Abstract: An embedded additional user interface 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming screen 50 and a gaming processor 60. The embedded processor 30 employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor 60. The embedded processor reads incoming data, translates the data into a web authoring language, and maps the data to the web page display screen. The display screen 20 presents web page information to a user via the display screen, thereby increasing user excitement by providing a richer gaming experience. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 70 (input/output peripherals) that have been used in the past to access service and system information, such as a 2-line, 20-character VF display and a 12-digit keypad.

Abstract: An embedded user interface system 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming presentation 50 and a gaming processor 60. The embedded processor 30 employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor 60. The display screen 20 presents information to a user via the display screen. The dictionary extension 100 receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, loads the uniform resource locator pulled from the text string into a variable, and indirectly navigates the web content capable display screen to the uniform resource locator in the variable. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 70 (input/output peripherals) that have been used in the past to access service and system information, such as a 2-line, 20-character VF display and a 12-digit keypad.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling one network to use the functionality of another network is provided. The system comprises a first network system having a first network functionality and a second network system having a second network functionality. A server connected to the second network system passes directions through the first network to enable a component connected to both the first network system and the second network system to perform a second network functionality.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling one network to use the functionality of another network is provided. The system comprises a first network system having a first network functionality and a second network system having a second network functionality. A server connected to the second network system passes directions through the first network to enable a component connected to both the first network system and the second network system to perform a second network functionality.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a limited-time bonus period are disclosed herein. According to one method, one or more triggering events are established for the gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning game outcomes. A gaming period is initiated on the gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine generates a game outcome. If necessary, a system host is notified that one or more triggering events have been satisfied. The gaming machines then receive instructions from the system host to initiate a limited-time bonus period, wherein the limited-time bonus period is presented on a player tracking and interactive system gaming devices on a selected number of gaming machines. A notification message is displayed on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the first limited-time bonus period, and a prize is awarded if a winning outcome is achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first limited-time bonus period.

Abstract: A gaming device includes a housing and a game display carried by the housing for displaying one or more games. The gaming device further includes two card readers carried by the housing: a first card reader to read information indicative of a player identity from a player club card issued by a casino, and a second card reader to read information indicative of a financial account from a financial card issued by a financial institution.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and gaming machines having an automated locking system are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a gaming cabinet having a frame and a main gaming machine door, and a locking mechanism is configured to secure the main gaming machine door to the gaming cabinet frame. The gaming machine also includes a lock controller operatively connected to the locking mechanism and configured to control the release of the locking mechanism.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and gaming machines having an automated locking system are disclosed herein. According to one method, one or more automated locking mechanisms are provided on a plurality of gaming machines. Each locking mechanism is connected to a locking controller such that the locking controller controls the release and locking of the locking mechanism. The automated locking system receives a request from a user to release one or more locking mechanisms. If the user is authenticated, the locking mechanism is released.

Abstract: Various methods of promoting responsible gaming are disclosed herein. According to one method, the gaming device receives player input initiating a gaming session. A timer is then initiated in response to the start of a gaming session, and a responsible gaming message is presented to a player at predetermined time intervals. According to another method, a gaming device receives a player's wager, and a charitable donation pool is funded with a portion of the player wager. During the gaming session, a running total of the monies contributed to the charitable pool is presented on a display to a player.

Abstract: Various gaming devices and gaming systems promoting responsible gaming are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a gaming device includes a display for presenting one or more games, a gaming module that controls the presentation of one or more games, and a responsible gaming module that periodically presents a responsible gaming message to a player to end a gaming session in response to a trigger event.

Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more gaming machines, a display system, and a player input system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player input system includes a secondary input means. The secondary input means include soft keys that are mapped to particular coordinate-defined point or region (“hot spots”). In this regard, activation of a soft key replicates a mouse “click” or a touch screen “event.” The software implementation of the soft-keys is independent of the content being displayed, as long as the navigation buttons fall on the “hot-spots” associated with the soft-keys. In regard, when a soft-key is pressed it generates a mouse click event at its respective “hot-spot” coordinates. Soft-keys may be implemented with existing content since they require no code change. Accordingly, soft keys enable a content developer to develop content without requiring addition coding to implement the soft-keys themselves.

