Abstract: A gaming system includes circuitry and associated methodology for detection of continuity along one or more sensing paths for determination of the presence and proper seating of one or more component boards to each other and a backplane, having an arbitrary number of couplings. The invention controls voltage to one or more components of the gaming system, enabling selective activation of various components, on one or more of the connected boards, based on the proper seating of component boards to each other and a backplane. The invention implements dynamic configuration of sensing paths (defined by signal paths and signal traversal) and subsequent continuity detection through interfacing connector/port pairs, in combination with specifically placed electronic components and local ground connections along the sensing paths, to control powering selective system components based upon a detection of the presence and proper seating of multiple component boards to each other and a backplane.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes: a carrier board comprising a first network port and a second network port, the first network port having a first network address and the second network port having a second network address; a processor located on the carrier board; a first nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board and communicatively coupled to the first network port, the first nonvolatile memory configured to store the first network address; and a second nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is configured to store Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) code that includes a system BIOS code and an application BIOS code, wherein the BIOS code is hardware write-protected, wherein the processor is configured to derive the second network address from the first network address during execution of boot-up operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gaming system internally secures a modular, critical-electronics central processing unit (CPU) box enclosure having various security features, a power source, a power regulator module, a removable fan assembly, and a backplane providing connection between all the other elements contained within the housing. The removable fan assembly is a modular, hot-swappable, encased unit that provides air flow in a plurality of directions using a corresponding plurality of individually sensed and controlled fans. The fan assembly can be removed during operation of the wagering game machine without interfering with the operations of any other electronic component and without breaking one or more validated seals of the enclosure, the validated seals enabling the gaming system to perform a wagering game having regulatory approval in a given jurisdiction. The removable fan assembly is coupled to one or more processing units that detects, monitors, and controls the operation of the individual fans the fan assembly.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a backplane and one or two additional PCBs that plug into the backplane. A first PCB includes a CPU and three PCIe edge connectors that plug into corresponding sockets on the backplane. One connector separates power and ground on either side of the connector's key. Another connector carries high-speed differential video signal pairs separated by ground to video ports on the backplane. The third connector carries CPU-related signals and at least one signal specific to a gaming machine housing the backplane. An optional second PCB plugs into the first PCB and backplane and provides gaming I/O functionality. The second PCB features a repurposed PCIe connector in which the first upper and last lower pin need to be activated to place the second PCB in operation. The first and second PCBs lack any connectors that receive external cables. Cable connections inside the gaming machine are made on the backplane.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine has memory components configured for easy removal during programming or validation procedures. A module may carry first and second memory devices on a module board having a module connector configured to removably attach to a baseboard carrying a processor. Accordingly, multiple memory devices may be removed and reinstalled together as a unit. An adapter may be provided to allow connection of the module to an interface device having a standard interface connector. The module may also provide status information regarding the execution of code stored on one or more of the memory devices.

Abstract: A gaming system internally secures a modular, critical-electronics central processing unit (CPU) box enclosure having various security features, a power source, a power regulator module, a removable fan assembly, and a backplane providing connection between all the other elements contained within the housing. The removable fan assembly is a modular, hot-swappable, encased unit that provides air flow in a plurality of directions using a corresponding plurality of individually sensed and controlled fans. The fan assembly can be removed during operation of the wagering game machine without interfering with the operations of any other electronic component and without breaking one or more validated seals of the enclosure, the validated seals enabling the gaming system to perform a wagering game having regulatory approval in a given jurisdiction. The removable fan assembly is coupled to one or more processing units that detects, monitors, and controls the operation of the individual fans the fan assembly.

Abstract: A method for configuring a wagering game machine. The method can include initializing a processor and chipset residing on an embedded computer module residing in the wagering game machine, wherein a BIOS resides on a carrier board connected to the embedded computer module. The BIOS includes code for configuring many possible computer modules. The method can further include identifying, under control of code in the BIOS, some the possible computer modules that reside in the wagering game machine and initializing, using code of the BIOS input/output devices connected to the carrier board and the embedded computer module. The method can further include launching an operating system in the wagering game machine and presenting a wagering game on the wagering game machine according to information received from the input/output devices.

Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems and utility hook and sensor assemblies are presented. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming terminal includes a cabinet, at least one display device configured to display aspects of the wagering game, and at least one input device configured to receive an input from a player to play the wagering game. The gaming terminal also includes a support mechanism that is attached to the cabinet and is configured to support a personal belonging of the player. An alert system is configured to detect the presence or absence, or both, of the personal belonging and/or the player at the gaming terminal, and generate an alert signal in response to the detected presence or absence.

