Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, uses, and compositions comprising the caspase inhibitor (R)-N-((2S,3S)-2-(fluoromethyl)-2-hydroxy-5-oxo-tetrahydrofuran-3-yl)-5-isopropyl-3-(isoquinolin-1-yl)-4,5-dihydroisoxazole-5-carboxamide, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

Abstract: A secondary game system for a gaming terminal network, including at least one secondary game controller for providing at least one secondary game; a communications device for receiving secondary game registration request messages and secondary game deregistration request messages from a gaming terminal; the system being responsive to a received secondary game registration request message from a gaming terminal by causing said gaming terminal to be registered in one of said at least one secondary game; the system being further responsive to a received secondary game deregistration request message from a gaming terminal by causing said gaming terminal to be deregistered from one of said at least one secondary game.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for providing a game is disclosed, including memory (2) for storing data indicative of a game credit value (3), an input device (4) responsive to an input message from one of a plurality of input terminals (7) for providing a game credit value adjustment message, a controller (9) for adjusting the game credit value in response to the game credit value adjustment message, and a game trigger device (10) selectively operable to generate a game trigger message for causing the game to be executed using at least a portion of the game credit value as a stake value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling prize funds won by a user in a gaming system are disclosed. The apparatus includes a credit meter memory (1) for storing data indicative of an amount of credit available to a user to be played on a primary game, a won funds meter (2) for storing data indicative of a value of funds won by the user in playing a primary or secondary game, a prize message receiver (3) for receiving a message indicative of a quantum of a prize won by the user, a processor (4) responsive to the prize message receiver for modifying the stored data to augment the value of funds by quantum of the prize, a user input message receiver (13) for receiving a message indicative of the user's desire to use at least a portion of the funds won by the user as a stake for a tertiary game; and a tertiary game interface (14) for communicating with a tertiary game controller (12).

Abstract: A system for providing a plurality of games is disclosed in which a plurality of user-operable terminals (1) provide respective players with a primary game, and generate primary game information messages relating to the primary game. A second game controller (2) receives the primary game messages and uses the information contained therein to administer a secondary game having an associated prize. The secondary game controller generates a tertiary game trigger message when the secondary game is won, and a tertiary game controller (5) responds the tertiary game trigger message by offering the secondary game winning player an opportunity to play a tertiary game using all or a portion of the secondary game prize as a stake.

Abstract: The gaming machine (1) includes a processor (4) with associated memory (5) implementing one of the games, a communications bus (6), a game display (7) for displaying information related to the progress of the game, a game identification display (8) for displaying an image—forming part of the game's resource data set—to allow a potential user to identify the game presently being provided as well as game specific information such as payouts, rules and so on, and a user interface device (9) as user-operable buttons. An output device (10) outputs to the central controller (2) machine performance messages (11) containing machine performance information as time since last play, total drop, total drop over a period of time, total return to player, return to player over a period of time, technical aspects of the gaming machine, and the like. The central controller (2) includes an input device (12) for receiving machine performance messages (11) from the gaming machines (1).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is disclosed. The plurality of games includes a first game, provided by a gaming machine, and a second game, provided by a second game controller. The method includes the steps of receiving (401) a contribution from a player of the gaming apparatus; selecting (405) an allocation ratio in response to an input by the player; splitting (407) the contribution into a number of parts in accordance with the selected ratio; and allocating (411) at least one of the parts of the contribution to one of the games.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus including a plurality of gaming machines (2) for providing respective players with a respective primary game and for providing primary game information to a gaming server (11) in communication with each of the gaming machines. The gaming server is responsive to the primary game information for providing a secondary game in which prizes are allocated to gaming machines selected from among the plurality of gaming machines, the probability of a prize being allocated to a gaming machine being dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine. The value of any prize allocated to a gaming machine is also dependent upon gaming activity at that gaming machine.

