Abstract: A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming apparatus (100) and methods (300) applicable to gaming apparatuses and systems. In particular a password entry method (300) and system (600) for authenticating a player's identity is disclosed in which a user's password can be defined using a set of elements (402) including a plurality of images (404) such as symbols or pictures.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system (400) including one or more gaming machines (404 . . . 408) and one or more system control resources (402). The system control resources (402) are configured to dynamically control the provision of services (402A, 402B) to components of the system. Each of the services (402A, 402B) is implemented by the way of one or more software processes running on one or more data processing resources (402) of the gaming system (400). At least one system control resource (402) is further configured to dynamically allocate said software processes amongst the data processing resources of the gaming system (400). The services (402A, 402B) can include a service that determines an outcome of one or more games playable on a gamin machine, and at a service configured to trigger the award of a jackpot prize.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and at least one server system. The method includes providing at least a first gaming service to each gaming machine by way of one or more first software processes and providing at least one second service common to a subset of the plurality of gaming machines, the second service implemented by one or more second software processes. The method also includes enabling inter-process interaction between at least one software process of the first service and at least one software process of the second service to enable interaction between the services. A server system, gaming machine and gaming system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means. If a winning combination results, the machine awards a prize. In some circumstances, the console will display an animated character to communicate information to the player. The character is independent of and appears asynchronously with respect to the game being played and is arranged to appear super imposed over any game screen currently displayed at the time the character is displayed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gaming system (50) involving one or more gaming machines (52, 54) and a plurality of servers (56, 58) connected thereto. In a one embodiment a gaming machine (52, 54) has a plurality of client software components (52.1, 52.2) configured to interact with a plurality of servers (56, 58) to control different aspects of the gaming system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to gaming apparatus (100) and methods (300) applicable to gaming apparatuses and systems. In particular a password entry method (300) and system (600) for authenticating a player's identity is disclosed in which a user's password can be defined using a set of elements (402) including a plurality of images (404) such as symbols or pictures.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system (400) including one or more gaming machines (404 . . . 408) and one or more system control resources (402). The system control resources (402) are configured to dynamically control the provision of services (402A, 402B) to components of the system. Each of the services (402A, 402B) is implemented by the way of one or more software processes running on one or more data processing resources (402) of the gaming system (400). At least one system control resource (402) is further configured to dynamically allocate said software processes amongst the data processing resources of the gaming system (400). The services(402A, 402B) can include a service that 408A determines an outcome of one or more games playable on a gamin machine, and at a service configured to trigger the award of a jackpot prize.

Abstract: A method of providing access to data across one or more environments in a data system, the method comprising the steps of identifying and classifying data as non-critical data or critical data, and classifying critical data as authoritative data in situations where the data requires immediate access in order to provide a seamless interface to a user, the authoritative data being the most recent value of a data entry.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide systems and methods for slot system and other dependent wagering. Certain embodiments include allowing a player to place a wager, wherein the wager is related to performance of a gaming system, monitoring performance of the gaming system, and awarding a prize based on the wager upon occurrence of a proposition related to performance of the gaming system. Certain embodiments include an interface converting an input of a wager into a wager record, wherein input of the wager includes selecting at least one event and selecting a relationship for the at least one event to form a proposition, an event monitor configured to monitor events occurring in one or more gaming terminals, wherein the event monitor identifies an event relating to the wager record, and an event handler configured to examine the wager record and the identified event to determine if the proposition is satisfied.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system including a plurality of gaming machines and at least one server system. The method includes providing at least a first gaming service to each gaming machine by way of one or more first software processes and providing at least one second service common to a subset of the plurality of gaming machines, the second service implemented by one or more second software processes. The method also includes enabling inter-process interaction between at least one software process of the first service and at least one software process of the second service to enable interaction between the services. A server system, gaming machine and gaming system is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one form there is disclosed a method of triggering an event in a gaming machine network including a plurality of gaming machines. The method includes defining at least one first level trigger event which can be associated with at least one of the plurality of gaming machines and in the event that a first level trigger event occurs, triggering a first level event in relation to each associated gaming machine. The method also includes defining a second level triggering event which is dependent upon the occurrence of a plurality of first level events, each of the plurality of first level events being associated with one or more of the plurality of gaming machines. In the event that the second level triggering event occurs, triggering the second level event.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a control unit. A plurality of gaming machines are linked to the control unit. An identifier is associated with one of each player and each gaming machine, the identifier providing an indication to the control unit whether or not the player wishes to participate in a cooperative gaming environment. The control unit monitors operation of the gaming machines in the cooperative gaming environment and, each time any one of a number of predetermined elements of the cooperative gaming environment changes, generating a milestone and using the milestone so that no one player in the cooperative gaming environment benefits at the expense of the other players participating in the cooperative gaming environment.