Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming devices having a secured basic input/output system (BIOS) and methods for determining the validity of the gaming device's BIOS. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a secured module for authenticating the BIOS of the gaming device. During the boot-up process, the secured module issues a challenge to the BIOS. The BIOS generates a response to the challenge, and the secured module determines whether the BIOS response matches the calculated response of the secured module. If the BIOS response matches the secured module response, the gaming device continues the boot process. Otherwise, the boot process is halted by the gaming device.

Abstract: A local game-area network includes a plurality of gaming devices and local game-area servers. Each local game-area server is associated with a corresponding gaming device. Each local game-area server in the local game-area network is operatively associated with every other local game-area server in the local game-area network. Additionally, one of the local game-area servers is a host local game-area server while the remaining gaming devices and associated local game-area servers are clients. Furthermore, the host status of the host local game-area server moves dynamically to an available local game-area server in the local game-area network in response to the host local game-area server becoming non-operational.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to a game platform and video extension system for a gaming device. The system includes an operating system that provides services to render graphics for the gaming device. Further, the operating system includes an OS video engine and a server. The system also includes a game that includes a game library and game application. The game library includes one or more library video engines. The game application includes one or more game modules, in which each game module is associated with a corresponding library video engine in the game library or OS video engine in the operating system. Additionally, the system enables game modules within the gaming application that have new features which are not supported by the video engine of the game operating system to be instead supported by corresponding library video engines within the game library.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display. The second display is used to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first and second monitors.

Abstract: Configurable celebration gaming terminals, systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the configurable celebration system comprises a first data storage device defining one or more celebration activities and a second data storage device defining more triggering events. A library of celebration bindings associates triggering events with celebration activities, such that upon the occurrence of a particular triggering event, the associated celebration activity is activated. Additionally, a configuration component provides a casino operator interface for configuring at least one of the celebration activities, triggering events, binding parameters, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods, gaming machines, and gaming systems with multiple displays having interchangeable display content. According to one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a first display for presenting a primary game, a second display for presenting secondary display content to a player, and a player input device for receiving player input to configure content displayed on the first display and the second display such that the first display presents the secondary display content and the second display presents the primary game.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming machines having multi-monitor support for controlling up to four monitors on a gaming device. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a first display for presenting a primary game. The gaming device also includes a second display and a third display where the second display is positioned above the third display. The second and third displays are used in combination to present a secondary game. The gaming device further includes a multi-core processor in communication with a first video chipset and a second video chipset, wherein the first and second video chipsets support the first, second and third monitors.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. Accordingly, one method includes: incrementing tournament entry points based on a predetermined percentage of a player's wager for base game play; presenting the player with two or more tournament games for play, wherein the player selects multiple tournament games from the two or more tournament games for immediate initiation of tournament game play on demand, and wherein the tournament games are separate from the base game; and initiating the tournament games, using a processor, selected by the player on a secondary display of the gaming device, the secondary display using an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a main processor of the gaming device.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player's eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player's selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming devices having a secured basic input/output system (BIOS) and methods for determining the validity of the gaming device's BIOS. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a secured module for authenticating the BIOS of the gaming device. During the boot-up process, the secured module issues a challenge to the BIOS. The BIOS generates a response to the challenge, and the secured module determines whether the BIOS response matches the calculated response of the secured module. If the BIOS response matches the secured module response, the gaming device continues the boot process. Otherwise, the boot process is halted by the gaming device.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to methods, gaming machines, and gaming systems with multiple displays having interchangeable display content. According to one embodiment, a gaming machine includes a first display for presenting a primary game, a second display for presenting secondary display content to a player, and a player input device for receiving player input to configure content displayed on the first display and the second display such that the first display presents the secondary display content and the second display presents the primary game.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one method, a player tracking card is received at a gaming device. Tournament entry points are incremented as the base game is played. In one embodiment, tournament entry points are based on a predetermined percentage of a player's wager for base game play. The player is presented with one or more tournament games for play when the player has accumulated a sufficient number of tournament entry points. A tournament game selected by the player is initiated on a secondary display of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the secondary device has an embedded processor that is separate and distinct from a main processor of the gaming device. Once the tournament game is initiated, the player is presented with the option to have the tournament game automatically played.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming device provides a base game in a normal, non-tournament mode, and the player's eligibility to play a tournament game is also determined. An eligible player is prompted to select a desired tournament game from a list of available tournaments while base game is in the normal, non-tournament mode. In response to the player's selection of a tournament game, the gaming device is reconfigured from the normal mode to a tournament mode. The gaming device processes game play in the tournament mode and creates a final tournament score for the player. At the conclusion of the tournament game on the gaming device, the gaming device is reconfigured into the normal, non-tournament mode.

