Abstract: A universal peer-to-peer game download for future proof gaming machines and legacy gaming machines, not requiring a central server for downloading. A peer-to-peer network of gaming machines includes a network; a first gaming machine including a first locked enclosure, a first computing device disposed within the first locked enclosure for controlling game play on the first gaming machine, a first download-enabled computing device that is configured to be selectively coupled to the network and disposed within the first locked enclosure, and a second gaming machine. The first download enabled computing device is configured to couple to the second gaming machine over the network and to download a package authenticated by a certificate directly from the second gaming machine, the package including software components to be installed and executed on the first computing device.

Abstract: A method for a multi-reel game to be played on a single regulated gaming machine by two players may include steps of assigning a predetermined number of reels of the multi-reel gaming machine to a first player and a predetermined number of reels of the multi-reel gaming machine to a second player; maintaining game performance meters for each player; consolidating the game performance meters into regulatory meters; providing a random outcome upon player interaction and displaying the symbols associated with the random outcome; and awarding credits to the first player if a winning symbol combination of symbols is displayed on the reels assigned to the first player and awarding credits to the second player if a winning symbol combination is displayed on the reels assigned to the second player.

Abstract: Trusted Energy Saving (TES) methods applied to server based distributed downloadable gaming for allowing casino operators to significantly reduce their energy bills by placing the main controller of selected unused gaining machines into low-power mode while retaining total control and trust.

Abstract: Gaming systems to manage the secure download of data to a very large number of network connected client gaming machines distributed within large geographic areas. The gaming systems utilize adaptive data throttling and make optimal use of network data bandwidth. The gaming systems may advantageously manage simultaneous data downloading to millions of network connected gaming machines via private networks, public networks and/or the Internet. A close-loop download regulation algorithm achieves the highest download capacity for the files without exceeding the maximum network capacity and without degrading the operational traffic performance between the server and the connected client gaming machine.

Abstract: A public access kiosk for conducting trusted lightweight e-commerce transactions. A trusted transactional cache and the associated transactional protocol allow e-commerce transactions to be committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The end-to-end transactions are completed is just a few seconds allowing users to carry out e-commerce transactions without having to stand in front of the a display for minutes as is usually the case when making purchases on the Internet. The invention operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks, avoiding upsetting shoppers who would otherwise have to wait for the transaction to complete in the case of a temporary communication failure with the remote server or other failure. The methods and devices described herein may advantageously be used to offer large scale and cost-effective micro-payments solutions.

Abstract: A method to manage the secure download of data (102) to a very large number of network connected client devices (104, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 1120, 122) distributed within large geographic areas. The method provides adaptive data throttling and makes optimal use of network data bandwidth. The method can be advantageously applied for managing simultaneous data downloading to millions of network connected remote devices (104, 110, 112, 114, 116, 118, 1120, 122) via private networks, public networks and the Internet (124). A close-loop download regulation algorithm achieves the highest download capacity for the files without exceeding the maximum network capacity and without degrading the transactional and operational traffic performance between the server and the connected client devices.

Abstract: A regulated skill-based game includes a plurality of reward generating assets configured such that successful player interactions therewith increase the player's score and give rise to wagers whose outcomes are randomly determined. The amount of the wager may be a function of a time elapsed since the last wager was placed. The regulated game may be configured such that a predetermined duration of game play time thereon is purchased for a predetermined amount of money. A first portion of the predetermined amount of money funds the wagers and a second portion thereof funds a progressive jackpot to be awarded to a player having earned the highest score that is not been exceeded after a predetermined point in time. The regulated game is further configured to award credits when the randomly determined outcome is a reward generating outcome. Both the score of the skill-based game and awarded credits may be shown onscreen.

Abstract: Tournament-Style casino games bring players all of the advantages of gaming tournaments such as rapid play, building excitement, and player vs. player competition in a manner that addresses limitations of existing games by: a) generating revenue for tire casino in all featured embodiments; b) being available on-demand; c) paying winners instantaneously; and d) featuring a casino hold that is stable enough to meet regulator requirements. In one embodiment of tournament style gaming, a high score progressive jackpot is provided such that players are playing against both the game's built in pay table and against the daily performances of other players. Inefficient game play results in increasing the progressive jackpot by a value of the time wasted by such inefficient game play.

Abstract: A gaming machine may include memory, a software program loaded into the memory and a trusted cache. The trusted cache may include a context data save engine, a context data recovery engine and a restart engine. The context data save engine may be configured to save the context and state of the gaming machine at least upon sensing a failure condition. The context data recovery engine may be configured to load the context and state from the context data save engine back into memory, and the restart engine may be configured to restart the gaming machine and restore execution of the software program, and may be further configured to carry out a multi-stage recovery process that may include a soft reboot, a hardware reset and a power-off and, after a predetermined delay, a power-on of the gaming machine, attempting to restart the software program between each stage of the process.

