Abstract: Systems and methods for trusted initialization of wagering game machines are described herein. In some embodiments, a method includes receiving, from a wagering game machine, a request for an operating system image that includes a first component for booting the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the operating system image to the wagering game machine, wherein the operating system image also includes a second component for procuring software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine. Additionally, the method can include receiving a request for the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine and transmitting the software that authenticates content on the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A wand-shaped handheld device tethered to a fixed structure in a gaming system by one or more cables wound around reels. The handheld device includes a button on a top thereof as a secondary input means. Motors coupled to the reels wind the cables or apply an opposing force to a pulling force applied to the device. Sensors detect how far the cables are retracted or pulled relative to the fixed structure. Haptic feedback devices impart tactile vibrations that are transmitted along the cable(s) and to the handheld device as the motor is pulling the handheld device toward the fixed structure or a player grasping the device is pulling it away from the fixed structure. Wagering game graphics are coordinated with the movement of the device so that movements or selection of the graphics are affected by inputs made by moving the handheld device or pressing its button.

Abstract: Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of configuring gaming devices, and computer programs for configuring gaming devices are featured. A gaming machine is disclosed for communicatively coupling to peer gaming machines via a peer-to-peer network. The gaming machine includes a display device(s), a processor(s), and a memory device(s) storing instructions that cause the gaming machine to: store a first set of data indicative of the gaming machine's configuration parameters and a second set of data indicative of the gaming machine's performance; receive from one or more peer gaming machines a third set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') configuration parameters and a fourth set of data indicative of the peer gaming machine's(s') performance; analyze the third and fourth data sets to determine modifications to the gaming machine's configuration parameters to improve machine performance; and, automatically modify at least one configuration parameter of the gaming machine based upon the analysis.

Abstract: Techniques for processing and presenting wagering data are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method comprises configuring a wagering game terminal for contemporaneously presenting content for a plurality of wagering games. Configuring the terminal can include dividing a player interface into a plurality of areas, wherein each of the areas is associated with one of the plurality of wagering games. The configuring can also include resizing the content to fit in the areas. The method can also include receiving, from a remote wagering game server, results for one or more of the wagering games, and selecting portions of the content, wherein the portions of the content graphically represent the results. The method can also include displaying the portions of the content.

Abstract: This document describes techniques for processing graphics in wagering game systems. Some embodiments of the inventive subject matter use stereoscopic 3-D graphics and 2-D graphics to present composite images including multiple views of a virtual 3-D wagering game environment. Such embodiments present the composite images on stereoscopic 3-D devices.

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: 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 method for processing wagering game e-tickets is described herein. The method can include receiving, from a mobile device over a network, an indication to create an e-ticket. The method can also include determining, by a wagering game server, monetary value information for the e-ticket. The method can also include transmitting, to a ticketing server, the monetary value information; receiving, from the ticketing server, e-ticket information. The method can also include transmitting, over the network, the e-ticket information to the mobile device for generating the e-ticket.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing the contents of NVRAM in a wagering game machine. A method copies a first data of an NVRAM module to a storage device, wherein the NVRAM module is associated with a wagering game machine and then copies a second data to the NVRAM module.

Abstract: This description describes wagering game systems that process metadata. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a wagering game presentation unit configured to present wagering games and create extended metadata and wager gaming content. The apparatus can also include operating system modules configured to store the wager gaming content as a file in a file system and to store the extended metadata at locations associated with the file.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a computerized method includes: creating a number of frames of images for displaying on a monitor of a wagering game machine; and selecting at least a subset of the number of frames. The method can also include performing pixel encoding in the images of the subset of the number of frames, where the pixel encoding is used to identify at least one of adding third party content to the images. The method can also include replacing the images with the third party content, where the adding of the third party content and replacing with the third party content occurs after creating the frame but prior to the displaying the frame on the monitor of the wagering game machine. The method can also include transmitting the number of frames of images to the monitor of the wagering game machine.

Abstract: Techniques for sharing resources in wagering game systems are described herein. Some embodiments include a method comprising: detecting, by the wagering game machine, low processing capabilities of the wagering game machine. The method can include determining, based on the detecting low processing capabilities, that remote resources are needed for processing video content associated with a wagering game. The method can include requesting, via a network, the remote resources from the remote wagering game machine. The method can also include receiving, from the remote wagering game machine via the network, processed video content for the wagering game, and presenting, on a display device, the wagering game using the processed video content.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving, at a wagering game server, a request from a mobile device to play a wagering game via a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machines on the wagering game network. The operations can also include associating the mobile device with the selected wagering game machine, wherein the associating allows receipt of input for the wagering game from the mobile device. The operations can also include receiving, via the wagering game network, commands resulting from inputs accepted by the mobile device. The operations can also include determining a result of the wagering game.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include determining that a secondary wagering game application is compatible with a primary wagering game application, wherein compatibility is based in-part on an ability of the primary wagering game application to provide wagering game information to the secondary wagering game application via an application programming interface. The operations can also include enabling the secondary wagering game to present a secondary wagering game in connection with a primary wagering game controlled by the primary wagering game application.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: A set of one or more processor units detects occurrence of a first game event during a wagering game presented at a stationary wagering game machine. In response to detecting the occurrence of the first game event, the set of one or more processor units presents a second game event at a portable machine. In addition, a control input may be received at the portable machine. The portable machine communicates an indication of the control input, which causes occurrence of a third game event at the stationary wagering game machine.

Abstract: Communications capability between two wagering game machines is provided using personal devices of users of the wagering game machines. At least one of the wagering game machines is a network-limited wagering game machine that is not communicably coupled to a casino operator's network. A first user communicably couples a personal device such as a mobile phone to a wagering game machine and a second user communicably couples a personal device to a wagering game machine. The two wagering game machines communicate using a communication path formed by the two personal devices and a network such as a mobile phone network communicably coupling the two personal devices.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include initiating a community wagering game associated with a bank of wagering game machines, where a wagering game machine, from the bank of wagering game machines, is associated with a hand-held game controller configured to control game play for the community wagering game. The operations can further include selecting a second game controller, associated with the wagering game machine, as an alternative to the hand-held game controller for the community wagering game. The operations can further include enabling the second game controller to control at least a portion of the game play for the community wagering game.

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 gaming system comprises a first gaming device displaying a first primary wagering game in response to receipt of a first wager from a first player and a second gaming device displaying a second primary wagering game in response to receipt of a second wager from a second player. The system further comprises a community display having a plurality of display regions thereon, and at least one controller operative to (i) detect activation of a first supplemental feature by the first player, (ii) detect activation of a second supplemental feature by the second player, (iii) determine in which of the plurality of display regions to display the first and second supplemental features in accordance with at least a first rule set, and (iv) display the first and second supplemental features on the community display.