Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090074191 | GAMING MACHINE HAVING MULTI-STAGE FAILURE RECOVERY FEATURE AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME - 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. | 03-19-2009 |
20100227686 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES INCLUDING SERVICE ORIENTED BLADES CONFIGURED TO ENABLE PLAYER INTERACTION VIA A TOUCH-SCREEN DISPLAY - In a regulated gaming system including a plurality of computer nodes communicating over a network, a gaming machine includes a game controller and interactivity apparatus that accepts wagers from a player and provides random outcomes while playing a game. The interactivity apparatus may include a touch-screen display. A service oriented blade provider may execute in the gaming machine and is configured to provide services to a service oriented blade subscriber executing in one of the computer nodes. The service oriented blade subscriber may consume the services provided by the service oriented blade provider. A service oriented blade, controlled by the service oriented blade provider, is configured to interact with the player via a predetermined portion of the first touch-screen display. The service oriented blade is further configured to enable the player and the service oriented blade subscriber to interact with one another. | 09-09-2010 |
20100227689 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES INCLUDING GAME GADGETS CONFIGURED FOR PLAYER INTERACTION USING SERVICE ORIENTED SUBSCRIBERS AND PROVIDERS - A regulated gaining machine including a touch-screen display is provided in a gaining system that includes a plurality of distributed computer nodes communicating over a network using a service oriented communication protocol. A plurality of game gadgets are provided, each enabling player interaction via respective predetermined interaction zones of the touch-screen display, and at least one of which is associated with a game that is selectable and playable on the gaming machine. A service oriented subscriber executes in a predetermined one of the plurality of computer nodes and a service oriented provider is associated with each of the plurality of game gadgets, each being configured to control its associated game gadget. Each of the provided game gadgets is configured to allow interaction between the player and the service oriented subscriber. At least some of the game gadgets are displayed on the touch-screen display, and a player selection of one of the game gadgets is detected on the touch-screen. Responsive to detecting the player selection, a selected interaction is carried out between the player and the service oriented subscriber with respect to the selected game gadget. | 09-09-2010 |
20100227690 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES CONFIGURED FOR SERVICE ORIENTED SMART DISPLAY BUTTONS - A regulated gaming system includes a plurality of computer nodes communicating over a network. At least one of the computer nodes includes a gaming machine, which may include a game controller and an interactivity apparatus to accept wagers from a player and to provide random outcomes while playing a game. The interactivity apparatus may include one or more video displays; a menu of available player-selectable games and one or more option buttons, the function of which changes depending upon which of the player-selectable games is selected by the player. A non-video display is associated with each option button, and is configured to indicate the status and/or the function thereof. The gaming machine includes a non-video services subscriber configured to receive, over the network, selected non-video display services to which the non-video services subscriber has subscribed from a non-video display services provider executing in one or more of the computer nodes. | 09-09-2010 |
20100304872 | Universal Game Download System For Legacy Gaming Machines With NVRAM Emulation - A universal method and system for downloading game software to ROM based legacy gaming machines, activating selected games and providing new services. The method includes a ROM emulator for replacing the game program image and an NVRAM emulator for swapping the game context and critical meters accordingly. The method includes detection of the state of the current game activity such as to activate a new game only at an authorized time, when no player is playing a game or is carded-in for example. The system includes emulation of the original peripherals fitted to the legacy gaming machine such as to offer extended functionality and services. The universal method and system therefore prolongs the useful life of legacy machines which otherwise would be prematurely retired. | 12-02-2010 |
20110195776 | REGULATED GAMING EXCHANGE - System architecture and methods for enabling (a) freelance game developers gather intelligence data such as to offer dazzling electronic games to the regulated casino gaming marketplace and receive compensation based on the success of their games, and (b) game operators gather intelligence data to enables them to tailor their regulated game offerings. Intelligence data for both the freelance game developers and the game operators are based on demand/popularity of identical trial games available to the public over a predetermined computer site, the trial games using simulated money only. In addition, players are provided with the location of the casinos offering their favorite game(s) for playing with real money, together with the promotions offered if any. Operators are provided with the contacts of the players and their list of favorite games such as to offer incentives to attract them to their casino. | 08-11-2011 |
20130337908 | UNIVERSAL GAME DOWNLOAD SYSTEM FOR LEGACY GAMING MACHINES WITH NVRAM EMULATION - A universal method and computer system for downloading game software to legacy gaming machines are provided. A gaming machine includes two computing devices within a locked enclosure, the first computer device programmed to enable game play of the gaming machine and the second computing device configured for network access. An interface is between the computing devices. The second computing device receives game software components over the network that are compatible with the first computing device but not compatible with the second computing device and transfers the received components to the first computing device over the interface. When the first computing device is a PC, it may be configured with dual-boot capability between two operating computer systems. When the first operating computer system is booted, game play may be enabled. When the second operating computer system is booted, game software components may be received over the network. | 12-19-2013 |
20140004961 | METHODS AND REGULATED GAMING MACHINES INCLUDING SERVICE ORIENTED BLADES ENABLING PLAYER INTERACTION VIA A TOUCH-SCREEN DISPLAY | 01-02-2014 |