Abstract: The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator (RDOG) makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. In RDOG, a method of determining a reward due to a player of a regulated game may include steps of enabling the player to interact with one or more reward generating assets within the regulated game; measuring a level of skill of the player in interacting with the reward generating assets, and determining the reward due to the player for each successful interaction with the reward generating assets, the reward being determined according to the measured skill level, a random number and the time elapsed since a last successful interaction with any one of the reward generating assets.

Abstract: The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators.

Abstract: The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. In RDOG, a method of determining a reward due to a player of a regulated game may include steps of enabling the player to interact with one or more reward generating assets within the regulated game; measuring a level of skill of the player in interacting with reward generating assets, and determining the reward due to the player for each successful interaction with a reward generating asset, the reward being determined according to the measured skill level, a random number and a time elapsed since a last successful interaction with any one of the reward generating asset.

Abstract: The Return Driven Casino Game Outcome Generator makes the first true class of casino video game possible by creating games that measure and reward skills like fast reflexes and manual dexterity while earning consistent and reliable profits for game operators. An RDOG gaming machine may include a game that includes a reward generating assets and a graphic shown on a display. The graphic is at least partially controlled by the player and configured to interact with the reward generating asset. A reward table is associated with the reward generating assets and is configured such that when the graphic successfully interacts therewith on the display, a random number is obtained and used as an index into the reward table to derive a reward multiplier.

Abstract: An electronic controller for conducting trusted lightweight e-commerce transactions. A trusted transactional cache and the associated transactional protocol allow e-commerce transactions to be committed to a remote server extremely quickly and with little network overhead. The end-to-end transactions are completed is just a few seconds or less. The invention operates equally well on robust private networks as on unpredictable Internet or wireless networks. The transaction is automatically completed following a temporary communication failure with the central site or following a temporary local controller failure. The invention can advantageously be used in embedded Internet products such as fixed or mobile Internet kiosks, transactional terminals, and Internet Appliances.

Abstract: A method for a multi-reel game to be played on a single regulated gaming machine by two players may include steps of assigning a predetermined number of reels of the multi-reel gaming machine to a first player and a predetermined number of reels of the multi-reel gaming machine to a second player; maintaining game performance meters for each player; consolidating the game performance meters into regulatory meters; providing a random outcome upon player interaction and displaying the symbols associated with the random outcome; and awarding credits to the first player if a winning symbol combination of symbols is displayed on the reels assigned to the first player and awarding credits to the second player if a winning symbol combination is displayed on the reels assigned to the second player.

Abstract: A method of multi-player regulated gaming on a network of gaming machines may includes steps of enabling game play of a same game at each of a selected first to Nth gaming machine in the network; maintaining game performance meters at each of the selected first to Nth gaming machines; consolidating the game performance meters from the selected first to Nth gaming machines, and dividing the consolidated game performance meters by N to generate respective regulatory meters for each of the selected first to Nth gaming machines.

Abstract: Methods and systems allowing video slot machine players to wager on symbols occurring on all sides of a reel, including the reel's front, back, top, bottom, and inside portions. Players may move reels in space to seek out winning paylines or win mystery bonuses on symbols combinations that occur on portions of the reel that may be initially hidden from their view. Features of embodiments of the present invention allow players to increase the number of paylines on which they can bet by a factor of four or more.

Abstract: A method and personal instrument for players to store and retrieve their game and player preference profile without registering for a named personal player account therefore retaining their anonymity. When playing multilevel games, the described embodiments allow storing and retrieving the game level and/or other player or game information such that the game may be subsequently resumed at the same or a different gaming machine. Gaming machines may be configured to offer Anonymous Player Profile Storage and Retrieval using personal readable storage instruments such as machine readable Player Profile Tickets, personal memory devices, PIN-based keypad or modalities. Active anonymous players may be monitored while retaining their anonymity and consequently may earn loyalty bonuses and be prompted with promotional offers. Monitored active anonymous players may even be invited to join a conventional named player tracking scheme for additional benefits, if they wish to reveal their identity.

Abstract: A method to enable dynamic configuration of gaming terminals installed in one or a plurality of gaming premises whereby certified games, certified data files and certified support software components are activated in accordance with a predetermined schedule or automatically in response to the observed gaming activity. The method may include allocating an individual PKI certificate to each executable software component and each of its versions, binding the PKI certificate to the executable software, associating a distinctive policy for each certificate and then enforcing the software execution policies in accordance with the desired authorized game configuration and schedule. The PKI certificate's “Subject Name” (or “Issued to” field or “CommonName” field) may be a concatenation of the software component identification, its version number and optionally other identification characters. The method applies equally to other network connected gaming subsystems.

Abstract: Universal Player Controls for regulated pay computer-controlled video games afford players an efficient, intuitive method for customizing the layout and appearance of their favorite electronic games. A popup control featuring a jog wheel for fast selection and geometric control using the touch screen may be attached to each predetermined group of graphic assets allowing players to move, resize, dim, animate, temporary hide or overlap them. Predetermined presentation styles (skins) may be successively rendered. Whereas the displays on the regulated pay computer-controlled video games of the prior art were often visually cluttered and not visually appealing to adult game console players, the present Universal Player Controls enables the players to tailor the game appearance then save it in a player profile for latter retrieval.