Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A method and system provide accent lighting at a bank of gaming machines. A plurality of LED panels are provided to be assembled in a number of different configurations for a series of LED panels. An electronic controller coupled to communicate through said data communication interface with the series of LED panels. The electronic controller is programmed to transmit signals to LED drivers of the LED panels, receive a loop-back signal transmitted from a final one of the LED panels, based on timing of said received loop-back signal automatically identify a configuration of the series of LED panels from said number of possible configurations, and transmit commands for activating the LED drivers of the LED panels based on the identified configuration.

Abstract: Multiple different game symbol weighting sets are defined for selection in a given play of a reel-type game. Each game symbol weighting set defines a probability of each reel strip in the reel-type game landing at each particular stop position for that reel strip. By providing multiple different game symbol weighting sets, certain game symbols such as special themed game symbols may be favored for one or more plays of the game to increase the chance of hitting winning symbol combinations using that game symbol.

Abstract: A method includes conducting a base portion of a game in which the base portion result may include a first trigger condition or a second trigger condition. Where the base portion result includes the first trigger condition, the method includes conducting a first bonus feature which may include activations of reels defining a first array of game symbol locations. Where the base portion result includes the second trigger condition, the method includes causing the display system to display a selection from among a number of different additional bonus feature options at least one of which comprises a reel-type bonus feature which includes activations of reels defining a second array of game symbol locations larger than the first array.

Abstract: Controlling a gaming machine includes displaying a starting graphic that includes both one or more prize-contributing numerical values and one or more non-contributing numerical values. The non-contributing numerical values may precede, follow, or both precede and follow the respective prize-contributing numerical value. Once the starting graphic is displayed, each of the non-contributing numerical values is replaced with a respective non-numerical graphic to ultimately reveal at the gaming machine the one or more prize-contributing numerical values. A prize is then awarded which includes a prize value defined by either a combination of the prize-contributing numerical values where more than one prize-contributing numerical value is included in the starting graphic or by the sole prize-contributing numerical value where only one prize-contributing numerical value is included in the starting graphic.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for operating a slot machine game in which virtual or mechanical reels include numbers from which a prize amount is produced by concatenation. In response to a wager activation by a player, the reels display conduct a base game including spinning the reels and stopping to produce a respective randomly selected outcome having a plurality of symbols including single digit numbers which are positive numbers and zero, double digit numbers which are positive and double zero, and blank symbols. A prize amount associated with the outcome is identified by concatenating the single and double digit numbers and ignoring the blank symbols along a designated payline.

Abstract: An accent light controller, method, and light panel are used to provide accent lighting for gaming machines. The light panel includes a series of LED panels. A command is transmitted through a series of LED panels to a final LED driver of the final LED panel in a series of LED panels. In response, an indicator is transmitted back through the series of LED panels to an electronic controller at a gaming machine and received at an electronic controller. Based on timing of received indicator, a number of LED drivers in the LED panels is determined. Based on the number of LED drivers, a configuration of the LED panels is determined from a number of possible configurations. Subsequent commands for activating the LED drivers of the LED panels are transmitted based on the identified configuration.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first level game symbol array and a second level game symbol array through a display system of a reel-type gaming machine. The first level game symbol array is produced by populating at least some game symbol locations included in an initial array of game symbol locations. Any such populated location may be populated with a first trigger symbol including a representation of a single-symbol reel. The second level game symbol array is displayed by, for each respective game symbol location populated with the first trigger symbol in the first level game symbol array, conducting a respective single-symbol reel spin simulation of the representation of the single-symbol reel. A bonus play is displayed through the gaming machine at least in part in response to a predefined number of second trigger symbols being included in the second level game symbol array.

Abstract: A gaming machine, method, and program product provide a slot machine game with a tiered bonus feature. A bonus feature includes a bonus feature prize selector and a bonus feature control selector. The bonus feature prize selector selects a current prize, and the bonus feature control selector selects a control outcome governing bonus feature prize selector. The control outcome may be awarding a current bonus prize selected or upgrading the current bonus prize selected on the first bonus wheel. In response to the upgrading outcome being selected, the bonus feature prize selector is made to select a replacement current prize from among a subset of the number of bonus feature prize tiers comprising each bonus feature prize tier having a value higher than prior value of the current prize.

