Patent Publication Number: US-8118670-B2

Title: Method and apparatus for using a light valve to reduce the visibility of an object within a gaming apparatus

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of and claims priority under U.S.C. §120 from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/755,657, filed Jan. 12, 2004 and entitled, “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR USING A LIGHT VALVE TO REDUCE THE VISIBILITY OF AN OBJECT WITHIN A GAMING APPARATUS”, which issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,284 on Dec. 8, 2007, and which is incorporated by reference herein for all purposes. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This patent is directed to a casino gaming apparatus, and more particularly to a gaming apparatus having a plurality of mechanical slot reels and one or more light valves. The gaming apparatus may be either an individual gaming unit or a casino gaming system that has a plurality of gaming units. 
     Conventional casino gaming units that have included mechanical slot reels sometimes experience situations where the mechanical slot reels stop spinning and display a wrong symbol. This wrong symbol could result in a display of a winning symbol combination that was different from the symbol combination that was correctly determined by the gaming apparatus. Many factors could cause one or more of the mechanical reel to stop on an incorrect symbol, including for example, a power failure, an electrostatic discharge into the housing of the gaming apparatus, a mechanical failure, etc. 
     Regardless of the cause of the mechanical slot reels stopping on a wrong symbol, the casinos have traditionally been forced to choose between one of several undesirable options, such as paying the player the prize corresponding to the symbol combination incorrectly displayed or refusing to pay the player the prize corresponding to the symbol combination incorrectly displayed. As could be expected, the second option would create a great deal of anger on behalf of the player and generate ill will toward the casino. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a slot machine having a housing, a transparent panel associated with the housing, wherein the panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels, wherein the slot reels are disposed in the housing so that the reels are visible to a player of the slot machine through the transparent panel. The slot machine also includes a light valve including a suspended particle device that is disposed between the inner surface of the transparent panel and the slot reels, wherein the suspended particle device is adapted to be coupled to a power source, and is also adapted to become substantially transparent when a first voltage is applied to the suspended particle device and adapted to become substantially opaque when a second voltage is applied to the suspended particle device. 
     The mechanically rotatable slot reels are visible to the player through the suspended particle device when the first voltage is applied to the suspended particle device, and the suspended particle device substantially blocks visibility of the mechanically rotatable slot reels to the player when the second voltage is applied to the suspended particle device. Also included in the slot machine is a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the mechanically rotatable slot reels and the value input device, wherein the controller includes a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to allow a person to make a wager and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game utilizing the mechanically rotatable slot reels. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a slot machine as described above, and further having an electronic display unit disposed in the housing between the inner surface of the transparent panel and the slot reels, so that at least a portion of the electronic display unit is visible to the player of the slot machine through the transparent panel and the suspended particle device when the first voltage is applied to the suspended particle device, the electronic display unit being operatively coupled to the controller. The suspended particle device is adapted to also block at least a portion of the visibility of the electronic display unit to the player when the second voltage is applied to the suspended particle device. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a slot machine as described above, and further having a mechanically moveable member disposed in the housing and located proximate the inner surface of the transparent panel, so that at least a portion of the mechanically moveable member is visible to the player of the slot machine through the transparent panel and the suspended particle device when the first voltage is applied to the suspended particle device. The suspended particle device being adapted to substantially block the visibility of the mechanically moveable member to the player when the second voltage is applied to the suspended particle device. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a slot machine having a housing, a transparent panel associated with the housing, wherein the transparent panel has an outer surface and an inner surface, a power source, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels disposed in the housing so that the slot reels are visible to a player of the slot machine through the transparent panel. Also included is a light valve that is disposed between the inner surface of the transparent panel and the slot reels, the light valve operatively coupled to the power source and adapted to become substantially transparent when a first voltage is applied to the light valve and adapted to become substantially opaque when a second voltage is applied to the light valve. 
     The slot machine also includes a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the mechanically rotatable slot reels, the light valve, and the value input device, wherein the controller has a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller is programmed to cause the light valve to become substantially transparent so that the mechanically rotatable reels are visible through the light valve to the player, to allow a person to make a wager, and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of a game utilizing the mechanically rotatable reels. 
     Additional aspects of the invention are defined by the claims of this patent. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a block diagram of an embodiment of a gaming system in accordance with the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an embodiment of one of the gaming units shown schematically in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of a control panel for a gaming unit; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a transparent panel, a light valve, and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels; 
         FIG. 4  is an exemplary schematic diagram of a light valve; 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the gaming unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a main routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a main routine that may be performed during operation of one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a light valve control routine that may be performed during operation of the gaming units; 
         FIGS. 9A  and B are illustrations of the visual results of the light valve control routine of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart of an alternative embodiment of a light valve control routine that may be performed during operation of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker routine of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video blackjack routine of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 14  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 15  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the slots routine of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 16  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno routine of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 18  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 19  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo routine of  FIG. 20 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video bingo routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS 
     Although the following text sets forth a detailed description of numerous different embodiments of the invention, it should be understood that the legal scope of the invention is defined by the words of the claims set forth at the end of this patent. The detailed description is to be construed as exemplary only and does not describe every possible embodiment of the invention since describing every possible embodiment would be impractical, if not impossible. Numerous alternative embodiments could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims defining the invention. 
