Abstract: A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments, a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player. The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records of an inventory of prizes.

Abstract: A lockable security cabinet for game controllers of the type used to operate electronic slot and card games in gambling casinos. The cabinet includes multiple key locking doors and key operated control switches to allow access to specific areas and controls of a main cabinet thereof housing the computers and other electronics only by authorized persons having the proper key for reach particular area or control switch. The cabinet is slidably mounted to a locking base which bolts into a recess in a gaming table allowing the main cabinet to also be recessed therein yet slide out in a cantilevered fashion to access the doors and controls. The base includes a side or rear cable locking enclosure allowing access to and disconnecting of ends of cables connected to the game controller only upon unlocking of the base and outward sliding of the main cabinet.

Abstract: A progressive system (local and wide) where a primary and secondary progressive meter is maintained is disclosed. When a progressive win event occurs, there are two payouts: the first payout (defined by the primary meter) is paid to the player triggering the progressive payout event; the second payout (defined by the secondary meter) is paid to other players (or game devices) having “active” or “enrolled” status at the time of the primary payout event. The present invention provides a method for automating the “shared” win, including means for readily determining “active” players. A countdown meter may be used to enable the player a sufficient amount of time to continue play and be considered “active.” Additionally display meters may be used to indicate the status of the player or to warn the player of an imminent change in status. The progressive prizes may be funded using traditional methods (e.g., percentage of wagers, marketing budget).

Abstract: A system and method are set form for increasing a players participation and entertainment value in the play of a gaming device such as a slot machine. The system and method includes offering a prize award such as a product or service for the player obtaining a predetermined outcome such as a jackpot. The prize has an acquisition cost (A) to the game operator who assigns to the prize a pay table value (B) for calculation and configuring the performance of the gaming device. The player attributes a value (C) to the prize. The system and method are configured such that (A)?(B)<(C).

Abstract: This specification discloses trays for use with a gaming machine. At least a first tray is mountable in adjacent intermediate the gaming interface side of a gaming machine and a game player so that the user may readily rest or access a drink and food located on the tray. A second tray may also be mountable on the first tray in order to expand or alter the tray support configuration provided the two trays together. The tray(s) may be removably mounted to the front of the gaming machine, or they may be rotatably or moveably mounted on the side of the gaming machine. The trays are preferably made of economical, molded, lightweight, resilient, and machine-washable materials, such as polystyrene or other plastic. The trays may also be made of other materials, which when used in conjunction with covers, can help maintain the temperature of food at other than room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a printer system for a device that comprises a secure compartment and a top surface displaced at an acute angle relative to a floor. A portion of the secure compartment includes interior of an opening from the top surface. The printer system comprises a support frame attachable to the device and displaced in the secure compartment of the device. The support frame comprises at least one glide rail. The printer system further comprises a printer assembly attached to the support frame. The printer assembly comprises a media holder adapted to hold printable media, a chassis intermediate and attached to the media holder, and a printer attached to the chassis and adapted to print on the media. In a first position, the printer assembly is displaced substantially inside the secure compartment. In a second position, the printer assembly is extended away from the secure compartment.

Abstract: A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments, a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player. The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records of an inventory of prizes.

Abstract: The present invention includes an interactive keno game method that comprises receiving at least one player selected symbol from a player during a game session. The at least one player selected symbol is drawn from a set of game symbols. The method then proceeds to receive a condition from the player that identifies the player credits applied for each chargeable action. The condition describes the number of credits that are to be played during each chargeable action. Each chargeable action includes the picking of at least one game selected symbol from the set of game symbols. During a game session the chargeable actions are performed more than once. Additionally, if there is a match between the at least one game selected symbol and the at least one player selected symbol the game session is paused. Furthermore, a prize may be awarded to the player when the at least one player selected symbol matches the at least one game selected symbol.

Abstract: A modular printer system comprising a support frame, a chassis, a media holder, and a printer assembly. The support frame supports the other components and may be attached to other devices. The chassis is slidably attached to the support frame so that it may be at least partially removed from the support frame thereby exposing components attached to the chassis. The chassis is adapted to hold the media holder and the printer assembly. The media holder holds media that may be printed on by the printer assembly. The printer assembly may be removed from the chassis to service the printer assembly and give full access to the media path. The printer assembly comprises a printer for printing on the media and a controller for controlling the printer and communicating with other devices.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's enhanced game play state in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore enhanced game play states from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device, the enhanced game play states typically being enhancements to casino games and including reel nudges, alternate pay table use, and the like.

