Abstract: In a method of presenting or playing a wagering game, if a winning outcome is received, a first award is awarded and one or more awards associated with one or more winnings outcomes for the game are then enhanced for potential award in a subsequent game or games. In one embodiment, a base paytable or award structure is modified or enhanced, such as by adjusting awards or associating multipliers or bonus values, to create an enhanced paytable or award structure. The enhanced paytable or award structure may remain in effect for one subsequent game, a set number of games or a time, or until the same or another winning outcome is received in a subsequent game. The game which is presented may vary, such as being a wagering game of video poker, video slots or even a table game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for isolating transmit and receive signals in a communication system utilizing a common channel for both incoming and outgoing signals. In one embodiment a tuned hybrid or isolation circuit is provided with a high-frequency pre-emphasis response. The tuned hybrid rejects the transmit signal from the receive port and is capable of isolating the low power receive signal. One or more filters within the hybrid provide the desired levels of attenuation and frequency specific processing. Outgoing transmit signals encounter minimal attenuation thereby reducing overall transmit power requirements while receive signals are isolated. The tuned hybrid may be configured with an all-pass network consisting of an attenuator and a delay element. Both of these devices or elements maybe tuned to tailor the frequency response to the channel.

Abstract: A multi-band communication device with a front end antenna switch module and shared bias circuit is disclosed. Control inputs determine signal routing and amplifier biasing in response to the communication device's mode or band of operation. A received signal is routed to an active path, which corresponds to the band of the received signal. A received signal is selectively switched to one or more switch outputs, which connect to one or more filters matched to the band of the received signal. After filtering, the signal is directly provided to an active amplifier. An amplifier is activated by a bias signal received from a shared bias circuit. The shared bias circuit generates a bias signal which is selectively switched to an amplifier associated with an active path.

Abstract: A game has the potential for multiple levels. Each level comprises a symbol matching event in which a set of base symbols are compared against a set of game symbol for potential matches. If a required minimum number of matches or another event is realized, the game may continue to the next level. The game symbols may be displayed in rows, such as rows of a matrix having m rows by n columns. The base symbols may then be displayed in a row having n positions, where the base symbol in an individual nth position is compared to the corresponding game symbol in the same nth position. The game may be played as a wagering game offering awards for individual symbol matches or matches of patterns of symbols in the matrix. The game may include additional features such as wild symbols, automatic advance features and mystery bonuses.

Abstract: Disclosed is a UGMII system to interface multirate devices including 10 gigabit per second data exchange rates. Mode selection is enabled to provide for automatic detection and adaptation to any transmit rate including 10M, 100M, 1G, and 10G. Mode selection comprises the negotiation between the UGMII extension sublayers located at the MAC and PHY to select between one of several operational modes including: XGMII communication, GMII encapsulation, Clause 22 MDIO register management and Clause 45 MDIO register management. Selection of UGMII and XGMII operating modes are negotiated between the MAC and PHY using ordered sets to announce and acknowledgement a mode change. In one embodiment 802.3 Clause 46 defined ordered sets are utilized.

Abstract: An optic module is disclosed having a shared bus interface, a transmit disable line, a memory and control logic or a processor configured to facilitate address modification via a bus shared by multiple optic modules. A single housing may contain multiple modules, all of which are preferably accessible via a shared host via a shared bus. Standard compliant modules share a common address, which inhibits communication with only a particular optic module, via the shared bus, in a housing containing multiple optic modules. Using a common message to all modules to treat a transmit disable line as a module select line, a single module may be active during an address re-write operation. This process may repeat until all the modules within the housing have unique addresses.

Abstract: A timed gaming event has a start time, a defined duration, and an end time. In one embodiment, the timed gaming event comprises a period of time during which the payout for winning results is enhanced, such as by a multiplier. In another embodiment, the timed event is a tournament in which players of multiple gaming machines play a plurality of games. The winner(s) of the tournament is determined by the aggregate outcomes of each player's play of the multiple games during the event, such as the player having the highest aggregated winnings for games played during the event. Another event is a timed bonus period of a main game, during which a player is provided the opportunity to play a bonus game for enhanced winnings.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for incorporating secondary data for transmission as part of or concurrently with network data. In one embodiment, the secondary data comprises communication system data for use in controlling or monitoring a communication system. In one example embodiment, the secondary data is utilized to control the transmit timing of the network data to thereby jitter modulate the secondary data into the transmission of the network data. By monitoring the timing variation, or jitter, of the received network data signal, the secondary data may be recovered. In one embodiment, the secondary data is encoded to reduce the amount of time variation, i.e., jitter, that occurs when transmitting the network data. Decoding may occur upon reception of the time adjusted network data signal. In one embodiment, the encoding comprises CDMA type encoding utilizing one or more orthogonal codes.

Abstract: A system and method including card game dispensing shoe includes a scanner that discerns the value and suit of each card dispensed, and includes a CPU and a memory storing data such as rules for dealing cards, data representing player strategy criteria and card inventory data. The CPU, with the scanner data and wagering data can determine player proficiency in regards to player strategies, can determine whether the card inventory is in favor of the player, determine player first card advantage and can, on a floating basis, determine permitted deck penetration. The system and method can be incorporated into games to be broadcast over a communications network such as the Internet.