Abstract: Various embodiments disclosed herein are directed to gaming devices having a secured basic input/output system (BIOS) and methods for determining the validity of the gaming device's BIOS. According to one embodiment, the gaming device includes a secured module for authenticating the BIOS of the gaming device. During the boot-up process, the secured module selects a challenge from a plurality of challenges, and the selected challenge is issued to the BIOS. The BIOS generates a response to the challenge, and the secured module determines whether the BIOS response matches the calculated response of the secured module. If the BIOS response matches the secured module response, the gaming device continues the boot process. Otherwise, the boot process is halted by the gaming device.

Abstract: A browser manager server is able to initialize and configure one or more browser windows on a gaming device display screen. The browser manager has the ability to configure specific URLs for each browser window, configure and Z-order depth for each window, set window size and position, and call functions on the browser pages. A browser client side application on a gaming device is capable of creating multiple windows on an electronic gaming device and responding to said server configuration or browser message commands.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device, system, and method for a ROM BIOS based trusted encrypted operating system for use in a gaming environment. The gaming device includes a ROM storing a BIOS, a secure loader, an encrypted operating system, and a decryption key for decrypting the encrypted operating system. The decryption key is partitioned and scattered about the secure loader. The method includes initializing the BIOS, locating the decryption key, decrypting the encrypted operating system with the encryption key, verifying a plurality of check codes, and transferring control to the operating system. The check codes are verified responsive to decrypting the encrypted operating system. The check codes are dispersed about the operating system and are unrelated to the operating system. Control is transferred to the operating system responsive to verifying the check codes.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine (EGM) implements a multi-core processor. A first of the processor cores is adapted to perform or otherwise control a first set of operations. The first set of operations can include, for example, game manager operations and other operations of the EGM that are more time-sensitive. A second one of the processor cores is adapted to perform or otherwise control a second set of operations. The second set of operations can include, for example, operations related to multimedia presentation associated with the running/playing of a game and/or other operations of the EGM that are not time-sensitive or are otherwise less time-sensitive than the operations performed/controlled by the first processor core. Each of the processor cores may run an operating system that matches the needs of its respective processor core.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to a gaming device that uses an internal hard drive for primary media storage. The software is installed on the hard drive without requiring physical access to the hard drive including, but not limited to, removal or replacement of the hard drive. According to one method, an install flash program is used to format and/or reformat an internal hard drive. Additionally, the install flash program is used to install media stored on a removable storage device onto the internal hard drive.

Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to gaming systems, gaming devices, and methods for presenting tournament games. According to one embodiment, a gaming system for presenting tournament games includes a plurality of gaming devices in communication with a tournament server as well as a plurality of tournament displays positioned throughout a gaming establishment. Each gaming device is configured to enable concurrent play of a base game and an on-demand tournament game in which the on-demand tournament game is player initiated. The tournament server manages play of the on-demand tournament game, and the tournament server determines a location of active and eligible players for the on-demand tournament game. The plurality of tournament displays are positioned throughout a gaming establishment, and the tournament displays are also in communication with the tournament server.

Abstract: A local game-area network includes a plurality of gaming devices and local game-area servers. Each local game-area server is associated with a corresponding gaming device. Each local game-area server in the local game-area network is operatively associated with every other local game-area server in the local game-area network. Additionally, one of the local game-area servers is a host local game-area server while the remaining gaming devices and associated local game-area servers are clients. Furthermore, the host status of the host local game-area server moves dynamically to an available local game-area server in the local game-area network in response to the host local game-area server becoming non-operational.