Abstract: Gaming machine button decks are connected with a button deck filler for connecting between two adjacent gaming machines to provide continuity between button decks and to provide lighting effects between the gaming machines. Light sources may be controlled by a multimedia server operating to control various presentation interfaces for a group of adjacent gaming machines.

Abstract: A slot machine, gaming method, and program product are provided to dynamically display visual and audio content to be played in synchronization with a music track. A digital signal processor performs frequency analysis of background music as it is played, and identifies musical beats to create beat events. The beat event is used to trigger additional presentation elements such as visual effects, sounds, and lighting on the beat of the background music. Spectral content information from the frequency analysis is used to create dynamic background graphics.

Abstract: Methods and systems facilitate the adjustment of probabilities of triggering different bonus games in a slot machine where the probability adjustment is based on supplemental data. Programming and data structure design are provided to implement a bonus trigger probability adjusting arrangement based on supplemental data input. Such supplemental data includes the state of a dynamic interactive game theme sequence displayed at the gaming machine. Player inputs can alter the sequence of the theme display and affect the adjustment of probabilities.

Abstract: A slot machine, gaming method, and program product are provided to dynamically display visual and audio content to be played in synchronization with a music track. A digital signal processor performs frequency analysis of background music as it is played, and identifies musical beats to create beat events. The beat event is used to trigger additional presentation elements such as visual effects, sounds, and lighting on the beat of the background music. Spectral content information from the frequency analysis is used to create dynamic background graphics.

Abstract: Gaming machine button decks are connected with a button deck filler for connecting between two adjacent gaming machines to provide continuity between button decks and to provide lighting effects between the gaming machines. Light sources may be controlled by a multimedia server operating to control various presentation interfaces for a group of adjacent gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine and method for providing multiple simultaneous virtual game presentations to a player. An electronic controller is programmed to operate the virtual game presentations in response to player wagers, and determine if virtual game presentations all include a winning pattern. If so, the controller activates a bonus game structure to display the conduct of a bonus game and a bonus game result. A trigger pattern may replicate to selected virtual game presentations.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a gaming machine cabinet defining an upper cabinet volume and a cabinet front opening to the upper cabinet volume. A gaming machine panel is mounted on the gaming machine cabinet in a panel operating position in which the gaming machine panel registers with and covers a base area of the cabinet front opening. The gaming machine further includes a translation structure connected between the gaming machine panel and the gaming machine cabinet. The translation structure is operable enable the gaming machine panel to be moved from the panel operating position upwardly to a cabinet open position. In this cabinet open position the gaming machine panel remains supported by the gaming machine cabinet and is removed from the base area of the cabinet front opening.

Abstract: A gaming system, apparatus, and method are disclosed providing improvements to feature games played on slot machines or other gaming machines. A bonus symbol feature game selection is provided that determines multiple feature games to be made available for the player by a player selection. The games made available are determined at least in part based on the base game result. A wheel enhancement feature game is provided in which a wheel is modified with various types of persistent modifications selected by player picks. The enhancements accumulate until a wheel spin is achieved, building excitement with the player. Chances of achieving a wheel spin may also be altered by the persistent modifications.

Abstract: A method includes receiving game command input signals on a game controller signal input path to a gaming device and splitting the game command input signals from the game controller signal input path onto a signal monitoring path. Game command data representing the game command input signals from the monitoring path are stored and used in evaluating two or more game control aspects associated with the game command data to produce a respective automation indicator for each game control aspect. The respective automation probabilities for each game control aspect are combined to produce an overall automation indicator value. A participation status of the player may then be modified in response to a characteristic of the overall automation indicator value.

Abstract: A gaming machine, system, method, and program product provide a new slot machine game in which a gaming continuum displays advancement toward a highest state. The gaming continuum and includes a game activation display function that, based on a random selection associated with a wager activation, either partially advances the gaming continuum or totally advances the gaming continuum, the gaming continuum entering a decay state after each game outcome. The decay state includes displaying an advancing level of the gaming continuum decreasing toward an initial state. If a wager activation occurs before the initial state is reached, the level of the continuum is used as the starting state of the subsequent game round.