Abstract: A method for configuring a wagering game machine. The method can include initializing a processor and chipset residing on an embedded computer module residing in the wagering game machine, wherein a BIOS resides on a carrier board connected to the embedded computer module. The BIOS includes code for configuring many possible computer modules. The method can further include identifying, under control of code in the BIOS, some the possible computer modules that reside in the wagering game machine and initializing, using code of the BIOS input/output devices connected to the carrier board and the embedded computer module. The method can further include launching an operating system in the wagering game machine and presenting a wagering game on the wagering game machine according to information received from the input/output devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring a gaming machine through its audio jack. The audio jack is located behind a locked access door in a cabinet of the gaming machine. An external device connects to the audio jack through the access door and downloads an audio file to the gaming machine. The audio file is encoded with configuration information including configuration settings and corresponding values or parameters for the target gaming machine. When the file transfer is complete, an optional graphical user interface displayed on the gaming machine or on the external device allows the operator to accept a group of configuration settings or to selectively change user-selectable configuration settings. A group of default configuration settings embedded in the configuration information can be automatically applied to the affected hardware or software components of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a backplane and one or two additional PCBs that plug into the backplane. A first PCB includes a CPU and three PCIe edge connectors that plug into corresponding sockets on the backplane. One connector separates power and ground on either side of the connector's key. Another connector carries high-speed differential video signal pairs separated by ground to video ports on the backplane. The third connector carries CPU-related signals and at least one signal specific to a gaming machine housing the backplane. An optional second PCB plugs into the first PCB and backplane and provides gaming I/O functionality. The second PCB features a repurposed PCIe connector in which the first upper and last lower pin need to be activated to place the second PCB in operation. The first and second PCBs lack any connectors that receive external cables. Cable connections inside the gaming machine are made on the backplane.

Abstract: A gaming system includes circuitry and associated methodology for detection of continuity along, one or more sensing paths for determination of the presence and proper seating of one or more component boards to each other and a backplane, having an arbitrary number of couplings. The invention controls voltage to one or more components of the gaming system, enabling selective activation of various components, on one or more of the connected boards, based on the proper seating of component boards to each other and a backplane. The invention implements dynamic configuration of sensing paths (defined by signal paths and signal traversal) and subsequent continuity detection through interfacing connector/port pairs, in combination with specifically placed electronic components and local ground connections along the sensing paths, to control powering selective system components based upon a detection of the presence and proper seating of multiple component boards to each other and a backplane.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for configuring basic input/output system (BIOS) of a wagering game machine. The method can include: initializing a processor and chipset residing on an embedded computer module residing in the wagering game machine, wherein the BIOS resides on a carrier board connected to the embedded computer module; identifying, under control of code in the BIOS, the embedded computer module as a particular one of a plurality of embedded computer modules, wherein the BIOS includes code for configuring each of the plurality of embedded computer modules; initializing, using code of the BIOS configured for the particular one of the plurality of embedded computer modules, input/output devices connected to the carrier board and embedded computer module; launching, under control of the BIOS, an operating system in the wagering game machine; presenting a wagering game on the wagering game machine, wherein the presenting utilizes information received from the input/output devices.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine has memory components configured for easy removal during programming or validation procedures. A module may carry first and second memory devices on a module board having a module connector configured to removably attach to a baseboard carrying a processor. Accordingly, multiple memory devices may be removed and reinstalled together as a unit. An adapter may be provided to allow connection of the module to an interface device having a standard interface connector. The module may also provide status information regarding the execution of code stored on one or more of the memory devices.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s?) configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s?) performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes one or more display devices configured to display the game, a cabinet housing the one or more display devices, and an alcove defined by a portion of an exterior surface of the cabinet. The alcove is configured to store one or more personal items and permit egress of a fluid from within the alcove.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems and utility hook and sensor assemblies are presented. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed. The gaming terminal includes a cabinet, at least one display device configured to display aspects of the wagering game, and at least one input device configured to receive an input from a player to play the wagering game. The gaming terminal also includes a support mechanism that is attached to the cabinet and is configured to support a personal belonging of the player. An alert system is configured to detect the presence or absence, or both, of the personal belonging and/or the player at the gaming terminal, and generate an alert signal in response to the detected presence or absence.