Abstract: A gaming machine door latch comprises a slide having one or more associated catches, and lock or latch strikes. The slide may be mounted to the gaming machine housing for vertical movement. The catches are mounted to the slide and may be configured to pivot. The strikes are mounted to the door. When the gaming machine door is closed, the catches automatically engage the strikes, thus latching the door. The door may be opened by raising the slide, causing the catches to move out of engagement with the strikes. The latch may include a lock which locks and unlocks the slide.

Abstract: A gaming machine is configured to present multiple individual games to a player. The individual games each have a plurality of symbol locations which display symbols to a user. The symbols displayed in the symbol locations corresponding to one or more primary paylines are compared to predetermined winning symbol combinations to declare a winning outcome. One or more secondary paylines corresponding to symbol locations in more than one of the individual games may be compared to the winning symbol combinations to declare a winning outcome as well. The winning symbol combinations may be defined and presented to players by a paytable. The primary and secondary paylines may be fixed or selected by the player and may constitute a bonus win having a higher payout.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a first gaming device component and a second display device component and is particularly suited to presentation of wagering games. The gaming device is a first housing with associated player input devices and a game controller. The display device has a second housing with at least one game information display. The display device may be mounted to the gaming device to create a unitary device, or it may be mounted or set apart from the gaming device. The display device may also be connected to the gaming device in a number of orientations to create different gaming machine configurations. The display device also supports various display configurations, such as video displays and spinning reels.

Abstract: One or more gaming machines are associated with a musical instrument. The musical instrument has a housing and one or more elements for generating sound. The musical instrument may comprise a piano having keys located at one end and housing a plurality of strings. Each gaming machine is configured to display gaming information via a display. In one embodiment, each gaming machine has a housing which is housed at least partially within the housing of the musical instrument. The gaming machines may comprise terminals or stations associated with a roulette wheel for presenting a roulette game.

Abstract: A method of optimizing a number of gaming machines comprises providing a first number of gaming machines having a first appearance and configured to present at least one first game. Game play is monitored at the gaming machines and if the game play reaches a threshold level, a number of the gaming machines are changed to have a second appearance and configured to present at least one second game. Preferably, the appearance of the gaming machines is modified by changing certain door/frame coverings and/or the number or arrangement of visible components, permitting the gaming machine itself to be reused.

Abstract: A vent cover is provided for use with a gaming machine. The vent cover comprises a body for location over a vent in a housing of the gaming machine. The vent cover cooperates with the housing to define a vent space through which air flows to and from an interior of the gaming machine via the vent. The vent cover has air ports in communication with the vent space. The vent cover also has one or more drains which direct water from the vent space. The vent cover is preferably used with an exhaust vent of a gaming machine, directing heated air upwardly away from the gaming machine and preventing foreign material from entering the gaming machine through the vent.

Abstract: A gaming system is configured to present a bonus event at one or more gaming machines. The gaming machines may be configured to present base wagering games. A bonus server may monitor play at the gaming machines and trigger a bonus event. The bonus event server may be configured to dynamically modify the bonus event trigger based upon the number of gaming machines in play to keep the odds of triggering the bonus event relatively constant. The bonus event may comprise a timed bonus event, such as a tournament in which players of active gaming machines have the opportunity to play one or more free games.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention includes an RF fob with an embedded identifier. The fob transmits a signal that is received by one of a plurality of games which recognizes the identifier and thus identifies the player who holds the fob. Several discrete remote gaming locations are connected to a central location where player information is stored and maintained. When a player scans his fob at a game at any remote location connected to the central location, the identifier is transmitted to the central location and player information is transmitted to the game. The player can begin play, accumulating points on his/her account reflective of his or her gaming activity. The player can also redeem points for cash at the game itself without third-party assistance.

Abstract: A game ball has two different game indicia associated therewith. One or more of such game balls may be part of a set of game balls, such as a set of balls used to play a bingo, keno or lottery game where the game indicia may comprise numbers used to play lottery or keno, or combinations of letters and numbers for play of a bingo game. Compared to game balls bearing a single game indicia, selection of a game ball bearing multiple game indicia presents a player with an increased or bonus matching opportunity. The game balls may be physical elements or be electronic representations, such as displayed images, thereof.

