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 chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.

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: System, methods and apparatus for presenting media in a wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an internal media request from a component of the wagering game machine and receiving an external data signal from outside the wagering game machine. In the embodiment, the method also includes preparing media based on the internal media request and the external data signal and presenting the media on media presentation devices.

Abstract: A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager comprises a display and a unitary touch screen. The display includes a video portion and a non-video portion. The unitary touch screen overlaps both the video portion and the non-video portion. The video portion includes player-selectable first indicia selectable via the unitary touch screen. The non-video portion includes player-selectable second indicia selectable via the unitary touch screen.

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 spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

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 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, 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.

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 gaming machine to conduct a wagering game comprises a processing apparatus and a secondary apparatus. To inhibit unauthorized persons from replacing some or all of the software executed by the processing apparatus with unapproved software, the processing apparatus transmits a security message to the secondary apparatus. The secondary apparatus, in turn, validates the security message and transmits an enable signal when the validation is successful, or a disable signal when the validation is not successful. The processing apparatus is allowed to access to game data based on receipt of the enable signal and is denied access to game data based on receipt of the disable signal.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device for receiving at least one wager and a display for displaying a wagering game. The display includes an integrated image capture device for visually capturing objects proximate the display. The system further comprises at least one controller operative to (i) detect the presence of at least a first object proximate the display, (ii) cause the image capture device to visually capture the first object and create a stored image thereof, (iii) graphically integrate the stored image of the first object into the wagering game, and (iv) display one or more outcomes of the wagering game which include one or more symbols comprising at least a portion of the stored image.

Abstract: Apparatus, system, and methods may include a value input device for receiving a wager, a housing attached to the value input device, at least one rotatable reel attached to the housing, the reel comprising a reel strip arranged about a periphery of a cage, and a controller attached to the housing and operatively coupled to an input device to alter appearance of a first part of an electrophoretic image display attached to at least one of a player tracking card or a credit ticket that can be read by the input device. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments a wagering game system comprises a personal area network device configured to render media content including results of a wagering game. The system can include a wagering game machine configured to determine and provide the wagering game results to the personal area network device. The wagering game machine can include a personal area network device transceiver configured to exchange data with the personal area network device, the data including the wagering game results, and a personal area network controller configured to detect the personal area network device, to procure an identification code for the personal area network device without player input, and to authenticate the personal area network device by use of the identification code. The system can also include a repository configured to store the identification code in association with a player identifier and to provide the identification code to the wagering game machine upon request.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game table system includes a wagering game module that is operable to present a wagering game upon which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio system. The audio system is operable to present different sound to each of a plurality of game players seated at the wagering game table.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device, a display for displaying at least a portion of a wagering game, and a divider overlying the display and dividing the display into at least a first display region and a second display region. An actuator is coupled to the divider, the actuator for moving the divider relative to the display. The system includes a controller operative, in response to a triggering event, to cause the actuator to move the divider from a first position to a second position and thereby alter the size of at least the first display region.

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 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 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: A gaming device comprising a cabinet, a door, a game control unit, a printed circuit board and an input/output microcontroller. The door is hingedly connected to the cabinet. The game control unit is housed within the cabinet. The printed circuit board is mounted to the door and disposed inside the cabinet. The printed circuit board carries a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. The input/output microcontroller, which performs many of the functions conventionally performed by the game control unit, is mounted to the printed circuit board and connected to the game control unit by a serial link. The microcontroller is coupled to the switches to inform the game control unit of the condition of each of the switches. The microcontroller is coupled to the light sources to turn the light sources on and off.