Abstract: A method and gaming machine for generating display indicia in synchronization with an adjacent gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a display, an emitter, and a sensor. The sensor detects a first signal from the adjacent machine. In response to the first signal or a game-related event in a game executed on the machine, the machine generates the display indicia on the display and emits a second signal from the emitter. The display indicia may vary depending upon whether it is generated in response to the first signal or in response to the game-related event. The second signal may be detected by yet another adjacent gaming machine which, in turn, generates the display indicia on its display.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a central processing unit and a local microcontroller. The CPU operates a gaming machine in response to a wager. The local microcontroller is distinct from and coupled to the central processing unit. The local microcontroller performs the low-level coin handling operations independent from the central processing unit.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a primary gaming display for presenting the outcome of a wagering or bonus game and a video display. In response to a wager, an outcome is generated and displayed in a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon primary game display. The video image may be interactive with the primary game display and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: The present invention includes a gaming machine with a first control module that includes a main processor for randomly selecting one of a plurality of outcomes of said gaming machine in response to a wager amount and for sending audio information that controls audio output from the gaming machine. An audio control module is separate and distinct from the first control module, and includes an audio processor that receives the audio information from the main processor. The audio control module is coupled to an audio speaker system for broadcasting the audio output corresponding to the audio information. Also, the first control module may include a memory device that stores operating instructions for the gaming machine, while the audio control module may include an audio memory device for storing audio data sets that the audio processor processes to produce the audio output.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing players at gaming terminals to communicate with each other is disclosed. The gaming terminals are used to conduct wagering games. One of the gaming terminals generates a personal message in response to input of a player at the one of the gaming terminals. A least one other of the gaming terminals presents the personal message. The personal message may include text, audio, or video content and may be generated via such messaging technologies as electronic mail, instant messaging, a chat room, network telephony, conferencing, and an electronic message center.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system comprises a gaming terminal and a speaker arrangement. The gaming terminal conducts a wagering game. The speaker arrangement emits audio associated with the wagering game in surround sound relative to a player in front of the gaming terminal.

Abstract: A gaming machine system comprises a game cabinet, a processor, and an audio/visual effects system. The game cabinet receives inputs and displays outputs. The processor is located within the cabinet and randomly selects a game outcome in response to a wager. The processor generates a first signal in response to a certain event occurring. The audio/visual effects system includes speakers and projecting lights, which are located remotely from the cabinet. In response to the processor generating the first signal, the audio/visual effects system broadcasts a certain audio output from the speakers toward the game cabinet and directs a certain light pattern from the projecting lights toward the game cabinet. The invention also provides for a gaming machine network with a plurality of gaming machines and an audio/visual controller. The audio/visual controller controls the audio outputs and the light patterns experienced by players of the gaming machines.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a processing apparatus and a secondary apparatus. To inhibit unauthorized persons from replacing some or all of the software executed by the processing apparatus with unapproved software, the processing apparatus transmits a security message to the secondary apparatus. The secondary apparatus, in turn, transmits an enable signal critical to machine function in response to successful validation of the security message. The secondary apparatus may, for example, be a programmable logic circuit external to the processing apparatus.

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 spinning reel slot machine has increased versatility, while having reels that are aesthetically similar to traditional mechanical reels. In one embodiment, the slot machine includes a plurality of optical fibers having first ends optically coupled to a surface of an image display device and seconds ends defining a curved display surface for displaying simulated mechanical reels to a player. In another embodiment, one or more of the mechanical reels has a transparent window at a location where a symbol would normally be present. A video display displays a video symbol in the transparent window. In yet a further embodiment, one of the plurality of mechanical reels has a miniature image display located at selected ones of the symbol regions for providing video symbols for the game. In yet further embodiments, a symbol region can produce more than one symbol in response to exposure at certain wavelengths or polarizations of light.

Abstract: A method and gaming machine for generating display indicia in synchronization with an adjacent gaming machine is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a display, an emitter, and a sensor. The sensor detects a first signal from the adjacent machine. In response to the first signal or a game-related event in a game executed on the machine, the machine generates the display indicia on the display and emits a second signal from the emitter. The display indicia may vary depending upon whether it is generated in response to the first signal or in response to the game-related event. The second signal may be detected by yet another adjacent gaming machine which, in turn, generates the display indicia on its display.

Abstract: A gaming machine in a gaming establishment enhances its game sounds by attenuating ambient noise in the establishment. The gaming machine includes a microphone, processing circuitry, and an audio speaker. The microphone detects ambient noise and generates a noise signal from the sensed ambient noise. The processing circuitry generates an anti-noise signal from the noise signal and adds the anti-noise signal to a game sound signal generated by the gaming machine to produce an output signal. The audio speaker is driven with the output signal.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a processor, a memory device, and an audio speaker system. The processor randomly selects a game outcome in response to a wager amount. The memory device is coupled to the processor and stores a plurality of audio data sets for producing a plurality of different audio outputs. The processor selects one of the plurality of audio data sets in response to the processor receiving audio instructions from an external control source electronically coupled to the gaming machine. The audio speaker system broadcasts the selected audio output to a player of the gaming machine. Further, a gaming machine network comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a central controller electronically coupled to the gaming machines. The central controller sends audio instructions for controlling the audio outputs from the audio speaker system of the gaming machines. The audio instructions may include digitally formatted audio data.

Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: A spinning reel slot machine comprises a plurality of mechanical rotatable reels and a video display. In response to a wager, the reels are rotated and stopped to randomly place symbols on the reels in visual association with a display area. The video display provides a video image superimposed upon the reels. The video image may be interactive with the reels and include such graphics as payout values, a pay table, pay lines, bonus game features, special effects, thematic scenery, and instructional information.

Abstract: A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager comprises a display and a unitary touch screen. The display includes a video portion and a non-video portion. The unitary touch screen overlaps both the video portion and the non-video portion. The video portion includes player-selectable first indicia selectable via the unitary touch screen. The non-video portion includes player-selectable second indicia selectable via the unitary touch screen.

Abstract: A door-monitoring system comprises a power supply electrically connected to an oscillator. The oscillator sends a signal to a junction between a switch to ground and a latch circuit. When the switch to ground is open, current flows from the oscillator to a set input on the latch, thus indicating that connections in the vicinity of the switch have been broken or the door has been opened. A microprocessor is adapted to receive output from the latch circuit and respond appropriately to an indication that the connections have been broken or the door has been opened.

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.

Abstract: A system is disclosed in which a defect-indicating material is applied to the surface of a part which is scanned by a laser beam or by use of a television camera to develop electrical signals indicating defects. A comparison arrangement is provided for developing output signals only when signals are developed from the same portions of the scanned region during two scans, and a blower is provided for displacing extraneous elements between scans.