Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to present at least one game offering on a display of a gaming machine may include a portable electronic device having a processor operative with a spontaneous interest data application to acquire spontaneous interest data. A memory may store the spontaneous interest data and the spontaneous interest data application. The spontaneous interest data application may save the spontaneous interest data to the memory, and a data transfer interface can transfer the spontaneous interest data to a second device.

Abstract: The disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a selection game having a plurality of selectable positions and a plurality of awards interdependently distributed or associated with the selectable positions. For one, a plurality, or all the selectable positions, the award associated with such selectable position is interdependent in that such award has a relationship to one or more of the awards associated with the selectable positions bordering such position. In various embodiments, the value of the award associated with such selectable position has a relationship to one or more of the values of the awards associated with the selectable positions bordering such position. Based on these interdependencies, when each of the selectable positions is selected, the award, or value of the award, associated with the position provides certain information which can be subsequently used to make better informed position selections.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.

Abstract: A method of connecting a wireless device to an electronic gaming machine is described. The method includes broadcasting, though a wireless transceiver of the gaming machine, a discovery message to wireless communication devices within a broadcast range of the wireless transceiver. The method further includes receiving, at the wireless transceiver, a response message from the wireless device. The method includes establishing, by the gaming machine, a wireless connection between the wireless device and the gaming machine. The method further includes requesting, by the gaming machine, a player identification and player preferences of a user of the wireless device. The method includes receiving, from the wireless device, the player identification and player preferences of the user. The method further includes broadcasting, through the wireless transceiver, an audio message customized for the user to the wireless device.

Abstract: A catheter for delivering an agent to an injection site in a wall of a patient's body lumen, with an elongated shaft having a needle-through lumen slidably containing a needle therein, and an expandable member on the distal shaft section which has a collapsed configuration and a radially expanded configuration. In the radially expanded configuration, the expandable member supports the shaft in a position spaced away from the body lumen wall, and the needle slidably exits the needle-through lumen in the extended configuration through the port spaced away from the body lumen wall as a portion of the expandable member maintains the position of the port section of the shaft in the body lumen. The expandable member typically has an open-walled, helical, or lobed configuration providing a perfusion path along the expandable member.

Abstract: The disclosed gaming system, gaming device and method provide a game including a plurality of awards, each of the awards associated with a plurality of award characteristics, including an award value and a level of difficulty. Based at least in part on the award characteristics associated with the awards, a player strategically chooses which award or awards to play for (i.e., which award or awards to attempt to collect) in the game. In certain multiplayer embodiments, two or more players can work together to obtain awards.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for detecting and/or preventing cheating in online gaming. Some implementations provide gaming information in formats that are difficult for a bot to interpret, but which are preferably easy for humans to interpret. Some implementations of the invention involve the tracking and analysis of players' gaming activities. Some implementations of the invention provide a multi-tier approach to data analysis. Some analysis may be performed, for example, by a centralized computing device such as a server, whereas other analysis may be performed by a host device. In some implementations, “challenge and response” measures will be employed. Some implementations of the invention involve detection and prevention of collaboration between players.

Abstract: Intelligent gaming tables and methods of providing game play through the gaming tables are described herein. The gaming table includes a table having a table surface, a plurality of player stations, and a common display configured to display gaming content to a plurality of players. The gaming table further includes an interface configured to communicate with a plurality of user input devices. The gaming table includes a gaming controller. The gaming controller is configured to communicate with the plurality of user input devices through the interface, receive location information relating to touches or contacts detected on the table surface, analyze the information relating to the touches or contacts, identify a user performing each of the touches or contacts with the table surface, and implement player input instructions contained within the information relating to the touches or contacts.

Abstract: An apparatus, method, and system to present at least one game offering on a display of a gaming machine may include a portable electronic device having a processor operative with a spontaneous interest data application to acquire spontaneous interest data. A memory may store the spontaneous interest data and the spontaneous interest data application. The spontaneous interest data application may save the spontaneous interest data to the memory, and a data transfer interface can transfer the spontaneous interest data to a second device.

Abstract: A local gaming machine is in communication with a remote gaming machine over a data network. The local gaming machine may include a storage medium. The local gaming machine may further include an interface for communicating with the remote gaming machine over a network. The local gaming machine may include a controller. The controller is configured to establish communications between the gaming machine and the remote gaming machine through the interface. The controller is further configured to initiate a game streaming session with the remote gaming machine in which output data from an instance of a game application is initiated from the remote gaming machine to the gaming machine. The controller is configured to detect an interrupt in the game streaming session. The controller is further configured to, after the interrupt is detected, determine whether the outcome of the instance of the game application has been received.

