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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronically controlling gaming machines such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno, and/or bingo. Customer information such as denomination input, maximum coin input, maximum number of coins won, pay tables, pay lines, and the like may be changed electronically with an electronic ink display. The gaming machine may be updated electronically without shutting the game down and losing income or incurring additional costs from manually replacing static display inserts on the machine.

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.

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.

Abstract: A gaming system may include a number of gaming units and a host computer operatively coupled to the gaming units, and be configured to allow a gaming tournament to be conducted. Each of the gaming units may comprise a video display unit, a microphone, a camera, a speaker and a gaming unit controller. The gaming unit controller may be programmed to allow a person to select tournament play as a single or a group tournament player at a reserved or unreserved gaming unit, and to allow player data to be transmitted to the host computer. The host computer may include a host interface unit capable of receiving audio, visual and/or data input from a tournament host during the tournament, and a host computer controller capable of causing host data to be transmitted to the gaming units.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides electronic signature capability to enable signature transactions to be effected from the gaming machine. The gaming machine utilizes electronic signature capture and authentication software in conjunction with an electronic signature database to authenticate an electronic signature input on the gaming machine. The authentication software may be co-located with the electronic signature capture software on the gaming machine or may be remotely located from the electronic signature capture software. The electronic signature database may be co-located with either or both the electronic signature capture software and authentication software or may be remotely located from either or both.

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: Various methods and systems for providing a reliable verification of a player at a remote gaming terminal are disclosed. This is done by providing gaming events remotely via a first mode of communication, establishing criteria for verifying the identity of a player, receiving a player request to participate in a gaming event remotely, obtaining personal information for that player via a second mode of communication, verifying that the obtained personal information is adequate, and permitting the requested gaming event to commence. Additional features can include a subsequent repetition of the steps of obtaining and verifying personal information, and permitting the gaming event to commence or continue. Personal information can include pictures and/or the geographic location of the player. A cellular telephone can be used to take pictures and determine the geographic location of the player, and both of these items can be transmitted via a cellular telephone call.

Abstract: A brake force measurement system comprises at least one sensor configured to generate an output indicative of a force applied by to a first braking member associated with a rotatable wheel of a vehicle by a second braking member. The second braking member may be an actual brake pad or a substitute pad plate or member. In one embodiment, the sensor is a load cell configured to measure force applied by the pad or substitute pad member to a rotor of a brake mechanism associated with each wheel of the vehicle. In one embodiment, the sensor output is input to a processing unit configured to display brake force information in human-readable form, such as by an alpha-numeric display displaying brake force at each wheel in various units of measure or percentage of brake force at one or more wheels.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for verifying the outcome of a game played on a gaming machine having at least one rotatable reel, the position of the at least one reel associated with the outcome of the game. The apparatus includes at least one image collection device arranged to collect one or more images of the reel(s) for use in verifying the position of the reel(s) at one or more times. Session data may also be collected and stored. In one embodiment, the image collection device comprises a camera, and the apparatus includes a controller and a memory for storing image information. In accordance with a method, image information regarding the position of the one or more reels of the gaming machine is collected. In one embodiment, the image and session information is stored locally and/or transmitted to a remote location via a communication link.

Abstract: A disclosed gaming machine provides electronic signature capability to enable signature transactions to be effected from the gaming machine. The gaming machine utilizes electronic signature capture and authentication software in conjunction with an electronic signature database to authenticate an electronic signature input on the gaming machine. The authentication software may be co-located with the electronic signature capture software on the gaming machine or may be remotely located from the electronic signature capture software. The electronic signature database may be co-located with either or both the electronic signature capture software and authentication software or may be remotely located from either or both.