Abstract: A system and method for providing more than one simultaneous and different bingo game, using single bingo ball draws from a central location. The present invention further provides for players to be highly distributed, for example throughout the US, while still using the single centralized ball draw and still supporting different bingo games in parallel.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's game state (award credits, partial award states, and non-award or non-credit states) in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore the game state from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device. The invention also provides for award redemption of the award credits (or game pieces) earned by a player during game play.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a mobile cashier terminal adaptable for use with cash or cashless voucher gaming system having a LAN interconnecting cashier terminals, a central voucher-record database server, one or more logical gaming controllers, and a plurality of player terminals in order to play games of chance at each player terminal. The system provides voucher printers at the cashier terminal and preferably at the player terminals as well. The vouchers include unique bar codes printed on the vouchers, and the bar codes are readable by scanners at the cashier terminal and at the player terminals. The player terminals are preferably adapted to provide the player with the option of receiving at least certain amounts of cash rather than a voucher, but to also ensure that at least a voucher is provided to the player in the event that the player terminal fails to dispense cash when earned by the player and payable to the player under the game rules at the player terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for presenting a player with simulated poker play is disclosed, where the result is actually based on a predetermined outcome. In order to create a realistic play scenario, the present invention never corrects or overrides a player's choices during the play of a hand. Rather, a new solution which incorporates a specially indicated, separately drawn card is used. If a player makes choices while playing a hand that precludes the game machine from creating a final hand having a value equivalent to the predetermined amount of a win, a separate card from those in the hand is used to create a bonus award that makes up any difference. In addition, the way in which the separate card is implemented includes the issuance of seemingly random bonus awards, allowing both good and poor poker players to receive such bonuses. This further increases the realism of the play.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game, which is based upon a long-duration, multi-step game is disclosed. The method utilizes an underlying game that allows the player to perform predefined chargeable actions while the player is playing the underlying game. The player is charged for each chargeable action the player performs. The player is awarded a prize if a predefined prize event or condition occurs during the game. A player's skill could determine the amount of credits charged for chargeable actions as well as the duration of the underlying game. The method of the present invention may be applied to solitaire, poker, blackjack, slot machines, keno, bingo, and many other kinds of games.

Abstract: A system and method for using two authenticators to identify a player in a gaming environment is disclosed, where the second authenticator is based on biometric data. The two authenticators allow a two-level authorization process providing very high assurance that a player at a gaming machine is who they claim to be, and where the second authenticator, being based on biometric data, enables a player to quickly and easily authenticate documents and/or authenticate age while continuing to play at game machines.

Abstract: The specification discloses a multiple game-of-chance. The game occupies the same floor space as a traditional slot machine but has a spinning reel game mounted below a spinning wheel game. The game also an outcome bank for storing outcomes from the spinning wheel game. The spinning reel game may provide an outcome that activates the upper spinning wheel game, and the outcomes in the spinning wheel game can alter the outcome of the lower spinning reel game and also provide a bank of outcomes in the outcome bank, which can also be utilized to alter the outcome, or likely future outcomes, in the spinning reel game. The game also utilizes a flexible, resilient, Z-shaped radial drive gear to drive each of the three wheels in the upper wheel game independently.

Abstract: The invention is a gaming system and method that includes a dynamic paytable. The method operates by enabling a game session that includes a plurality of game events. After each game event, the player is given an opportunity to terminate or continue the game session. The player can use skill to determine whether to terminate or continue the game session. A paytable determines whether a prize is awarded to said player after each game event. In one embodiment, the dynamic paytable is displayed on a player interface. During the game session, the player may terminate the game session before the remaining game events are completed. The player is provided with an opportunity to view the paytable and can generate a strategy to maximize the prize awarded or minimize losses generated during the game session.

Abstract: A gaming system and method of playing a gaming device by a user. The method includes inserting a voucher having a voucher value into the gaming device and accessing a database having voucher data associated with the voucher. The voucher value is verified. The user is queried for a credit value of a base wagering denomination. Calculations of full game credits and partial game credits are performed based upon the voucher value and the credit value. The full game credits, the partial game credits, and the voucher value are displayed on a game display. The method allows partial or all credits to be played at any time. The method provides for recording of game events to a database. The method also allows for the user to change the base wagering denomination during game play.

Abstract: This specification discloses trays for use with a gaming machine. At least a first tray is mountable in adjacent intermediate the gaming interface side of a gaming machine and a game player so that the user may readily rest or access at drink and food located on the tray. A second tray may also be mountable on the first tray in order to expand or alter the tray support configuration provided the two trays together. The tray(s) may be removably mounted to the front of the gaming machine, or they may be rotatably or moveably mounted on the side of the gaming machine. The trays are preferably made of economical, molded, lightweight, resilient, and machine-washable materials, such as polystyrene or other plastic. The trays may also be made of other materials, which when used in conjunction with covers, can help maintain the temperature of food at other than room temperature.