Abstract: A temperature compensation system for compensating a collector-voltage controlled RF amplifier. To overcome variation that occurs with temperature which can result in signal degradation of the adjacent channel spectrum, a temperature compensated current is utilized to create an offset signal. The offset signal is processed in connection with a control or data signal to generate a temperature compensated voltage source control signal. A differential amplifier may process the data or control signal and the offset signal. The compensated voltage control signal tracks temperature to adapt the applied collector voltage to temperature. This in turn forces the applied collector voltage to vary in response to temperature changes thereby maintaining a constant output power or RF swing. One example environment of use is in an EDGE type GSM system.

Abstract: In one embodiment a communication device activation system is provided to restore activation of one or more communication devices that are in a powered-down mode to conserve power usage during a period of inactivity. The activation signal, also referred to as a warm start signal, comprises a sequence signal. A sequence generator generates a desired sequence signal. It is contemplated that one or more sequence signals may be selected for use by the activation system. The sequence signal may be generated or stored and retrieved. To resume communication, a wake-up sequence signal is generated and transmitted to a remote communication device. Upon receipt the received signal is filtered, correlated and analyzed. Analysis may compare one or more aspects of the signal to a threshold signal. If the signal is determined to comprise a wake-up signal, i.e. a request for communication, then a warm-start operation may occur. An acknowledgement signal may optionally be generated to acknowledge receipt of the signal.

Abstract: A voltage converter having a controller capable of maintaining stable operation of a voltage converter over multiple modes of operation. The voltage converter provides a feedback signal to an error signal generator. One or more controllers, which are selectively established as part of the feedback loop, process the error signal to generate a voltage converter charging cycle control signal. A pulse width modulator may be utilized to generate a voltage converter switch control signal that controls the charge cycle. A detector or comparator monitors one or more aspects of operation of the control circuit or the voltage converter to detect changes in the mode of operation. Upon detection of a change, the detector or comparator generate a multi-mode control signal to selectively switch one or more sub-controllers into or out of the feedback loop to thereby maintain desired stability, loop bandwidth, and response time.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a bumper which is preferably positioned at the front-most portion of a play area of the gaming machine. The bumper defines a recessed area. Gaming machine components such as player input devices including a keypad, buttons, and/or card reader slot, or other components such as a ticket printer slot and/or bill validator slot, are located at or in the recessed portion of the bumper of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A cooling distribution configuration is provided for chassis-mounted electronics boards. In one embodiment, the chassis comprises a housing and at least one electronics board. The electronics board may comprise a communication board having a plurality of ports. Cooling air spaces are defined above and below the board, permitting cooling air to be drawn over both sides of the board. Notches extend inwardly from an edge of the board, the notches serving as air flow paths between the cooling air spaces and serving to distribute cooling air flowing into the housing from one or more intakes to the cooling air spaces.

Abstract: The present invention is an intelligent metering system for currency-activated devices having an electromechanical meter. The intelligent metering system includes an inductive pickup winding associated with the electromechanical meter. An amplifier is coupled to the inductive pickup winding to boost a signal detected from the inductive pickup winding when electromechanical meter is actuated. A pulse detector, coupled to the amplifier, detects pulses, false triggerings and filters out EMF spikes. A microprocessor is coupled to the pulse detector for counting the pulses detected by the pulse detector and for storing meter data related to the counted pulses in a memory device. An interface is coupled to the microprocessor for transmitting the meter data from the memory device.

Abstract: An input device is movable between at least two positions. Movement of the input device results in generated of an least two inputs, such as two signals. When associated with a gaming machine, movement of the input device by a player is used to provide multiple inputs to a gaming controller for playing a game. The input device may be used to present a game, such as a Class II bingo type game where a player is required to provide multiple inputs over the course of the game in order to participate in the game.

Abstract: A visual display has front and rear display panels and a surrounding frame. The display is configured to be supported by and between rows of gaming machine by first and second downwardly extending support legs, the legs each having transverse stop plates extending in cantilever manner from opposite sides of the vertical support legs at a position spaced above the lower ends of the legs. The frame supports pivotal clamps for clamping signage over the display panels. In one embodiment, the display panels are illuminated. In a thin configuration of the sign, the front and rear panels are arranged back-to-back and are edge lit.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, pre-stored values may continue to be utilized or an open loop or closed loop control system may be utilized. An open loop control system may incorporate a temperature module or a timer module to account for changes in environment or changes due to aging that may undesirably affect system operation. A closed loop control system may incorporate one or more feedback loops that generate a compensation value to account for detected changes. In one configuration one or more peak values of the actual optic signal, or a portion thereof, are detected and processed to generate the compensation signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for optic signal power control to maintain a desired or optimum optic signal power level. During start-up, a default or target value from memory may be utilized to bias or otherwise control operation of an optic signal generator or driver. During operation, one or more parameters or aspects of the optic module or the environment may be monitored. In response to the monitoring one or more control signal may be generated to created to modify bias level, modulation level, or both. The monitoring may monitor the optic signal itself. The bias level and modulation level may be changed simultaneously.