     It should also be understood that, unless a term is expressly defined in this patent using the sentence “As used herein, the term ‘_’ is hereby defined to mean . . . ” or a similar sentence, there is no intent to limit the meaning of that term, either expressly or by implication, beyond its plain or ordinary meaning, and such term should not be interpreted to be limited in scope based on any statement made in any section of this patent (other than the language of the claims). To the extent that any term recited in the claims at the end of this patent is referred to in this patent in a manner consistent with a single meaning, that is done for sake of clarity only so as to not confuse the reader, and it is not intended that such claim term be limited, by implication or otherwise, to that single meaning. Finally, unless a claim element is defined by reciting the word “means” and a function without the recital of any structure, it is not intended that the scope of any claim element be interpreted based on the application of 35 U.S.C. §112, sixth paragraph. 
       FIG. 1  illustrates one possible embodiment of a casino gaming system  10  in accordance with the invention. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the casino gaming system  10  may include a first group or network  12  of casino gaming units  20  operatively coupled to a network computer  22  via a network data link or bus  24 . The casino gaming system  10  may include a second group or network  26  of casino gaming units  30  operatively coupled to a network computer  32  via a network data link or bus  34 . The first and second gaming networks  12 ,  26  may be operatively coupled to each other via a network  40 , which may comprise, for example, the Internet, a wide area network (WAN), or a local area network (LAN) via a first network link  42  and a second network link  44 . 
     The first network  12  of gaming units  20  may be provided in a first casino, and the second network  26  of gaming units  30  may be provided in a second casino located in a separate geographic location than the first casino. For example, the two casinos may be located in different areas of the same city, or they may be located in different states. The network  40  may include a plurality of network computers or server computers (not shown), each of which may be operatively interconnected. Where the network  40  comprises the Internet, data communication may take place over the communication links  42 ,  44  via an Internet communication protocol. 
     The network computer  22  may be a server computer and may be used to accumulate and analyze data relating to the operation of the gaming units  20 . For example, the network computer  22  may continuously receive data from each of the gaming units  20  indicative of the dollar amount and number of wagers being made on each of the gaming units  20 , data indicative of how much each of the gaming units  20  is paying out in winnings, data regarding the identity and gaming habits of players playing each of the gaming units  20 , etc. The network computer  32  may be a server computer and may be used to perform the same or different functions in relation to the gaming units  30  as the network computer  22  described above. 
     Although each network  12 ,  26  is shown to include one network computer  22 ,  32  and four gaming units  20 ,  30 , it should be understood that different numbers of computers and gaming units may be utilized. For example, the network  12  may include a plurality of network computers  22  and tens or hundreds of gaming units  20 , all of which may be interconnected via the data link  24 . The data link  24  may be provided as a dedicated hardwired link or a wireless link. Although the data link  24  is shown as a single data link  24 , the data link  24  may comprise multiple data links. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of one possible embodiment of one or more of the gaming units  20 . Although the following description addresses the design of the gaming units  20 , it should be understood that the gaming units  30  may have the same design as the gaming units  20  described below. It should be understood that the design of one or more of the gaming units  20  may be different than the design of other gaming units  20 , and that the design of one or more of the gaming units  30  may be different than the design of other gaming units  30 . Each gaming unit  20  may be any type of casino gaming unit and may have various different structures and methods of operation. For exemplary purposes, various designs of the gaming units  20  are described below, but it should be understood that numerous other designs may be utilized. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , the casino gaming unit  20  may include a housing or cabinet  50  and one or more input devices, which may include a coin slot or acceptor  52 , a paper currency acceptor  54 , a ticket reader/printer  56  and a card reader  58 , which may be used to input value to the gaming unit  20 . A value input device may include any device that can accept value from a customer. As used herein, the term “value” may encompass gaming tokens, coins, paper currency, ticket vouchers, credit or debit cards, smart cards, and any other object representative of value. 
     If provided on the gaming unit  20 , the ticket reader/printer  56  may be used to read and/or print or otherwise encode ticket vouchers  60 . The ticket vouchers  60  may be composed of paper or another printable or encodable material and may have one or more of the following informational items printed or encoded thereon: the casino name, the type of ticket voucher, a validation number, a bar code with control and/or security data, the date and time of issuance of the ticket voucher, redemption instructions and restrictions, a description of an award, and any other information that may be necessary or desirable. Different types of ticket vouchers  60  could be used, such as bonus ticket vouchers, cash-redemption ticket vouchers, casino chip ticket vouchers, extra game play ticket vouchers, merchandise ticket vouchers, restaurant ticket vouchers, show ticket vouchers, etc. The ticket vouchers  60  could be printed with an optically readable material such as ink, or data on the ticket vouchers  60  could be magnetically encoded. The ticket reader/printer  56  may be provided with the ability to both read and print ticket vouchers  60 , or it may be provided with the ability to only read or only print or encode ticket vouchers  60 . In the latter case, for example, some of the gaming units  20  may have ticket printers  56  that may be used to print ticket vouchers  60 , which could then be used by a player in other gaming units  20  that have ticket readers  56 . 
     If provided, the card reader  58  may include any type of card reading device, such as a magnetic card reader or an optical card reader, and may be used to read data from a card offered by a player, such as a credit card or a player tracking card. If provided for player tracking purposes, the card reader  58  may be used to read data from, and/or write data to, player tracking cards that are capable of storing data representing the identity of a player, the identity of a casino, the player&#39;s gaming habits, etc. 
