Abstract: Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an automated gaming chair for a gaming system that conducts a wagering game. The gaming chair includes a seat portion and a backrest portion that are supported by a base. The seat portion includes one or more sensing devices for detecting the position of the player relative to the seat portion. The backrest portion includes one or more sensing device for detecting the position of the player relative to the backrest portion. The gaming chair also includes at least one actuator for automating movement of the gaming chair. The actuator(s) limits one or more ranges of motion within which the gaming chair is moved based upon the position of the player as detected by the sensing devices of the seat portion and backrest portion.

Abstract: A gaming machine is configured for playing a wagering game and includes at least one non-rotating curved surface and a projection apparatus. The projection apparatus includes at least one rotatable element and is configured to project images of symbols onto the curved surface while the at least one rotatable element is rotated and then stopped such that the symbols appear to respectively move and then stop along the curved surface. The stopped symbols indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a processor, a display device with a video display and a touchscreen, and a bezel adjacent to the display device which has regions capable of providing haptic feedback. The haptic feedback can be provided to a specific region of the bezel as well as a transparent overlay which is positioned over a button on the touchscreen. The apparatus may have sensors allowing for haptic feedback to be targeted based on data detected by the sensors. Additionally, virtual input buttons can be displayed and repositioned on the touchscreen in response to sensor data.

Abstract: A wand-shaped handheld device tethered to a fixed structure in a gaming system by one or more cables wound around reels. The handheld device includes a button on a top thereof as a secondary input means. Motors coupled to the reels wind the cables or apply an opposing force to a pulling force applied to the device. Sensors detect how far the cables are retracted or pulled relative to the fixed structure. Haptic feedback devices impart tactile vibrations that are transmitted along the cable(s) and to the handheld device as the motor is pulling the handheld device toward the fixed structure or a player grasping the device is pulling it away from the fixed structure. Wagering game graphics are coordinated with the movement of the device so that movements or selection of the graphics are affected by inputs made by moving the handheld device or pressing its button.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game systems having a motion capable chair. The disclosure addresses example systems and methods to control the motion capable chair, including utilization of user preferences, applying output of a physic engine, and monitoring safety conditions for the motion capable chair. In addition, movement of chairs on multiple wagering game systems may be coordinated in response to events occurring on one or more machines in the system.

Abstract: A method and system for using multi-channel communications to enhance security is described herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving in a first gaming device a set of gaming data stream portions over a plurality of data channels, wherein the gaming data stream portions are received from a second gaming device. The method further comprises combining ones of the set of gaming data stream portions into a gaming data stream.

Abstract: An attachment worn against a palm side or a back side of a metacarpus of a person's hand. The attachment includes a flexible band or strip to which a sensing electronics module is attached that contains in a housing electronics for sensing gesture characteristics made by the wearer's hand, including a communications interface for communicating gesture characteristic data to a system external to the hand-worn attachment. The attachment sends at least position and orientation data in real time as a gesture is made to an external system, such as a gaming terminal. Optional sensors for detecting light, acceleration, orientation, or pressure can be used to detect other gesture characteristics and/or user inputs made while wearing the attachment. The gestures and user inputs can be used to influence graphical objects displayed on one or more displays displaying a program, such as a wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes at least one cylindrical mechanical reel mounted in a cabinet. The mechanical reel includes symbols displayed to indicate, at least in part, a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game. The mechanical reel is rotatable about an internal axis and defines an interior space that is free of a hub along the internal axis.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining a number of distinct channels of images associated with 3D wagering game content to present sequentially in a common display of the wagering game system during a corresponding number of sequential time slots based, at least in part, on a number of active shutter 3D glasses of the wagering game system that have been initiated. The operations can also include transmitting a synchronization signal to the active shutter 3D glasses to synchronize lens film activation operations with the presentation of the distinct channels of images in the common display. The operations can further include sequentially presenting the distinct channels of images associated with the 3D wagering game content in the common display during the corresponding number of sequential time slots according to a timing of the synchronization signal.

Abstract: A system includes a community screen configured to display images of a community event thereon. The system includes a number of wagering game machines coupled to the community screen. The system also includes a number of handheld devices, wherein each handheld device has a respective display and is associated with a respective one of the wagering game machines. The system includes an image module configured, for at least one handheld device of the number of handheld devices, to identify a location on the community screen based on a position of the at least one handheld device and to present an image on the display of the at least one handheld device based on the location.

