Abstract: A method of a house apportionment of a bonus value is used to pay during play of a bonus game. Entry of the bonus game is achieved during play of an underlying game of chance. The method of house apportionment includes steps of awarding the player a portion of the bonus value for the bonus game and adding the remainder of the bonus value to at least one escrow account available to reward the player or subsequent players.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of symbol positions associated with the reels. The gaming device activates a number of the symbol positions based on a wager by a player. The gaming generates and displays a symbol in each of the active symbol positions. In one embodiment, the gaming device analyzes the generated symbols to determine whether any of the generated symbols are related. If the gaming device determines that any of the generated symbols are related, the gaming device determines whether any of the related symbols form a string of related symbols according to one or more designated rules employed in the game. If one or more strings of related symbols are formed in the game, the gaming device determines if any of the strings of related symbols are associated with any awards and provides such awards to the player.

Abstract: A gaming device which can be operated by wireless signals provided by a remote control unit or device after an initialization process. The initialization process insures that the initialized gaming device accepts signals solely from the initialized remote control unit and that other players are prevented from operating the gaming device using a different remote control unit. The wireless signals contain gaming commands for play of a primary wagering game as well as player identification and/or player tracking information.

Abstract: A video poker machine configured to allow a player to play a card game is provided. The video poker machine includes at least one display device, at least one input device, and at least one computer configured to display at least a first hand and a second hand of at least five cards all face up, each hand including the same five cards. A player can be provided an option to play a hand by selecting none, one or more than one of the face up cards from the first hand and the second hand and any additional hands as cards to be held. Each of the cards not selected to be held are discarded from each hand and replaced with a face up card. The player can be provided a pre-established amount based on the amount of a wager made on the hand if the resulting cards of the hand comprise a predetermined poker hand ranking.

Abstract: A compact gear drive assembly for powered equipment includes a housing having a first tubular extension, and an input shaft having a first end located in the housing and a second end extending from the housing through the first tubular extension. The gear drive assembly further includes a first stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first end of the input shaft, a second stage gear reduction engaged to and driven by the first stage gear reduction, and an axle engaged to and driven by the second stage gear reduction.

Abstract: A card game includes a plurality of rounds playable upon at least one base wager and at least one supplemental wager. Each one of the rounds results in an outcome, where a base award is associated with at least one of the outcomes. A pattern condition is fulfillable when a pattern of the outcomes corresponds to one of a plurality of designated patterns. Different supplemental awards are provided based on the fulfillment of the pattern condition.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of bonus awards. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine will provide a primary bonus award and any secondary bonus awards. In one embodiment, the number of secondary bonus awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. The selected gaming machine then determines a component of or the amount of the bonus award to be provided to the gaming machine selected by the central server.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing at least one input device which enables a player to deposit an amount of money into a gaming device and a memory device configured to store the deposited amount of money. The gaming device displays the amount of money deposited by the player on a credit meter or display. The gaming device includes a game operable upon a wager. The gaming device further includes at least one input device for enabling the player to initiate a play of the game by inputting the wager using the deposited funds. The game includes a plurality of award opportunities. The gaming device determines which of the award opportunities will be employed based on the amount of money deposited by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an enhanced award opportunity if the amount of money deposited by the player is at or above a designated amount of money. In one embodiment, the deposited amounts are on a gaming system, such as a gaming system accessed through the internet.

Abstract: A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.

Abstract: A wagering method is provided that allows players or gaming establishments to specify conditions which when satisfied, reconfigure the gaming device to change game play from a first game to a second game. The condition may depend upon the value of a parameter—generally related to game play—to determine if the condition is valid and triggers the reconfiguration. The second game may be selected from a game on the same gaming device, from a game on a different gaming device, or a game played by a specific player.

