Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes: a carrier board comprising a first network port and a second network port, the first network port having a first network address and the second network port having a second network address; a processor located on the carrier board; a first nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board and communicatively coupled to the first network port, the first nonvolatile memory configured to store the first network address; and a second nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is configured to store Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) code that includes a system BIOS code and an application BIOS code, wherein the BIOS code is hardware write-protected, wherein the processor is configured to derive the second network address from the first network address during execution of boot-up operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system also comprises an interface to receive a nonvolatile storage device, which is operable to mount and unmount one or more hot pluggable mass storage devices. In a further embodiment, the interface is operable to prohibit write caching data to be written to the nonvolatile storage device, and to restrict mounting nonvolatile storage devices to authorized users.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method includes retrieving a value associated with a nonvolatile machine-readable medium from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium of a wagering game machine. The method also includes retrieving an authentication value from the nonvolatile machine-readable medium. The authentication value is derived from the value. The method includes enabling execution of a wagering game application stored in the nonvolatile machine-readable medium, in response to determining that the authentication value authenticates the wagering game application.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and system of powering gaming machine devices over an Ethernet connection. A Power-over-Ethernet (PoE) connection point communicates with and powers a PoE device performing operations for a wagering game presented on the gaming machine. The PoE connection point and PoE device are powered by a different power source than the gaming machine and continue operating and communicating after the gaming machine power source fails.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game.

Abstract: A gaming chair for use with a gaming machine that conducts a wagering game, the chair includes a seat and a tactile device for providing tactile sensations via the seat according to at least one of events occurring in the wagering game, and player input through an input device.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game machines having a cabinet memory mounted or affixed to a cabinet or cabinet component. The cabinet memory provides configuration data and manufacturing data for the cabinet and cabinet components. The configuration data may be used during operation of the wagering game machine to properly configure the components and operation of the wagering game machine.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module operable to exchange digital audio data with an audio device over a digital audio format link. The digital audio format link in various embodiments comprises a SPDIF link, an AES/EBU link, an HDMI link, or an I2S link.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a chair having an electrical connector and a gaming machine having an electrical connector, wherein the chair electrical connector is removably couplable to the gaming machine electrical connector.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine different objects and/or portions within a wagering game video image and split the wagering game video image into multiple video streams containing different parts of the wagering game video image. The operations can then present the multiple video streams on multiple displays. The multiple displays can show the different parts of the wagering game video image appearing as separate and distinct video images. In some embodiments, some of the multiple displays can be placed in front of other displays. The operations can generate transparent masks that allow images to be seen through a display.

Abstract: A method and system of operating a wagering game having simulated mechanical reels includes receiving a wager to play the wagering game. A first set of video images are displayed on a curved surface approximately a radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The first set of video images simulates movement of a first set of reel symbols. In response to a triggering event, a second set of video images are displayed on the curved surface. The second set of video images simulate a transitioning from the first set of reel symbols to a second set of reel symbols.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to load a software program which, when executed by a processor, is associated with presenting a wagering game upon which monetary value may be wagered. The software program may be loaded into a non-volatile memory in the form of phase-change random access memory, nanotube random access memory, or a combination thereof, and executed by the processor to present the wagering game after conducting a first preliminary authentication. Upon entering a reset cycle, a subsequent preliminary authentication of the software program is conducted without reloading the non-volatile memory, and the program is executed from the non-volatile memory by the processor while a background full authentication of the software program stored in mass storage is conducted. Execution out of the non-volatile memory is halted if the background full authentication fails.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a value input device for receiving a wager and a processor for executing gameplay on the gaming machine. The processor has a plurality of power consumption levels. A power regulator is operative to alter the power consumption level of the processor amongst the plurality of power consumption levels. In an embodiment, the power regulator comprises application software stored on a memory device in communication with the processor.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive an indication that a wagering game machine is to enter into a service power mode while the game machine is fully operational, and then to enter into the service power mode to disable game play while providing substantially uninterrupted power to a subset of game machine components. These powered components include one or more processors and memory. The service power mode may operate to leave the remainder of the game machine components unpowered, so that later transitioning from the service power mode to full operation does not result in resetting the processors. Other apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assigning addresses to peripheral devices in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, a method includes transmitting a first request in a wagering game machine, wherein the first request is addressed to a configuration address, and wherein the wagering game machine is configured to present wagering games upon which monetary value can be wagered. The method can also include detecting a first response to the first request, the first response originating from a first of a plurality of peripheral devices of the wagering game machine. The method can also include assigning a first address to the first of the plurality of peripheral devices and notifying the first of the peripheral devices about the first address.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. The curved transparent layer can be moving as well. Environmental mapping may be used to sense the location of the player and/or the ambient lighting surrounding the gaming machine and alter the images based on the sensing. The altering may include spectral highlights, shading, and the parallax effect. The video images may further include imperfections normally found in mechanical reel strips. The gaming machine provides video images that more closely simulate the look of traditional mechanical reels.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a wagering game machine includes: a carrier board comprising a first network port and a second network port, the first network port having a first network address and the second network port having a second network address; a processor located on the carrier board; a first nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board and communicatively coupled to the first network port, the first nonvolatile memory configured to store the first network address; and a second nonvolatile memory located on the carrier board, wherein the second nonvolatile memory is configured to store Basic Input and Output System (BIOS) code that includes a system BIOS code and an application BIOS code, wherein the BIOS code is hardware write-protected, wherein the processor is configured to derive the second network address from the first network address during execution of boot-up operations of the apparatus.

Abstract: A game button includes an enclosure in which are mounted at least one variable display, a sensor, a memory, and any other components of the game button. The variable display is capable of presenting a plurality of images thereon. The memory is communicatively coupled with the variable display, is adapted to store information for producing the plurality of images presented on the display, and is physically located between the variable display and the sensor.