     The gaming unit  20  may include one or more audio speakers  62 , a coin payout tray  64 , an input control panel  66 , and a electronic display unit  70 . Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video casino game, such as video poker or video slots, the electronic display unit  70  may be a color video display unit that displays images relating to the particular game or games. Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a reel-type slot machine, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a plurality of mechanical reels that are rotatable, with each of the reels having a plurality of reel images disposed thereon. The audio speakers  62  may generate audio representing sounds such as the noise of spinning slot machine reels, a dealer&#39;s voice, music, announcements or any other audio related to a casino game. The input control panel  66  may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons or touch-sensitive areas that may be pressed by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. 
     The housing  50  may have a transparent panel  67  associated therewith, wherein the transparent panel  67  has an outer surface and inner surface. A plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels  68  may be disposed within the housing  50  and behind the transparent panel  67 . In other words, the slot reels  68  are closer to the inner surface of the panel  67  than the outer surface of the panel  67 . The mechanically rotatable slot reels  68  may be positioned within the housing  50  so that a surface of the slot reels  68  and a plurality of different reel symbols disposed thereon are visible to a player through the transparent panel  67 . While  FIG. 2  illustrates three mechanically rotatable slot reels  68  in the housing  50 , it should be noted that any number of mechanically rotatable reels may be used. It should also be noted that the mechanically rotatable slot reels  68  may be part of a primary game played on the gaming apparatus  20  or they may be used as a special bonus game for more standard casino games. 
     The gaming apparatus  20  may also include a light valve  69  disposed within the housing  50  between the inner surface of the panel  67  and the slot reels  68 . The light valve  69  is described in greater detail below, but briefly, is coupled to a power source and is adapted to become substantially transparent when a first voltage is applied to the light valve  69  and adapted to become substantially opaque when a second voltage is applied to the light valve  69 . When it is desired, a controller may cause the light valve  69  to become substantially transparent so that the mechanically rotatable slot reels  68  are visible through the light valve  69  to a player at the gaming unit  20 . 
     In addition to the slot reels  68 , the gaming apparatus  20  may also include an electron electronic display unit  70  for displaying images relating to the game or games provided by the gaming apparatus  20 . The electronic display unit  70  may be disposed on the inside of the housing  50 , behind the light valve  69 , similar to the slot reels  68 . It should be noted that more than one light valve  69  may be used, as well as more than one electronic display units  70  may be used. It should also be noted that the electronic display unit  70  may be located elsewhere on the gaming unit  20  or eliminated completely. Similarly, the mechanical reels  68  may be located elsewhere on the gaming unit  20 . For example, the electronic display unit  70  may be enlarged to occupy the portion with the mechanical reels  68  on  FIG. 2 , and one or more mechanically rotatable members, such as a wheel (not shown) may be mounted on top of the gaming unit for use in a bonus game. Furthermore, if the mechanical wheel is located on top of the gaming unit  20 , it may be encased behind a transparent panel and a light valve similar to the transparent panel  67  and the light valve  69 . 
     The gaming unit  20  may also include a mechanically moveable member  71  that is disposed within the housing  50  behind the light valve  69 . For example, mechanically moveable members, such as balls, donuts, wheels, etc., may spin in place within the housing  50  and behind the light valve  69  and panel  67 . Other mechanically moveable members, such as “falling” tokens, “bouncing” balls, etc., may follow a predefined motion or predetermined path to give the appearance of movement, such as falling or bouncing. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one possible embodiment of the control panel  66 , which may be used where the gaming unit  20  is a slot machine having a plurality of mechanical or “virtual” reels. Referring to  FIG. 2A , if the electronic display unit  70  is provided in the form of a video display unit, the control panel  66  may include a “See Pays” button  72  that, when activated, causes the electronic display unit  70  to generate one or more display screens showing the odds or payout information for the game or games provided by the gaming unit  20 . As used herein, the term “button” is intended to encompass any device that allows a player to make an input, such as an input device that must be depressed to make an input selection or a display area that a player may simply touch. The control panel  66  may include a “Cash Out” button  74  that may be activated when a player decides to terminate play on the gaming unit  20 , in which case the gaming unit  20  may return value to the player, such as by returning a number of coins to the player via the payout tray  64 . 
     If the gaming unit  20  provides a slots game having a plurality of reels and a plurality of paylines which define winning combinations of reel symbols, the control panel  66  may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons  76 , each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to spinning the reels. For example, five buttons  76  may be provided, each of which may allow a player to select one, three, five, seven or nine paylines. 
     If the gaming unit  20  provides a slots game having a plurality of reels, the control panel  66  may be provided with a plurality of selection buttons  78  each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected. For example, if the smallest wager accepted by the gaming unit  20  is a quarter ($0.25), the gaming unit  20  may be provided with five selection buttons  78 , each of which may allow a player to select one, two, three, four or five quarters to wager for each payline selected. In that case, if a player were to activate the “5” button  76  (meaning that five paylines were to be played on the next spin of the reels) and then activate the “3” button  78  (meaning that three coins per payline were to be wagered), the total wager would be $3.75 (assuming the minimum bet was $0.25). 
     The control panel  66  may include a “Max Bet” button  80  to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable for a game. In the above example, where up to nine paylines were provided and up to five quarters could be wagered for each payline selected, the maximum wager would be 45 quarters, or $11.25. The control panel  66  may include a spin button  82  to allow the player to initiate spinning of the reels of a slots game after a wager has been made. 
