Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a cabinet, a coin outlet for dispensing coins, and a coin tray beneath the coin outlet. The coin tray is located a sufficient vertical distance from the coin outlet so as to accommodate a traditional coin collection cup between the coin outlet and the coin tray. The coin tray may contain a beverage cup holder and/or an ash tray, preferably located horizontally away from the coin outlet. The coin tray is coupled to the cabinet and extends below a level of the bottom of the cabinet. When the gaming machine sits on a stand in a gaming establishment, the cabinet sits on top of the stand while the coin tray hangs over a front wall of the stand.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display and an alterable display mechanism. The game display is for displaying the wagering game. The alterable display includes a mechanical display member movable between a first position and a second position. The display member displays first and second information to a player when in the respective first and second positions. The information may be signage information that is free of random events and outcomes associated with the wagering game. The display member may, for example, be a flexible member scrolled about rollers, a rotatable panel, a rotatable set of panels akin to shutters, or a “plate” rotatable in a fashion similar to a phonographic turntable with dividers to separate the sides.

Abstract: In a server-based gaming network including a number of gaming machines communicatively coupled to one or more servers, an adaptable electro-mechanical gaming machine having an electro-mechanical device and an optional variable display device(s) coupled to a controller. The configuration of the adaptable electro-mechanical gaming machine is substantially or partially controlled via feature options. Selection of the feature options may be made by the adaptable electro-mechanical gaming machine or by a coupled apparatus. The feature options may reside on the adaptable electro-mechanical gaming machine or on a coupled apparatus, and may include hold percentage configurations, game play denominations, minimum wager amounts, top award configurations, bonus game schemes, player specific bonus features, mechanical device motion profiles, electronic transfer fund configurations, game theme configurations, lighting configurations, sound configurations, harm minimization behaviors, and casino float configurations.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display and an alterable display mechanism. The game display is for displaying the wagering game. The alterable display portrays a mechanical display member movable between a first position and a second position. The display member displays first and second information to a player when in the respective first and second positions. The information may be signage information that is free of random events and outcomes associated with the wagering game. The display member may, for example, be a flexible member scrolled about rollers, a rotatable panel, a rotatable set of panels akin to shutters, a “plate” rotatable in a fashion similar to a phonographic turntable with dividers to separate the sides, or a video representation of any of the foregoing.

Abstract: A gaming machine is operable to create a preferred personal environment for a player playing a wagering game on the machine. The machine comprises at least one vent for emitting air into a vicinity of the machine, a delivery medium for conveying the air to the vent, and at least one climate control, operable by a player, for adjusting a characteristic of the air. The characteristic may, for example, be a velocity, temperature, direction or scent of the air.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a primary gaming display for presenting the outcome of a wagering or bonus game and a video display. In response to a wager, an outcome is generated and displayed in a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon primary game display. The video image may be interactive with the primary game display and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of reporting alterations to the operation of a gaming machine. The method includes operating the gaming machine in a standard mode of operation, and subsequently altering the standard mode of operation. In response to this altering, a report is automatically generated for submission to a gaming regulatory agency. The report indicates that the standard mode of operation has been altered. In one common form, the mode of operation being altered is the payout structure, which is information that must be submitted to the gaming regulatory agency in most jurisdictions. In other alternatives, the novel method includes transmitting the report to the agency, possibly automatically via an electronic transmission. The present invention also contemplates gaming machines that are configured to generate such a report, and gaming machine networks that are configured to generate such a report.

Abstract: A gaming machine with a visual display shows an array of symbols that includes one or more special symbols. During the play of the gaming machine, a bonus game may be triggered by the alignment of these special symbols. This bonus triggers interplay between the special symbols, which portray an action that determines a bonus game outcome. The action portrayed is randomly selected from a plurality of possible actions. An award is made based on the game outcome.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a processor for conducting a wagering game on the gaming machine and an acoustic-sensing mechanism having at least one microphone that converts acoustic signals to audio signals. The acoustic-sensing mechanism can be used for providing various inputs, including the selection of certain options during the operation of the game. The acoustic-sensing mechanism may further distinguish between a first acoustic input indicative of a first player input and a second acoustic input indicative of a second player input.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a processor for conducting a wagering game on the gaming machine and a gesture-sensing mechanism. The gesture-sensing mechanism can be used for providing various inputs. For example, the gesture-sensing mechanism provides player inputs that select certain options during operation of the game. The gesture-sensing mechanism may further distinguish between a first gesture indicative of a first player input and a second gesture indicative of a second player input. Or, the gesture-sensing mechanism provides player inputs in response to a physical action by a player that relates to a theme of the gaming machine. Alternatively or additionally, the gaming machine may include a microphone in communication with the processor. The microphone receives player inputs in the form of acoustic signals.

