Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award amounts, each total award amount associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award.

Abstract: A system providing a community award to player is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a system controller. Each gaming machine is configured receive a wager from a respective player and responsively initiate a game. The system controller is coupled to each of the gaming machines and includes a database with a community awards list including a plurality of total award probabilities, each total award probability associated with a corresponding number of players. The system controller is then configured to detect a triggering condition; responsively determine a number of players playing the plurality of gaming machines; determine a total award probability as a function of the determined number of players and the community award list; and provide a community award to at least one of the plurality of players as a function of the determined total award probability.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a gaming system and method of providing a tracked player an award based on gaming transactions and displays the award as a bonus feature game on a gaming machine using the same game themes and/or game elements displayed in the primary game or secondary game played on the machine. This grants tracked player awards without disrupting the game play experience. In particular the invention will comprise at least one gaming machine and a player tracking system containing a database in communication with the gaming machine and comprise the steps of: determining a system award based on gaming transactions; communicating the system award as a bonus feature game to a gaming machine based on the gaming transactions displaying one or more bonus feature games having game outcomes based on the system award; and displaying the bonus feature game with in-game assets stored in the gaming machine.

Abstract: A push-out style window assembly including window hardware for frictionally retaining an open position of the window under typical loading conditions. A push-out style window assembly generally includes a friction hinge assembly including a track, a sash arm, a support arm, and a friction arm. The friction arm can include an adjustable and/or detachable slide enabling adjustment of a frictional resistance between the friction slider and the support arm. Using the friction arm, frictional resistance is provided so as to provide control both during opening of the window and in retaining the position of an open window.

Abstract: A push-out style window assembly including window hardware for frictionally retaining an open position of the window under typical loading conditions. A push-out style window assembly generally includes a friction hinge assembly including a track, a sash arm, a support arm, and a friction arm. The friction arm can include an adjustable and/or detachable slide enabling adjustment of a frictional resistance between the friction slider and the support arm. Using the friction arm, frictional resistance is provided so as to provide control both during opening of the window and in retaining the position of an open window.

Abstract: A matching game is triggered for play by a plurality of players while the players are performing a transaction. A matching rule is established for playing the matching game and a jackpot pool is established for awarding prizes to the players. The players are allowed to initiate a session by logging onto a gaming machine to perform the transaction and the players are identified. A selected set of symbols are established for each player and a match set of symbols are generated. The matching game is triggered in response to a predetermined trigger where only the players in the current session are eligible for the matching game. The match set of symbols are compared against each selected set of symbols. The prize is responsively awarded from the jackpot pool to each player whose selected set of symbols satisfies the matching rule.

Abstract: A device for providing an interface to a gaming machine is provided. The device includes a processor, an ID card reader coupled to the processor, a display coupled to the processor for displaying a bezel and information within the bezel. The device also including a keypad coupled to the processor for receiving input, wherein the processor instructs the display to display media, instructions, and/or the like. The interface can also include an alternative tracking display system that employs proximity sensing technology, such as but not limited to proximity button activation. For example, the tracking display system can be operable to sense a player's approaching finger entering an electrical field (e.g., corresponding to one or more electrodes) such that a particular button or function on the interface can be activated without the player's finger having to ever physically contact a button, push pad, keypad, touch screen, and/or the like.

Abstract: An operable fenestration operating system for a structure including a window or skylight having a frame, an operable sash and presenting a resistance force opposing opening and closing of the sash. A motorized operator is coupled with the frame and the sash to selectively open and close the sash. The invention includes an operator control unit communicatively connected to the motorized operator. The operator control unit includes a processor, a sensor for sensing the magnitude of the resistance force, a pulse width modulation circuit for supplying electrical power to the motorized operator. The processor varies the torque output of the motorized operator using the pulse width modulation circuit in response to the sensed parameter.

Abstract: The invention includes an assembly having a handle for articulating an articulator in an ergonomically improved manner. The handle can be adapted to articulate a distal portion of the articulator when squeezed. The handle can have at least one accessible attachment mechanism useful for reattachably attaching the articulator and the handle during a medical procedure. The invention also includes methods of making and using such a handle.

Abstract: A system has one or more gaming devices including gaming machines and other devices. At least one transaction reading device is coupled to the gaming devices and reads information associated with the monetary instruments associated with the gaming devices. A host computer is operatively coupled to the transaction reading device. A database is associated with the host computer and is configured to retrievably store the information associated with monetary instruments. A data display device is operatively coupled to the host computer and retrieves and displays a list of the monetary instruments in response to input from a user. The data display device can be associated with a wireless remote device, wired to the host computer or associated with the gaming device. The list of the monetary instruments includes information associated with each of the monetary instruments. The list of the monetary instruments can include information from selected gaming devices.

Abstract: A device for providing an interface to a gaming machine. The device includes a processor, an ID Card reader coupled to the processor, a display coupled to the processor for displaying a bezel and information within the bezel. The device also including a keypad coupled to the processor for receiving input. The processor instructing the display to display media according to a predetermined set of rules.

Abstract: The subject invention provides a method for redeeming a value-bearing instrument, such as a cash ticket issued from a slot machine, at any of a plurality of participating organizations, such as a casino. The organizations are remotely located from each other and associated together. Each of the organizations includes a computer, networked to a centralized host. The centralized host stores identifying information related to each instrument issued by the organizations. The instruments include identifying information associated therewith. A user presents the instruments to one of the organizations, which scans the two-dimensional bar code to read the identifying information stored therein. The organization connects to the centralized host through a secured Virtual Private Network to authenticate the instrument. If the instrument is validated, the organization issues cash to the user in an amount equivalent to a cash value of the instrument.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for introducing diagnostic and/or therapeutic agents and devices within a mammalian body are disclosed. One disclosed apparatus comprises a sheath having a proximate end, a distal end and a lumen extending therebetween. An articulator is disposed in the lumen of the sheath. A distal portion of the sheath is detachably attached to a distal portion of the articulator at a joint. A separator capable of severing the joint is also provided. One disclosed method comprises the step of providing a device comprising a sheath disposed about an articulator with a distal portion of the sheath being fixed to the articulator at a joint. The device is inserted into a lumen of a body. The joint is severed and the articulator is withdrawn from the sheath.

Abstract: Methods and devices for performing minimally invasive surgical procedures are disclosed. An articulator in accordance with one exemplary embodiment comprises a first wire, a second wire, and a third wire. The third wire being disposed within a first lumen defined by the first wire and the second wire being disposed in a third lumen defined the third wire. A distal portion of the second wire is fixed to a distal portion of the second wire and a distal portion of the third wire is fixed to a distal portion of the first wire.