     In  FIG. 2A , a rectangle is shown around the buttons  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82 . It should be understood that that rectangle simply designates, for ease of reference, an area in which the buttons  72 ,  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80 ,  82  may be located. Consequently, the term “control panel” should not be construed to imply that a panel or plate separate from the housing  50  of the gaming unit  20  is required, and the term “control panel” may encompass a plurality or grouping of player activatable buttons. 
     Although one possible control panel  66  is described above, it should be understood that different buttons could be utilized in the control panel  66 , and that the particular buttons used may depend on the game or games that could be played on the gaming unit  20 . If the electronic display unit  70  is provided as a video display unit, the control panel  66  could be generated by the electronic display unit  70 . In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel  66  could be a colored area generated by the electronic display unit  70 , and some type of mechanism may be associated with the electronic display unit  70  to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen. 
     Light Valve Configuration 
       FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of the transparent panel  67 , a light valve  69 , and a plurality of mechanically rotatable slot reels  68 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , the transparent panel  67  may have a number of non-transparent colored inks applied to the inner surface of the transparent panel  67 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , a first ink  84  is used as a background and a second ink  85   a  and  85   b  are used as borders around a number of transparent openings  86   a  and  86   b  in the transparent panel  67 . In addition, the panel  67  may be a touch-sensitive panel for control of the game routine by a player. 
     Also shown in  FIG. 3  are the plurality slot reels  68  that are independently rotatable, with each of the reels  68  having a plurality of reel images disposed thereon. Each mechanical reel  68  may further include a light element (not shown), such as an electroluminescent light element, to illuminate the reel images or other portions of the mechanical reels  68 . The mechanical reels  68  may comprise a reel strip manufactured from a translucent material, such as plastic, with a light element disposed behind the reel strip. When activated, the light element illuminates the reel strip from behind, allowing all or part of the mechanical reel to be illuminated. An example of a mechanical reel having a light element is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,027,115 which is expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     While shown in  FIG. 2 , but not shown here, one or more electronic display units  70  may be disposed behind the panel  67  and the light valve  69  so that the electronic display units line up with and are visible through the light valve  69 , as well as the openings  86   a  and  86   b . The one or more electronic display units may be, for example, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display, a flat panel display (FPD), a front projection display, or a rear projection display. Moreover, additional mechanically moveable members may also be disposed behind the light valve  69 , proximate the slot reels  68 . 
     The light valve  69  may be disposed between the transparent display  67  and the slot reels  68 . Various devices may be utilized for the light valve  69 , including, but not limited to, suspended particle devices (SPD), electrochromic devices, polymer dispersed liquid crystal (PDLC) devices, etc. Generally, the light valve  69  may switch between being transparent, and being opaque (or translucent), depending on whether a current is applied or not. For example, SPDs and PDLC devices become transparent when applied with a first voltage and become opaque or translucent when a second voltage is applied, with the second voltage being very low or approximately zero. On the other hand, electrochromic devices become opaque when applied with a voltage, and transparent when little or no voltage is applied. Additionally, the light valve  69  may attain varying levels of translucency and opaqueness. For example, while a PDLC device is generally either transparent or opaque, suspended particle devices and electrochromic devices allow for varying degrees of transparency, opaqueness or translucency, depending on the applied voltage level. 
     When the light valve  69  is opaque, or substantially opaque, a player&#39;s view of the slot reels  68  may be obscured (or blocked). The light valve  69  may also be translucent and provide varying degrees of visibility of the slot reels  68  through the openings  87   a ,  87   b , and  87   c , thereby varying the visibility of the slot reels  68  (e.g., gradually “dimming” or “brightening” the visibility of the slot reels  68 ). Varying the translucency of the light valve  69  may cause the visibility of the slot reels  68  to range from allowing the player to view and recognize the images on the slot reels  68  to merely allowing light and color through without being able to distinguish the images. 
     Gaming Unit Electronics 
       FIG. 4  is an exemplary schematic diagram of the light valve  69 . The light valve  69  is controlled with the use of a controller  100  that is coupled to a solid state relay device  88 . The controller  100  causes the relay device  88  to turn on and off as needed by the gaming apparatus  20 . In doing so, the AC voltage is turned on and off the light valve  69 . A transformer  89  is used to isolate a 120 VAC input voltage from the light valve  69  and to change the potential from 120 VAC to about 50 VAC. The controller  100  causes the relay device  88  to turn on and off. A high level sent from the controller  100  on line  90  turns on the relay device  88 , causing the light valve  69  to become substantially transparent. A low level sent from the controller  100  on line  90  turns off the relay device  88 , causing the light valve  69  to become opaque. The relay device  88  may be solid state optronic SP646 and the light valve  69  may be a SPD, model APD-Gray that is manufactured by InspecTech Aeroservice, Inc. from Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. 
     It should be noted that while the light valve  69  shown in  FIG. 4  is operatively coupled to the controller  100 , the light valve  69  may be coupled directly to a power source so that the function of the light valve  69  is based solely on the presence of power applied to the light valve  69 . In other words, whenever the gaming unit  20  has power, the light valve  69  could be made transparent. But when power to the light valve  69  is interrupted, the light valve  69  would become opaque and block the view of any components disposed within the housing  50  that are behind the light valve  69 . 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated in the gaming unit  20 . Referring to  FIG. 5 , the gaming unit  20  may include a controller  100  that may comprise a program memory  102 , a microcontroller or microprocessor (MP)  104 , a random-access memory (RAM)  106  and an input/output (I/O) circuit  108 , all of which may be interconnected via an address/data bus  110 . It should be appreciated that although only one microprocessor  104  is shown, the controller  100  may include multiple microprocessors  104 . Similarly, the memory of the controller  100  may include multiple RAMs  106  and multiple program memories  102 . Although the I/O circuit  108  is shown as a single block, it should be appreciated that the I/O circuit  108  may include a number of different types of I/O circuits. The RAM(s)  104  and program memories  102  may be implemented as semiconductor memories, magnetically readable memories, and/or optically readable memories, for example. 
