Abstract: A golf ball range target system that includes a golf target, a golf ball dispenser, at least one golf ball, a target sensor, a tracking module, and a client computer is described. The golf target has a known geographic location and includes at least one golf target area. The golf ball dispenser houses golf balls. Each golf ball is associated with a particular player. The tracking module determines a golf ball flight trajectory for the golf ball associated with the particular player. The target sensor determines whether the golf ball has landed in a target area.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) golf ball range target system is described. The RFID golf ball range target system includes a RFID golf ball, a scanner, a client computer, a game selection module, a target, a target RFID reader and a target network communications module. The RFID golf ball that includes a RFID tag fixedly coupled to the surface of a spherical golf ball core corresponding to the RFID golf ball, wherein the RFID tag is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell. A unique RFID golf ball identifier is associated with the RFID golf ball. In the illustrative embodiment, the RFID tag includes an omnidirectional antenna that operates in the ultra-high-frequency (UHF) range. Additionally, the illustrative RFID tag can be encapsulated in a flexible substrate that is disposed between the spherical golf ball core and a spherical golf ball shell.

Abstract: A multiple inspection system and method that inspects packages filled with at least two different medications that are to be consumed by a patient is described. The method includes filling each package with the at least two different medications. A package that is to be inspected is selected by a process control module. A first automated inspection examines the different medications with a first measurement device. A first measurement result is generated. A first automated inspection result is generated by comparing a first expected inspection value with the first measurement result. A second automated inspection having a second measurement device generates a second measurement result. A second automated inspection result is generated by comparing a second expected inspection value with the second measurement result. An analytical module then proceeds to compare the first automated inspection result and the second automated inspection result.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.

Abstract: A method is disclosed herein for displaying winning and non-winning game results in a traditional gaming environment. The system uses an overlay game to present an entertaining display to a player upon the occurrence of a win or trigger event. An overlay game has limited capabilities and additionally is engineered to be usable on a variety of gaming machines. To be usable on a variety of gaming machines, the overlay game is intentionally kept simple; in one case, it comprises a visual display that is shown to a player upon the occurrence of a trigger event. In another embodiment, it requires a simple button press to start the overlay game. The overlay games are downloaded on an as-needed basis, run on the gaming machine, and then discarded.

Abstract: A system for manufacturing a plurality of separable pouches comprising a means for forming sealed pouches, a center cut blade and a means for segregating each sealed pouch with the center cut blade is described. The means for forming the sealed pouches includes placing a plurality of different tablets corresponding to different medications into each sealed pouch. The center cut blade includes a side cut on each end of the blade, a center cut in the middle of the blade, and at least one perforation cut between each side cut and the center cut. The means for separating each sealed pouch with the center cut blade provides each sealed pouch with a sealed top end, a sealed bottom end, and two sides, in which at least one side is also sealed.

Abstract: An inspection system and method that inspects at least two different medications is described. The automated filling station houses at least two different medications. The automated inspection station receives the medications associated with one of the packages. The measurement device associated with the automated inspection station is configured to examine the different medications and generate a measured medication value for the different medications. The measured medication value is received by the inspection control process module. Additionally, the expected medication value is received by the inspection control process module. The inspection result state is then selected by the inspection control process module. The inspection control module compares the expected medication value to the measured medication value. The inspection result state includes a positive inspection result state, a negative inspection result state, and an inconclusive inspection result state.

Abstract: An embedded user interface incorporated into a gaming device, the gaming device including a gaming presentation of a base game and a gaming processor for controlling the base game. The embedded user interface includes: a player tracking interface and an embedded processor. The player tracking interface includes (or is associated with) a display screen and enables display of a system game to a user, presentation of information to the user, and reception of information from the user. The embedded processor employs an internal operating system and communicates with the gaming processor, enables control of the system game, control of player tracking information, and control of non-gaming information. In one embodiment, the embedded user interface enables control of a system game of which at least a portion of the system game is presented physically external to the embedded user interface.

Abstract: A system for enabling tournament gaming provides a plurality of gaming machines and a tournament controller in communication with the gaming machines. At least a first gaming machine enables play of a first base game and at least a second gaming machine enables play of a second base game. The first base game has a first set of parameters and the second base game has a second set of parameters. The first base game with the first set of parameters is a different game theme from the second base game with the second set of parameters. The base game play data from each gaming machine is converted into a normalized tournament score that is designed to substantially equalize differences resulting from the base games that have differing sets of parameters, wherein calculation of the normalized tournament score uses monitored data spanning multiple base game plays.

Abstract: A system provides a player tracking system and system gaming apparatus for playing non-base games by funding the credit side of a gaming cycle. The system further includes at least one gaming device having a base game. The player tracking system and system gaming apparatus includes a player tracking user interface. The player tracking user interface provides a player with an opportunity to select and play a non-base game that may be promotional-funded or player-funded.

Abstract: A gaming system for displaying real-time pushed data of tournament scores is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines connected to a network each having a display capable of presenting a game, wherein each gaming machine enables play of chat-based games. The system also includes a gaming server and a chat server that are connected to the network. The gaming server is in communication with the plurality of gaming machines via the network. The chat server pushes real-time tournament data to the first and second gaming machines for presenting tournament data and on the display to facilitate competition between the first and second gaming machines.