Abstract: A testing system provides automated testing of one or more network infrastructures. The testing system may automatically reconfigure one or more devices within a network infrastructure and then conduct testing on the newly configured network infrastructure. Test results may be used to diagnose network anomalies and to compare performance or other characteristics of various network configurations. In one embodiment, the testing system tests a communication channel between a front-end and back-end mechanism where data traffic is encoded between the front-end and back-end mechanism.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for communicating Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS) traffic over a network in an accelerated manner. In one embodiment, DIS traffic is accelerated through use of accelerated DIS packets having a reduced size. In this manner, network traffic is reduced. Accelerated DIS packets may be created and communicated through one or more DIS accelerators. A first DIS accelerator may accept a DIS packet and create an accelerated DIS packet therefrom by comparing the DIS packet to a cache and forming an accelerated DIS packet comprising the differences between the DIS packet and the cache. Data in the original DIS packet may be subsequently restored by a second DIS accelerator which combines the information in the accelerated DIS packet and the cache to restore the original DIS packet. Accelerated DIS packets may be communicated over an encoded communication channel in one or more embodiments.

Abstract: A dimmable LED driver provides accurate full range dimming for LED lighting. The driver utilizes the timing of an AC signal rather than its power output or other characteristics to accurately determine the level of light a user desires. In this manner, the driver provides accurate full range dimming without the need for calibration to specific AC power levels. The driver may detect the period of an AC signal allowing the driver to be used with various frequencies without the need for calibration. In one or more embodiments, the driver compares the pulse widths of a dimmed AC signal to the period of the AC signal to determine the desired light level. The driver may comprise a signal processor and controller in one or more embodiments.

Abstract: A gaming machine cabinet or housing is constructed from a plurality of connected components. In one embodiment, the cabinet is assembled from base, side, top, back and door components or sections. The housing may have a basis configuration constructed from a base, sides, top, back and a first door. The housing may have a plurality of modified configurations constructed from various of the basic configuration components, such as the base, sides and back, and an extension and modified door. In accordance with the invention, the gaming machine housing may be manufactured in one location and then conveniently shipped in unassembled form to another location for assembly and use. The gaming machine housing may also be constructed in a variety of configurations utilizing a small number of components.

Abstract: A portable or disposable package of tissues includes a reflective surface. The surface may be directly associated with the package. In another embodiment, the reflective surface is associated with another body which is connected to the package. That body may be removable from the package, so that it may be used with successive packages after the tissues in prior packages have been exhausted and the package disposed of.

Abstract: A data processing system with intercepting instructions comprising an operating system for supporting processes, such that the process are associated with one or more resources and the operating system being arranged to police the accessing by processes of resources so as to inhibit a process from accessing resources with which it is not associated. Part of this system is an interface for interfacing between each process and the operating system and a memory for storing state information for at least one process. The interface may be arranged to analyze instructions from the processes to the operating system, and upon detecting an instruction to re-initialize a process cause state information corresponding to that pre-existing state information to be stored in the memory as state information for the re-initialized process and to be associated with the resource.

Abstract: In a matching-type game, at least two matrices of symbols are displayed, the matrices positioned so that they have at least one row, column or diagonal aligned with one another. A player attempts to obtain matches of the displayed symbols in the matrices, such as to randomly generated game symbols. At least one winning outcome comprises a player's successful matching of all of the symbols along any contiguous row, column or diagonal spanning at least two of the aligned matrices. The game may be played as a wagering game at a gaming device.

Abstract: The power stride apparatus and method therefor is directed to training the quads and gluts. In one embodiment, the apparatus comprises rotatable pedal assemblies having articulating pedals which may be engaged by a user's feet. The apparatus may include a seat to support the user. Resistance devices, such as one or more springs, may attach to the pedal assemblies to provide resistance to the movement of the pedal assemblies and to return to pedal assemblies to their initial position. The user may push the pedal assemblies and resist the return of the pedal assemblies thus training the user's quads and gluts. The articulating pedals allow training to be focused on the quads and gluts and provide a safer workout for the user. In some embodiments, return mechanisms may be used to allow the articulating pedals to follow the rotation of the user's foot during training.