     Although the program memory  102  is shown in  FIG. 5  as a read-only memory (ROM)  102 , the program memory of the controller  100  may be a read/write or alterable memory, such as a hard disk. In the event a hard disk is used as a program memory, the address/data bus  110  shown schematically in  FIG. 5  may comprise multiple address/data buses, which may be of different types, and there may be an I/O circuit disposed between the address/data buses. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates that the control panel  66 , the electronic display unit  70 , the coin acceptor  52 , the bill acceptor  54 , the card reader  58 , the ticket reader/printer  56 , the mechanically rotatable reels  68 , the mechanically moveable member  71 , and the light valve  69  may be operatively coupled to the I/O circuit  108 , each of those components being so coupled by either a unidirectional or bidirectional, single-line or multiple-line data link, which may depend on the design of the component that is used. The speaker(s)  62  may be operatively coupled to a sound circuit  112 , that may comprise a voice- and sound-synthesis circuit or that may comprise a driver circuit. The sound-generating circuit  112  may be coupled to the I/O circuit  108 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the components  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  66 ,  68 ,  69 ,  70 ,  71 , and  112  may be connected to the I/O circuit  108  via a respective direct line or conductor. Different connection schemes could be used. For example, one or more of the components shown in  FIG. 5  may be connected to the I/O circuit  108  via a common bus or other data link that is shared by a number of components. Furthermore, some of the components may be directly connected to the microprocessor  104  without passing through the I/O circuit  108 . 
     Overall Operation of Gaming Unit 
     One manner in which one or more of the gaming units  20  (and one or more of the gaming units  30 ) may operate is described below in connection with a number of flowcharts which represent a number of portions or routines of one or more computer programs, which may be stored in one or more of the memories of the controller  100 . The computer program(s) or portions thereof may be stored remotely, outside of the gaming unit  20 , and may control the operation of the gaming unit  20  from a remote location. Such remote control may be facilitated with the use of a wireless connection, or by an Internet interface that connects the gaming unit  20  with a remote computer (such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 ) having a memory in which the computer program portions are stored. The computer program portions may be written in any high level language such as C, C++, C#, Java or the like or any low-level assembly or machine language. By storing the computer program portions therein, various portions of the memories  102 ,  106  are physically and/or structurally configured in accordance with computer program instructions. 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart of a main operating routine  200  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , the main routine  200  may begin operation at block  202  during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit  20 . The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the electronic display unit  70  (if provided as a video display unit) and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers  62 . The attraction sequence may include a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or video images of various games being played, such as video poker, video blackjack, video slots, video keno, video bingo, etc. 
     During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit  20  as determined at block  204 , the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game-selection display may be generated on the electronic display unit  70  (if provided as a video display unit) at block  206  to allow the player to select a game available on the gaming unit  20 . The gaming unit  20  may detect an input at block  204  in various ways. For example, the gaming unit  20  could detect if the player presses any button on the gaming unit  20 ; the gaming unit  20  could determine if the player deposited one or more coins into the gaming unit  20 ; the gaming unit  20  could determine if player deposited paper currency into the gaming unit; etc. 
     The game-selection display generated at block  206  may include, for example, a list of video games that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit  20 . While the game-selection display is generated, the gaming unit  20  may wait for the player to make a game selection. Upon selection of one of the games by the player as determined at block  208 , the controller  100  may cause one of a number of game routines to be performed to allow the selected game to be played. For example, the game routines could include a video poker routine  210 , a video blackjack routine  220 , a slots routine  230 , a video keno routine  240 , and a video bingo routine  250 . At block  208 , if no game selection is made within a given period of time, the operation may branch back to block  202 . 
     After one of the routines  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250  has been performed to allow the player to play one of the games, block  260  may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit  20  or to select another game. If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit  20 , which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller  100  may dispense value to the player at block  262  based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block  202 . If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  260 , the routine may return to block  208  where the game-selection display may again be generated to allow the player to select another game. 
     It should be noted that although five gaming routines are shown in  FIG. 6 , a different number of routines could be included to allow play of a different number of games. The gaming unit  20  may also be programmed to allow play of different games. 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart of an alternative main operating routine  264  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . The main routine  264  may be utilized for gaming units  20  that are designed to allow play of only a single game or single type of game. Referring to  FIG. 7 , the main routine  264  may begin operation at block  266  during which an attraction sequence may be performed in an attempt to induce a potential player in a casino to play the gaming unit  20 . The attraction sequence may be performed by displaying one or more video images on the electronic display unit  70  (if provided as a video display unit) and/or causing one or more sound segments, such as voice or music, to be generated via the speakers  62 . 
     During performance of the attraction sequence, if a potential player makes any input to the gaming unit  20  as determined at block  268 , the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game display may be generated on the electronic display unit  70  (if provided as a video display unit) at block  270 . The game display generated at block  270  may include, for example, an image of the casino game that may be played on the gaming unit  20  and/or a visual message to prompt the player to deposit value into the gaming unit  20 . At block  272 , the gaming unit  20  may determine if the player requested information concerning the game, in which case the requested information may be displayed at block  274 . Block  276  may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine  278  may be performed. The game routine  278  could be any one of the game routines disclosed herein, such as one of the five game routines  210 ,  220 ,  230 ,  240 ,  250 , or another game routine. 
