Abstract: A gaming system and a method for conducting a wagering game that allows accurate determination of a player gesture input. A gaming terminal for playing the wagering game including a controller is disclosed. A touch surface is provided for actuation by a player gesture associated with an input to the wagering game. A sensor array underlies the touch surface to sense the motion of the gesture. The sensor array is coupled to the controller. The controller determines a trajectory represented by the gesture based on the sensed motion from the sensor array. A display is coupled to the controller to display movement of an object image based on the trajectory represented by the gesture.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.

Abstract: A gaming system comprises a wager input device, a display for displaying at least a portion of a wagering game, and a divider overlying the display and dividing the display into at least a first display region and a second display region. An actuator is coupled to the divider, the actuator for moving the divider relative to the display. The system includes a controller operative, in response to a triggering event, to cause the actuator to move the divider from a first position to a second position and thereby alter the size of at least the first display region.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes at least one input device configured to receive a wager, at least one display device configured to display a wagering game, one or more thermal devices configured to produce a thermal effect, at least one controller in operative communication with the one or more thermal devices, at least one memory device storing instructions. When the instructions are executed by the at least one controller, the one or more thermal devices to produce a thermal effect according to an aspect of the wagering game.

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: In one aspect, a wagering game system includes a display device including a projector, a rear switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the projector to receive light output from the projector, a front switchable liquid crystal panel positioned in front of the rear switchable liquid crystal panel to receive light output through the rear switchable liquid crystal panel, and a liquid crystal panel assembly disposed in front of the front switchable liquid crystal panel. The front switchable liquid crystal panel and/or the rear switchable liquid crystal panel are configured to provide one or more regions controlled by the controller that may be independently maintained in a different state than other regions of the respective one of the front switchable liquid crystal panel and the rear switchable liquid crystal panel.

Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a primary display that displays a randomly selected outcome. The gaming system includes a multi-touch input system having a multi-touch sensing device, a memory, and a local controller. The multi-touch sensing device includes an array of input sensors that detect a multi-point gesture. Each sensor detects a touch input made by a player of the wagering game. The memory includes gesture classification codes each representing a distinct combination of characteristics relating to the gesture. The local controller receives data indicative of at least two of the characteristics related to the multi-point gesture and determines whether the data corresponds to any of the gesture classification codes. A main controller is coupled to the local controller to receive the gesture classification code responsive to the local controller determining that the data corresponds to a gesture classification code.

Abstract: An exemplary power manager is adapted to supply power from a power supply to a first component of a gaming machine. The first component consumes a larger amount of current during a second time interval than during a first time interval, where the first component alternates between the first and second time intervals during operation. A rechargeable energy storage device is used to supply a substantial portion of the current to the first component during the second time interval from energy stored in the energy storage device prior to the start of the second time interval. This causes the current supplied from the power supply to the power manager during the second time interval to be less than the total current required by the first component during the second time interval and thus reduces the peak current load of the power supply during the second time interval.

Abstract: A dual switchable LCD display is disclosed that allows the juxtaposition of a front and rear image. A rear switchable screen is in proximity to the projector system. The rear image is projected on the rear screen at a first time interval. The rear switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the rear screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the rear screen. A front switchable screen overlays the rear switchable screen. The projector system projects the front image on the front screen at a second time interval. The front switchable screen has an open state allowing light transmission through the front screen and a closed translucent state obscuring the front screen. A controller is periodically cycles the respective closed and open states between the first and second time intervals to present a juxtaposition of the front image and the rear image to a viewer.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining a bank gaming effect for presentation on a bank of content presentation devices. The bank of content presentation devices can be associated with a plurality of wagering game machines. The operations can further include receiving presentation status information for the bank of content presentation devices. The presentation status information can indicate one or more events that affect a state of availability of each of the bank of content presentation devices to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can further include determining, based on the presentation status information, one content presentation device, from the bank of content presentation devices, that is ineligible to present the bank gaming effect. The operations can also include excluding the one content presentation device from participation in the bank gaming effect.

Abstract: A multi-player gaming system sensing multiple simultaneous contacts on a surface of a gaming table, differentiating contacts by different players. Privacy controls selectively display private information visible to only one of the players on or near the display surface of the gaming table. The gaming system also detects physical objects placed on the surface of the gaming table, causing wagering game functions or peripheral functions to be performed as a result of the placement of the object on the display surface.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game systems having one or more electrically responsive touch screens, and input devices for use with such touch screens. The disclosure addresses example configurations for such input devices that may be used to provide inputs to the wagering game system. The described input devices may be used to provide various input capabilities to the gaming assembly, and to thereby facilitate different configuration options of the gaming assemblies, including new operational options and functional capabilities.

Abstract: System, methods and apparatus for presenting media in a wagering game machine are described herein. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving an internal media request from a component of the wagering game machine and receiving an external data signal from outside the wagering game machine. In the embodiment, the method also includes preparing media based on the internal media request and the external data signal and presenting the media on media presentation devices.

Abstract: A switchable transmissive display having an underlying display mode and a full video mode. The switchable transmissive display includes an underlying display and a second display disposed to overlay a portion of the underlying display. The second display includes a transmissive liquid crystal panel, a backlight assembly and a switchable diffuser film layer. The backlight assembly includes a transmissive aperture behind which a portion of the first underlying display is positioned and a supplemental backlight directed at the aperture. The switchable diffuser film layer is transparent in the underlying display mode to allow viewing of the underlying display. The switchable diffuser film layer is translucent in the full video mode to obscure the transmissive aperture allowing an image to be displayed on the second display. The switchable diffuser film layer distributes light from the backlights to provide substantially homogeneous light intensity across the back of the transmissive liquid crystal panel.

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.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game machines having a cabinet memory mounted or affixed to a cabinet or cabinet component. The cabinet memory provides configuration data and manufacturing data for the cabinet and cabinet components. The configuration data may be used during operation of the wagering game machine to properly configure the components and operation of the wagering game machine.

Abstract: Gaming machine chairs and wagering game systems and machines with a gaming chair are presented herein. One aspect of the present disclosure is directed to an automated gaming chair for a gaming system that conducts a wagering game. The gaming chair includes a seat portion and a backrest portion that are supported by a base. The seat portion includes one or more sensing devices for detecting the position of the player relative to the seat portion. The backrest portion includes one or more sensing device for detecting the position of the player relative to the backrest portion. The gaming chair also includes at least one actuator for automating movement of the gaming chair. The actuator(s) limits one or more ranges of motion within which the gaming chair is moved based upon the position of the player as detected by the sensing devices of the seat portion and backrest portion.

Abstract: Systems described herein include wagering game systems having a motion capable chair. The disclosure addresses example systems and methods to control the motion capable chair, including utilization of user preferences, applying output of a physic engine, and monitoring safety conditions for the motion capable chair. In addition, movement of chairs on multiple wagering game systems may be coordinated in response to events occurring on one or more machines in the system.