingly purchase multiple plays on a gaming device during a flat rate play session is entry fee slot machine tournaments. Such tournaments typically involve players paying a fee for a set period of play determined by the casino. During such tournaments, each player plays a specific type and denomination of machine, also determined by the casino, and accumulates points rather than money. Those players accumulating the most points are awarded prizes. [0007] Although slot machine tournaments are popular with some players, the tournaments are inflexible and not accommodating to individual player's preferences. The organizers set the time and duration of the tournament, the cost to play, the amount wagered per play, and the type of machines which are played. Furthermore, the organizers must designate machines for the tournament. Because these machines are available only to tournament players and not the general public, the machine owners lose revenue for all machines designated but not played during a tournament. Thus, a need still exists for a gaming device which allows tournament style play without comprising the revenue stream of a casino, particularly where the player selects the time and duration of the period, the amount wagered per play, and the particular gaming device played. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a method, apparatus and article of manufacture for providing a gaming session using a gaming device. In one embodiment, the method includes identifying at least one price parameter, determining a flat rate price based upon the at least one identified price parameter, and initiating a flat rate play session of the gaming device upon receiving an indication of payment of the flat rate price. The flat rate play session spans a pre-established duration. A duration may comprise a specified amount of time and/or a specified number of game plays (e.g. handle pulls of a slot machine). [0009] In one embodiment, the price parameter is a player selected price parameter, such as the amount wagered per play, jackpot structure, length of the flat rate play session, the type of gaming device, time of day, day of the week, and day of the year. In another embodiment, the price parameter is an operator selected price parameter, such as player status rating, availability of gaming devices, and anticipated availability of gaming devices. [0010] In accordance with one embodiment, the flat rate play session may be purchased by means of purchasing a contract from a casino, wherein the contract specifies terms such as, for example, a price to be paid by the purchaser for the contract a duration of play of a gaming device, and a threshold of credits above which the player may collect winnings from a gaming device The terms of the contract may be determined based on player selected price parameters and/or operator controlled price parameters. Such a contract may involve a third party that acts as an insurer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] FIG. 1 is an overall schematic view of a system according to one embodiment of the present invention, including a slot machine and a slot network server; [0012] FIG. 2a is a schematic view of the slot machine of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 2b is a plan view of the slot machine of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 3 is a schematic view of the slot network server of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a casino player database of the server of FIG. 3; [0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of the flat rate database of the slot machine of FIG. 2; [0017] FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the payout table of the slot machine of FIG. 2; [0018] FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the calculation table of the slot machine of FIG. 2; [0019] FIGS. 8a and 8b are overall flow diagrams of the operation of the system of FIG. 1; [0020] FIG. 9 is a detailed flow diagram of the operation of the system of FIG. 1; Continue reading about Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same... Full patent description for Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Gaming device for a flat rate play session and a method of operating same 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. 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