Abstract: A two-wire exchange system is disclosed that enables a gaming device having one communication port to function as a gaming device having a plurality of communication ports. The two-wire exchange system allows a gaming device having only a single communication port to connect to two or more system hosts simultaneously. The two-wire exchange system is an intelligent multiplexer that communicates using the same protocol as the system hosts to which it is connected. The two-wire exchange system has the ability to respond to a poll from the system host by indicating that the gaming device is busy, and that the system host should poll the gaming device again. This is provided to avoid and to prevent data collisions. The two-wire exchange system is also able to directly arbitrate and facilitate the communication between one or more peripheral hosts and the system hosts.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling one network to use the functionality of another network is provided. The system comprises a first network system having a first network functionality and a second network system having a second network functionality. A server connected to the second network system passes directions through the first network to enable a component connected to both the first network system and the second network system to perform a second network functionality.

Abstract: An embedded user interface system 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming presentation 50 and a gaming processor 60. The embedded processor 30 employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor 60. The display screen 20 presents information to a user via the display screen. The dictionary extension 100 receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, loads the uniform resource locator pulled from the text string into a variable, and indirectly navigates the web content capable display screen to the uniform resource locator in the variable. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 70 (input/output peripherals) that have been used in the past to access service and system information, such as a 2-line, 20-character VF display and a 12-digit keypad.

Abstract: Systems for managing gaming devices in a networked environment are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more gaming device, at least one data repository, host system, and a datastore. The gaming devices have a gaming processor and a plurality of gaming components, wherein one or more parameters are associated with the gaming components. The data repository is in communication with the one or more gaming components, and the data repository stores data that includes one or more parameters from each gaming component. A host system is in communication with the gaming devices, and the host system is configured to collect data from the data repository. The host system also includes a datastore in communication with the host system, wherein the datastore stores data from the gaming devices.

Abstract: A network gaming system includes a distribution server to provide gaming devices with communication with backend servers. The system includes at least one backend server, at least one gaming device, and at least one distribution server, wherein each gaming device is in communication with at least one backend server through at least one distribution server.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for providing peripheral devices that are accessible via the gaming network. The peripheral devices may be accessible to other gaming machines in the network. The peripheral devices may be accessible through the network by an operator or administrator. In one embodiment, an interface device referred to as an IPX (Internet Protocol Exchange) is used to connect the peripheral devices together and to connect them to the gaming network. Any MPU can then communicate with any peripheral on the network. Any peripheral device may send to and receive data from any other device on the network. In another embodiment, the IPX is used for intelligent routing so that legacy devices not originally designed to work within a gaming network may be added to the network. One embodiment uses a protocol such as TWX for routing of data.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises one or more gaming machines, a display system, a player interface system, and a player tracking system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player interface system includes a keypad and a secondary input means. The player tracking system is in communication with the display system and the player interface system, and the player tracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.

Abstract: A configuration and management system monitors and controls one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor. The system includes one or more gaming devices in a gaming system, wherein the gaming devices are interconnected via a network; a processing and control system; and a back-end, graphical user interface. The processing and control system is interconnected to the gaming devices via the network. Further, the processing and control system acquires gaming performance data from the gaming devices in the gaming system. The back-end, graphical user interface includes an interactive map of the gaming floor. Additionally, graphical user interface enables monitoring and configuration of multiple gaming platform capabilities, multiple game titles, and multiple gaming parameters for each gaming devices on the gaming floor, and is interconnected to the processing and control system.

Abstract: A system and method for mining data stored in a casino gaming system is provided. A data search for data stored in the casino gaming system is initiated. The casino gaming system comprises one or more than one component connected via a network, and the one or more than one component comprises one or more than one data repository for storing data. One or more of the components comprises different communication protocols. Each appropriate communication protocol needed for interfacing with one or more of the components to search for data stored in one or more data repositories of the components is determined. Data in one or more than one data repository is searched and retrieved. The results of the data search may then be provided in some predetermined format.