     After the routine  278  has been performed to allow the player to play the game, block  280  may be utilized to determine whether the player wishes to terminate play on the gaming unit  20 . If the player wishes to stop playing the gaming unit  20 , which wish may be expressed, for example, by selecting a “Cash Out” button, the controller  100  may dispense value to the player at block  282  based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block  266 . If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  280 , the operation may return to block  272 . 
     Light Valve Control 
       FIG. 8  is flowchart of a light valve control routine  300  which may be executed by the controller  100  in conjunction with or as part of the main routines  200 ,  264 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , at block  302 , the routine may power up the gaming unit  20  by going through a normal power up sequence. The routine  300  may then cause the light valve  69  to become opaque at block  304  and block all viewing areas from view. This may include blocking view of the slot reels  68 , the bonus viewing area, the mechanically moveable member, and any other viewing areas provided. 
     The routine  300  will then cause the gaming unit  20  to operate in an attract, normal, bonus, or idle mode at block  308  as well as causing the light valve  69  (whether light valve  69  is a single light valve, or multiple light valves) to be transparent or opaque as needed for the game play as shown at block  308 . Depending on the particular light valve  69  being utilized, causing the light valve  69  to become transparent may involve either applying (or increasing) a voltage to the light valve  69  or discontinuing (or decreasing) the voltage being applied to the light valve  69 . 
     The slot reels  68  may have an illumination element to enhance their visibility to a player. Other mechanically moveable members, if provided, may correspond to the game and may be activated as part of the game. 
     At block  310 , the routine may determine if the gaming unit  20  is in a tilt mode. A tilt may occur on the gaming unit  20  at any time. For example, a coin-in tilt may occur when coins are input into the gaming unit  20 . Also, a mechanical malfunction in the operation of the gaming unit  20 , such as, doors opening inside the gaming unit, reels stopping in the wrong position, etc., could cause a tilt condition. An electrical malfunction in the operation of the gaming unit  20 , such as, a power supply failure, a communication failure, a device failure, etc., may cause a tilt condition. Also, a customer action damaging mechanical or electrical components could cause a tilt condition. A hopper empty condition where coins need to be placed in the hopper because the hopper is empty could also cause a tilt condition. 
     If it is determined at the block  310  that the gaming unit  20  is not in a tilt mode, the routine  300  will return to the block  306 . If a tilt mode is detected at the block  310 , the routine  300  may cause the light valve  69  to become opaque and block the view of: the slot reels  68  at block  312 , at least a portion of the main display area on the electronic display unit  70  at a block  314 , and block at least a portion of the bonus display area on the electronic display unit  70  at a block  316 . 
     The gaming unit  20  may then be serviced to resolve the tilt condition at a block  320 . The service may require the display areas to be transparent for servicing. If it is determined at the block  322  that the tilt condition has been resolved, the routine  300  may cause the light valve  69  to become transparent at a block  324 . If multiple light valves are utilized, select light valves may be changed from the opaque state to the transparent state as needed so the gaming unit  20  is put back into the state just before the tilt occurred. The routine  300  may then return to the block  306 . Also, the routine  300  described herein may comprise additional or fewer criteria than indicated. 
     Although examples of displays are described herein as comprising particular images on electronic display units  70 , those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the electronic display units  70  are not limited to any particular image.  FIG. 9A  is an exemplary display  326  that may be viewed by a player during performance of a slots routine utilizing a plurality mechanical slot reels  68 . Referring to  FIG. 9A , the controller  100  has caused the light valve  69  to become transparent to allow the mechanical devices and electrical images disposed behind the light valve  69  to be visible. As seen in  FIG. 9A , a player is able to view portions of the mechanical slot reels  68  through the openings  87   a ,  87   b ,  87   c  in the transparent panel  67 . 
     Additional graphics may also be displayed by the electronic display unit  70  and viewed through the various openings in the transparent panel  67 . For example, the name of the game routine being played may be viewed through one of the openings, the current bet ($1) may be viewed through an opening  327 , the number of remaining credits may be viewed in the opening  86   b , and the minimum bet may be displayed in another opening. Additional graphics relating to the game routine may be displayed on one or more of the electronic display units  70 . For example, the electronic display units  70  may include video images of a plurality of player selectable buttons to allow the player to control the play of the slots game. The buttons may include a “See Pays” button, a “Cash Out” button, a “Spin” button, and a “Max Bet” button. Player information may also be generated as a video image on the electronic display units  70 . The player information video image may include the player&#39;s name, the player&#39;s winnings, the player&#39;s profile, the player&#39;s wagers, the player&#39;s favorite games, etc. 
       FIG. 9B  is an exemplary display  328  that may be viewed by a player when the controller  100  caused the light valve  69  to become substantially opaque to block the view of the mechanical slot reels  68  and the video images on the electronic display units  70 . As seen in  FIG. 9B , a player viewing the electronic gaming unit  20  is unable to see the mechanical slot reels  68  or the video images on the electronic display units  70  through the various openings, such as openings  86   a ,  86   b ,  87   a ,  87   b , and  87   c  in the transparent panel  67 . The display  328  as shown in  FIG. 9B  may relate to a display shown during an attraction sequence. Attraction graphics may be generated on the electronic display units  70 , which may include a video image of a scrolling list of games that may be played on the gaming unit  20 , and a video image of instructions for initiating a new game. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart  330  of an alternative embodiment of a light valve control routine that may be performed during operation of the gaming unit  20 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , at block  331 , the routine may power up the gaming unit  20  by going through a normal power up sequence. The routine  330  may then cause the light valve  69  to become opaque at block  332  and block all viewing areas from view. This may include blocking view of the slot reels  68 , the bonus viewing area, the mechanically moveable member, and any other viewing areas provided. 
