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: The present invention is a gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme whereby the player may redeem, at a time of the player's choosing winning outcomes accrued during base game play. Redemption of each of the accrued winning outcomes is accomplished when a player selects an option to display a winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome. Selection of the option to display the winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome always yields an award and sometimes yields another winning outcome, again redeemable at a time of the player's choosing. A counter display on an intelligent button of the gaming machine increments a number as each winning outcome is accrued, and decrements the number as each winning outcome is redeemed. Thus, a second game may be initiated before a first game is complete.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for docking and powering Universal Serial Bus hubs in a wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, a docking Universal Serial Bus (USB) power unit includes a USB socket to receive USB data and a power socket to receive power of a first type. The USB power unit can also include a switching power unit to convert the power of the first type into power of a second type. The power unit can also include a docking connector to join the docking USB power unit to a USB hub, where the USB hub is to dock with the docking USB power unit, and where the docking connector to conduct the USB data and some of the power of the second type to the USB hub.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and a multi-core processor having multiple processor cores, the multiple processor cores each operable to execute any thread executing in the multi-core processor. In further embodiments, the multiple processor cores and an operating system facilitate symmetric multiprocessing, parallel processing, or hyperthreading.

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: A computerized wagering game system has a gaming module and a USB nonvolatile storage system. The gaming module comprises a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered; and the USB nonvolatile storage system comprises a USB flash memory operable to store data that the wagering game system is operable to read. In various further embodiments, the USB flash storage device is read-only, includes a file authentication capability, or contains software instructions the computerized wagering game system is operable to execute. In another embodiment, the USB flash storage device contains data comprising at least one of operating system data, program data, sound data, video data, and graphic data, or configuration data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for write protecting a storage medium of a gaming machine is disclosed. The storage medium, which is preferably a removable compact flash memory, contains critical game data for operating the gaming machine. The storage medium includes a data register capable of receiving external data when at least one load condition of the data register is enabled. In the method and apparatus, an address of the storage medium selected by an external device is decoded. If the selected address matches an address of the data register, the load condition of the data register is disabled to thereby prevent writing to the data register.

Abstract: Aircraft gaming machines, systems, and methods are presented. The gaming machines execute gaming applications and receive power from the aircraft. The gaming systems may include gaming stations interfaced to gaming servers within the aircraft, portable gaming machines capable of downloading gaming applications from gaming servers within the aircraft, gaming displays and controls interfaced to gaming servers within the aircraft, and kiosks adapted to dispense a gaming application on removable storage media. The removable storage media later interfaced to processing devices within the aircraft for purposes of wagering on gaming applications that execute off the storage media. The methods acquire value from players within an aircraft, execute gaming applications within the aircraft, and dispense value based on outcomes of the gaming applications.

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 computerized wagering game further includes a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, and a USB audio module coupled to the gaming module via the USB port that is operable to receive streaming audio from the gaming module and to play the streaming audio through at least one audio channel that is coupled to a speaker operable to play sound.

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 machine for conducting a wagering game includes a game display and at least one illumination device. The game display is for displaying the wagering game and the illumination device is for presenting artistic elements such as marquee lettering and candle lighting. One aspect of the illumination device is a formed material with at least one LED embedded within. The formed material contains light dispersion particles and is of a nature that allows the light from the embedded LEDs to emit from the surface in an effectively uniform manner. In a different embodiment, an illumination device, comprised of a colored light source, associated electronic components that are enclosed within the gaming machine's housing, and a transparent object, directs light from the light source through the structure of the transparent object positioned over the source, and displays the color and intended intensity of the light on an altered surface on the transparent object.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, a system, method and kit for detecting tampering within a self-service machine having a housing. An emitter and a sensor are mounted to the housing and to an object positioned in relationship to the housing such that radiation generated by the emitter falls on the sensor when the object is in a particular position with respect to the housing and to a lesser extent otherwise. A signal is generated and the emitter is driven with the signal. The signal is modified and the sensor is monitored for the modified version of the signal. An alarm is generated if the modified version of the signal is not detected.

Abstract: The present invention is a gaming machine having a player time-selectable bonus award scheme whereby the player may redeem, at a time of the player's choosing winning outcomes accrued during base game play. Redemption of each of the accrued winning outcomes is accomplished when a player selects an option to display a winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome. Selection of the option to display the winning symbol combination associated with the winning outcome always yields an award and sometimes yields another winning outcome, again redeemable at a time of the player's choosing. A counter display on an intelligent button of the gaming machine increments a number as each winning outcome is accrued, and decrements the number as each winning outcome is redeemed. Thus, a second game may be initiated before a first game is complete.

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 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: A method and apparatus for write protecting a storage medium of a gaming machine is disclosed. The storage medium, which is preferably a removable compact flash memory, contains critical game data for operating the gaming machine. The storage medium includes a data register capable of receiving external data when at least one load condition of the data register is enabled. In the method and apparatus, an address of the storage medium selected by an external device is decoded. If the selected address matches an address of the data register, the load condition of the data register is disabled to thereby prevent writing to the data register.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming platform includes a large visual display and a plurality of player terminals coupled to the visual display. The visual display indicates a game of chance including a single play field and a plurality of movable game pieces. The game pieces are associated with the respective player terminals. In response to a wager placed at one of the player terminals, the game piece associated with that terminal moves along or near the play field and generates a game outcome. The game outcome may be defined by the game piece itself or where the game piece lands on the play field. The game awards a payoff if the game outcome meets winning criteria. The wager placed at the one of the player terminals is independent of any other wagers placed at the other player terminals and is independent of when the other wagers are placed. Similarly, the game piece associated with the one of the player terminals operates independent of the game pieces associated with the other player terminals.

Abstract: A gaming device comprising a cabinet, a door, a game control unit, a printed circuit board and an input/output microcontroller. The door is hingedly connected to the cabinet. The game control unit is housed within the cabinet. The printed circuit board is mounted to the door and disposed inside the cabinet. The printed circuit board carries a plurality of light sources and a plurality of switches switchable between an actuated condition and a non-actuated condition. The input/output microcontroller, which performs many of the functions conventionally performed by the game control unit, is mounted to the printed circuit board and connected to the game control unit by a serial link. The microcontroller is coupled to the switches to inform the game control unit of the condition of each of the switches. The microcontroller is coupled to the light sources to turn the light sources on and off.