Abstract: A system and method of configuring gaming machines includes one or more databases, an electronic trend analyzer, and a host computer system. The databases collect and store data associated with a plurality of variables. The plurality of variables include a dependent variable and a plurality of independent variables. The dependent variable is indicative of performance of the gaming machines. The trend analyzer uses inferential statistics to identify a previously unknown relationship between the dependent variable and one or more of the independent variables. The host computer system is linked to the gaming machines and is adapted to configure the gaming machines based on the identified relationship.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing players at gaming terminals to communicate with each other is disclosed. The gaming terminals are used to conduct wagering games. One of the gaming terminals generates a personal message in response to input of a player at the one of the gaming terminals. A least one other of the gaming terminals presents the personal message. The personal message may include text, audio, or video content and may be generated via such messaging technologies as electronic mail, instant messaging, a chat room, network telephony, conferencing, and an electronic message center.

Abstract: A gaming machine system comprises a game cabinet, a processor, and an audio/visual effects system. The game cabinet receives inputs and displays outputs. The processor is located within the cabinet and randomly selects a game outcome in response to a wager. The processor generates a first signal in response to a certain event occurring. The audio/visual effects system includes speakers and projecting lights, which are located remotely from the cabinet. In response to the processor generating the first signal, the audio/visual effects system broadcasts a certain audio output from the speakers toward the game cabinet and directs a certain light pattern from the projecting lights toward the game cabinet. The invention also provides for a gaming machine network with a plurality of gaming machines and an audio/visual controller. The audio/visual controller controls the audio outputs and the light patterns experienced by players of the gaming machines.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system comprises a gaming terminal and a speaker arrangement. The gaming terminal conducts a wagering game. The speaker arrangement emits audio associated with the wagering game in surround sound relative to a player in front of the gaming terminal.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting 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, transmits an enable signal critical to machine function in response to successful validation of the security message. The secondary apparatus may, for example, be a programmable logic circuit external to the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A web-based system for integrating casino gaming with non-casino interactive gaming comprises a central server system, a plurality of player-operated gaming machines, and a player-operating computing device. The central server system offers a plurality of wagering games. The gaming machines are located in a land-based casino and linked to the central server system by a reconfigurable, multi-site computer network such as an intranet. The computing device is remote from any land-based casino and linked to the central server system by the Internet. The wagering games may be conducted via either the gaming machines or the computing device. In one embodiment, each wagering game is offered in two distinct versions: basic and enhanced. The basic version is played over the network using JavaScript or other language. The enhanced version includes upgraded audiovisual content that is downloaded to and stored locally on the machine or computing device used to conduct the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a cabinet, a coin outlet for dispensing coins, and a coin tray beneath the coin outlet. The coin tray is located a sufficient vertical distance from the coin outlet so as to accommodate a traditional coin collection cup between the coin outlet and the coin tray. The coin tray may contain a beverage cup holder and/or an ash tray, preferably located horizontally away from the coin outlet. The coin tray is coupled to the cabinet and extends below a level of the bottom of the cabinet. When the gaming machine sits on a stand in a gaming establishment, the cabinet sits on top of the stand while the coin tray hangs over,a front wall of the stand.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a processor, a memory device, and an audio speaker system. The processor randomly selects a game outcome in response to a wager amount. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores a plurality of audio data sets for producing a plurality of different audio outputs. The processor selects one of the plurality of audio data sets in response to the processor receiving audio instructions from an external control source electronically coupled to the gaming machine. The audio speaker system broadcasts the selected audio output to a player of the gaming machine. Further, a gaming machine network comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a central controller electronically coupled to the gaming machines. The central controller sends audio instructions for controlling the audio outputs from the audio speaker system of the gaming machines. The audio instructions may include digitally formatted audio data.

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: A coin collection system for a gaming machine comprises a coin outlet for dispensing coins and a coin tray beneath the coin outlet. In one aspect of the invention, a movable member is coupled to the gaming machine and is operable to assist in guiding the dispensed coins from one of the coin outlet and the coin tray to a coin collection cup. In another aspect, a guiding member is positioned proximate to the coin outlet and is operable to divert the dispensed coins away from the coin tray and into a coin collection cup. In a further aspect, a mechanical element holds a coin collection cup in front of the coin tray so that the coins dispensed into the coin tray can be scooped into the held coin collection cup. In yet another aspect, the coin collection cup itself is sized to fit within the coin tray.