     The routine  330  may then cause the gaming unit  20  to operate in an attract, normal, bonus, or idle mode at block  334  as well as causing the light valve  69  (whether light valve  69  is a single light valve, or multiple light valves) to be opaque for the bonus viewing area on the electronic display unit  70  and transparent for the slot reels  68 , as shown at block  336 . Depending on the particular light valve  69  being utilized, causing the light valve  69  to become transparent may involve either applying (or increasing) a voltage to the light valve  69  or discontinuing (or decreasing) the voltage being applied to the light valve  69 . 
     The slot reels  68  may have an illumination element to enhance their visibility to a player. Other mechanically moveable members, if provided, may correspond to the game and may be activated as part of the game. 
     At block  337 , the routine may determine if the gaming unit  20  is in a bonus mode. A bonus mode may be entered when the player wins a select outcome on the slots game. If it is determined at the block  337  that the gaming unit  20  is not in a bonus mode, the routine  330  may return to the block  334 . If a bonus mode is detected at the block  337 , the routine  330  may cause the light valve  69  to become opaque and block the view of the slot reels  68  at a block  338  and to cause one of a plurality of light valves  69  in front of the electronic display unit  70  to become transparent to un-block the view of the bonus viewing area at a block  340 . 
     The routine  330  may then generate a bonus game display and allow a player to play the bonus game at a block  342 . When it is determined at a block  344  that the bonus game is completed, the routine  330  may cause the light valve  69  to become opaque for the bonus viewing area. At a block  348 , the routine  330  may return to the main game operation at the block  334 . 
     Video Poker 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video poker game, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 11  is an exemplary display  350  that may be shown on the electronic display unit  70  during performance of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , the display  350  may include video images  352  of a plurality of playing cards representing the player&#39;s hand, such as five cards. To allow the player to control the play of the video poker game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Hold” button  354  disposed directly below each of the playing card images  352 , a “Cash Out” button  356 , a “See Pays” button  358 , a “Bet One Credit” button  360 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  362 , and a “Deal/Draw” button  364 . The display  350  may also include an area  366  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the electronic display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons  354 ,  356 ,  358 ,  360 ,  362 ,  364  may form part of the video display  350 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the electronic display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 13 , at block  370 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  358 , in which case at block  372  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the electronic display unit  70 . At block  374 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by pressing the “Bet One Credit” button  360 , in which case at block  376  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  378 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Bet Max Credits” button  362 , in which case at block  380  bet data corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     At block  382 , the routine may determine if the player desires a new hand to be dealt, which may be determined by detecting if the “Deal/Draw” button  364  was activated after a wager was made. In that case, at block  384  a video poker hand may be “dealt” by causing the electronic display unit  70  to generate the playing card images  352 . After the hand is dealt, at block  386  the routine may determine if any of the “Hold” buttons  354  have been activated by the player, in which case data regarding which of the playing card images  352  are to be “held” may be stored in the controller  100  at block  388 . If the “Deal/Draw” button  364  is activated again as determined at block  390 , each of the playing card images  352  that was not “held” may be caused to disappear from the video display  350  and to be replaced by a new, randomly selected, playing card image  352  at block  392 . 
     At block  394 , the routine may determine whether the poker hand represented by the playing card images  352  currently displayed is a winner. That determination may be made by comparing data representing the currently displayed poker hand with data representing all possible winning hands, which may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . If there is a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block  396 . At block  398 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the hand was a winner, the payout value determined at block  396 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  366  ( FIG. 11 ). 
     Although the video poker routine  210  is described above in connection with a single poker hand of five cards, the routine  210  may be modified to allow other versions of poker to be played. For example, seven card poker may be played, or stud poker may be played. Alternatively, multiple poker hands may be simultaneously played. In that case, the game may begin by dealing a single poker hand, and the player may be allowed to hold certain cards. After deciding which cards to hold, the held cards may be duplicated in a plurality of different poker hands, with the remaining cards for each of those poker hands being randomly determined. 
     Video Blackjack 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video blackjack game, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 12  is an exemplary display  400  that may be shown on the electronic display unit  70  during performance of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , the display  400  may include video images  402  of a pair of playing cards representing a dealer&#39;s hand, with one of the cards shown face up and the other card being shown face down, and video images  404  of a pair of playing cards representing a player&#39;s hand, with both the cards shown face up. The “dealer” may be the gaming unit  20 . 
     To allow the player to control the play of the video blackjack game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  406 , a “See Pays” button  408 , a “Stay” button  410 , a “Hit” button  412 , a “Bet One Credit” button  414 , and a “Bet Max Credits” button  416 . The display  400  may also include an area  418  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the electronic display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons  406 ,  408 ,  410 ,  412 ,  414 ,  416  may form part of the video display  400 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the electronic display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 14  is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , the video blackjack routine  220  may begin at block  420  where it may determine whether a bet has been made by the player. That may be determined, for example, by detecting the activation of either the “Bet One Credit” button  414  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  416 . At block  422 , bet data corresponding to the bet made at block  420  may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  424 , a dealer&#39;s hand and a player&#39;s hand may be “dealt” by making the playing card images  402 ,  404  appear on the electronic display unit  70 . 
