Abstract: A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In the preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, and distributed data-storage systems employing the methods, for recovering redundancy within a distributed data-storage system upon failure of one or more mass-storage devices within a component data-storage system of the distributed data-storage system. In certain embodiments, failure of a mass-storage device within a component data-storage system elicits a redundancy-recovery operation in which segments affected by the mass-storage-device failure or failures are moved, by a process referred to as “migration,” to other component data-storage systems of the distributed data-storage system, and are recovered as a by-product of migration.

Abstract: A method of playing a wagering game is disclosed. The game is a blackjack variant played by making two wagers and playing against a dealer hand. Each player makes two initial wagers. The dealer deals three cards to the player, and the player arranges the cards into a first two-card hand and a second one-card hand. The first wager is placed at risk with the first two-card hand and the second wager is placed at risk with the second one-card hand. The dealer also receives an initial two-card hand. The dealer deals the player one additional card to complete the second hand, and then the two-card hands are played out using traditional blackjack rules. The house takes a commission on the first and second wagers. An optional three-card poker side bet is provided in one embodiment.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to digitally encoded hierarchical timestamps that are stored in computer readable mediums. The hierarchical timestamps of the present invention include a first field that stores a timestamp value and a second field that stores a processing-level indication that indicates the scope of the timestamp within a hierarchical processing system.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for identifying unexpected cards in a card handling device are disclosed. The method comprises providing a card handling device, wherein the card handling device comprises card storage area, an output end for the manual removal of cards, a processor with associated memory and a card recognition system capable of reading at least a rank of a card, wherein the associated memory has a data file of a set of expected card values, reading a value of a card, comparing the read card value to the set of expected card values, and when the card value is not an expected card value, generating an error signal indicative of a card not belonging to the set.

Abstract: A semi-automatic gaming table system is disclosed, comprising; a gaming table surface; at least one playing card delivery device, the playing card delivery device comprising a card storage area, an internal processor, a card moving system, a delivery end and a card imaging system; a plurality of electronic player interfaces mounted in the gaming table surface that communicate with a game controller; a game controller, the game controller programmed to communicate with the internal processor and the player interfaces, to detect at least one condition and respond by instructing the card handling system to stop delivering cards to the delivery end.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In the preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts.

Abstract: A progressive jackpot slot machine, or group of slot machines, is described herein. A plurality of progressive jackpots are accumulated as the slot machine is played. In the preferred embodiment, a first progressive jackpot is accumulated at a first rate, and a second progressive jackpot is accumulated at a rate higher than the first rate. Additional jackpots accumulate at higher rates. The betting of additional monetary amounts enables the player to win additional jackpots. This provides added incentive for the player to bet additional monetary amounts.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to methods, and distributed data-storage systems employing the methods, for recovering redundancy within a distributed data-storage system upon failure of one or more mass-storage devices within a component data-storage system of the distributed data-storage system. In certain embodiments, failure of a mass-storage device within a component data-storage system elicits a redundancy-recovery operation in which segments affected by the mass-storage-device failure or failures are moved, by a process referred to as “migration,” to other component data-storage systems of the distributed data-storage system, and are recovered as a by-product of migration.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a gaming machine incorporating the present invention, a special outcome of a primary game initiates a bonus game of a type very different from the primary game. One of the outcomes of the bonus game is the initiation of a third game, which the player then plays to determine whether the bonus game ends or continues. This third game may be the random selection by the player or the gaming machine of one of a plurality of tiles (or other icons), where certain ones of the tiles end the bonus game and other ones of the tiles allow the bonus game to continue. The third game may be any game where a random result determines the ending of the bonus game, or the third game may be a game of skill, such as a hand of blackjack. In one embodiment, the primary game, the bonus game, and the third game are played on the same touch video screen, where sensors in the screen detect the position of a player's touch in order to select a displayed option.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a gaming machine incorporating the present invention, a special outcome of a primary game initiates a bonus game of a type very different from the primary game. One of the outcomes of the bonus game is the initiation of a third game, which the player then plays to determine whether the bonus game ends or continues. This third game may be the random selection by the player or the gaming machine of one of a plurality of tiles (or other icons), where certain ones of the tiles end the bonus game and other ones of the tiles allow the bonus game to continue. The third game may be any game where a random result determines the ending of the bonus game, or the third game may be a game of skill, such as a hand of blackjack. In one embodiment, the primary game, the bonus game, and the third game are played on the same touch video screen, where sensors in the screen detect the position of a player's touch in order to select a displayed option.

Abstract: A video gaming machine is described that uses a touch screen to display the game. Touching various icons on the screen, such as the symbols on simulated reels, pay line identifiers, and other icons, cause there to be generated an associated pop-up window or other overlay highlighting or explaining the selected feature. Numerous examples are given.

Abstract: A method for operating a rotating reel type slot machine, or a video machine which depicts rotating reels, is described herein which allows a player to save in memory one or more symbols from one or more previous games and use those symbols in a current game to obtain a winning combination. In one embodiment, multiple sets of reels are employed, and saved symbols from a primary sets of reels may be used for any of said multiple sets of reels in subsequent games. In one embodiment, additional coins may be deposited to allow the use of saved symbols with additional reel sets. In another embodiment, a special symbol displayed by a first set of reels causes corresponding reels in second and third sets of reels to stop at the special symbol.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for optimizing prefetch caching for sets of disc drives with reverse ordered logical block mapping.