1. A method for managing networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine includes an embedded user interface and the gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
establishing one or more triggering events for the networked gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning outcomes;
initiating a gaming session on one or more of the networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine generates a game outcome when the game is played;
establishing a group of gaming machines participating in a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period, wherein the group of gaming machines comprises two or more gaming machines;
initiating a first single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period in response to the one or more triggering events on the established group of gaming machines;
displaying a notification message regarding the initiation of the first grouped bonus period on each embedded user interface of the group of gaming machines; and
awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first grouped bonus period.
2. The method of claim 1, further comprising notifying a system host when one or more triggering events are satisfied.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the system host sends instructions to initiate the first single-action initiated, grouped bonus period on the gaming machines.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the group of gaming machines is randomly selected from all of the networked gaming machines.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein displaying the notification message further comprises identifying the player that triggered the first grouped bonus period.
6. The method of claim 1, further comprising presenting a player with an option to be eligible for a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:
notifying the system host when a second triggering event is satisfied;
initiating a second grouped bonus period, wherein the second bonus period is presented to the gaming machines;
displaying a second notification message on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the second bonus period; and
awarding a second prize in response to a second predetermined winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the gaming machines during the second bonus period.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented concurrently.
9. The method of claim 7, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented in sequential order.
10. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the prize further comprises multiplying a payout of the prize.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the prize is cash, player points, system game points, or a combination thereof.
13. A method for managing a plurality of networked gaming machines, wherein each gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
establishing one or more triggering events for the plurality of networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine includes an embedded user interface;
receiving game information from the plurality of networked gaming machines;
determining whether the triggering event is satisfied by the game information provided by one of the plurality of networked gaming machines;
selecting two or more networked gaming machines to participate in a single-player initiated, grouped bonus period when one or more triggering events are satisfied;
sending a notification message for display on each gaming machine selected to participate in the grouped bonus period; and
initiating the bonus period and presenting the bonus period on the embedded user interface of the selected gaming machines.
14. The method of claim 13, further comprising choosing a winning game outcome for the grouped bonus period.
15. The method of claim 13, further comprising awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome being achieved during the grouped bonus period.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein awarding the prize further comprises applying a multiplier the prize amount.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
18. The method of claim 13, wherein the triggering event is a winning outcome of the game.
19. The method of claim 13, wherein the triggering event is based upon time of play, frequency of play, number of maximum wagers, or a combination thereof.
20. The method of claim 13, wherein the notification message comprises time remaining in the limited-time bonus period, a goal of the limit-time bonus period, and a potential prize.
21. The method of claim 13, wherein the game is a mechanical slot game, video slot game, a video poker game, a video blackjack game, video keno game, video roulette game, Class II bingo game, or a combination thereof.
22. A system for managing gaming devices in a networked environment, comprising:
one or more gaming devices, wherein each gaming device comprises a game display, a user interface, a gaming processor in communication with the game display, and an additional user interface system incorporated into the gaming device, wherein the additional user interface system includes an additional processor, a web page display screen, and a dictionary extension;
a first system host in communication with the gaming processor of each gaming device;
a second system host in communication with the first system host and the additional processor of the additional user interface system from each gaming device, wherein the second system host manages a player-initiated, grouped bonus period on two or more gaming devices.
23. The system of claim 22, further comprising a player tracking system in communication with the gaming devices.
24. A method for managing networked gaming machines, wherein each networked gaming machine provides a game having a plurality of winning outcomes, the method comprising:
providing a gaming machine having a game display, a user interface, a gaming processor in communication with the game display, and an additional user interface system incorporated into the gaming machine, wherein the additional user interface system includes an additional processor, a web page display screen, and a dictionary extension;
establishing one or more triggering events for the networked gaming machines, wherein the triggering events are winning outcomes;
initiating a gaming session on one or more of the networked gaming machines;
notifying a system host when one or more triggering events are satisfied;
establishing a group of gaming machines participating in a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period, wherein the group of gaming machines comprises two or more networked gaming machines;
receiving instructions from the system host to initiate a first single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period on the group of gaming machines;
displaying a notification message on the web display screen regarding the initiation of the first grouped bonus period; and
awarding a prize in response to a winning outcome achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the first grouped bonus period.
25. The method of claim 24, wherein displaying the notification message further comprises identifying the player that triggered the first grouped bonus period.
26. The method of claim 24, further comprising presenting a player with an option to be eligible for a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
27. The method of claim 24, further comprising:
notifying the system host when a second triggering event is satisfied, and initiating a second grouped bonus period by the system host, wherein the second bonus period is presented to the gaming machines;
displaying a second notification message on the gaming machines regarding the initiation of the second bonus period; and
awarding a second prize in response to a second predetermined winning outcome being achieved by one or more of the networked gaming machines during the second bonus period.
28. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented concurrently.
29. The method of claim 27, wherein the first and second bonus periods are presented in sequential order.
30. The method of claim 24, wherein awarding the prize further comprises multiplying a payout of the prize.
31. The method of claim 24, wherein awarding the prize further comprises dispensing a redeemable voucher for merchandise.
32. The method of claim 24, wherein the prize is cash, player points, system game points, or a combination thereof.
33. A gaming machine, comprising:
a gaming processor for managing a game;
a gaming presentation in communication with the gaming processor;
a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface comprising:
a web page display screen that presents information to a user;
an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system; and
a dictionary extension, wherein the dictionary extension receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, and indirectly navigates the web page display screen to the uniform resource locator, wherein the embedded processor receives instructions from a system host to initiate and present information regarding a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period.
34. A gaming machine, comprising:
a gaming processor for managing a game;
a gaming presentation in communication with the gaming processor;
a user interface separate from the gaming presentation, the user interface comprising:
a web page display screen that presents information to a user;
an embedded processor that employs an internal operating system; and
a dictionary extension, wherein the dictionary extension receives an incoming text string, parses the text string to identify a navigation command and pull a uniform resource locator from the text string, and indirectly navigates the web page display screen to the uniform resource locator, wherein the embedded processor monitors the gaming processor for triggering events, notifies a system host of the triggering events, and receives instructions from the system host to initiate and present information regarding a single-player-initiated, grouped bonus period in response to the triggering events.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A liquid crystal display comprising:
a liquid crystal panel; and
a DC-DC converter which receives an input voltage to generate an analog drive voltage and a gate-on voltage used to operate the liquid crystal panel,
wherein the DC-DC converter comprises:
a pulse width modulation circuit which modulates a pulse width of the analog drive voltage and the gate-on voltage;
a boost converter which outputs the analog drive voltage by boosting the input voltage; and
a charge pump which outputs the gate-on voltage by boosting one of the input voltage and the analog drive voltage,
wherein, when a high voltage stress test is performed, the DC-DC converter outputs the analog drive voltage boosted to a voltage level higher than a voltage level of the analog drive voltage during a normal operation, and outputs the gate-on voltage having a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the gate-on voltage during the normal operation.
2. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, further comprising:
a gate driver which receives the gate-on voltage and provides a gate signal to the liquid crystal panel; and
a data driver which receives the analog drive voltage and provides a data signal to the liquid crystal panel.
3. The liquid crystal display of claim 2, wherein the gate driver includes an amorphous silicon gate disposed on the liquid crystal panel.
4. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, when the normal operation is performed, the charge pump boosts the analog drive voltage to output the gate-on voltage.
5. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the input voltage, which has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage, to output the gate on voltage.
6. The liquid crystal display of claim 1, wherein, the DC-DC converter further comprises a regulator which outputs a second analog drive voltage having a preset voltage level during the high voltage stress test.
7. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test.
8. The liquid crystal display of claim 6, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator to output the gate on voltage.
9. A DC-DC converter comprising:
a pulse width modulation circuit which modulates a pulse width of an analog drive voltage and a gate-on voltage;
a boost converter which boosts an input voltage to output the analog drive voltage; and
a charge pump which boosts one of the input voltage and the analog drive voltage to output the gate on voltage,
wherein, when a high voltage stress test is performed, the analog drive voltage is boosted to a voltage level higher than a voltage level of the analog drive voltage during a normal operation, and the gate-on voltage maintains a voltage level substantially equal to a voltage level of the gate-on voltage during the normal operation.
10. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein, when the normal operation is performed, the charge pump boosts the analog drive voltage to output the gate on voltage.
11. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the input voltage, which has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage, to output the gate on voltage.
12. The DC-DC converter of claim 9, further comprising a regulator which outputs a second analog drive voltage having a preset voltage level during the high voltage stress test.
13. The DC-DC converter of claim 12, wherein the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator has a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test.
14. The DC-DC converter of claim 12, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the charge pump boosts the second analog drive voltage output by the regulator to output the gate on voltage.
15. A method of operating a liquid crystal display, the method comprising:
boosting an input voltage to generate an analog drive voltage; and
boosting the analog drive voltage during a normal operation to generate a gate-on voltage; and
boosting a voltage having a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage during a high voltage stress test to generate the gate-on voltage.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, an input voltage having a lower voltage level than the analog drive voltage is boosted to generate the gate-on voltage.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, the analog drive voltage has a voltage level higher than the analog drive voltage during the normal operation.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein, when the high voltage stress test is performed, a second analog drive voltage, having a voltage level lower than the analog drive voltage during the high voltage stress test, is boosted to generate the gate-on voltage.