Abstract: A push-button assembly for a gaming terminal implementing a wagering game is provided. The push-button assembly has a push-button actuated by a touch from a player of the wagering game. An outcome indicator indicates a randomly selected outcome in response to the push-button being actuated.

Abstract: An exemplary power manager is adapted to supply power from a power supply to a first component of a gaming machine. The first component consumes a larger amount of current during a second time interval than during a first time interval, where the first component alternates between the first and second time intervals during operation. A rechargeable energy storage device is used to supply a substantial portion of the current to the first component during the second time interval from energy stored in the energy storage device prior to the start of the second time interval. This causes the current supplied from the power supply to the power manager during the second time interval to be less than the total current required by the first component during the second time interval and thus reduces the peak current load of the power supply during the second time interval.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using player information in wagering game environments are described herein. In one embodiment a method includes receiving a first set of player information, where the first set of player information indicates casino activities of a player. The method can also include analyzing the first set of player information and a second set of player information to determine preferences and tendencies associated with the player. The method can also include providing an indication of the preferences and tendencies to wagering game network devices.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for transmitting content in wagering networks are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a first source for a first block of a wagering content file. The method can also include determining a second source for a second block of the wagering content file. The method can also include receiving the first block from the first source, receiving the second block from the second source, and using the first block and the second block to create a copy of the wagering content file.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a pendant lighting assembly coupled to the gaming machine cabinet. The pendant lighting assembly includes a light source mounted to the gaming machine cabinet and at least one light conduit mounted to the gaming machine cabinet. The at least one light conduit is adjustable to direct and redirect light from the light source to one or more locations external to the gaming machine cabinet. The color and/or timing of the light directed at each location may be synchronized with events occurring in the wagering game.

Abstract: A method of conducting a community-based wagering game event includes the acts of displaying images associated with a community-based wagering game on a surface, sensing a player's movement using a sensing device, the player's movement comprising a game input, and outputting to a controller a signal bearing data relating to the player's movement. The method also includes the acts of determining, using the controller, a relation between the player's movement and the displayed images on the surface and adapting the displayed images responsive to the player's movement.

Abstract: A monitor screen is provided on which symbols may be provided for use in video wagering games, including poker games, card games, slot games, bingo and keno. The player makes a wager to purchase a block of sequentially-playable games. The wager is the aggregate total of the wagers placed on each individual game. This aggregate total wager becomes the wager for the first game. A first partial (or intermediate) outcome of the first game is displayed. The player, having certain information about the potential final outcome from the partially displayed outcome, may choose to either: (a) play the partial first game to a final conclusion, or (b) pass by forfeiting the wager for the individual game. If the player decides to play the first game to its conclusion, the player will either lose the aggregate total wager, or win according to a predetermined paytable, in either case terminating any further play of the remaining games.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a wager input device, a display for displaying a randomly selected outcome of a wagering game, and a controller operatively coupled to the display and the wager input device to operate in a plurality of selectable game modes of which a selected one is a current game mode. The display has an array of reel strips. Each of the selectable game modes is respectively associated with a subset of the reel strips of the array. A first game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of a second game mode of the plurality of selectable game modes. The second game mode has at least one reel strip that differs from at least one reel strip of the first game mode.

Abstract: Systems and methods use a reliable connection oriented protocol to send and receive messages (i.e. datagrams) between gaming applications and gaming services. In one aspect, the protocol is the SCTP protocol.

Abstract: A method of preparing memory contents of a gaming machine for subsequent authentication and a method of authenticating the prepared memory contents are disclosed. A first memory stores a game data set and a first authentication code generated from the game data set. The game data set includes game data files and second authentication codes generated from the respective data files. A second memory stores an authentication program for authenticating the first memory's contents, as well as a third authentication code generated from the second memory's contents. To authenticate the memory contents, the second memory's contents are first authenticated and, if deemed authentic, the game data set as a whole and each data file in the first memory are authenticated. The authentication process involves generating fresh authentication codes using the authentication program and comparing the fresh codes with appropriate ones of the stored authentication codes.

