Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same are provided. Included are an active circuit, and a metal layer disposed, at least partially, above the active circuit. Further provided is a bond pad disposed, at least partially, above the metal layer. To prevent damage incurred during a bonding process, the aforementioned metal layer may define a frame with an outer periphery and an inner periphery.

Abstract: A slot machine issues awards for winning combinations formed by an initial spin of all symbol positions in the symbol matrix and subsequent re-spins of all “unlocked” symbol positions until all symbol positions have been “locked.” In a preferred embodiment, an initial spin uses all slot reels and pays for all winning combinations displayed; a pre-determined symbol “locks” all of the symbol positions on that slot reel; “unlocked” reels re-spin and re-pay until all slot reels are “locked.” Other embodiments of the present invention are described within the application.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods for wagering upon one or more positions of a symbol matrix and issuing awards based upon the number of symbols in the symbol matrix matching each of the symbols displayed in the wagered upon symbol positions. In a preferred embodiment, players may wager upon any number of the available symbol positions and collect awards for matching each symbol appearing in a wagered upon symbol position with 2 or more other symbols in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).

Abstract: The present invention includes a variety of methods to issue awards based upon “short” and/or “long” pay lines. In general, short pay lines fewer positions than the conventional pay lines; long pay lines use more positions than conventional pay lines. In particular, games using conventional, horizontal pay lines may also use short pay lines with fewer positions, or long pay lines more positions, than the number of columns; and games using conventional, vertical pay lines also use short pay lines with fewer positions, or long pay lines more positions, than the number of rows.

Abstract: A system and method of processing calls in a telephone network having advanced intelligent network (AIN) capabilities is provided. The method includes the step of coordinating the use of an indirect interface and a direct interface over direct and indirect data paths between a service control point and an intelligent peripheral in the telephone network. The system includes a service control point having an interface mediator for coordinating the use of the direct and indirect interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for a player to become sequentially eligible for a bonus event based upon the appearance of predetermined symbols in designated locations of the symbol matrix during the play of one or more rounds of a slot machine game. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a specific predetermined symbol must appear in each of the columns comprising the symbol matrix during the play of one or more free spins of the slot machine game to initiate a bonus event.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to provide distinct progressive awards for two or more paylines. In one embodiment, each and every payline has its own progressive award that issues upon the appearance of a predetermined symbol combination on that payline.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to enhance payline awards by increasing one or more payline wager amounts. In one embodiment, a predetermined symbol appearing on a payline increases the wager amount of that payline by a random amount.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to allow the player to select patterns of wildcard symbols, from a plurality of wildcard symbol patterns, and use those patterns during subsequent games. One embodiment allows the player to select a pattern of wildcard symbols and use the selected pattern during a free spin bonus game.

Abstract: A gaming device which includes a variety of methods to calculate one or more line pay awards as a function of the total amount wagered upon the game. In one embodiment, the gaming device multiplies the award for the most valuable symbol combination appearing on any payline by the total amount wagered upon the game.

Abstract: An electronic slot machine game is set forth which includes an on-screen bonus and one or more separate screen bonuses. A processor randomly selects to activate a coordinate of a game matrix having one or more pay lines. The coordinate remains activated until a bonus is triggered. When a triggering symbol is randomly assigned to an activated coordinate, an on-screen bonus is issued. When the bonus is issued, all activated coordinates are de-activated. The bonus is related to the amount wagered to play the game, the number of activated coordinates and assigned values or multipliers. Second screen bonuses are triggered by scattered symbols or symbols on enabled pay lines and include a game themed screen for the player to select from a plurality of hidden bonuses or issues a random bonus accompanied by an entertaining video segment.

Abstract: A system for providing and using a gray optical standard is disclosed, the standard generally comprising a housing having a cavity and an at least partially transparent portion adjacent to the cavity for receiving the radiation emitted radiation by an optical instrument and a particulate material disposed in the cavity. The particulate material is a mixture of highly absorptive and highly reflective particles having a diameter of about 20 microns or less. In some embodiments, the at least partially transparent portion of the housing is modified to be highly diffusely scattering in the wavelength region of interest.

Abstract: A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A method of playing a slot machine game in which a player wagers upon one or more symbols and then collect awards for combinations of two or more symbols wagered upon appearing in adjacent to each other in the symbol matrix. The slot machine game may also provide a symbol repositioning feature in which one or more symbols are moved from their original positions to other positions in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of symbol generators adapted to generate a plurality of symbols at a plurality of symbol positions. In one embodiment, a player selects a first symbol position, the selected symbol position is activated and the gaming device reveals whether a terminator is associated with the selected symbol position. In this embodiment, the player continues selecting symbol positions (and the gaming device continues activating the selected symbol positions) until a terminator is revealed to be associated with a selected symbol position. After a terminator is revealed, the gaming device randomly generating a symbol at each of the activated symbol positions. The gaming device determines an outcome based on the symbols or combinations of symbols generated at the activated symbol positions and provides the player the determined outcome.

Abstract: A device and method for providing access to a signal of a flip chip semiconductor die. A hole is bored into a semiconductor die to a test probe point. The hole is backfilled with a conductive material, electrically coupling the test probe point to a signal redistribution layer. A conductive bump of the signal redistribution layer is electrically coupled to a conductive contact of a package substrate. An external access point of the package substrate is electrically coupled to the conductive contact, such that signals of the flip chip semiconductor die are accessible for measurement at the external access point.

Abstract: Methods to provide an enhanced likelihood of winning an award and to provide enhanced awards based upon the appearance of symbols on free paylines or free hands of cards. One embodiment uses fifty base paylines and one free payline. The base paylines and the free payline are defined using the same symbol matrix and same reel strips. The free payline is an additional payline with same frequencies of wins and losses as the base paylines. The player wagers upon any number of base paylines. In addition to the wagered upon base paylines, the player also receives a free payline if a designated number of base paylines are wagered upon. A multiplier enhances the award for winning symbol combinations appearing on the free payline, with the multiplier value equal to the total wager. Another embodiment includes a poker game in which a player wagers upon any number of displayed poker hands.

Abstract: An integrated circuit and method of fabricating the same are provided. Included are an active circuit, and a metal layer disposed, at least partially, above the active circuit. Further provided is a bond pad disposed, at least partially, above the metal layer. To prevent damage incurred during a bonding process, the aforementioned metal layer is meshed.