Abstract: A gaming system includes one or more gaming machines, a display system, and a player input system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player input system includes a secondary input means. The secondary input means include soft keys that are mapped to particular coordinate-defined point or region (“hot spots”). In this regard, activation of a soft key replicates a mouse “click” or a touch screen “event.” The software implementation of the soft-keys is independent of the content being displayed, as long as the navigation buttons fall on the “hot-spots” associated with the soft-keys. In regard, when a soft-key is pressed it generates a mouse click event at its respective “hot-spot” coordinates. Soft-keys may be implemented with existing content since they require no code change. Accordingly, soft keys enable a content developer to develop content without requiring addition coding to implement the soft-keys themselves.

Abstract: A two-wire exchange system is disclosed that enables a gaming device having one communication port to function as a gaming device having a plurality of communication ports. The two-wire exchange system allows a gaming device having only a single communication port to connect to two or more system hosts simultaneously. The two-wire exchange system is an intelligent multiplexer that communicates using the same protocol as the system hosts to which it is connected. The two-wire exchange system has the ability to respond to a poll from the system host by indicating that the gaming device is busy, and that the system host should poll the gaming device again. This is provided to avoid and to prevent data collisions. The two-wire exchange system is also able to directly arbitrate and facilitate the communication between one or more peripheral hosts and the system hosts.

Abstract: A two wire exchange system is disclosed that enables a gaming device having one communication port to function as a gaming device having a plurality of communication ports. The two-wire exchange system allows a gaming device having only a single communication port to connect to two or more system hosts simultaneously. The two wire exchange system is an intelligent multiplexer that communicates using the same protocol as the system hosts to which it is connected. The two-wire exchange system has the ability to respond to a poll from the system host by indicating that the gaming device is busy, and that the system host should poll the gaming device again. This is provided to avoid and to prevent data collisions.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling one network to use the functionality of another network is provided. The system comprises a first network system having a first network functionality and a second network system having a second network functionality. A server connected to the second network system passes directions through the first network to enable a component connected to both the first network system and the second network system to perform a second network functionality.

Abstract: An embedded user interface system 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming presentation 50 and a gaming processor 60. The embedded processor 30 employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor 60. The display screen 20 presents information to a user via the display screen. The dictionary extension 100 receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, loads the uniform resource locator pulled from the text string into a variable, and indirectly navigates the web content capable display screen to the uniform resource locator in the variable. This provides a dramatic improvement over traditional system components 70 (input/output peripherals) that have been used in the past to access service and system information, such as a 2-line, 20-character VF display and a 12-digit keypad.

Abstract: A controlled access device produces a controlled access layer in a packet switching environment. The device includes a game monitoring system, a plurality of Ethernet ports, an internal switch, and an encoding mechanism. The game monitoring system monitors and manages game accounting data. The plurality of Ethernet ports facilitate data ingress and egress, and are connectable to a distribution switch. The internal switch forwards transmitted data packets from one or more ingress ports to an egress port. The encoding mechanism encodes a first type of data packets with a QoS high packet delivery priority, and encodes a second type of data packets with a QoS lower packet delivery priority.

Abstract: Systems for managing gaming devices in a networked environment are disclosed herein. The system includes one or more gaming device, at least one data repository, host system, and a datastore. The gaming devices have a gaming processor and a plurality of gaming components, wherein one or more parameters are associated with the gaming components. The data repository is in communication with the one or more gaming components, and the data repository stores data that includes one or more parameters from each gaming component. A host system is in communication with the gaming devices, and the host system is configured to collect data from the data repository. The host system also includes a datastore in communication with the host system, wherein the datastore stores data from the gaming devices.

Abstract: A hybrid network system and method is used for incrementally upgrading a gaming system from legacy equipment to broadband equipment while maintaining the capability to support the assets and functionality of both legacy gaming devices and networks and modern gaming devices and networks. The hybrid network system enables new gaming devices and networks to coexist in the same system as existing, legacy gaming devices and networks, and thereby upgrade components as resources and availability allow. The hybrid network system enables the addition of modern devices and networks having new capabilities while continuing to support legacy equipment that is currently in use.

Abstract: A network gaming system includes a distribution server to provide gaming devices with communication with backend servers. The system includes at least one backend server, at least one gaming device, and at least one distribution server, wherein each gaming device is in communication with at least one backend server through at least one distribution server.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for linking a plurality of independent networks to a single central control system. In one embodiment, a casino accounting and reporting processing system provides a common back end to a plurality of networks. In one embodiment, the central server is coupled to at least one network using the same protocol so that no translation or interface is necessary. One or more other networks are coupled to the central server via an interface for translating communications and commands from the independent network to the host network protocol. In one embodiment, the interface is implemented using a standard interface referred to as “S2S”. An advantage of the invention is that it can be used to provide a common user interface, common accounting and security, and common player tracking management.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises one or more gaming machines, a display system, a player interface system, and a player tracking system. The display system includes a display screen that displays player interactive information, and the player interface system includes a keypad and a secondary input means. The player tracking system is in communication with the display system and the player interface system, and the player tracking system includes a card reader for accepting and reading player cards.

