Abstract: A gaming machine includes a combination inner video display and rotatable object. The inner video display and the rotatable object may be correlated together to form a reconfigurable object. Both the inner video display and the rotatable object can have segments wherein each segment may have an indicia associated with the segment, wherein the indicia can be a prize, a bonus multiplier, a progressive jackpot, a negative value, a bonus spin character, a loss of spin character, a blank space or a null character. The player will be rewarded with the corresponding prize(s) based upon the outcome of the combination inner video display and rotatable object.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a combination inner video display and rotatable object. The inner video display and the rotatable object may be correlated together to form a reconfigurable object. Both the inner video display and the rotatable object can have segments wherein each segment may have an indicia associated with the segment, wherein the indicia can be a prize, a bonus multiplier, a progressive jackpot, a negative value, a bonus spin character, a loss of spin character, a blank space or a null character. The player will be rewarded with the corresponding prize(s) based upon the outcome of the combination inner video display and rotatable object.

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: A gaming machine includes a combination inner video display and rotatable object. The inner video display and the rotatable object may be correlated together to form a reconfigurable object. Both the inner video display and the rotatable object can have segments wherein each segment may have an indicia associated with the segment, wherein the indicia can be a prize, a bonus multiplier, a progressive jackpot, a negative value, a bonus spin character, a loss of spin character, a blank space or a null character. The player will be rewarded with the corresponding prize(s) based upon the outcome of the combination inner video display and rotatable object.

Abstract: A gaming machine, specifically a slot machine, having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible. The internal reels having a flexible display, mounted on the outer circumferential region of the reel, capable of displaying an infinite number of different indicia to a player of the machine. By allowing an infinite number of indicia to be displayed, the gaming machine may be programmed with a variety of gaming options and payouts.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a plurality of touchscreen arranged on a single monolithic structure of a multi-player gaming device. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a base structure and an upper structure arranged to define a layout of gaming stations each with a gaming display includes a substantially transparent monolithic substrate, an electrically conductive coating, and a protective layer. The monolithic substrate may be arranged over the upper structure to cover at least the plurality of gaming displays. The electrically conductive coating may be formed on the monolithic surface over at least the plurality of gaming displays such that conductive coating over each of the gaming displays is electrically isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating. The protective layer may be formed over the conductive coating and monolithic substrate and have a substantially planar surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method affords, to authorized persons, access to one or more lockable areas of one or more gaming machines. Each area includes a door or switch and an associated electrically operable lock mechanism which controls access to the area. Each machine has a local processor communicating with a central host computer and with lock processors for each of its lockable areas. Personnel identification and access authorization data is stored at the host computer. Data may also be stored on personal data cards, respectively assigned to individual persons. A person seeking access inputs identification data at the machine, and the host computer responds with signals to unlock lock mechanisms for areas which the identified person is authorized to access. Each machine monitors the states of all of its locks and doors. A manual override key, disabled when power is on, operates the lock mechanisms when power is off.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for use with an interactive gaming table. In one aspect, an administration tool is provided for use with an interactive gaming table. The interactive gaming table includes a playing surface for displaying a game, a signal source, and a signal collector. The administration tool includes a primary identifying indicia that uniquely identifies the tool to the gaming table by reflecting a signal emitted by the signal source such that the signal reflected by the primary identifying indicia is received and analyzed by the signal collector. The administration tool also includes a secondary identifying indicia that is recognized by the gaming table by reflecting the signal emitted by the signal source such that the signal reflected by the secondary identifying indicia is received and analyzed by the signal collector, wherein a present state of the displayed game is changed based on a player's action taken with the tool.

Abstract: A system controls access to plural devices with only four lines by grouping the devices in nodes, each node including a predetermined number of the devices and a local control circuit defining a shift register with positions respectively connected to the devices. The nodes are connected in series with a host controller, to form a system shift register. The nodes are serially addressed by a serial data message from a DATA OUT line of the host controller, which message includes M×N data bits followed by a strobe indicator, where N is the number of nodes and M is the number of devices at each node. All controllers are connected to a V+ line and a COMMON line and a RETURN line. The system register forms a fourth line, with one end connected to the host controller DATA OUT terminal and the other end connectable to the RETURN line.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for providing a wager-based game that may include a primary display unit, a secondary display unit, a value input device and a first controller is described. The secondary display unit may include a viewing window, a first object coupled to a movable member, a second object and a semi-transparent mirror. The viewing window, the semi-transparent mirror, the first object and the second object may be positioned, such that an image of one of the first object or the second object is transmitted through the mirror and an image of one of the first object or the second object is reflected by the mirror such that one image appears transposed on the other image when viewed through the viewing window. Via the movable member, a position of the first object may be changed.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is a plurality of touchscreen arranged on a single monolithic structure of a multi-player gaming device. In one embodiment, a gaming device having a base structure and an upper structure arranged to define a layout of gaming stations each with a gaming display includes a substantially transparent monolithic substrate, an electrically conductive coating, and a protective layer. The monolithic substrate may be arranged over the upper structure to cover at least the plurality of gaming displays. The electrically conductive coating may be formed on the monolithic surface over at least the plurality of gaming displays such that conductive coating over each of the gaming displays is electrically isolated from the remainder of the conductive coating. The protective layer may be formed over the conductive coating and monolithic substrate and have a substantially planar surface.

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 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: Described herein are systems and methods that improve personalized service in a casino or other gaming establishment. The systems and methods provide a portable personal service device to a person; the device permits the gaming establishment to communicate with the person—regardless of their location in the gaming establishment. Messages sent to the person may be personalized and customized. The portable personal service device may also be used to track the location of the person in the gaming establishment. The person may also use the portable personal service device to send messages, for example, to call casino personnel to them or make other personal service requests.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display unit for generating gaming images and a value input device. The apparatus includes a touch pad assembly capable of generating a touch detection field, a portion of which defines a touch area. A user touch in the touch area creates a disturbance in said touch detection field to generate a switch activation signal. A controller is operatively coupled to the display unit and value input device and includes a processor and memory. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager and cause a gaming image to be generated on the display unit representing a game selected from a group of casino games. The controller determines a value payout associated with an outcome of the game and responds to the switch activation signal.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a handheld device operable to communicate with a gaming controller. In one embodiment, the handheld device may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons. The gaming system may further include a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device, and operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures.

Abstract: Various techniques are described for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons, and a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device. In at least one embodiment, the gesture interpretation component may also be operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures. In at least one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to automatically detect a gesture by a player participating in a game session at the gaming system; interpret the gesture with respect to a set of criteria; generate gesture interpretation information relating to the interpretation of the gesture; and advance a state of the game session using at least a portion of the gesture interpretation information.

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: Various techniques are disclosed for displaying content on a movable display device. According to specific embodiments, content to be projected onto a first surface portion of the movable display device may be identified. At least one operation may be performed to determine movement characteristics associated with the movable display device during a first time period when the movable display device is moving. At least one operation may be performed to coordinate a first portion of the content to be projected with movement of the movable display device in a manner such that, when the first portion of content is projected onto the movable display device, the projected content is coordinated with movement of the movable display device. The first portion of content may then be projected onto the first surface portion of the movable display device during the first time period.

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.