Abstract: Gaming-related displays present text and graphics viewable with a special visual aid, e.g., a camera phone. The visual aid provides an interface allowing the player to interact with, and be engaged by, the gaming machine and the gaming environment. The text and graphics shown on the visual aid may provide information that adds to the player's experience. For example, a gaming system includes a gaming terminal for a wagering game. The gaming terminal includes a light-emitting area emitting a predetermined pattern of invisible light having wavelengths outside the visible electromagnetic spectrum. The gaming system also includes a visual aid including a sensor and a visual aid display. The visual aid detects, with the sensor, the pattern of invisible light, converts the pattern of invisible light into a pattern of visible light having wavelengths inside the visible electromagnetic spectrum, and displays the pattern of visible light on the visual aid display.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to exchange digital audio data with an audio device over a digital audio format link. The digital audio format link in various embodiments comprises a SPDIF link, an AES/EBU link, an HDMI link, or an I2S link.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine a wagering game in progress for a wagering game session, and determine an electronic playing card that is in use for the wagering game that uses playing cards. The operations can also determine primary content related to the wagering game, and electronically present the primary content on the electronic playing card for use in the wagering game. The primary content can include playing elements (e.g., card ranks and card suits) for the wagering game. The operations can also determine secondary content to be presented on the electronic playing card, and electronically present the secondary content on the electronic playing card during the wagering game session. The secondary content can include wagering games that are different from the primary content (e.g., secondary wagering games that use playing elements other than cards, such as slot games).

Abstract: A display system in which a display assembly has enhanced apparent brightness when viewed through a second display overlaying the display assembly. The display assembly includes a liquid crystal (LC) based projector having a light source and a polarizing film that polarizes the light. A curved projection screen is positioned in front of the LC-based projector to receive polarized light and display a wagering game. The second display is positioned to overlay at least a portion of the curved projection screen such that at least part of the second display is visible through the second display when the polarized light from the projection screen is permitted to pass through the second display. The second display includes a liquid crystal layer and a front polarizing film that affects whether the polarized light is permitted to pass through or is blocked. An apparent brightness increase of 30% or more is achieved compared to conventional displays that include both a front and rear polarizer.

Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine has increased versatility, while having reels that are aesthetically similar to traditional mechanical reels. In one embodiment, the slot machine includes a plurality of optical fibers having first ends optically coupled to a surface of an image display device and seconds ends defining a curved display surface for displaying simulated mechanical reels to a player. In another embodiment, one or more of the mechanical reels has a transparent window at a location where a symbol would normally be present. A video display displays a video symbol in the transparent window. In yet a further embodiment, one of the plurality of mechanical reels has a miniature image display located at selected ones of the symbol regions for providing video symbols for the game. In yet further embodiments, a symbol region can produce more than one symbol in response to exposure at certain wavelengths or polarizations of light.

Abstract: Electronic wagering game tables (a.k.a. e-tables) are described herein. Some embodiments include a wagering game table for presenting a wagering game. The wagering game table can include a projection surface, and a first projector configured to present, at a first resolution, a first background image on the projection surface, wherein the first background image is associated with the wagering game and includes elements of the wagering game that are shared by the plurality of players, and wherein the first background image includes blank areas that are not substantially illuminated with content from the first projector. The wagering game table can also include a plurality other projectors configured to present, at a second resolution, wagering game content in the plurality of blank areas, wherein the wagering game content indicates results of the wagering game.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine different objects and/or portions within a wagering game video image and split the wagering game video image into multiple video streams containing different parts of the wagering game video image. The operations can then present the multiple video streams on multiple displays. The multiple displays can show the different parts of the wagering game video image appearing as separate and distinct video images. In some embodiments, some of the multiple displays can be placed in front of other displays. The operations can generate transparent masks that allow images to be seen through a display.

Abstract: Club cards and tickets can be eliminated by providing an application that allows a player's mobile phone to process an image of an optical machine-readable representation of data. At the end of a wagering session on a WGM, the WGM can display a barcode representing a player's winnings, an achievement, game status, etc. The player takes a picture of the barcode with his or her mobile phone. The application on the phone processes the barcode image and automatically updates an account of the player in accordance with the data represented or carried by the barcode. For instance, the mobile phone sends a request to a wagering account server to electronically deposit the winnings, as represented by the barcode, in a wagering account associated with the player's club profile.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.