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: Systems and methods for providing communications using the candle of a gaming machine are disclosed. A candle radio includes an antenna and transceiver within a housing, as well as one or more light sources and a mounting mechanism configured to mount the candle radio to a respective gaming machine or terminal. The transceiver and antenna are adapted to facilitate radio communications with at least one external transponder/transceiver, which can include wireless system access points and/or additional candle radios associated with other gaming machines. The antenna can be located at the top of the candle radio, while the transceiver can be located within a base at the bottom. An input connector on the transceiver facilitates communications with the gaming machine MGC. The candle radio can be adapted to split radio communications into portions and retransmit one or more portions of a communication, which may be done at differing radio frequencies.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided with biometric facilities for identifying or verifying the identity of a player or perspective player. In one aspect reference biometric data is stored in a portable biometric data storage device such as a smart card, PCMCIA card or the like and is preferably left in the possession or control of the individual or individuals to whom the biometric data relates. The reference biometric data is read in individual gaming terminals and compared, in individual gaming terminals to measured biometric data of a player or perspective player. In one aspect, gaming terminals use biometric verification or indication to implement a practical and feasible cashless gaming terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying multiple visual images from a single source at a gaming machine are disclosed. A reversible display device at the gaming machine presents multiple visual images from an LCD cell or other core display component. Virtual curtains alternate between blocking and permitting the display of visual images at various surfaces of the reversible display device. For an LCD cell or similar component needing a separate illumination source, illumination components alternate on and off in coordinated fashion with the virtual curtains, and are arranged to reflect light through the LCD cell in one direction to display one visual image at one surface and then in an opposite direction to display another visual image at the opposite surface. Lenses, mirrors and other optical devices redirect or alter a visual image from a surface such that it is not viewed directly from the display device itself.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems and methods that improve the redemption integrity of portable gaming instruments such as tickets and magnetic cards. The systems and methods encrypt biometric data for a recipient of a portable gaming instrument and store the encrypted biometric data on the portable gaming instrument. When a person tries to redeem value on the portable gaming instrument, a comparison is made between: a) biometric data for the person trying to redeem the value, and b) the biometric data encrypted and stored on the portable gaming instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conducting cashless gaming or player tracking within a gaming environment are disclosed. Players with associated player accounts are provided player tracking instruments having rewriteable displays. Also provided are gaming devices or machines having display panels adapted to display content and scan input through set display and read regions. Data on player tracking instruments is updated and displayed thereupon, and the input display panels of the gaming devices are used to read this data. These input display panels can also be used to read biometric information from players to confirm proper player account associations. The player tracking instruments may contain an RFID tag to receive communications from a transceiver associated with the gaming device or machine. A feedback loop from a master gaming controller to a transceiver to a player tracking instrument to an input display panel and back to the master gaming controller can be created.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a controller operatively coupled to a display unit and a value input device. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game display. The display unit may include an optically sensitive control panel operatively coupled to the controller, and the controller may be programmed to cause the optically sensitive control panel to read an image and to cause the optically sensitive control panel to generate a display of one or more game controls. An optically sensitive video display screen, and the controller may be programmed to cause the display unit to read an image via the optically sensitive video display screen and to cause the display unit to generate the game display on the optically sensitive video display screen.

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: In a method for determining a position of a touch on a touch screen, a first sinusoidal signal is provided to an electrode on a touch screen, the first sinusoidal signal having a frequency. A signal flowing from the first electrode is sensed to generate a sensed signal, and the sensed signal is multiplied by a second sinusoidal signal to generate a first multiplied signal, the second sinusoidal signal having the frequency, the second sinusoidal signal having a phase. The first sensed signal is also multiplied by a third sinusoidal signal to generate a second multiplied signal, the third sinusoidal signal having the frequency, the third sinusoidal signal having a phase different from the phase of the second sinusoidal signal by 90 degrees. The first multiplied signal is filtered to generate a first filtered signal, and the second multiplied signal is filtered to generate a second filtered signal. An estimated touch position is generated based on the first filtered signal and the second filtered signal.

Abstract: In a method for determining an operating frequency of a touch screen unit a first set of sinusoidal signals may be provided to a plurality of electrodes of a touch screen, each sinusoidal signal in the the first set of sinusoidal signals having a first frequency, and a first value indicative of the amount of current flowing from the plurality of electrodes when the touch screen is not being touched by a person and when the first set of sinusoidal signals is provided to the plurality of the electrodes may be determined. A second set of sinusoidal signals may be provided to the plurality of electrodes of the touch screen, each sinusoidal signal in the second set of sinusoidal signals having a second frequency, and a second value indicative of the amount of current flowing from the plurality of electrodes when the touch screen is not being touched by the person and when the second set of sinusoidal signals is provided to the plurality of the electrodes may be determined.

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: 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 for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus is provided. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a first display unit, and a configurable control panel unit. The configurable control panel unit may include a second display unit and a touch screen unit associated with the second display unit. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the first display unit may be caused to display a first game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected, and the second display unit may be caused to display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a housing, a display unit, a value input device, a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The housing may include a first opening, a second opening and one or more light sources positioned around the second opening. The controller may be operatively coupled to the light sources. The display unit may be positioned relative to the housing so that a first portion of the display unit is visible through the first opening and the second portion of the display unit is visible through the second opening. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a first display on the first portion of the display unit, to cause the display unit to generate a second display on the second portion of the display unit, to cause the light sources to emit light when the second display is generated, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.