Abstract: A method is provided for verifying the outcome of a game presented at a gaming device. The method includes the step of collecting game play information, including information regarding each input by a player of the game and all generated game data. Collected information is stored in a session file pertaining to the game. In one embodiment, the session file includes captured data fields. Collected information is associated with these data fields. The session file may be stored in a memory device associated with the gaming device. After play of the game, the collected information may be used to recreate or replay the game, such as for verifying the outcome of the game. In one embodiment, the gaming device comprises a player's computer which is in communication with a remote game server via a communication link, such as including the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing a bonus on a gaming machine are disclosed. Specifically, a first bonus can be provided to a player on a gaming machine. During or for an outcome of the first bonus, an opportunity for a second bonus can be provided. Whether the opportunity has been met can be determined using player tracking information from a player tracking card inserted into the gaming machine. If the opportunity has been met, then a second bonus can be provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for providing a bonus award to a gaming player for using a player tracking account associated with a gaming establishment. Provision of a bonus award is based on the access to a player tracking account. Specifically, once a gaming system detects that a gaming player has accessed a player tracking account associated with the gaming establishment, the gaming system can determine whether the player accessed the player tracking account in a manner meeting one or more bonus award criteria. For instance, the bonus award criteria can include accessing a player tracking account within a limited period of time allotted for awarding the bonus award, accessing a player tracking account according to a specified sequence with respect to accesses by other gaming players, or some other criterion.

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 directions interface for directing the player to a location of interest and providing status information regarding services at a location of interest.

Abstract: A gaming system may include a number of gaming units and a host computer operatively coupled to the gaming units, and be configured to allow a gaming tournament to be conducted. Each of the gaming units may comprise a video display unit, a microphone, a camera, a speaker and a gaming unit controller. The gaming unit controller may be programmed to allow a person to select tournament play as a single or a group tournament player at a reserved or unreserved gaming unit, and to allow player data to be transmitted to the host computer. The host computer may include a host interface unit capable of receiving audio, visual and/or data input from a tournament host during the tournament, and a host computer controller capable of causing host data to be transmitted to the gaming units.

Abstract: A mobile game device for selective display of one or more pre-purchased games of chance thereon. The game device includes a removable communication interface adapted to communicate with a central gaming system to selectively receive gaming data controlling the play and outcome of the pre-purchased game of chance, generated at a first time. The game device further includes a display screen, and one or more input mechanisms. A game device microprocessor device is provided which is configured to: commence play, selectively activated by operation of the one or more input mechanisms, of the pre-purchased games of chance using the gaming data at a selected second time after the first time; and selectively display on the display screen the generated outcome of the game of chance.

Abstract: A method and gaming machine/system designed or configured to provide security to cashless gaming system instruments, such as EZ PAY tickets, by placing authentication information data on the ticket. Player authentication data is acquired via an interface provided by a gaming machine and the data is then placed on a cashless instrument so that it may later be read and authenticated. Such instruments could then only be negotiated by the person identified by the player authentication data placed on the instrument.

Abstract: A fluid accumulator for a brake system includes a housing. A piston is movably mounted in the housing, the piston and housing defining a fluid chamber. A port leads through the housing to the chamber. A spring or other biasing element forces the piston towards one end of the housing. In one embodiment, one end of the spring is mounted to a rod which extends from the housing. The position of the rod maybe changed to change the spring biasing force on the piston. A brake system includes a balance bar actuating two master cylinders, each providing fluid to a fluid line leading to one or more braking mechanisms. An accumulator is located along one of the lines for accumulating fluid and preventing brake lock.

Abstract: The invention is a method of determining the geometry of a wheel of a vehicle and/or the geometry of the associated support or drive structure. In one embodiment, a gauge includes caster and camber vials or an electro-mechanical sensor for outputting caster and camber angle to a display. In use, the gauge is aligned with or referenced to an indicator, such as a slot or marking. In one embodiment, the indicator has a reference position of zero degrees caster angle. The gauge measures the current position of the indicator compared to its reference position. The gauge includes a connecting element for maintaining it in alignment with the indicator, such as a threaded ring which engages the spindle or a magnetic ring engaging a wheel hub.