Abstract: In a slot machine, the individual mechanical reels are stopped under the command of an electronic circuit at positions determined by a random count created by the electronic circuit. Specifically, counting registers are continuously cycled through counts corresponding to all possible combinations of the indicia on the reels at a rapid rate while the machine is idle, the cycling being stopped when play begins. The content of the registers at the moment when the cycling is stopped determines the position in which the electronic circuit will stop the reels. The randomness of the count may be increased by cyclically changing the relationship between the counting registers and the reels. The reel positions are delineated by a repeated code providing a different code for any successive three positions. Two sensors are provided to determine the position and detect an error in the stopped position of the reel.

Abstract: A cash accounting and surveillance system for games, whereby operation of a number of player operated gaming devices may be monitored for purposes of detecting abnormal operation and/or cheating and for providing automatic accounting information for record keeping and pilferage detection purposes. The system utilizes a node concept with each node having a non-volatile data storage capability and a communications capability for communicating with each of a plurality of gaming devices coupled to the node. The exemplary embodiment disclosed operates in conjunction with slot machines having mechanically rotatable reels and a microprocessor control system for randomizing the reel stopping payouts and other machine functions. Alternate embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for encoding or scrambling an amplitude modulated signal, such as the video component of a standard television signal, and for subsequently decoding or unscrambling the signal so as to restore the original message content. Encoding is achieved by shifting the phase of the carrier component relative to the phase of the side-bands by an amount sufficient to significantly distort the modulation envelope. Decoding is achieved by summing the received signal with a corrective signal having a frequency, amplitude, and phase which effectively cancels the phase-shifted carrier component and substitutes therefor a carrier component of phase and amplitude which will render intelligible the modulation envelope.