Abstract: Electronic paper (e-paper) can be incorporated onto player tracking cards (101) to allow logos, themes, and/or other content (e.g., text, images, etc.) displayed on player tracking cards to be updated. An identifier is determined based on data read from a magnetic strip on a rewritable display card (503). The rewriteable display card comprises electronic paper (103). Account information associated with the identifier is received (505). Content to be displayed on the electronic paper is determined based, at least in part, on the account information (507). The content is written to the electronic paper (513).

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module. The audio module is operable selectively reduce the information content of a digital audio signal based on available audio resources.

Abstract: Gaming machine is disclosed having a primary display and a secondary display mounted over the primary display. In one implementation, the primary display is a mechanical display and the secondary display is a transmissive display. This arrangement allows a wagering game to be displayed on the mechanical display alone, the mechanical display and the transmissive display together, or the transmissive display alone. As a result, players and casino operators have access to multiple wagering games on the same display area of the gaming machine. All three options need not be present on the gaming machine, however, and any two of the three will suffice. It is important, however, that the wagering game displayed on the transmissive display be separate and distinct from the wagering game displayed on the mechanical display.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining one or more casino events that request a configuration for one or more wagering game machines, generating one or more automated configuration tasks, assigning one or more properties to the tasks, and storing the one or more automated configuration tasks and the one or more properties so that the one or more properties are persisted on the gaming network. The operations can also include recovering a wagering game machines operational state if the automated configuration tasks encounter problems during execution that affect the wagering game machines playability.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a display for displaying a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome and a selection-input device for selecting at least one bonus item from a plurality of bonus items. Each time a winning outcome is achieved, the selected bonus item reveals at least one of a plurality of bonus awards.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include presenting wagering game content during a wagering game session via a wagering game machine, where the wagering game session is for a first player account. The operations can further include detecting an amount of money spent on gambling via the first player account during a time period. The operations can further include determining that a second player account, associated with the first player account, is configured to authorize presentation of an indication of the amount of money spent on gambling during the time period. The operations can further include presenting the indication of the amount of money spent during the time period in response to the determining that the second player account is configured to authorize presentation of the indication of the amount of money spent on gambling.

Abstract: Embodiments of a handheld wagering game machine and docking station are described herein. In one embodiment, the wagering game docking station is configured to dock with a handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can include a docking port configured to receive and adjustably hold the handheld wagering game machine at any of a plurality of viewing angles. The docking station can also include a plurality of buttons configured to send input to the handheld wagering game machine. The docking station can also include a mounting member configured to mount the docking station to a surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trusted initialization of wagering game machines are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a wagering game machine, a request for an operating system image that includes a first component for booting the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the operating system image to the wagering game machine, wherein the operating system image also includes a second component for procuring software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. Additionally, the method can include receiving a request for the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine and transmitting the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a gaming machine having with a facsimile graphical user interface are disclosed. The systems and methods include displaying on a graphical object on the gaming machine that represents a physical component of the gaming machine. One aspect of the systems and methods includes selecting the graphical object and initiating an action for the physical component represented by the graphical object. A further aspect includes sensing a status for a physical component on the gaming machine and displaying a graphical object representing the status.

Abstract: A method of preparing memory contents of a gaming machine for subsequent authentication and a method of authenticating the prepared memory contents are disclosed. A first memory stores a game data set and a first authentication code generated from the game data set. The game data set includes game data files and second authentication codes generated from the respective data files. A second memory stores an authentication program for authenticating the first memory's contents, as well as a third authentication code generated from the second memory's contents. To authenticate the memory contents, the second memory's contents are first authenticated and, if deemed authentic, the game data set as a whole and each data file in the first memory are authenticated. The authentication process involves generating fresh authentication codes using the authentication program and comparing the fresh codes with appropriate ones of the stored authentication codes.