Abstract: In a method for determining an operating frequency of a touch screen unit a first set of sinusoidal signals may be provided to a plurality of electrodes of a touch screen, each sinusoidal signal in the the first set of sinusoidal signals having a first frequency, and a first value indicative of the amount of current flowing from the plurality of electrodes when the touch screen is not being touched by a person and when the first set of sinusoidal signals is provided to the plurality of the electrodes may be determined. A second set of sinusoidal signals may be provided to the plurality of electrodes of the touch screen, each sinusoidal signal in the second set of sinusoidal signals having a second frequency, and a second value indicative of the amount of current flowing from the plurality of electrodes when the touch screen is not being touched by the person and when the second set of sinusoidal signals is provided to the plurality of the electrodes may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed that includes a housing, a value input device, a transparent panel having an outer surface and an inner surface, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels disposed in the housing so that the mechanically rotatable reels are visible to a player through the transparent panel. The gaming apparatus also having a light valve that includes a suspended particle device disposed between the inner surface and the slot reels, and a controller coupled to the light valve to cause the light valve to become opaque to substantially block the view of the slot reels to the player.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display system, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display system and value input device. The display system may include a first display unit, a second video display unit disposed in front of the first display unit and a light valve disposed between the first and second display units. The second display unit may include an opening. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the display system to generate a game display on the first display unit, cause the light valve to become substantially transparent so that the first display unit is visible through the opening, cause the display system to generate a video display on the second display unit, and determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for facilitating game play. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a display unit, and a player control panel. The player control panel may include a curved surface centered around at least one axis. The gaming apparatus also may include a touch screen, the touch screen conforming to the curved surface of the player control panel. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the display unit may be caused to display a game display. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected and display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming method for facilitating game play via a gaming apparatus is provided. The gaming apparatus may include a value input device, a first display unit, and a configurable control panel unit. The configurable control panel unit may include a second display unit and a touch screen unit associated with the second display unit. A value input may be received from a player via the value input device, and the first display unit may be caused to display a first game display relating to one of the following games: poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. One of a plurality of player input displays may be selected, and the second display unit may be caused to display the selected one of the plurality of player input displays. Player input data associated with the selected one of the plurality of player input displays may be received via the touch screen unit, and a value payout associated with an outcome of the game may be determined.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a housing, a display unit, a value input device, a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The housing may include a first opening, a second opening and one or more light sources positioned around the second opening. The controller may be operatively coupled to the light sources. The display unit may be positioned relative to the housing so that a first portion of the display unit is visible through the first opening and the second portion of the display unit is visible through the second opening. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a first display on the first portion of the display unit, to cause the display unit to generate a second display on the second portion of the display unit, to cause the light sources to emit light when the second display is generated, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of displaying three-dimensional images, a value input device, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include a display screen which may have a plurality of display pixels and a lenticular screen coupled with the display screen. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to cause the display unit to generate a game display, to receive image data relating to a combination of a plurality of perspective views of an image, said plurality of perspective views being interlaced to form said image, to cause the display unit to generate a three-dimensional display from the image data, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented for a gaming machine cocktail table. In some instances, it can include a cocktail table chassis and one or more display screens mounted in the cocktail table chassis. The display screens can face generally upward for viewing by two or more players seated proximate the cocktail table chassis. A master gaming controller can be connected to each of the display screens and can control games presented on each of the display screens. In some applications, a monolithic tabletop can be provided on the cocktail table chassis to cover components of the gaming machine, whereby player interaction with any of these gaming machine components is via the monolithic tabletop, thereby isolating the gaming machine components from environmental contamination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing two or more wagering events or gaming opportunities at two or more different locations to two or more different players at the same time or concurrently though multi-tasking or other shared processing arrangement of a shared control module or processor. In one embodiment a control module is configured with a processor, memory, and one or more interfaces configured to communicate with two or more game terminals. The two or more game terminals may be located remote from the control module or in close proximity. The game terminals may be configured with a display and player interfaces to receive input from a player. In one embodiment one or more video adapters are located with the control module or the game terminal. As an advantage over the prior art, controlling and enabling two or more game terminals with a shared control module or a shared processor reduces costs and the required space on a per game or per terminal basis.

Abstract: A wagering gaming device that physically stimulates an input device of the gaming device to stimulate a player. The input device, includes a component stimulator and an actuation member. The input devices sends a signal or plurality of signals to a processor upon actuation of the actuation member of the input device. The processor sends an electronic signal to the component stimulator. The component stimulator causes the physical stimulation of the actuation member. The player feels this movement, which may be in correlation to the image being displayed by a display device. This physical stimulation of an input device may be employed in any suitable manner in relation to a game in a wagering gaming device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automated and secured verification of configuration data for a volatile progrannmable electronic device, such as an FPGA, is disclosed. A configurator including at least one memory unit, such as a ROM or EEPROM, contains a configuration file, which file is transferred to the volatile programmable electronic device or FPGA on demand. Data from the configuration file is compared with data from a separate custodial file, which custodial file is substantially identical to the configuration file and resides in a location separate from the memory unit or units that store the actual configuration file. In some instances the comparison is made before any actual loading of the configuration file into the FPGA occurs, whereby loading is prohibited if no match is confirmed, while in other instances the FPGA is configured using the configuration file and is then shut down if no match is later confirmed.

Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.

Abstract: A system controls access to a plurality of devices with only four lines by grouping the devices in nodes, wherein each node includes a local control circuit and a predetermined number of the devices, with each local control circuit defining a shift register, the positions of which are respectively connected to the devices. The nodes are connected in series with a host controller, so that the shift registers of the several nodes cooperate to form a system shift register. The nodes are serially addressed by a serial data message from a DATA OUT line of the host controller, which message includes M×N data bits followed by strobe indicator, where N is the number of nodes and M is the number of devices at each node. All controllers are connected to a V+ line and a COMMON line and a RETURN line. The system register forms a fourth line, one end of which is connected to the host controller DATA OUT terminal and the other end of which may be connected to the RETURN line.

Abstract: Memories coupled to a gaming terminal, are reprogrammed by a method and apparatus which includes identification, negotiation, downloading and verification information from an external information source to a gaming terminal. Hardware devices are used to identify gaming terminals or components.

Abstract: A gaming machine, specifically a slot machine, having a viewing region through which one or more internal reels are visible. The internal reels having a flexible display, mounted on the outer circumferential region of the reel, capable of displaying an infinite number of different indicia to a player of the machine. By allowing an infinite number of indicia to be displayed, the gaming machine may be programmed with a variety of gaming options and payouts.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for acquiring electronic program guide (EPG) data from a plurality of different EPG sources (120), and combining the acquired data to a single EPG (10). At regular intervals, EPG data is acquired from different sources (120), which may include the Internet (122), digital programming broadcasters, and teletext service providers (126). Equivalent program listings (40) within the acquired EPG data are identified, and the best information is selected from the equivalent program listings (40) to be included in the combined EPG (10). The present invention is able to identify equivalent program listings (40), even if the program titles are written in different languages or when the scheduled broadcast times differ to some extent. The resulting EPG (10) is more reliable and contains more information than any of the EPGs (10) associated with the original sources (120).

Abstract: A gaming terminal with one or more input devices in the form of a programmable display switch is provided. The programmable display switch is preferably configured to provide different types of labels, legends, unction indications, instructions and the like depending on the state of the game and/or the type of game being played. In this way, a wide variety of game functions, game themes or types of games can be implemented while reducing the total number of switches on the gaming terminal. In some embodiments, programmable display switches replace some or all functions normally provided by less cost-effective devices such as CRTs or touch screens.

Abstract: A controllable pneumatic apparatus including a pneumatic actuator coupled with a linear-acting brake including a field responsive medium. The pneumatic actuator has a housing with a gas cavity, a first piston slidably disposed in the gas cavity subdividing the gas cavity into first and second gas chambers, and an output member coupled to the first piston. The linear-acting controllable brake includes a medium containing cavity subdivided into a first and second chambers, and a second piston rigidly interconnected with, and longitudinally aligned with, the first piston. A passageway interconnects the first and the second chambers and a field responsive medium (e.g., a magnetic fluid) is contained in the passageway. A field generator produces a field to change a rheology of the medium and cause a braking force to be applied to the output member to control motion thereof. A preferable control method implements motion control based upon the kinetic energy and the braking force in the system.

Abstract: A controllable pneumatic apparatus including a pneumatic actuator coupled with a linear-acting brake including a field responsive medium. The pneumatic actuator has a housing with a gas cavity, a first piston slidably disposed in the gas cavity subdividing the gas cavity into first and second gas chambers, and an output member coupled to the first piston. The linear-acting controllable brake includes a medium containing cavity subdivided into a first and second chambers, and a second piston rigidly interconnected with, and longitudinally aligned with, the first piston. A passageway interconnects the first and the second chambers and a field responsive medium (e.g., a magnetic fluid) is contained in the passageway. A field generator produces a field to change a rheology of the medium and cause a braking force to be applied to the output member to control motion thereof. A preferable control method implements motion control based upon the kinetic energy and the braking force in the system.

Abstract: A no-ring access telecommunications system is connected to a subscriber's telephone line at the demarcation point between the public switched telephone network and the telephone line or at the utility meter site on the subscriber's premises, or at a central office. The telecommunications system comprises a processor, and a normally open switch which is selectively closed by the processor to connect the telephone line to another line servicing subscriber telecommunications equipment connected in parallel thereto. The telecommunications system is programmable to suppress the first power ring signal of an incoming call on the telephone line from a remote host system. The ring signal is analyzed for Caller ID, distinctive ringing or other special tone. If a valid Caller ID, distinctive ring signal or other special tone is provided, the switch is closed. The Caller ID is regenerated on the line servicing the subscriber telecommunications equipment.