Abstract: Software is download to a gaming device as a background operation while the gaming application runs in the foreground. An authorization operation may be completed before the download operation to prevent unauthorized installation of software. New games, software updates, and advertising content can be downloaded to the gaming machine in a background operation.

Abstract: An apparatus comprises a video device configured to output a video image. The apparatus comprises a curved beam splitter positioned in optical alignment with the video device, wherein a convex surface of the curved beam splitter is configured to receive the video image being output from the video device. The apparatus also includes a rotationally symmetrical mirror positioned in optical alignment with the curved beam splitter such that a part of the video image from the video device is directed to the rotationally symmetrical mirror, wherein the part of the video image reflected off the rotationally symmetrical mirror produces a curved aerial image.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving application data provided from multiple applications on a wagering game machine. The application data can indicate needs by the multiple applications to present content on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include prioritizing the presentation of the content based on control rules that govern interoperability between the multiple applications. The operations can also include determining access rights, subscription levels, or other limitations on the multiple applications to present the content and access to each other's application data. The operations can further include presenting controls so that player accounts can modify the manner or priority of presenting the content.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes an input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming system further includes at least one display for displaying a plurality of game elements. The at least one display is adapted to display a first three-dimensional view of the plurality of game elements from a first viewpoint and a second three-dimensional view of at least one of the plurality of game elements indicating a randomly-selected outcome from a second viewpoint. The first three-dimensional view and the second three-dimensional view are rendered in real-time.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that utilize non-volatile memory on a wagering game machine. One of the devices described is a wagering game system. The wagering game system can receive a request to activate a first wagering game on a wagering game machine, receive critical data for the first wagering game and store the critical data to a fixed-size block within a non-volatile memory store so that the non-volatile memory store includes critical data for only that wagering game. The wagering game system can then copy the critical data for the wagering game to a backing store, verify that the copied critical data on the backing store matches the critical data in the non-volatile memory, activate the first wagering game, present results for the wagering game, and update the backing store with changes made to the critical data on the non-volatile memory store during a game session.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting initiation of a wagering game and determining, in response to the detecting the initiation of the wagering game, first content and second content to present for the wagering game. The operations can further include providing the first content for presentation on a display device, the first content being viewable through the gaming eyewear, and providing the second content for presentation as a virtual image via the gaming eyewear.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a gaming machine that is protected from the introduction of rogue code. One aspect of the systems and methods includes disabling a user access feature, such as a login or network access feature of an operating system executing on the gaming machine. A further aspect of the systems and methods includes removing debuggers and debugging information from an operating system or application executing on the gaming machine.

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. A first community event is triggered and two or more gaming machines from the plurality of gaming machines are selected to participate in the first community event. A second community event is triggered—prior to completion of the first community event—and at least one gaming machine is selected from the plurality of gaming machines to participate in the second community event. The at least one gaming machine being different from the two or more gaming machines selected to participate in the first community event. A substitute-community-event award is provided to the at least one gaming machine without playing the second community event.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game machines having a cabinet memory mounted or affixed to a cabinet or cabinet component. The cabinet memory provides configuration data and manufacturing data for the cabinet and cabinet components. The configuration data may be used during operation of the wagering game machine to properly configure the components and operation of the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a feature having a plurality of selectable elements associated with respective outcomes. The feature further includes a path having a plurality of spaces. The plurality of spaces is associated with respective special rules. Each respective special rule is capable of being active or inactive. One embodiment of a method includes (a) successively selecting different ones of the plurality of selectable elements; (b) for each selected element, identifying a space of the plurality of spaces to be associated with the selected element; and (c) modifying the outcome associated with each selected outcome with the special rule associated with the identified space if the special rule for the identified space is active.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus and methods for on-the-fly encryption of data storage on a computerized wagering gaming machine are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes accessing, using an on-the-fly encryption operation, data from a nonvolatile data storage in a computerized wagering gaming machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating content in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes authenticating a first set of wagering game files stored on a storage device of a wagering game machine. The method can also include starting a wagering game on the wagering game machine if the authentication of the first set of wagering game files is successful. The method can also include authenticating, during the wagering game, a second set of wagering game files stored on the storage device of the wagering game machine, wherein the first set of wagering game files and the second set of wagering game files are mutually exclusive. The method can also include stopping the wagering game if the authentication of the second set of wagering game files is not successful.

Abstract: The present invention is a video poker terminal comprising a housing, first mechanical buttons, and second mechanical buttons. The housing has a horizontal plane that is generally parallel to a floor. The first mechanical buttons are generally located on a plane that intersects the horizontal plane at a first angle ? that is in a range from approximately 10° to 45°. Each of the first buttons produces an output signal in response to a predetermined movement of the button, and includes a variable display for displaying a card. The second mechanical buttons are located below the first mechanical buttons. Each of the second mechanical buttons is located on a plane that intersects the horizontal plane at a second angle ? that is less than the first angle ?. The first mechanical buttons rotate around a pivotable axis that is located on their ends opposite of the second mechanical buttons.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for playing a wagering game with a winning game outcome determined by the selection of at least two groups from a plurality of groups. Each group having a plurality of possible game outcomes, with the possible game outcomes duplicated in some or all of the groups. The winning or selected game outcome is the game outcome associated with each of the selected groups. The selected game outcome may be determined by the intersection of the selected groups, or may be the game outcome that is common to each of the selected groups.

Abstract: A community game that adapts a scene on a community display based on the number of participating players and/or player locations from one session of the community game to another or in any given session and/or number of the gaming terminals. Selectable elements are displayed on the community display for selection by the participating players. When additional players are eligible to participate in the community game, a field of view or a virtual camera angle of a scene is changed to reveal additional selectable elements or a greater variety of selectable elements than were available for selection with fewer participating players. Any of the selectable elements can be cooperatively selectable elements which multiple players can select to reveal an enhanced award. Based on the players' locations, the scene can be adapted to portray selectable elements or previously hidden or obscured areas of the scene closest to the newly participating player(s).

Abstract: Described herein are systems, methods, etc. to perform operations which, in some embodiments, include receiving, a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine, wherein the first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, wherein the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations can further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations can further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that perform operations that, in some embodiments, include receiving a request for concurrent presentation of a first wagering game and a second wagering game via a display device of a wagering game machine. The first wagering game includes first content that originates from a first content source, and the second wagering game includes second content that originates from a second content source. The operations further include accessing funds associated with the first wagering game. The operations further include funding one or more wagers for the second wagering game using at least a portion of the accessed funds associated with the first wagering game.