Abstract: A gaming system is provided which permits the hold value to be determined independently of the distribution of winning outcomes, e.g., to avoid or prevent volatility in the hold value. Preferably each time a wager is placed, a hold value (such as a predetermined and/or fixed percentage) is retained and the remainder is allocated to one or more prizes. Preferably, the current prize amounts corresponding to various potential winning game outcomes are displayed when a game is won, the displayed amount corresponding to the type of win paid. Preferably, a portion of wages is retained as a background amount to at least partially replenish a paid-out prize.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for cooling a gaming machine. The cooling system includes an air flow assembly which draws fresh air from outside the gaming machine. The air flow assembly provides the fresh air to a set of ducts. The set of ducts channel the fresh air to one or more internal components of the gaming machine. The cooling system may also include an inlet duct to channel air from outside the machine to the air flow assembly and filters for cleaning the air entering the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.

Abstract: A use enabling method and mechanism to enable use of a disabled game resident on multiple platform gaming machines. When a gaming operator elects to enable a particular disabled game, an enabling device of generates an encrypted Request Code (27) having components identifying the specific gaming machine and the specific game to be enabled. This Request Code (27) is then communicated through a communication coupling (55) to a compatible, mating encoder device (28) operated by the licensing game vendor or game manufacture. In response, the encoder device (28) generates an encrypted Enabling Code (31) which enables use only for the selected game or games, and only in the gaming machine (21) upon which the corresponding Request Code originated. Upon inputting the corresponding Enabling Code (31) into the enabling device (32) incorporated on the particular gaming device, the selected disable game or games may be subsequently enabled for use.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine has a plurality of “gaming peripherals,” each communicating with a master gaming controller via a standard peripheral interface such as the USB (Universal Serial Bus). Further, the gaming peripherals employ a standard peripheral controller and one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., the actual lights, bill validators, ticket printers, etc. that perform the specific functions of the gaming peripherals). Much of the hardware associated with the peripheral controller is identical from one gaming peripheral to the next. Only a portion of the peripheral controller hardware is specific to the different types of gaming peripherals.

Abstract: A coin output hopper capable of handling coins of different diameters and thicknesses is provided. A backplate is supported by a spring suspension to maintain the backplate substantially parallel to a rotating holeywheel/pinwheel despite misalignments, warping or other misshaping of the pinwheel. A coin guide is provided with a geometry to engage with different diameter coins so as to position the coins in the desired position within a coin pocket. A deflector is provided with a geometry which engages different diameter coins to accelerate coins along a knife edge exit path. The coins are forced along a path toward and along the knife edge by pins positioned such that excessive forces are avoided for any of a range of coin diameters.

Abstract: A system for electronically downloading and verifying programs directly to printed circuit board components for use in gaming devices is provided. The downloading is preferably based on stored customer orders and provides reduced potential for errors arising by automating some or all features of program selection and by preferably implementing one or more steps of verifying programs for approval or compliance with gaming jurisdiction regulations for a jurisdiction where the gaming device is intended to be used.

Abstract: An improved gaming machine having a touch screen applied to an outer face of a CRT display and a limited number of push-button actuators. Either the touch screen or the push-button actuators can be used for controlling play as well as selecting one of several games that can be played on the machine. By using a touch screen on the video display device, the player of the game of the machine can use either the touch screen or the push-button actuators to change the playable game elements, such as discarding and drawing new cards when playing poker. The touch screen and associated electronics are arranged and programmed so that multiple touch fields are defined on the surface of the screen, which, by manually touching, can be used for playing games, such as keno, which require more actuators than there are push buttons on the machine.

Abstract: A coin singulator for outputting coins in single file in a known orientation for effecting payout from a gaming terminal is provided. A rotatable disk is positioned spaced-apart from a backplate to define a substantially cylindrical region therebetween in conjunction with a rim region. Vanes on the front surface of the rotating disk convey coins picked up from a randomly-oriented mass of coins to a central opening of the disk for conveyance through the central opening into the space between the disk and the backplate. The distance between the disk and the backplate is such that only a single layer or thickness of coins is accommodated. Preferably the backplate is inclined such that the coins are positioned in face-to-face contact with the backplate. A plurality of vanes on the back surface of the disk moves the coin along the rim to an exit opening in the rim with the back surface vanes preferably shaped to output no more than a single coin as each rim passes the opening.

