Abstract: A touch screen having a high or fine resolution at relatively low cost is provided. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed directly on the surface of a CRT screen without the need for an electrode positioned on the rear surface. The touch screen may include a conductive coating and a protective coating which are preferably provided in a single vacuum chamber step. A high gain system including a high-frequency sampling bandpass filter provide discrimination of the desired signal over noise. A screen calibration technique is used to achieve linearization in order to convert the electric signals obtained from the screen into data indicative of the position of a touch on the screen.

Abstract: A touch screen having a high or fine resolution at relatively low cost is provided. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed directly on the surface of a CRT screen without the need for an electrode positioned on the rear surface. The touch screen may include a conductive coating and a protective coating which are preferably provided in a single vacuum chamber step. A high gain system including a high-frequency sampling bandpass filter provide discrimination of the desired signal over noise. A screen calibration technique is used to achieve linearization in order to convert the electric signals obtained from the screen into data indicative of the position of a touch on the screen.

Abstract: A touch screen having a high or fine resolution at relatively low cost is provided. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed directly on the surface of a CRT screen without the need for an electrode positioned on the rear surface. The touch screen may include a conductive coating and a protective coating which are preferably provided in a single vacuum chamber step. A high gain system including a high-frequency sampling bandpass filter provide discrimination of the desired signal over noise. A screen calibration technique is used to achieve linearization in order to convert the electric signals obtained from the screen into data indicative of the position of a touch on the screen.

Abstract: Memories in peripherals, coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes transmitting information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. The information is then transmitted from the gaming terminal to the peripheral device, preferably without the need for control by the external information source.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which reduces variation in coin position or velocity as coins are conveyed past an acceptance device is provided. In one embodiment coins are separated prior to conveyance past sensors. In one embodiment separation is achieved by stopping or pinching the following coin until a preceding coin has moved a predetermined distance. In one embodiment separation is achieved by engagement of sequential coins with different turns of a lead screw thread. In one embodiment separation is achieved by engagement of successive coins with rollers rotating at different velocities. Preferably, one or more belts are used to convey coins past an acceptance device at a known or constant velocity.

Abstract: A progressive gaming system with wide applicability to a potentially large number of players is provided. A three-level hierarchy can be used in which a portion of wagers and individual terminals are earmarked for contribution to a progressive jackpot, each casino is allotted one chance at a prize for each threshold amount of contribution and a win/loss decision is made, for each such chance, by a central computer system.

Abstract: A touch screen having a high or fine resolution at relatively low cost is provided. In one embodiment, electrodes are placed directly on the surface of a CRT screen without the need for an electrode positioned on the rear surface. The touch screen may include a conductive coating and a protective coating which are preferably provided in a single vacuum chamber step. A high gain system including a high-frequency sampling bandpass filter provide discrimination of the desired signal over noise. A screen calibration technique is used to achieve linearization in order to convert the electric signals obtained from the screen into data indicative of the position of a touch on the screen.

Abstract: An illuminated switch assembly employs a piezoelectric film as both a transducer and a circuit substrate. Preferably some or all of the transducer portion of the film is light transmissive in order to facilitate illumination of the activation surface of the switch. Use of a piezoelectric film provides the ability to reduce or eliminate relatively moving parts, resulting in an increase of the useful life of the switch. Providing conductive traces, interconnection and circuitry mounted directly on the piezoelectric film reduces the need for interconnecting a number of different parts during assembly and/or manufacture and thus reduces the cost of the switch.

Abstract: A progressive gaming system with wide applicability to a potentially large number of players is provided. A three-level hierarchy can be used in which a portion of wagers and individual terminals are earmarked for contribution to a progressive jackpot, each casino is allotted one chance at a prize for each threshold amount of contribution and a win/loss decision is made, for each such chance, by a central computer system.

Abstract: Memories in peripherals, coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes transmitting information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. The information is then transmitted from the gaming terminal to the peripheral device, preferably without the need for control by the external information source.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying the contents of a storage device. A number of steps are involved in performing the verification. First, non-sequential data is written into each unused memory location of the storage device. Then, a non-associative technique is performed on contents of each memory location in the storage device starting at a randomly determined address in the storage device. Next, a final value from the non-associative technique is provided to a confirmation device for comparison with a set of predetermined resulting values. Then, the final value is compared to a resulting value, the resulting value being predetermined by applying the non-associative technique to pre-programmed contents of the storage device. Finally, one of two signals is generated. A first signal is generated indicating that the contents of the storage device are corrupted if the final value does not correspond to the resulting value.

Abstract: A system to generate large (e.g. $1 million) jackpots for live card games such as blackjack is disclosed. Multiple live card tables are placed in one or more gaming establishments. A coin acceptor is assigned to each player position on the tables and includes a sensor for determining the presence of a coin to generate a signal indicating that a jackpot side bet has been placed and to correspondingly increase the available jackpot that is being accumulated from the side bets on all tables. The coin acceptors are mounted directly to the playing tables. The acceptors have a low profile above the table top and include sloping surfaces to facilitate the insertion and withdrawal of coins from them. Each coin acceptor communicates with a central computer or processor.

Abstract: An automated casino gaming system includes a central game controller to which a number of automated writer stations are connected. In the keno playing embodiment disclosed, the automated writer stations each have a keypad with two colored LEDs mounted under each key. To play a game, patrons first insert a card into the automated writer station to identify their account maintained on the central game controller. The patron then enters a wager on the automated writer station. As the patron picks the desired numbers, LEDs of one color associated with the keys for the numbers will light. The patron presses a PLAY key to transmit an electronic "ticket" to the central game controller. When the period for entering wagers has ended, the central game controller requests a random draw from a separate, secure random number generator.

Abstract: A look ahead state saving device for maintaining an audit trail of a plurality of discrete, sequential operating states in an electronic machine, such as a gaming machine. Each such state include accompanying operational data. A nonvolatile solid state memory maintains the audio trail. Game operation is initially interrupted and, thereafter, current state data is frozen in the memory when power source unreliability is detected and reliable machine operation cannot be maintained. The device retrieves the most recent game states and operational data from the memory upon restoration of power source reliability. Memory nonvolatility is maintained by a back-up battery source that includes a battery low detection circuit for interrupting machine operation in the event of battery failure, and that also includes a battery charging circuit.

Abstract: A fibre optic light pen including a hollow elongate cylindrical housing having a tip portion and a base portion, and having an elongate cylindrical actuator positioned for axial movement relative to and within said housing tip portion is described. The actuator is operable between an extended position at which the actuator point portion projects outwardly from the housing tip portion, and a retracted position at which the actuator point portion is pressed within the housing hollow tip portion. An axial bore extends through the actuator and contains therein a light conductive rod which extends axially along said bore from the actuator's point portion to the actuator's base portion. A fibre optic light conductor is secured within the hollow housing base portion in such a manner that the light conductive rod focuses light on the light conductor when the actuator is recessed within the hollow tip portion of the housing.

Abstract: A light pen is described wherein light information indicative of a selected position on a lighted display is propagated along a light conductive fibre cable to a processing circuit. The light pen includes a retractable sleeve wherein pressing the pen to the lighted display moves a pin-hole objective to its focal point on a light conductive fibre cable such that light entering through the pin-hole objective from the lighted display may be propagated along the light conductive fibre cable. Additionally, a magnet may be secured to the sleeve such that the magnet is brought into proximity to, and operates a magnet-actuated switch when the sleeve is retracted.