Abstract: Gaming machines and related methods for controlling and managing electrical current to peripheral devices in a gaming machine are described. A gaming machine having multiple high-current peripheral devices drawing power from a single power supply within the gaming machine is able to regulate the timing at which the peripherals may receive power. The gaming machine may be a multi-station gaming machine, such as a gaming table, where each station has various standard peripheral devices. The gaming machine determines whether the power required by the peripherals at any given time will exceed a threshold current supply and, if so, delays the operation of one of the peripherals to regulate the amount of current the power supply has to supply at any given time. Current usage and time overlaps of two or more peripheral devices are determined using current profiles of the devices.

Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a common input for multiple users are disclosed. Two separate input detection systems can be provided. One input detection system detects the identity of user while the other detects the location of input for processing. The information provided by the two detection systems is effectively reconciled to determine whether a particular user identified by the first system has provided input in a particular location indicated by the second system. Information can be reconciled, for example, at least partially based on the timing information provided by the two systems (e.g., whether the times indicated by the two systems are within an acceptable range). It will also be appreciated that both input system can be integrated into a single device which can be presented, for example, as multi-user touchscreen. The multi-user touch screen can provide a common input surface to serve numerous applications.

Abstract: A gaming system that is compatible with photonic-powered card devices is described. The gaming system may comprise a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be operable to provide wagering on an outcome of a game of chance, display the outcome of the game of chance, accept cash or an indicia of credit and dispense an award, such as cash or indicia of credit, to a player utilizing the gaming machine. The gaming machines may be configured to accommodate a photonic-powered card including communicating with these cards via an optical communication interface. One or more transactions on the gaming machine, such as a transfer of cash or indicia of credit on or off the gaming machine or an initiation of a player tracking session, may be enabled using photonic-powered card devices and associated hardware/software.

Abstract: In a method of facilitating the playing of a game via a gaming apparatus, a wager may be received via a value input device. Biometric data associated with a game play selection of a game may be received, and whether to permit the game play selection may be determined based on the received biometric data. A video image relating to the game may be displayed on a display unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a common input for multiple users are disclosed. Two separate input detection systems can be provided. One input detection system detects the identity of user while the other detects the location of input for processing. The information provided by the two detection systems is effectively reconciled to determine whether a particular user identified by the first system has provided input in a particular location indicated by the second system. Information can be reconciled, for example, at least partially based on the timing information provided by the two systems (e.g., whether the times indicated by the two systems are within an acceptable range). The first input detection can be provided as a Radio Frequency (RF) system that detects a change in RF energy received by a RF receiver provided in the proximity of a user when the user touches a touchscreen. The second input detection can include an APR (Acoustic Pulse Recognition) or capacitive touchscreen (or multi-touch screen).

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing, a value input device, a transparent panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reels are visible to a player through the transparent panel. The gaming apparatus also having a light valve that includes a suspended particle device disposed between the inner surface and the slot reels, and a controller coupled to the light valve to cause the light valve to become opaque to substantially block the view of the slot reels to the player.

Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting cashless gaming or player tracking within a gaming environment are disclosed. Players with associated player accounts are provided player tracking instruments having rewriteable displays. Also provided are gaming devices or machines having display panels adapted to display content and communicate with the player tracking cards or instruments. Data on player tracking instruments is updated and displayed thereupon. The player tracking instruments may contain an RFID tag to receive communications from a transceiver associated with the gaming device or machine. A feedback loop from a master gaming controller to a transceiver to a player tracking instrument to an input display panel and back to the master gaming controller can be created. Player tracking instruments may also have lights, speakers, vibration components, and other advanced features thereupon.

Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a rotating object that has at least one configurable surface that may be configured electronically. The rotating object may be synchronized with a video display. Configurable surfaces can use bistable materials, electroluminescent materials, LCDs, LEDs, OLEDs, projection, or other techniques. The appearance of the rotating object is changed without physically changing the rotating object.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: In a method of operating an authentication server, where the authentication server operatively coupled to a network, a request to determine whether a person is allowed to play a game on a gaming system may be received from a computer via the network. The request may include biometric data associated with the person. The received biometric data may be compared with data in a database that includes biometric data of persons allowed to play games on the gaming system. It may be determined whether the person is allowed to play a game on the gaming system based on the comparison of the received biometric data with the data in the database. A message may be transmitted to the computer via the network that indicates whether the person is allowed to play a game on the gaming system. Additionally, it may be determined whether a gaming unit on which the person desires to play a game is in a permitted location for playing the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of displaying three-dimensional images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include a display screen which may have a plurality of display pixels and a lenticular screen coupled with the display screen. The three-dimensional display may include a first perspective view of the image when the image is viewed from a first angle and a second perspective view of the image when the image is viewed from a second angle, the first and second perspective views being displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: In a method for determining a position of a touch on a touch screen, a first sinusoidal signal is provided to an electrode on a touch screen, the first sinusoidal signal having a frequency. A signal flowing from the first electrode is sensed to generate a sensed signal, and the sensed signal is multiplied by a second sinusoidal signal to generate a first multiplied signal, the second sinusoidal signal having the frequency, the second sinusoidal signal having a phase. The first sensed signal is also multiplied by a third sinusoidal signal to generate a second multiplied signal, the third sinusoidal signal having the frequency, the third sinusoidal signal having a phase different from the phase of the second sinusoidal signal by 90 degrees. The first multiplied signal is filtered to generate a first filtered signal, and the second multiplied signal is filtered to generate a second filtered signal. An estimated touch position is generated based on the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal.

Abstract: A gaming system that is compatible with photonic-powered card devices is described. The gaming system may comprise a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be operable to provide wagering on an outcome of a game of chance, display the outcome of the game of chance, accept cash or an indicia of credit and dispense an award, such as cash or indicia of credit, to a player utilizing the gaming machine. The gaming machines may be configured to accommodate a photonic-powered card including communicating with these cards via an optical communication interface. One or more transactions on the gaming machine, such as a transfer of cash or indicia of credit on or off the gaming machine or an initiation of a player tracking session, may be enabled using photonic-powered card devices and associated hardware/software.

Abstract: A gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus is provided. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a first display unit, and a configurable control panel unit. The configurable control panel unit may include a second display unit and a touch screen unit associated with the second display unit. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the first display unit may be caused to display a first game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected, and the second display unit may be caused to display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming machine has thermal control components for controlling its internal temperature. Temperatures within the cabinet of the machine may be controlled by either monitoring the temperatures near or of heat-producing components, such as the CPU, video controllers, and the like, or by monitoring ambient temperatures in zones or areas within the machine. These thermal control components include a thermal management sub-system, fans, baffles, digital thermometers, and control signal alarms. Also included is a thermal specification profile or table that includes thermal data for heat-producing components in the machine. Such data may include high temperature thresholds, such as an alert and alarm temperatures, instructions or actions to be taken when those temperatures are met, and which elements within the machine to use, such as baffles, fans, and the like.

Abstract: A portable casino gaming device includes a data preservation system and is operable to monitor movement activity relating to the portable gaming device, and generate movement information relating to movements of the portable gaming device. In at least one embodiment, the movement information includes at least one of: data relating to rotation of the portable gaming device, data relating to displacement of the portable gaming device, data relating to velocity of the portable gaming device, data relating to acceleration of the portable gaming device, and/or data relating to an orientation of the portable gaming device. The portable gaming device may also be operable to analyze the movement information with respect to a first set of threshold criteria in order to detect an occurrence of a first critical condition or event at the portable gaming device, and to initiate at least one action in response to detection of the first critical condition or event.