Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include wagering game systems that communicate with servers or other entities in a wagering game network using multicast groups. Data transmitted over the network for the multicast group is encrypted. Keys for the encryption and decryption of the data are generated based on a current key index for the multicast group, and a global passphrase. The global passphrase is not transmitted over the network.

Abstract: A computerized method includes presenting a community game on a display device of a wagering game system that comprises a wagering game machine associated with a handheld device for use in conducting the community game, wherein the presenting of the community game comprises presenting movements of a game element in response to movements of the handheld device. The computerized method includes, at periodic time intervals during the community game, storing, in a memory device, data indicating a current position of the handheld device.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include communicably connecting a mobile device to a wagering game server on a wagering game network. The operations can further include associating, by the wagering game server, the mobile device with a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machine. The operations can further include providing content to present on the mobile device, the content including a play initiation button of a wagering game played via the selected wagering game machine. The operations can further include in response to the play initiation button being actuated, receiving, at the wagering game server, a command from the mobile device to initiate play of the wagering game. The operations can further include in response to the command, presenting a result of the wagering game on the selected wagering game machine.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a handheld device coupled to a fixed structure. The handheld device includes a sensor configured to detect inputs. The handheld device is positionable in a base predefined zone and a first predefined zone. The base predefined zone is defined as a base volumetric space and the first predefined zone is defined as a first volumetric space. A memory device stores instructions that, when executed, by at least one of one or more processors of the gaming system, cause the gaming system to (i) detect a first input from the handheld device, (ii) perform a first function in response to the first input being detected in the base predefined zone, and (iii) perform a second function in response to the first input being detected in the first predefined zone, the second function being different from the first function.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating, at a wagering game server, a secondary game for presentation on a wagering game machine. The secondary game may be associated with a primary wagering game being presented on the wagering game machine. The operations can also include detecting that the secondary game becomes unavailable for play while the secondary game is being presented on the wagering game machine, and determining identification information associated with a player of the primary wagering game and the secondary game. The operations can further include generating results for the secondary game associated with the player after the secondary game is available for play, and providing an award, depending on the secondary game results, to the player using the identification information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing wireless signals in a wagering game environment are described herein. In some embodiment, a wagering game machine includes a wagering game unit configured to present wagering games. The wagering game machine can also include a network interface configured to exchange, with other devices on a wagering game network, information about the wagering games. The wagering game machine can also include a wireless signal detection device configured to detect wireless signals in a wagering game environment and to create wireless signal data for use in determining whether the wireless signals interfere with wireless communications of the wagering game network.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include monitoring gaming-related events at a wagering game machine of the wagering game system to detect a promotion trigger event. The operations can also include determining information associated with the promotion trigger event, and providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to a promotional content server of the wagering game system to cause the promotional content server to select promotional content based, at least in part, on the information associated with the promotion trigger event. The operations can further include receiving the promotional content from promotional content server in response to said providing the information associated with the promotion trigger event to the promotional content server, and presenting the promotional content at the wagering game machine.

Abstract: Some embodiments include a computer-implemented method for enabling a player to configure and initiate multiplayer wagering games. The computer-implemented method can include presenting, on a display device of a wagering game machine, a graphical user interface including social contact icons representing social contacts associated with the player, and a multiplayer wagering game icon associated with a multiplayer wagering game. The method can also include detecting input indicating selection of the multiplayer wagering game icon and the social contact icons. The method can also include transmitting, to the social contacts via a network, invitations to participate in the multiplayer wagering game. The method can also include detecting acceptance of the invitations from at least one of the social contacts, and conducting the multiplayer wagering game involving the player and the at least one of the social contacts.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include accessing a wagering game object in a wagering game application running on a wagering game machine, where the wagering game object can include a plurality of degenerate polygons that form a first geometric structure for the wagering game object. The operations can further include determining a second geometric structure that is structurally distinct from the first geometric structure, and morphing the wagering game object from the first geometric structure into the second geometric structure via manipulation of the plurality of degenerate polygons. The operations can further include determining conditions that dictate the shape of the second geometric structure and morphing the wagering game object using a morphing algorithm associated with the conditions. Further, the operations can include providing outcomes and awards in accordance with the second geometric structure.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting a primary wagering game and receiving a request to present a secondary game in connection with the primary wagering game. The primary wagering game and the secondary game can be separate applications that require interactivity with each other (e.g., provide required functionality to each other, communicate shared data with each other, etc.). The operations can further include determining that an application programming interface (“API”) provides the required interactivity so that the secondary game can function in conjunction with the primary wagering game without problems (e.g., can successfully plug-in to the primary wagering game). The operations can further determine optional and non-optional requirements and determine compatibilities based on the optional and non-optional requirements.

