Abstract: A gaming system (100) includes gaming locations (102, 104, 106) that each comprise an interactive communication unit (119), including a display 118 visible from the gaming location. A network (126) is arranged to transmit data between the communication units. A touch screen liquid crystal display (118) unrelated to the operation of a gaming machine (102) generates graphics images.

Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.

Abstract: A gaming system (100) includes gaming locations (102, 104, 106) that each comprise an interactive communication unit (119), including a display 118 visible from the gaming location. A network (126) is arranged to transmit data between the communication units. A touch screen liquid crystal display (118) unrelated to the operation of a gaming machine (102) generates graphics images.

Abstract: Provided are techniques to search for an entity in an entity resolution system. Search input comprising one or more attribute values of one or more attribute types is received. A resolution search is performed to generate a search result set comprising one or more entities and zero or more generic attribute values for generating additional entities. In response to determining that the resolution search generated at least two generic attribute values, one or more query searches are performed for a unique generic group by generic attribute type to identify the additional entities, wherein the unique generic group comprises a subset of the search input and includes at least two generic attribute types; the identified additional entities are combined with the entities in the search result set; and the search result set is returned.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local database (46). The computer (40) obtains and temporarily stores the progressive jackpot output data.

Abstract: An apparatus for use with a gaming machine is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an electronic processing board that is coupled to first and second data interfaces as well as a ticket printer. The electronic processing board responds to a cashout signal by communicating with the gaming machine via the first data interface, communicating with a computer system via the second data interface, and communicating with the printer to issue a ticket.

Abstract: A gaming system (100) includes gaming locations (102, 104, 106) that each comprise an interactive communication unit (119), including a display 118 visible from the gaming location. A network (126) is arranged to transmit data between the communication units. A touch screen liquid crystal display (118) unrelated to the operation of a gaming machine (102) generates graphics images.

Abstract: A gaming system (100) includes gaming locations (102, 104, 106) that each comprise an interactive communication unit (119), including a display 118 visible from the gaming location. A network (126) is arranged to transmit data between the communication units. A touch screen liquid crystal display (118) unrelated to the operation of a gaming machine (102) generates graphics images.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local database (46). The computer (40) obtains and temporarily stores the progressive jackpot output data.

Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.

Abstract: Provided are techniques to search for an entity in an entity resolution system. Search input comprising one or more attribute values of one or more attribute types is received. A resolution search is performed to generate a search result set comprising one or more entities and zero or more generic attribute values for generating additional entities. In response to determining that the resolution search generated at least two generic attribute values, one or more query searches are performed for a unique generic group by generic attribute type to identify the additional entities, wherein the unique generic group comprises a subset of the search input and includes at least two generic attribute types; the identified additional entities are combined with the entities in the search result set; and the search result set is returned.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local database (46). The computer (40) obtains and temporarily stores the progressive jackpot output data.

Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machines (100, 102, 104, 106) arranged to receive input data and to generate output data. A central database (24) stores the input data and the output data. A data processing unit 40 includes a local database (46). Unit 40 polls the gaming machines to obtain the output data over a network (12), stores the output data in the local database, transmits the output data over the network to the central database and arranges the data in a format useable by report generating software, obtains the input data from the central database, and stores the input data in the local database for use by the gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.

Abstract: A gaming system providing a tiered reward bonus promotion. A player's activity level is quantified to a value that adjusts over time. The value at the completion of a bonus period is compared to a plurality of tier values stored in memory at the central authority. Each tier value has an associated bonus award that is awarded to the player if the player reaches that tier at the completion of the bonus period. The award is indicated in the player's account and may be redeemed at a player kiosk.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local database (46). The computer (40) obtains and temporarily stores the progressive jackpot output data.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local database (46). The computer (40) obtains and temporarily stores the progressive jackpot output data.

Abstract: An apparatus (312) for use with a gaming machine (102), the apparatus (312) comprising: an electronic processing board (144); a first data interface (366) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); a second data interface (126) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144); and a ticket printer (318) that is electrically coupled to the electronic processing board (144), wherein the electronic processing board (144) is arranged to perform the following steps in response to a cashout signal (134): communicate with the gaming machine (102) via the first data interface (366) in order to effect a removal of wagerable credits from the gaming machine (102); communicate with a computer system (120), which is remote to the gaming machine (102), via the second data interface (126) so as to: provide the computer system (120) with details of the removal of wagerable credit; and receive from the computer system (120) ticket data that is associated with the removal of