A method for operating a group of gaming machines interconnected by a network to play both primary and secondary games from the machines. Each of the gaming machines has a primary game associated with it. Play is allowed to occur on the gaming machines while a triggering event is detected. In a preferred embodiment, the triggering event is detected by monitoring an operating parameter of the gaming machines over the network, such as total coins played. A predetermined criterion or threshold is set for the operating parameter and, if the operating parameter meets the predetermined criterion, a triggering event signal is sent through the network. Upon the occurrence of the triggering event, a secondary game is initiated from a selected one of the gaming machines whereby the secondary game is common to the group of gaming machines.

Method and apparatus for implementing in video a secondary game responsive to player interaction with a primary game

A method and apparatus for signaling promotional operation of a gaming device using existing fluorescent illumination lamps An illumination lamp on a gaming device is operated continuously during normal operation, then flashed to signal promotional operation Alternatively, an illumination lamp can be dimmed during normal operation, then operated at full brightness during promotional operation To achieve flashing and dimming operation, a conventional starter is removed from a socket in a fluorescent lamp fixture and replaced with a controllable starter that fits into the same socket The starter has a pair of wire leads for receiving a control signal for flashing or dimming the lamp The controllable starter includes a starter circuit having a switch connected between two power terminals of the starter When the switch closes responsive to the control signal, it shorts circuits the lamp, thereby extinguishing the arc and allowing preheat current to flow in the heating filaments of the lamp When the switch opens responsive to the control signal, an arc is struck By repetitively opening and closing the starter switch, the lamp is made to flash The lamp is dimmed by flashing the lamp a high enough frequency that the lamp appears to operate continuously The brightness of the dimmed lamp is controlled by adjusting the duty cycle of the switch Flashing and dimming operation is combined with multiple colored fluorescent lamps to signal promotional operation

Flashing and dimming fluorescent lamps for a gaming device

An electronic ballast system controls one or more ballasts of HID or fluorescent lamps, which are controlled in an “on/off” manner by a ultra low power controller that is isolated for a primary power circuit or derives its very low switch power from the ballast itself. The on/off control provides a near lossless control system. This system may be applied to electronic ballast for operates at fractional power levels corresponding to different lighting intensities and with conventional occupancy sensors. The system may also be applied to other electronically compatible end-use devices and applications.

Remote control of electronic light ballast and other devices

Control circuitry causes a fluorescent lamp to flash by cycling the primary of the lamp ballast reactor at a desired cycle rate. This results in the average lamp wattage output being generally about 40% to 60% Go its normal wattage rating. This results in a correspondence reduction in lumen output. In such flashing, the intensity or light output of each flash is approximately the same as its normal, continuous light output.

System for controlling fluorescent lamp operation and illumination

A fluorescent lamp flashing circuit is comprised of a fluorescent lamp to which an alternating supply voltage source is connected through a series connected loading reactance device which provides current limiting. The heaters of the fluorescent lamp are independently fed. A switching device disconnects and reconnects the alternating supply voltage at a predetermined frequency rate which is determined by a control circuit which controls a switching device. When the switching device is closed, the fluorescent lamp is bypassed through a full wave rectifier bridge and the reactance device is connected in parallel with the supply voltage source and with a bleeding resistance to load the bridge and to form a resonant circuit to maintain the loading reactance device constant and permitting an energy exchange between the supply voltage source and the loading reactance device in a resonant mode thereby maintaining a sine wave form and minimizing loss. When the switching device is in a non-conductive open state, the lamp is "on".

Fluorescent lamp flashing circuit and control

A circuit suitable for the instantaneous starting, continuation, and interruption of current through one or more gasfilled discharge tubes, in particular fluorescent lamps, is described. The circuit and lamp heaters are energized before instantaneous control can occur. One preferred silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) is used with a bridge rectifier. The SCR has the dual role of causing the capacitor to discharge through the pulse transformer, the secondary pulse voltage of which thereby causes the arc to strike immediately upon application of gate current, and then maintianing the lamp current as long as a supply of SCR gate current is provided. A second preferred control device, a TRIAC, is used without a bridge rectifier and again has a dual role of pulse-starting and maintaining current. This type of device is more conveniently arranged to provide for a dimming function as well. Applications include "flashing" advertising signs, general illumination, and signals.

Fluorescent lamp controller

A sign box (1030) has a viewing window (1031) displaying a first sign under reflected light when the interior of the box is not illuminated. The first sign is made up of two sets of opaque dots on a transparent sheet (1020), a first set of a background colour and a second set (1021) of one or more foreground colours. A sheet (1018) is positioned behind sheet (1020), and comprises a sign visible under transmitted light from a fluorescent light source (1010) which has means (1013) to flash the fluorescent lamps (1011 and 1012) on and off.

David Peter Ball

Papers

Fluorescent lamp controller

Sign with/without illumination