Abstract: A method for awarding a prize is disclosed. The method includes the steps of determining (5) a trigger value T (preferably related to an operating parameter such as a turnover meter or the number of games played) from within a predetermined range of values (Lmin . . . Lmax); generating (6) a number n of random values Ra, each within the predetermined range of values; comparing (7) each of the random values with the trigger value; and awarding the prize if a predetermined relationship exists between at least one of the random values and the trigger value. In the preferred embodiment, the method is performed at the gaming machine level in a network of linked gaming machines, and the prize is awarded in the event of one of the random values being equal to the trigger value.

Abstract: The gaming system (101) comprises a number of gaming machines (103) in communication with an auxiliary game controller (105) via a network (107). Each gaming machine (103) comprises a screen (111) for displaying a second game, also referred to as a base game, that the terminal (103) offers, and a set of user controls (113) through which a user inputs their choices in the running of the base game. Each gaming machine (103) has a payment port (115) such as a coin slot or electronic card reader to enable the user to pay for the base game to be played. In return for a user submitting a suitable payment via the payment port (115) the gaming machine (103) enables the user to play the base game, which is a game of chance and may result in the user winning a prize. The base game is designed to pay out in prizes a percentage of what users pay in over a predetermined number of game plays i.e. the Return To Player % (RTP %).

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention provides a method comprising the steps of: a) recording the receipt of one or more gaming credit units from a user in a credit record; b) updating the credit record when credit is used; c) recording the cumulative value of any prize awarded to a user in a cumulative prize record; and d) displaying data indicative of the value of the credit record and the cumulative prize record to the user. The data is typically displayed on payout control (203), which comprises a combination of buttons, displays and display buttons that are used to display information to a user. Each button can be actuated by a user to indicate the selection of a given choice. Preferably the buttons/displays comprise a first “Credit” display button (205), a second “Win” display button (207), a third “Played” display (209) a fourth “Total Win” display button (211) and a fifth “Cash-In Winnings” button (213).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating a player's contribution in a gaming apparatus between a plurality of games is disclosed. The method includes the steps of receiving a contribution from a user, splitting the contribution into a number of parts in accordance with a predetermined ratio, allocating at least one of the parts of the contribution to one of the games, and modifying the predetermined ration in response the measured performance of the gaming apparatus. In particular embodiments, the modified ratio In is determined in accordance with formula (1) or formula (2) where I0 is the base ratio, RTP is the designed performance, T is the revenue, P is the total prizes and Q is a control variable.

Abstract: An integrated photosensitive device with a metal-insulator-semiconductor (MIS) photodiode constructed with one or more substantially continuous layers of semiconductor material and with a substantially continuous layer of dielectric material.

Abstract: An auxiliary controller (2) communicates with the primary controller (1) via a wide area network (3). Routers (43, 44) provide an interface between the wide area network (3) and the primary controller (1) and the auxiliary controllers (2) respectively. The bandwidth of communications across the wide area network (3) is typically limited, and the controllers (2) are configured for communication and processing to obviate that bandwidth limitation.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) and associated methods are disclosed for determining the award of a plurality of prizes having respective prize values. The apparatus includes memory (2) for storing data indicative of a current prize value; an input device (3) being responsive to input signals from a respective plurality of gaming terminals (4) for providing an increment signal; a controller (5) for defining a prize value between upper and lower prize values and for incrementing an accumulated value toward the current prize value in response to the increment signal; a comparator (7) being responsive to the current prize value and the accumulated value for determining if the current prize value is to be awarded and, if so, generating an award signal that actuates the controller (5) to define a second prize value.

Abstract: An observational apparatus has a remote controlled housing that can be controlled proximate the housing or from various points around the world via a global communications network. A camera cluster mounted to the remote controlled housing has a signal output. A monitor to receive the signal output can be located proximate the remote controlled housing or distant from the remote controlled housing.

Abstract: An image display apparatus comprises a main display and an auxiliary display. The main display is used to produce a volumetric image such as graphical image, and the auxiliary display is used to generate two dimensional image such as text image. The auxiliary display is located adjacent the the main display and being able to move relative to the main display along a path extending in a direction substantially circumferential to the main display.