Abstract: An electronic gaming machine has memory components configured for easy removal during programming or validation procedures. A module may carry first and second memory devices on a module board having a module connector configured to removably attach to a baseboard carrying a processor. Accordingly, multiple memory devices may be removed and reinstalled together as a unit. An adapter may be provided to allow connection of the module to an interface device having a standard interface connector. The module may also provide status information regarding the execution of code stored on one or more of the memory devices.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system having a gaming machine using game circuitry logic and a primary controller to perform a primary wagering game. The system may further include a secondary controller using mechanical components of the gaming machine to perform secondary wagering games. The secondary controller is configured to actuate and control mechanical components of the gaming machine system controlled by the primary controller. The secondary controller further combines output of the primary and secondary wagering games to generate a unified graphical user interface displayed on a display device of the gaming machine. The secondary controller also actively translates input and output coordinate data between each of the primary and secondary controller graphical user interfaces and the unified graphical user interface.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a system and method for conducting a wagering game on a plurality of gaming machines is disclosed. The method comprises the act of triggering a community event while conducting the wagering game on the plurality of gaming machines. Two or more gaming machines are selected to participate in the community event. The community event is selected from a plurality of independent community events. The gaming system comprises a plurality of gaming machines, at least one community display, and at least one controller. The controller is operative to select the two or more gaming machines to participate in the community event, and select the community event from the plurality of independent community events to display on the at least one community display.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a wagering game in which previous wins from other games of other players or the current player are integrated into the wagering game and provided as a potential payout in the wagering game.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system having a gaming machine using game circuitry logic and a primary controller to perform a primary wagering game. The system may further include a secondary controller using mechanical components of the gaming machine to perform secondary wagering games. The secondary controller is configured to actuate and control mechanical components of the gaming machine system controlled by the primary controller. The secondary controller further combines output of the primary and secondary wagering games to generate a unified graphical user interface displayed on a display device of the gaming machine. The secondary controller also actively translates input and output coordinate data between each of the primary and secondary controller graphical user interfaces and the unified graphical user interface.

Abstract: A gaming system includes circuitry and methods for performing a video poker game, wherein the video poker game has a pay table specifying winning combination of poker hands, and comprises a tableau having a plurality of tableau stacks, where each tableau stack has zero or more hidden cards and an exposed top card. In response to a wager, players select exposed cards to form winning combinations of poker hands specified in the pay table until no more winning combinations may be formed from the exposed cards. When exposed cards are played, they are removed from play, replaced with hidden cards from the tableau stacks or stock pile (when available), and a win meter is incremented accordingly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a first indication to toggle a presentation of wagering game content from a two-dimensional mode to a three-dimensional mode and toggling the three-dimensional mode in response to detecting the first indication. In some embodiments, the operations can further include automatically toggling the presentation of the wagering game content back to the two-dimensional mode in response to detecting a second indication. In some embodiments, the operations can further include detecting a condition that specifies a degree of three-dimensional presentation to enable for the three-dimensional mode and presenting the wagering game content with the degree of three-dimensional presentation. In some embodiments, the operations can further include detecting a change to the condition and automatically adjusting the degree of the three-dimensional presentation based on the change to the condition.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting a user request to initiate a group wagering game from a host wagering game player account, via a local-area networking device at a non-casino geographic location and providing group wagering game content to the local-area networking device in response to the request. The operations can further include detecting wagering activity from members of a group at the geographic location, providing wagering game outcome information related to the wagering activity, and assigning a portion of the wagering activity to the host wagering game player account.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include connecting a social network account with a wagering game player account, wherein the wagering game player account is associated with a wagering game session, and wherein the social network account is associated with a social networking session via a venue for a social network. The operations can further include detecting a first event from a first of the social networking session and the wagering game session; and after detecting the first event, causing a second event to occur for a second of the social network session and the wagering game session.

Abstract: A method for conducting a wagering game includes the act of providing a set of motion parameters to a mechanical reel controller of a wagering game machine, the set of motion parameters including one or more start profiles, a plurality of motion profiles, and one or more stop profiles. The method also includes the act of determining, using one or more processors, a set of motion parameters for each of the mechanical reels that will collectively place the mechanical reels in sync prior to execution of the stop profile(s) so that each of the plurality of mechanical reels is positioned relative to one another, during rotation, to display a determined outcome of the wagering game. The method includes the acts of driving each reel in accord with a respective start profile(s), driving each reel in accord with respective motion profile(s) and stopping each reel in accord with respective stop profile(s) at a point in time after the plurality of mechanical reels are in sync.

