Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and value input device. The display system may include a first display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units. The second display unit may include an opening. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the display system to generate a game display on the first display unit, cause the light valve to become substantially transparent so that the first display unit is visible through the opening, cause the display system to generate a video display on the second display unit, and determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device to facilitate player input and gaming machine interaction. The common line of sight arrangement permits a person to view video output on all the display devices simultaneously or without substantially changing their position or line of sight. The interior display device may include a digital display device that includes a curved surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device to facilitate player input and gaming machine interaction. The common line of sight arrangement permits a person to view video output on all the display devices simultaneously or without substantially changing their position or line of sight. The interior display device may include a digital display device that includes a curved surface.

Abstract: A modularized gaming machine operable to receive wagers on a play of a game of chance is described. The modularized gaming machine may include a base gaming module that can operate independently or can be coupled to additional gaming modules. In one embodiment, the base gaming module may include a security monitoring system operable to determine a security configuration including error conditions that depends on features of gaming modules coupled to the base gaming module. In another embodiment, the security monitoring system may be operable to monitor a fixed security configuration that is independent of the configuration of the modularized gaming machine. The fixed security configuration may anticipate input from security devices that are unconnected in a particular configuration of the modularized gaming machine. In these instances, a signal mechanism may provide information to the security monitoring system to ensure a non-error condition for unconnected security devices.

Abstract: A technique is described for operating a gaming machine adapted to receive a wager on a game of chance. In at least one embodiment, the gaming machine may be adapted to dynamically change its volume. In one implementation, the gaming machine may include a first movable display which may be used to dynamically and/or automatically change the volume of the gaming machine. For example, the first movable display may be automatically moved to a first position to thereby establish a first volume of the gaming machine. The first movable display may also be automatically moved to a second position to thereby establish a second volume of the gaming machine.

Abstract: Disclosed are gaming machines, gaming machine reels, and configurable reel strips, including related methods, apparatus, and systems, including computer program products, for electronically altering and replacing information shown on a reel of a gaming machine. A reel strip with a configurable surface is provided on the reel. The configurable surface includes a bi-stable material such as electronic paper. The configurable surface of the reel strip has a plurality of configurable regions of the bi-stable material. The configurable regions can be configured to display information such as designated symbols of a game of chance. In this way, the displayed symbols can be replaced without having to physically replace the reel strip or reel. Generally, symbol information is output for display on the configurable regions during a power on state. The bi-stable nature of the configurable regions enables the designated symbols to also be displayed during a power off state.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that includes multiple display devices arranged in a common line of sight. An intermediate display device or light filter may be included between the exterior display device and the interior display device. A touchscreen may also be added outside the exterior display device to facilitate player input and gaming machine interaction. The common line of sight arrangement permits a person to view video output on all the display devices simultaneously or without substantially changing their position or line of sight. The interior display device may include a digital display device that includes a curved surface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying multiple visual images from a single source at a gaming machine are disclosed. A reversible display device at the gaming machine presents multiple visual images from an LCD cell or other core display component. Virtual curtains alternate between blocking and permitting the display of visual images at various surfaces of the reversible display device. For an LCD cell or similar component needing a separate illumination source, illumination components alternate on and off in coordinated fashion with the virtual curtains, and are arranged to reflect light through the LCD cell in one direction to display one visual image at one surface and then in an opposite direction to display another visual image at the opposite surface. Lenses, mirrors and other optical devices redirect or alter a visual image from a surface such that it is not viewed directly from the display device itself.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting cashless gaming or player tracking within a gaming environment are disclosed. Players with associated player accounts are provided player tracking instruments having rewriteable displays. Also provided are gaming devices or machines having display panels adapted to display content and scan input through set display and read regions. Data on player tracking instruments is updated and displayed thereupon, and the input display panels of the gaming devices are used to read this data. These input display panels can also be used to read biometric information from players to confirm proper player account associations. The player tracking instruments may contain an RFID tag to receive communications from a transceiver associated with the gaming device or machine. A feedback loop from a master gaming controller to a transceiver to a player tracking instrument to an input display panel and back to the master gaming controller can be created.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a controller operatively coupled to a display unit and a value input device. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game display. The display unit may include an optically sensitive control panel operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller may be programmed to cause the optically sensitive control panel to read an image and to cause the optically sensitive control panel to generate a display of one or more game controls. An optically sensitive video display screen, and the controller may be programmed to cause the display unit to read an image via the optically sensitive video display screen and to cause the display unit to generate the game display on the optically sensitive video display screen.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and value input device. The display system may include a first display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units. The second display unit may include an opening. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the display system to generate a game display on the first display unit, cause the light valve to become substantially transparent so that the first display unit is visible through the opening, cause the display system to generate a video display on the second display unit, and determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing, a value input device, a transparent panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reels are visible to a player through the transparent panel. The gaming apparatus also having a light valve that includes a suspended particle device disposed between the inner surface and the slot reels, and a controller coupled to the light valve to cause the light valve to become opaque to substantially block the view of the slot reels to the player.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus is provided. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a first display unit, and a configurable control panel unit. The configurable control panel unit may include a second display unit and a touch screen unit associated with the second display unit. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the first display unit may be caused to display a first game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected, and the second display unit may be caused to display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a housing, a display unit, a value input device, a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The housing may include a first opening, a second opening and one or more light sources positioned around the second opening. The controller may be operatively coupled to the light sources. The display unit may be positioned relative to the housing so that a first portion of the display unit is visible through the first opening and the second portion of the display unit is visible through the second opening. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a first display on the first portion of the display unit, to cause the display unit to generate a second display on the second portion of the display unit, to cause the light sources to emit light when the second display is generated, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of displaying three-dimensional images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include a display screen which may have a plurality of display pixels and a lenticular screen coupled with the display screen. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game display, to receive image data relating to a combination of a plurality of perspective views of an image, said plurality of perspective views being interlaced to form said image, to cause the display unit to generate a three-dimensional display from the image data, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing two or more wagering events or gaming opportunities at two or more different locations to two or more different players at the same time or concurrently though multi-tasking or other shared processing arrangement of a shared control module or processor. In one embodiment a control module is configured with a processor, memory, and one or more interfaces configured to communicate with two or more game terminals. The two or more game terminals may be located remote from the control module or in close proximity. The game terminals may be configured with a display and player interfaces to receive input from a player. In one embodiment one or more video adapters are located with the control module or the game terminal. As an advantage over the prior art, controlling and enabling two or more game terminals with a shared control module or a shared processor reduces costs and the required space on a per game or per terminal basis.

Abstract: A wagering gaming device that physically stimulates an input device of the gaming device to stimulate a player. The input device, includes a component stimulator and an actuation member. The input devices sends a signal or plurality of signals to a processor upon actuation of the actuation member of the input device. The processor sends an electronic signal to the component stimulator. The component stimulator causes the physical stimulation of the actuation member. The player feels this movement, which may be in correlation to the image being displayed by a display device. This physical stimulation of an input device may be employed in any suitable manner in relation to a game in a wagering gaming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated and secured verification of configuration data for a volatile progrannmable electronic device, such as an FPGA, is disclosed. A configurator including at least one memory unit, such as a ROM or EEPROM, contains a configuration file, which file is transferred to the volatile programmable electronic device or FPGA on demand. Data from the configuration file is compared with data from a separate custodial file, which custodial file is substantially identical to the configuration file and resides in a location separate from the memory unit or units that store the actual configuration file. In some instances the comparison is made before any actual loading of the configuration file into the FPGA occurs, whereby loading is prohibited if no match is confirmed, while in other instances the FPGA is configured using the configuration file and is then shut down if no match is later confirmed.