Abstract: Gaming machines and systems are configured to distribute of viral events, such as viral gaming events, amongst devices. The devices can present the viral events. The devices can, for example, be gaming machines and/or mobile devices. According to one embodiment, once a viral event is triggered, it is presented at one or more first devices at a first time. The viral event spreads to other devices, such as one or more second devices where it can be presented at a later time. The viral event may continue to spread to numerous other devices. Feedback or metrics may be used to control the devices to which the viral event spreads and/or the rate of spread.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method to transfer money may include a mobile device associated with a player, a location server designed to: track a device position of the mobile device and track a vessel position, and a mobile gaming management server designed to: receive a fund transfer request from a gaming server for the mobile device, the fund transfer request including a fund amount; determine if the fund amount can be transferred to the mobile device based on the device position and the vessel position; and transfer the fund amount to the mobile device if it is determined that the fund amount can be transferred to the mobile device.

Abstract: A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a touch screen display with a touch screen controller integrated into the touch screen sensor assembly. Game service interfaces may be presented on the touch screen display that allow a user to obtain one or more game services. With the touch screen sensor, a user may navigate through the game service interface and supply information required to obtain a game service. Types of interfaces provided with the gaming machine include a jackpot interface for displaying one or more jackpots selected by the player or one or more jackpots that the player is eligible to win.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for controlling mobile gaming on a vessel may have a plurality of mobile gaming devices, a location server operable to track a device position of each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices and track a vessel position of the vessel, and a mobile gaming management server configured to communicate with the location server and a gaming server, the mobile gaming management server operable to individually control whether each of the plurality of mobile gaming devices is permitted to play a game of chance based on the device position and the vessel position.

Abstract: A disclosed player tracking unit provides a display and a player tracking controller designed or configured to provide a web-browser on the display. The player tracking unit may include one or more input devices that can receive selections associated with the web-browser. Furthermore, the player tracking unit can include a multimedia board for processing digitally formatted program files for output on the display.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for electronically transferring funds using a multi-functional peripheral device. The multi-functional peripheral device may include a housing, a bezel coupled to an exterior of the housing, and at least one sensor device coupled to the bezel. The at least one sensor device can be configured to detect at least one sensory input.

Abstract: A gaming method includes receiving a wager from a player in terms of one or more credits, displaying an image representative of a game, and determining an outcome associated with the game. The method further includes determining if an event has occurred, calculating a purchase cost for each payout in a plurality of payouts when the event occurs, displaying an image representing the plurality of payouts, the image including the payout cost for each payout in the plurality of payouts, receiving a selection from the player of one of the plurality of payouts, receiving from the player the purchase cost of the one of the plurality of payouts selected by the player, and transmitting a request to provide the one of the plurality of payouts to the player.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that can play both Class II and Class III games. Some implementations provide a gaming machine that has certain features (e.g., a true random number generator or “RNG”) enabled for Class III play and disabled for Class II play. Some aspects of the invention provide methods for determining when a Class III game is available. Other aspects of the invention allow a player to “line up” for a desired Class III game while playing another game, such as a Class II game or another Class III game, on the same gaming machine until the desired Class III game is available. Some such implementations grant higher priority to certain players according to their gaming history, e.g., as indicated by player tracking/player loyalty data. Alternative aspects of the invention allocate available Class III games in other ways, e.g., by playing a Class II game for a chance to play a Class III game, by lottery, or otherwise.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a gaming method, an identifier may be received from a first gaming unit, wherein the identifier is associated with a tournament game card, wherein the tournament game card is provided to a player in response to paying a fee. Whether the identifier received from the first gaming unit is authentic may be determined. A duration the player may play in a tournament may be determined based on the identifier, and the first gaming unit may be enabled for play in the tournament for the duration if the identifier is authentic. A tournament score of the player may be received, and a winning player of the tournament, if any, may be determined. Data indicative of a value payout to be awarded to the winning player may be generated if the winning player of the tournament is determined.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for a method for providing a game on demand over a data network, in a gaming machine. The gaming machine sends a request message for a game application over the data network. In a network mode, the gaming machine receives outputted results from an executed game application over a streaming channel of the data network for network-based game play. During the network-based game play, the game application is downloaded over a download channel of the data network. In a local mode, the gaming machine executes the downloaded game application independent of the network-based game play. The gaming machine switches instantaneously from the network mode to the local mode for machine-based game play, including maintaining a status of the network-based game play.