Abstract: A computer implemented electronic game includes a wheel of fortune game with odds of a jackpot greatly in excess of the number of indicia on a simulated wheel. In one embodiment, a virtual mapping allows a bonus indicium of the wheel to be given a 1:M chance of being landed on, even though the bonus position is one of N positions on the simulated wheel. A random number L is chosen between 1 and M and this number is mapped to a number between 1 and N. The display of the wheel if controlled to simulate stopping of the wheel at the Ith indicium where L is mapped to I. In one embodiment, by using successive wheel spins, the odds of moving to the next round are multiplied to achieve an overall odds of winning a jackpot.

Abstract: A computer-implemented game includes a wheel of fortune portion. The wheel is positioned in a location spaced from the main game housing. In this way even relatively large wheels can be provided without undesirable dimensional enlargement of the main housing.

Abstract: Memories in peripherals, coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes transmitting information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. The information is then transmitted from the gaming terminal to the peripheral device, preferably without the need for control by the external information source.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes main and secondary displays. The secondary display is disposed apart from the primary display and is used for presenting primary, secondary, or even tertiary information. The main display is controlled electronically by a gaming machine controller, which main display presents the results of a play on the gaming machine. In the case of a slot machine, the main display may be the glass display through which the spinning reels of a game play are viewed. In a video poker gaming machine, the main display is usually a cathode ray tube ("CRT") which displays a video game image to the player and other information directly associated with the game play. The secondary display may be provided at various locations on the gaming machine such as in a top glass portion of the gaming machine or a belly glass portion of the gaming machine, which belly glass portion is located below a main display portion of the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided which permits the hold value to be determined independently of the distribution of winning outcomes, e.g., to avoid or prevent volatility in the hold value. Preferably each time a wager is placed, a hold value (such as a predetermined and/or fixed percentage) is retained and the remainder is allocated to one or more prizes. Preferably, the current prize amounts corresponding to various potential winning game outcomes are displayed when a game is won, the displayed amount corresponding to the type of win paid. Preferably, a portion of wages is retained as a background amount to at least partially replenish a paid-out prize.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.

Abstract: Slot machines having reels in which the symbol regions contain electroluminescent elements are disclosed. The electroluminescent elements define one or more reel symbols such as cherries, bars, a number "7", etc. In some embodiments, multiple electroluminescent elements are provided in each symbol region. This allows a given symbol to be displayed in multiple formats, with each format representing a different item. For example, a "7" could be displayed with its outline illuminated, with interior cross hatching illuminated, with a combination of the cross hatching and outline illuminated, or with different colors. The permutations can be increased if the symbol regions contains inked images in addition to the light elements. In such cases, when all light elements are turned off, the inked symbol appears.

Abstract: A gaming device is provided with detectors configured to substantially reduce the potential for unauthorized manipulation of a coin output system. A pair of detectors can be used to output an error signal when the sequence or timing of detector blockages departs from that which would be expected from normal coin movement. A second optical detector is configured to provide a signal used to output an error signal when the second detector detects radiation or light during a time that a first detector is also detecting light from a paired radiation source. An error signal is preferably output when an optical detector is blocked for a period of time which exceeds a maximum blockage threshold, and preferably the threshold may be dynamically adjusted.

Abstract: An improved gaming machine having a touch screen applied to an outer face of a CRT display and a limited number of push-button actuators. Either the touch screen or the push-button actuators can be used for controlling play as well as selecting one of several games that can be played on the machine. By using a touch screen on the video display device, the player of the game of the machine can use either the touch screen or the push-button actuators to change the playable game elements, such as discarding and drawing new cards when playing poker. The touch screen and associated electronics are arranged and programmed so that multiple touch fields are defined on the surface of the screen, which, by manually touching, can be used for playing games, such as keno, which require more actuators than there are push buttons on the machine.