Abstract: Relatively non-invasive devices and methods for heating or cooling a patient's body are disclosed. Devices and methods for treating ischemic conditions by inducing therapeutic hypothermia are disclosed. Devices and methods for inducing therapeutic hypothermia through esophageal cooling are disclosed. Devices and methods for operative temperature management are disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device and method is disclosed which enables a player to win one or more free spins in a primary game after placing an optional side wager. The primary game has a plurality of symbols including at least one free spin symbol on a plurality of reels. If the player places the side wager, the free spin symbol is associated with a quantity of free spins. If the player places the side wager, the gaming device provides the player with the quantity of free spins for each free spin symbol that occurs on the reels in the primary game. The gaming device accumulates any free spins won during the primary game as additional free spins for a bonus or secondary game. The player can selectively (i) use the additional or accumulated free spins in the bonus or secondary game, (ii) store the additional or accumulated free spins, or (iii) convert the additional or accumulated free spins to an award.

Abstract: One embodiment provides a Blackjack game where one or more players play against a dealer. The Blackjack game employs a designated set of cards, which includes one or more designated decks of cards. In addition to standard card symbols of rank and suit, each card in each designated deck of cards includes one of a plurality of secondary symbols associated with a secondary game. Each player makes a primary game wager on a play of the Blackjack game. Each player also has the option of placing an optional second wager. For each player who placed the optional second wager, if that player's hand in the play of the Blackjack game includes a designated outcome, the player accumulates one or more of the secondary symbols indicated by the cards in the player's hand.

Abstract: A medical device, such as a medical wire, which includes a coating applied to the surface of the medical wire. The coating includes a base layer bonded to the surface of the medical wire and an at least partially transparent low-friction top coat applied to the base layer. The base layer includes heat activated pigments that change color when heated above a color shifting temperature. In one embodiment, the color of the pigment in one area contrasts with the color of the pigment in an adjacent area without otherwise affecting the low-friction surface of the coating. The areas of different color created in locations along the length of the low-friction coated medical wire form markings which, as an example, enable a surgeon to determine the length of the medical wire inserted into a body by observing the markings on the portion of the marked medical wire located exterior to the body.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and method disclosed herein maintains a designated award which is associated with a variable score for a skill-based game. In one such embodiment, the gaming system enables a player to play a game, wherein the gaming system forms a score for the player. The player's formed score is based on zero, one or more inputs made by the player during the play of the skill-based game (i.e., which tends to measure one or more aspects of that player's skills). If the player's score does not reach the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system modifies the variable score associated with the designated award of that skill-based game. If the player's score reaches or exceeds the variable score associated with the designated award, the gaming system provides the player a designated quantity of opportunities to win the maintained designated award.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a plurality of linked gaming devices, each of the gaming devices including a primary game operable upon a primary game wager. The gaming devices of the gaming system enable a plurality of players to place primary game wagers on plays of the primary games. In one embodiment, each of the players is enabled to place optional second wagers on shared random determinations which occur independently of the primary games. The gaming devices display the primary game outcomes and provide the players with any awards associated with the primary game outcomes. The gaming system determines an outcome for the shared random determinations. In one embodiment, for each of the shared random determinations which results in a designated outcome, the gaming system provides a bonus award to each of the players who placed the second wager on the shared random determination.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a coated medical device, such as a medical guide wire, including at least applying a first colored coating to at least a first portion of an outer surface of a medical guide wire, securing a first end of the medical guide wire, and for each a designated quantity of turns, turn a second end of the medical guide wire upon a longitudinal axis of the medical guide wire. The method of manufacturing also includes securing the second end of the medical guide wire, blocking at least a first portion of the coated surface of the medical guide wire, applying a second contrasting colored coating to at least a second, unblocked portion of the outer surface of the medical guide wire and releasing the first end and the second end of the medical guide wire to display at least one spiral marking formed along a length of the medical guide wire.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems and methods for a gaming device operable to support a negative credit balance. For example, in some embodiments, a gaming device may be configured to: (i) determine a current credit balance, (ii) determine a wager amount, (iii) determine whether the wager amount would result in a negative balance of credits, (iv) determine if it is permissible to allow a negative balance of credits, and if so (v) adjust a current balance such that is equal to the negative balance, and (vi) display an indication of the negative credit balance.

Abstract: A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.

Abstract: A method, and a device and system for performing the method are described, the method comprising: determining a value of at least one chip at a wagering game, the plurality of chips being associated with a credit balance; determining, based at least in part on the value of the at least one chip, whether the credit balance is meets a predetermined condition; and providing a benefit if the credit balance meets the predetermined condition.