Abstract: A method of operating of controller-based progressive gaming system having a plurality of gaming machines wherein each gaming machine generates unit bet information indicative of a number of unit bets supplied to a machine for playing a game. The method comprises the steps of randomly selecting a bonus mode activation value between a high and low limit, providing a current value, providing a base value, incrementing the current value when the gaming machines are played so that the current value is incremented by a fixed amount of each unit bet received by each gaming machine. A bonus mode time period is entered when the incremented current value is equal to or exceeds the bonus value. Eligible machines are locked-in and random bonus jackpots are made during the bonus time period. Each bonus award decrements the current value by the amount of each award and the bonus mode time period is ended when the current value is less than or equal to the base value.

Abstract: A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs.

Abstract: A Pachinko bonus game system for an underlying game machine. The Pachinko bonus game has a playing field with a plurality of rows of pegs. A ball is launched onto the playing field by a launch mechanism when an initiate condition occurs during play of the underlying game. A row of lanes are provided on the playing field. The ball, after traversing among the pegs on the playing field, eventually travels through one of the lanes. At each lane is randomly displayed a bonus payoff value. The lane the ball travels through senses the presence of the ball and the value displayed for that lane is added to the credit meter in the underlying game. The bonus payoff values are randomly changed from game to game which eliminates any mechanical bias present in the Pachinko game. A stand-alone Pachinko game as well as using a Pachinko game as a coin dispenser is also provided.

Abstract: A method is set forth for playing a bonus game in a secondary slot machine adjacent a primary slot machine. The primary slot machine issues a bonus qualifying signal to the secondary slot machine to start play of a bonus game when a bonus qualifying event occurs. The reels of the bonus game include value symbols, null symbols, and end game symbols which may be of two basic types: a lose game symbol and a stop game symbol. After the random spin, the values of any value symbols displayed on the payline of the secondary slot machine are accumulated into an accumulated winning value. The value symbols could include positive integer values, negative integer values, and multiples. The random spinning, determination of values of any value symbol and the accumulation of a winning value is repeatedly continued until an end of the bonus game occurs.

Abstract: A LED matrix display having a variety of enhanced functionalities including: a scheduler which schedules tasks based upon commands correlated with real time; a tracking and accounting procedure which provides a database file which accounts for tasks as a function of the time a task is performed; sports display presentations of various sports information associated with different sports based upon corresponding sports IDs; the use of virtual display images or windows which may vary over time and which overlay template or faceplate images; and an improved error reporting capability in which detected errors are displayed using clear descriptive text information.

Abstract: A visual display sign having a lighting unit. The reflector in the lighting unit is nearly completely sealed and has a reflecting surface that spreads the emitted light about eight degrees from the plane of circumference of the reflector. To cool the lighting unit, air is directed along the rear surface of the sealed reflector. A small amount of the air enters the sealed reflector, causing a buildup of pressure inside the reflector and preventing any additional air from entering the reflector. This cooling system minimizes dust buildup on the reflective and light-emitting surfaces inside the reflector. The lighting units are attached to the visual display sign at a downward angle of about eight degrees from the horizontal.

Abstract: A visual display lighting system of a series of individual lighting modules. Each of the lighting modules having a printed circuit board containing drive circuitry and a plurality of light sources. Each module having a lighting panel which includes a reflector unit for each light source and a covering lens. A pair of retainer strips lock to the opposing ends of the lighting panel to hold the module in the display lighting system. The retainer strips quickly release from the opposing ends when the module is removed from the front of the visual display lighting system. In each module, the lighting panel has retainer clips for locking to the printed circuit board. When locked in place the board holds the plurality of light sources into the lighting panel for illumination of the sign. The printed circuit board can be quickly released from the lighting panel so that the board with the light sources can be removed from the rear of the visual display lighting system.

Abstract: A high speed control is disclosed for delivering delayed phase power to each of four incandescent xenon bulbs. Each of the four incandescent xenon bulbs are oriented behind a colored lens to form a colored pixel. The colored pixel of the present invention is illuminated to a desired color by means of a high speed control operating at NTSC video standard of 30 frames per second. The invention is based upon an AC power source with conventional 60 cycles of AC power.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing a game having a deterministic component and a non-deterministic component wherein a player uses the game through at least one player interface unit. Each player interface unit generates a player record indicating player-initiated events. A random number generator provides a series of pseudo-random numbers and a rules library stores indexed rules for one or more games. An interface registry stores mapping records where the mapping records are used to associate the player-initiated events to pre-selected rules in the rules library. A control means is coupled to the player interface to receive the output of the player interface unit, coupled to the interface registry, the rules library, and the random number generator.

Abstract: A digital image capture system for a photo identification card wherein a housing contains a video camera and a tray that selectively moves through a formed slot in the housing between a first fully inserted position within the housing and a second fully open position outside of the housing. The tray has a formed recess that receives an insert plate. The insert plate has a formed opening for holding a photo identification card of a person. Different insert plates could be utilized under the teachings of the present invention having different-sized formed openings for different-sized photo identification cards. The photo identification card is placed into the formed opening and then the tray is slid into the fully inserted position in the housing. A magnet in the housing firmly holds the tray in the fully inserted position and this fully inserted position is sensed by a micro-switch that becomes activated to turn on a pair of opposing lamps to fully illuminate the photo identification card in the tray.

Abstract: An automated gaming table tracking system for a gaming table, such as blackjack. A sensor located in the dealer's card playing area senses the start and end of each game. A unique player identity card is given to each player that contains information on the player. When a player arrives at a player position on the table, the player inserts his player identity card into a player station control at the player position. A central distribution control is connected to each player station control for determining the start and the end of each game and beginning and termination of play by each player at each position. A host computer of the present invention is then interconnected to the central distribution control for storing the player identity information and the player position for each player station control, the start and end of each of the games, and the beginning and termination of play at each player position from the central distribution control. The host computer prints a player tracking card.

Abstract: A system and method for rapidly recording employee time and attendance information. A user identification document is provided which contains identification information in the form of a bar code. The user places the document in a three-dimensional scanning region of a reader which scans the bar-coded information. The system is also designed to record a video image of the user as the bar code is scanned. The system may additionally require the user to input additional information in the form of a password or access code. The reader temporarily stores the information and sends confirmation to the user that the information has been successfully recorded. A host computer, connected to the reader and a plurality of other readers, periodically polls the reader. Upon polling by the host computer the reader transmits all information stored in its memory to the host computer where the information is stored in a database for subsequent analysis.

Abstract: A progressive system for a match number game. An ante coin acceptor is located near each played card on each player's station. A progressive coin acceptor is also located on each player station. A player places an ante bet or a progressive bet by placing coins in the ante and progressive coin acceptors. A controller controls the operation of the coin acceptors.The operator of the game causes the ante and progressive controllers connected to all ante and progressive acceptors to drop all sensed coins into a drop bucket, to activate verification light at each acceptor that the coin has been received and to lockout the coin acceptor to prevent future insertion of coins. The game is played by announcing randomly selective numbers from 1 to 30. At the beginning of the game, the first three randomly selected numbers called, if those three match on a given card and if the player has placed a progressive bet, the player wins the progressive jackpot.