Abstract: In at least some aspects, a method includes the acts of operating a wagering game with a player on a first game platform, suspending the wagering game operating on the first game platform at a game state, automatically authenticating the player at a second game platform different than the first game platform, resuming the wagering game from the game state on the second game platform, and operating the resumed wagering game with the player differently on the second game platform than on the first game platform, the second game platform having one or more different components than the first game platform to cause the wagering game to be operated differently on the second game platform than the first game platform.

Abstract: The patent application describes techniques for distributing information in a wagering game system. One method includes identifying one or more components to notify about events occurring in a wagering game system, where the one or more components facilitate secondary wagering games. The method can also include detecting the events, where some of the events arise from presenting primary wagering games. The method can also include reporting the events to the one or more components. The method can also include determining results for one or more of the secondary wagering games; and transmitting the results for presentation.

Abstract: Gaming devices with virtualization managers are described herein. In one embodiment, a gaming device includes a plurality of operating systems, each of the operating systems to facilitate execution of one or more gaming applications. The gaming device also includes gaming device resources for use by ones of the plurality of operating systems and a virtualization manager to share the gaming device resources between the plurality of operating systems during virtually simultaneous execution of the plurality of operating systems.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include storing a copy of wagering game content of a wagering game on a portable data storage device while the portable data storage device is connected to a wagering game machine in a casino, the wagering game being played at the wagering game machine. The operations can further include disconnecting the portable data storage device from the wagering game machine, the portable data storage device being configured to transport the copy of the wagering game content to play on a computing device outside the casino.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming system for playing a wagering game is disclosed which includes a processor(s), an input device(s), a gaming device(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive, via at least one of the input devices, a desired value for a player-performance variable and/or a game-configuration variable for at least one of the gaming devices; based on the desired value, output a recommended value for a configuration parameter for the gaming device(s); and, responsive to a confirmation input received via at least one of the input devices, configure the gaming device(s) in accordance with at least the recommended value for the first configuration parameter.

Abstract: A gaming system includes an intermediary play adjustment apparatus intercepting original messages from a gaming client process destined for a primary gaming server performing one or more functions related to a primary game. The intermediary play adjustment apparatus analyzes whether the original message impacts one or more secondary features related to the primary game and selectively generates messages by modifying the original message, potentially including one or more modified primary messages for the primary gaming server and one or more secondary messages for one or more secondary gaming servers providing secondary features. The modified primary message may be altered to indicate a wager or parameters different from the wager or parameters specified in the original message.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting that one or more wearable computers are within a proximity range to a wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include determining one or more characteristics associated with the one or more wearable computers in response to the detecting that the one or more wearable computers are within the proximity range to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the operations further include providing a feature associated with a wagering game based on the one or more characteristics of the one or more wearable computers.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include intercepting video data from a graphics controller of a wagering game machine. In some instances, the video data depicts wagering game content for a wagering game. In some examples, a first content controller, associated with the wagering game, is configured to cause the graphics controller to generate the video data. The operations can further include performing a graphical analysis of the video data via a second content controller independent from the first content controller. The operations can further include after performing the graphical analysis, modifying the video data via the second content controller. In some examples modifying the video data modifies an appearance of a first portion of the wagering game content without modifying an appearance of a second portion of the wagering game content.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment disclosed herein, a wagering game is operated on a first platform, wherein the first platform is capable of supporting all or fewer than all of a plurality of game assets associated with the wagering game, and further wherein the wagering game is capable of receiving a wager. The wagering game is operated on a second platform that is capable of supporting all or fewer than all of the plurality of game assets. A player may accumulate one or more player assets while the wagering game is played on the first platform. At least one of the accumulated player assets is transferred to the play of the wagering game on the second platform, wherein at least one capability of the first platform is different from a corresponding capability on the second platform.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting wagering game content via an autostereoscopic display of a wagering game machine. The operations can further include determining a degree change in a position of a chair connected to the wagering game machine. In some examples, the change in the position occurs in accordance with an event from the wagering game content. The operations can further include altering an autostereoscopic presentation of the wagering game content proportional to the change in the position of the chair.