Abstract: The gaming network described herein includes network security features, host security features, audit protocols, and design architecture approaches to reduce the possibility of network attacks. The gaming network provides for traffic confidentiality, encryption, message authentication, secure authentication mechanisms, anti-replay protection of traffic, key management mechanisms, robust network availability, misrouting and redirection protection and prevention, rejection of external traffic, and a high entry-barrier to device addition to the network. The host protection and security includes secure host initialization, disabling unneeded components, download verification, disabling of unused IP ports, discarding traffic, strong passwords, dynamic one-time passwords for remote login, disabling default accounts, and appropriate “least-level” device privileges.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for providing peripheral devices that are accessible via the gaming network. The peripheral devices may be accessible to other gaming machines in the network. The peripheral devices may be accessible through the network by an operator or administrator. In one embodiment, an interface device referred to as an IPX (Internet Protocol Exchange) is used to connect the peripheral devices together and to connect them to the gaming network. Any MPU can then communicate with any peripheral on the network. Any peripheral device may send to and receive data from any other device on the network. In another embodiment, the IPX is used for intelligent routing so that legacy devices not originally designed to work within a gaming network may be added to the network. One embodiment uses a protocol such as TWX for routing of data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for assembling a gas turbine engine are provided. The method includes coupling a first turbine shaft that includes m rows of turbine blades within the gas turbine such that the first turbine shaft is rotatable in a first direction, and coupling a second turbine shaft that includes n rows of turbine blades within the gas turbine such that the second turbine shaft is rotatable in a second direction wherein a torque split between the first and second turbine shafts is substantially proportional to the number of rows of turbine blades on each shaft relative to a total number of rows of blades on both shafts, and wherein m and n are selected to provide a torque split between the first turbine shaft and second turbine shaft of greater than about 1.2:1.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for verifying a device, having components. Identification numbers of the components are read and then verified. The process of verifying comprises matching each identification number in a database to determine whether each identification number is valid. In one embodiment, the database is remote from the device, wherein verification is performed over a network connecting a database server containing the database with the device. The device transmits the identification numbers for each of the components to the database server for verification. A file allocation structure reader may be located in a basic input/output system of the device for reading and verifying data files from a persistent storage media without loading an operating system. The device may comprise a gaming machine that contains a monitor for monitoring one or more system events being processed by the gaming machine. The monitor monitors routine and non-routine events.

Abstract: A tomosynthesis system for forming a three dimensional image of an object is provided. The system includes an X-ray source adapted to irradiate the object with a beam of X-rays from a plurality of positions in a sector, an X-ray detector positioned relative to the X-ray source to detect X-rays transmitted through the object and a processor which is adapted to generate a three dimensional image of the object based on X-rays detected by the detector. The detector is adapted to move relative to the object and/or the X-ray source is adapted to irradiate the object with the beam of X-rays such that the beam of X-rays follows in a non arc shaped path and/or a center of the beam of X-rays impinges substantially on the same location on the detector from different X-ray source positions in the sector.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for verifying a device, having components. Identification numbers of the components are read and then verified. The process of verifying comprises matching each identification number in a database to determine whether each identification number is valid. In one embodiment, the database is remote from the device, wherein verification is performed over a network connecting a database server containing the database with the device. The device transmits the identification numbers for each of the components to the database server for verification. A file allocation structure reader may be located in a basic input/output system of the device for reading and verifying data files from a persistent storage media without loading an operating system. The device may comprise a gaming machine that contains a monitor for monitoring one or more system events being processed by the gaming machine. The monitor monitors routine and non-routine events.

Abstract: A configuration and management system monitors and controls one or more gaming devices in a gaming system on at least one gaming floor. The system includes one or more gaming devices in a gaming system, wherein the gaming devices are interconnected via a network; a processing and control system; and a back-end, graphical user interface. The processing and control system is interconnected to the gaming devices via the network. Further, the processing and control system acquires gaming performance data from the gaming devices in the gaming system. The back-end, graphical user interface includes an interactive map of the gaming floor. Additionally, graphical user interface enables monitoring and configuration of multiple gaming platform capabilities, multiple game titles, and multiple gaming parameters for each gaming devices on the gaming floor, and is interconnected to the processing and control system.

Abstract: A general purpose additional user interface for enhancing user interaction with a native system is disclosed. The additional user interface includes a display, a memory and a processor. A plurality of output data files are stored in the memory. A connection capable of receiving context data from the native system is provided. The processor reads the context data received from the native system, and matches the context data with one or more of the output data files for presentation on the display. An audio device is provided for presenting output data files that are sound files.

Abstract: An embedded additional user interface 10 includes a web page display screen 20 and an embedded processor 30, and is incorporated into a gaming machine 40 that in turn includes a gaming screen 50 and a gaming processor 60. Because of security procedures applied for digital signing and certification of user selectable programming elements, the embedded additional user interface 10 employs an interface build application 79 such that the user can select and modify the look and feel of the web page display screen content. The interface build application enables content to be presented on a web page display screen that can track to an individual player. The interface build application also enables a casino user to update current casino promotions for its players in a timely manner, as well as present customized marketing messages, which can even be targeted to individual players.