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, and a centralized physics engine operable to model motion physics for multiple wagering game machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a controller for conducting the wagering game, and a video projector coupled to the controller. The display region includes a plurality of projection surfaces secured to floating screen assemblies. The video projector simulates mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region. The video projector displays images of a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome of said wagering game. The images are projected onto the projection surfaces within the display region.

Abstract: A gaming control board having low-power circuitry and high-power circuitry for controlling the operation of a gaming machine. The low-power circuitry includes logic components including a CPU that executes instructions for randomly selecting a plurality of game outcomes in response to wagers inputted by a player. The high-power circuitry includes high-power components such as lamp drivers for interfacing high-power signals between the gaming control board and a game interface board. Two connectors are provided on the gaming control board, one to interface low-power signals and another to interface high-power signals. The high-power circuitry is located near the connector interfacing the high-power signals for optimal EMI suppression.

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: A dynamically re-configurable input panel for a gaming machine, in one implementation, comprises a plurality of electrical contact regions disposed on the input panel and a plurality of display elements associated with the electrical contact regions, wherein information displayed on the display elements is dynamically re-configurable under game machine software control. In one implementation, the plurality of electrical contact regions comprises a plurality of electrical switches. Each of these switches may have a self-contained, re-configurable display element.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes two persistent random access memory sections. Critical data written to one memory section is copied to the other. Systems and methods for managing the two memory sections may include a transaction engine executable on a gaming machine processor. Alternatively, the transaction engine may execute or on a memory controller implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a separate processor, or programmable logic. A transaction state may be used to determine which of the copies in the two memory sections is valid.

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: 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: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module operable to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a thermal management module operable to monitor the temperature of one or more integrated circuits comprising a part of the wagering game machine. In one embodiment, the thermal management module monitors one or more temperature indicator signals provided by the integrated circuit, and the wagering game system is operable to change function in response to the temperature signals.

Abstract: Methods for powering devices in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the method can include receiving, over an Ethernet connection, communications and power in a PoE device, where the PoE device disposed inside a wagering game machine. The method can also include using the power and communications to perform wagering game machine operations.

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 computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a display assembly having a preformed image and a backlight having adjustable brightness. In one embodiment, display assembly comprises preprinted artwork or graphics, or is an illuminated object such as a button or bezel light. Further embodiments include light sensors to sense ambient light or to measure the illumination of a backlit display, and means to adjust the backlight brightness accordingly.

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: A method and apparatus for gaming machine peripherals are described herein. In one embodiment, the method is performed by a smart component of a multipart gaming machine peripheral. In one embodiment, the method comprises establishing communication with a gaming machine master processing unit. The method also includes determining that a dumb component of the multipart gaming machine peripheral is connected and operating properly, wherein the dumb component does not include a processor. The method also includes controlling the dumb component of the multipart gaming machine peripheral, wherein the controlling is performed by a peripheral processor included in the smart component. The method also includes determining that the dumb component is not connected or not operating properly, and upon determining that the dumb component is not connected or not operating properly, maintaining the communication with the gaming machine master processing unit.

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 via at least one mechanical reel and a liquid crystal display (LCD). The liquid crystal display has at least one transparent portion through which the mechanical reel or reels can be observed. A light source is configured to illuminate a back side of the at least one transparent portion of the LCD panel, selectively highlighting images shown on the transparent portion or portions of the LCD display panel.

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 system and method for accelerating authentication of software in a gaming machine. The machine includes at least one storage media for storing software that controls a function of the machine, a processor for executing the software, and validation circuitry for at least partially authenticating the software. The validation circuitry is coupled to both the processor and the storage media.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes two persistent random access memory sections. Critical data written to one memory section is copied to the other. Systems and methods for managing the two memory sections may include a transaction engine executable on a gaming machine processor. Alternatively, the transaction engine may execute or on a memory controller implemented as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit, a separate processor, or programmable logic. A transaction state may be used to determine which of the copies in the two memory sections is valid.

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.