Abstract: An establishment can coordinate devices (e.g., lights, speakers, displays) to enhance a game playing environment based on events detected in a network of wagering game machines. A system can be implemented that determines an environmental effect based on an event of a wagering game (e.g., a near win event), regardless of the particular wagering game developer/manufacturer. The system can then determine that the environmental effect should be modified based on current circumstances of the area to be impacted and/or the player, for example. The system modifies the environment effect as indicated for the current circumstances and causes the modified environmental effect to be produced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to enabling an operating system software to selectively power cycle one or more components of a wagering gaming system comprising a central processing unit board having one or more central processing units, and one or more central processing unit components. The invention uses a memory comprising a dedicated power cycle control register, a power controller, and digital logic configured to initiate a power cycle of the one or more components of the wagering gaming machine when the operating system writes a predetermined value to the power cycle control register.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a Near Field Communication (NFC) between a wagering game machine and a mobile device, without a manual configuration and a manual intervention. The method includes receiving, into the wagering game machine, player identification data from the mobile device through the Near Field Communication. The method includes authenticating the player identification data, wherein the authenticating is at least part of a player login into a wagering game account.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes creating, by at least one processor, an online presence for a wagering game machine. The method also includes publishing wagering game activity that has occurred at the wagering game machine to the online presence for the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A gaming system includes circuitry and associated methodology for detection of continuity along, one or more sensing paths for determination of the presence and proper seating of one or more component boards to each other and a backplane, having an arbitrary number of couplings. The invention controls voltage to one or more components of the gaming system, enabling selective activation of various components, on one or more of the connected boards, based on the proper seating of component boards to each other and a backplane. The invention implements dynamic configuration of sensing paths (defined by signal paths and signal traversal) and subsequent continuity detection through interfacing connector/port pairs, in combination with specifically placed electronic components and local ground connections along the sensing paths, to control powering selective system components based upon a detection of the presence and proper seating of multiple component boards to each other and a backplane.

Abstract: A gaming system configured to perform operations that include detecting an activation of a graphical user interface control of a wagering game machine during a wagering game session. A first monetary value is assigned to the graphical user interface control. The graphical user interface control is linked to a credit account. The operations further include requesting a transfer of a second monetary value that is at least equal to the first monetary value from the credit account to a wagering game player account. The credit account is a third-party financial account from which the wagering game player account is authorized to borrow funds up to a credit limit. The operations further include providing at least a portion of the second monetary value from the wagering game player account to place one or more wagers on one or more casino wagering games presented via the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include connecting social network user accounts to a wagering game session for a wagering game. The operations can further include controlling, for the wagering game, monetary wagering associated with a first of the social network user accounts and controlling non-monetary wagering associated with a second of the social network user accounts.

Abstract: A patron flow system aggregates wagering game data from a plurality of wagering game machines in a wagering game establishment. The wagering game data indicates a plurality of patrons and times. Patron flow data is generated from the aggregated wagering game data. The patron flow data indicate flows of the plurality of patrons among the plurality of wagering game machines in the wagering game establishment with respect to the times.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring gaming-related events at a wagering game machine of the wagering game system to detect a promotion trigger event. The operations can also include determining information associated with the promotion trigger event, and providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to a promotional content server of the wagering game system to cause the promotional content server to select promotional content based, at least in part, on the information associated with the promotion trigger event. The operations can further include receiving the promotional content from promotional content server in response to said providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to the promotional content server, and presenting the promotional content at the wagering game machine.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method for configuring basic input/output system (BIOS) of a wagering game machine. The method can include: initializing a processor and chipset residing on an embedded computer module residing in the wagering game machine, wherein the BIOS resides on a carrier board connected to the embedded computer module; identifying, under control of code in the BIOS, the embedded computer module as a particular one of a plurality of embedded computer modules, wherein the BIOS includes code for configuring each of the plurality of embedded computer modules; initializing, using code of the BIOS configured for the particular one of the plurality of embedded computer modules, input/output devices connected to the carrier board and embedded computer module; launching, under control of the BIOS, an operating system in the wagering game machine; presenting a wagering game on the wagering game machine, wherein the presenting utilizes information received from the input/output devices.