Abstract: A system and method for ordering a plurality of tablets is described. The system comprises a server accessible via a network by at least one client. An online application is hosted on the server and accessible by the client. The online application comprises a user interface configured to receive a first input associated with a first tablet. The first input comprises a first schedule for consumption of the first tablet. The user interface is also configured to receive a second input associated with a second tablet. The second input comprises a second schedule for consumption of the second tablet. The user interface is further configured to display an integrated schedule comprising the schedule for consumption of the first tablet and the schedule for consumption of the second tablet.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system is disclosed. The method includes: enabling, using one or more processors, play of a first game on a gaming machine; enabling, using one or more processors, play of a second game on a user interface that is operatively coupled to the gaming machine, wherein the gaming system enables a player to choose which bonus game to play out of a plurality of bonus games independent of player ranking and bonus level, wherein each of the plurality of bonus games may be initiated on demand, wherein once the player chooses the bonus game to play on demand, the chosen bonus game is presented to the player via the player tracking user interface; and enabling, using one or more processors, wherein the gaming system enables a player to activate the second game displayed on the user interface.

Abstract: A linked gaming system and method combines electronic gaming machines (“EGMs”) of different types, each of which is eligible to win a linked jackpot award. One or more first groupings of EGMs each utilize a random number generator to determine game outcome, while one or more second groupings of hybrid EGMs draw outcomes from a finite pool of outcomes determined by a central finite pool system and utilize a jackpot selector to determine jackpot awards. The EGMs from all groupings are configured to have an equal chance of winning the linked jackpot award on the linked gaming system and method.

Abstract: Certain non-limiting exemplary embodiments are taught which include a game comprising, a digital processor, digital storage coupled to the digital processor for storing instructions, a display coupled to the digital processor displaying a first plurality of indicia arranged in a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns such that there are a plurality of paylines through a contiguous plurality of indicia, a user interface coupled to the digital processor to select a subset of the first plurality of indicia taken along at least one column and to initiate a display of a second plurality of indicia which includes the selected subset of the first plurality of indicia on the display, and an award dispenser providing an award which is at least as large as the largest award associated with the plurality of paylines.

Abstract: A system provides an instant-close tournament such that an actual player is always the last player to enter the tournament. The instant-close tournament has a number of player spots. The system includes a plurality of gaming machines, a communication link connecting the plurality of gaming machines, and a tournament history table that stores previous tournament information for a plurality of previous players in the tournament. At least a first gaming machine enables play of a first base game that has a first theoretical payout percentage, and at least a second gaming machine enables play of a second base game that has a second theoretical payout percentage. The previous tournament information is used by the tournament controller to configure one or more simulated players in the tournament to fill each player spot in the tournament, except for at least a final player spot that is filled by the actual player.

Abstract: A method is shown for enhancing game play on a gaming machine. In one embodiment, the gaming machine may include a processor, a memory, and program logic stored in the memory that may be executable to play a game in exchange for a wager. The method includes receiving a Newprom award that is not issued by the gaming machine. The method may include altering, using the processor, the game to an enhanced game state in response to the Newprom award. The Newprom award may be configured to add one or more game play enhancements available to a player only by way of the Newprom award to the game. This may alter the game to the enhanced game state so that the game is played with the one or more game play enhancements.

Abstract: A movable golf range target system is described. The movable golf range target system includes an issuing area RFID reader and a movable target. The issuing area RFID reader reads a plurality of RFID golf balls associated with a player account, each RFID golf ball has a unique identification and the issuing area RFID reader is communicatively coupled to an issuing area network communications module. The movable target includes a first enclosed boundary capture component that receives an RFID golf ball in a first capture area, a first target RFID reader associated with the first capture area, a second enclosed boundary component that encompasses the first enclosed boundary component funnel, the second enclosed boundary capture area receives an RFID golf ball in a second capture area, a second target RFID reader is associated with the second capture area and a GPS receiver coupled to the movable target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a limited-time bonus period are disclosed herein. According to one method, one or more triggering events are established for the gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning game outcomes. A gaming period is initiated on the gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine generates a game outcome. If necessary, a system host is notified that one or more triggering events have been satisfied. The gaming machines then receive instructions from the system host to initiate a limited-time bonus period, wherein the limited-time bonus period is presented on a player tracking and interactive system gaming devices on a selected number of gaming machines. A notification message is displayed on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the first limited-time bonus period, and a prize is awarded if a winning outcome is achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first limited-time bonus period.

Abstract: A system and method for scheduling tablet dosage is described. The system includes a computing device, a filling system, and a plurality of containers. The computing device hosts an application that includes a user interface receiving a prescription order including a designation for each tablet to be ordered. In one embodiment, the system and method also includes an automated inspection module that performs an inspection of each container to identify a first tablet and a second tablet within each container. In another illustrative embodiment, each container includes a pouch with a plurality of different tablets. Additionally, the plurality of pouches may be received by a box.