Abstract: An electronic gaming console is illustrated having a console cabinet 10 including a prize display 12, a coin entry slot 13, a payout tray 14 and internally mounted game control processor circuits. A video game is provided for play on the console in which images of spinning reels spin and objects (balls) are dropped through a series of obstacles (pins) and eventually land in one or more of a set of containers. Prizes are paid according to either the state of the reels after spinning or the number of balls which are in each container at the end of the ball drop and/or the manner in which the pins are hit.

Abstract: A gaming device having a primary game and a secondary game is provided. The gaming device includes a primary game operable upon a wager by a player, and a secondary game, wherein a play provides a gaming element for the secondary game. The gaming element of the secondary game is provided by playing the primary game regardless of any event or outcome in the primary game. The secondary game can achieve a winning outcome with the gaming elements provided by playing the primary game.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating participation by a player in a bonus event of a slot machine. A reel configuration associated with the slot machine is presented, and symbols are presented in each of the active reel segments. At least some of the symbols are discontinue symbols which, if presented in an active reel segment, causes that reel segment to be deactivated, thereby eliminating it from the bonus event. The presentation of symbols and subsequent deactivation of symbols associated with discontinue symbols continues until a predetermined number of the active reel segments have been deactivated.

Abstract: A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.

Abstract: A gaming machine that authenticates its gaming software substantially continuously and repetitiously while the gaming machine is powered on. A processor, while running the gaming machine's gaming program, determines whether the data in each of a plurality of memories is authentic. The processor may read multiple memories in a parallel fashion while making memory contents authenticity determinations. The processor may also read multiple memories in a serial fashion while making memory contents authenticity determinations. The processor may also read same memories in a parallel fashion and read other memories in a serial fashion while determining the authenticity of each memory's contents. Furthermore, the contents of a memory may be analyzed to decipher between executable data and graphics data such that the executable data's authenticity is determined more often than the graphics data's authenticity.

Abstract: A cardiac therapy pulse delivery system includes a plurality of electrodes, an ECG signal processor circuit, and a pulse generator circuit. Each of the electrodes has at least one therapy element and at least one monitor element that are electrically insulated from one another. The ECG signal processor circuit is electrically coupled to each monitor element on each electrode and is operable to convert ECG signals detected by the monitor elements into ECG data. The cardiac pulse generator circuit is electrically coupled to each therapy element on each electrode and is operable to supply one or more cardiac therapy pulses thereto.

Abstract: A gaming machine presents an elimination game to a player to be played on a stand-alone gaming machine or on a group of gaming machines linked together. The elimination game is played by a plurality of entities where each entity may comprise one or more virtual or real players. The real players may pay a participation fee to play the elimination game. During the elimination game, the entities play one or more games that are provided as part of the elimination game. One or more elimination tests may be applied to the entities using results from the game play. When conditions used in the elimination tests are met for one of the entities, the entity is removed from the elimination game before reaching the finish of the elimination game. Entities that avoid elimination and reach the finish of the elimination may receive an award.

Abstract: A gaming machine network includes a plurality of gaming machines and a central controller. Each gaming machine further includes an associated peripheral device electronically coupled to the gaming machine. The peripheral device includes an audio speaker system broadcasting an audio output to a player of the gaming machine. The central controller is electronically coupled to each of the plurality of gaming machines and sends audio instructions for controlling the audio outputs from the audio speaker systems within the peripheral devices. Alternatively, or in addition to the aforementioned operation, the central controller may receive audio instructions from the peripheral device associated with one of the gaming machines and the central controller further transmits the audio instructions to selected other ones of the plurality of gaming machines. The peripheral device may be, for example, a top box for the gaming machine or a contoured chair for the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: a variable display means for producing variable display of a plurality of symbols; a front display means being provided in front of the variable display means for enabling a player to see symbols on the variable display means through the front display means, the front display means being capable of displaying various images; and a display scaling means for making it possible to scale up or down display on the front display means and/or the variable display means.

Abstract: A content manager feature includes global controls, e.g., volume and display contrast across the entire floor. The program shows prompts including configuring graphical screens with a system variable laid over the display such as player-preferred name. The content manager, the calendar, and anything else appearing on the touch screen are displayed with key pad, touch screen, or on the game screen with or without touch controls.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to gaming systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic gaming system that enables an existing gaming system to be retro-fit to enable responsible gaming functionality to be added to the existing gaming system.

Abstract: The present invention enables relatively easy animation display without requiring a special resource, and facilitates easy generation of the animation. When an image to be displayed as animation is constructed with a background, leg, body and head, these images are distributed as a layer. For each layer, a timing schedule is set with attribute data which includes display update timing and display effects. According to the schedule, display for each layer is updated at the scheduled timing.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for offering a voucher which is redeemable for credits at a casino. The voucher may be redeemed for a first value of credits. One is charged a second value for the voucher, in which the second value is less than the first value. If the person is purchasing an additional product or service, the person may also be charged a reduced price for that product.

Abstract: The invention relates generally to a gaming system distributed across both local (LAN) and wide (WAN) area networks that enables responsible gaming for its users. More specifically, the invention provides a system and method that requires users to register with the system and which thereafter enables the users to set time-based or money-based gaming limitations that will exclude them from the system if these limitations are realized. The system may be deployed across one or more jurisdictions, such as states, provinces, regions or countries.

Abstract: In a third-person shooter video game, the viewing perspective is smoothly transitioned between an “explorer” viewpoint and a “ready” viewpoint as game conditions change. In the “explore” viewpoint, scenes are depicted from a camera positioned behind and removed from a character. The explorer viewpoint offers a wide angle of view of the surrounding combat area, enabling the game player to scout the terrain. In the “ready” viewpoint, scenes are depicted from the camera as it is repositioned close to the character. The ready viewpoint provides a narrower angle of view to facilitate better aiming when the character is engaged in armed combat. The transition between the explorerr and ready viewpoints tracks a non-linear path.

Abstract: A method of pari-mutuel betting is provided. Bets regarding the result of a game, such as a casino game for example, are received from a number of users. Each bet has a unit stake. One or more inputs for the game are determined based on event results from a sporting event. A result of the game is determined for a particular bet based at least on a set of rules associated with the game and the one or more determined inputs. If the particular bet is determined to be a winning bet based on the result of the game for the particular bet, a payout is determined for the particular bet based at least on the unit stake associated with the particular bet and the value of the pari-mutuel wager pool that includes at least a portion of the total of the unit stakes of the plurality of received bets.

Abstract: During an online event, a spectator process monitors a state of the event, updating a spectator model, so that spectator data streams can be generated and provided to spectators. The spectator data streams can be formatted and provided with content appropriate for use by different types of spectator devices used by the spectators. The spectator process can also automatically generate virtual commentary appropriate for the action occurring in the event for inclusion in the spectator data streams. A media server receives the rendered data streams and distributes them to the electronic devices being used by the spectators. The distribution can be delayed to avoid a spectator conveying information to a participant that would provide an unfair advantage. Executable code can be included in the spectator data stream to provide additional functionality and facilitate interaction between the spectators, and to enable a spectator to also “play” the game.

Abstract: A wagering game is conducted on a gaming machine in response to a wager from a player. In addition to a basic game, such as a slot game, the wagering game includes first and second game features. The first game feature is triggered by a start-feature outcome in the basic game and accumulates one or more award opportunities during a series of spins of slot reels. The second game feature realizes the accumulated award opportunities. The second game feature may, for example, be an interactive multi-choice selection feature such that the award opportunities correspond to selections of award-yielding selectable elements included in the selection feature.

Abstract: A method and gaming machine for playing a wagering game. In one embodiment, the method comprises providing a wagering game and a plurality of different pay-tables, a player placing a wager in order to play the wagering game, providing predetermined wager criteria, determining which of the predetermined wager criteria the wager fulfills, playing the wagering game, and providing a pay-out to the player in accordance with a predetermined number of the plurality of pay-tables wherein the predetermined number depends upon which of the predetermined wager criteria the wager fulfills.

Abstract: A method of teaching pronunciation is provided which includes communicating by a voice portal server to a user a model word and detecting a response by the user to the voice portal server. The method also includes comparing the response word to the model word and determining a confidence level based on the comparison of the response word to the model word. The method further includes comparing an acceptance limit to the confidence level and confirming a correct pronunciation of the model word if the confidence level one of equals and exceeds the acceptance limit.