     At block  426 , the player may be allowed to be “hit,” in which case at block  428  another card will be dealt to the player&#39;s hand by making another playing card image  404  appear in the display  400 . If the player is hit, block  430  may determine if the player has “bust,” or exceeded 21. If the player has not bust, blocks  426  and  428  may be performed again to allow the player to be hit again. 
     If the player decides not to hit, at block  432  the routine may determine whether the dealer should be hit. Whether the dealer hits may be determined in accordance with predetermined rules, such as the dealer always hit if the dealer&#39;s hand totals 15 or less. If the dealer hits, at block  434  the dealer&#39;s hand may be dealt another card by making another playing card image  402  appear in the display  400 . At block  436  the routine may determine whether the dealer has bust. If the dealer has not bust, blocks  432 ,  434  may be performed again to allow the dealer to be hit again. 
     If the dealer does not hit, at block  436  the outcome of the blackjack game and a corresponding payout may be determined based on, for example, whether the player or the dealer has the higher hand that does not exceed 21. If the player has a winning hand, a payout value corresponding to the winning hand may be determined at block  440 . At block  442 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the player won, the payout value determined at block  440 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  418  ( FIG. 12 ). 
     Slots 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video slots game, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 15  is an exemplary display  450  that may be shown on the electronic display unit  70  during performance of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 15 , the display  450  may include video images  452  of a plurality of slot machine reels, each of the reels having a plurality of reel symbols  454  associated therewith. Although the display  450  shows five reel images  452 , each of which may have three reel symbols  454  that are visible at a time, other reel configurations could be utilized. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the slots game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  456 , a “See Pays” button  458 , a plurality of payline-selection buttons  460  each of which allows the player to select a different number of paylines prior to “spinning” the reels, a plurality of bet-selection buttons  462  each of which allows a player to specify a wager amount for each payline selected, a “Spin” button  464 , and a “Max Bet” button  466  to allow a player to make the maximum wager allowable. 
       FIG. 17  is a flowchart of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , at block  470 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  458 , in which case at block  472  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the electronic display unit  70 . At block  474 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the payline-selection buttons  460 , in which case at block  476  data corresponding to the number of paylines selected by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  478 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed one of the bet-selection buttons  462 , in which case at block  480  data corresponding to the amount bet per payline may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . At block  482 , the routine may determine whether the player has pressed the “Max Bet” button  466 , in which case at block  484  bet data (which may include both payline data and bet-per-payline data) corresponding to the maximum allowable bet may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     If the “Spin” button  464  has been activated by the player as determined at block  486 , at block  488  the routine may cause the slot machine reel images  452  to begin “spinning” so as to simulate the appearance of a plurality of spinning mechanical slot machine reels. At block  490 , the routine may determine the positions at which the slot machine reel images will stop, or the particular symbol images  454  that will be displayed when the reel images  452  stop spinning. At block  492 , the routine may stop the reel images  452  from spinning by displaying stationary reel images  452  and images of three symbols  454  for each stopped reel image  452 . The virtual reels may be stopped from left to right, from the perspective of the player, or in any other manner or sequence. 
     The routine may provide for the possibility of a bonus game or round if certain conditions are met, such as the display in the stopped reel images  452  of a particular symbol  454 . If there is such a bonus condition as determined at block  494 , the routine may proceed to block  496  where a bonus round may be played. The bonus round may be a different game than slots, and many other types of bonus games could be provided. If the player wins the bonus round, or receives additional credits or points in the bonus round, a bonus value may be determined at block  498 . A payout value corresponding to outcome of the slots game and/or the bonus round may be determined at block  500 . At block  502 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the slot game and/or bonus round was a winner, the payout value determined at block  500 . 
     Although the above routine has been described as a virtual slot machine routine in which slot machine reels are represented as images on the electronic display unit  70 , actual slot machine reels that are capable of being spun may be utilized instead, in which case the electronic display unit  70  could be provided in the form of a plurality of mechanical reels that are rotatable, each of the reels having a plurality of reel images disposed thereon. 
     Video Keno 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video keno game, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 16  is an exemplary display  520  that may be shown on the electronic display unit  70  during performance of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 16 , the display  520  may include a video image  522  of a plurality of numbers that were selected by the player prior to the start of a keno game and a video image  524  of a plurality of numbers randomly selected during the keno game. The randomly selected numbers may be displayed in a grid pattern. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the keno game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  526 , a “See Pays” button  528 , a “Bet One Credit” button  530 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  532 , a “Select Ticket” button  534 , a “Select Number” button  536 , and a “Play” button  538 . The display  520  may also include an area  540  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the electronic display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display  520 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the electronic display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 18  is a flowchart of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . The keno routine  240  may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit  20  where a single player is playing a keno game, or the keno routine  240  may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units  20  where multiple players are playing a single keno game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller  100  in each gaming unit or by one of the network computer  22 ,  32  to which multiple gaming units  20  are operatively connected. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , at block  550 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  528 , in which case at block  552  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the electronic display unit  70 . At block  554 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button  530  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  532 , in which case at block  556  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . After the player has made a wager, at block  558  the player may select a keno ticket, and at block  560  the ticket may be displayed on the display  520 . At block  562 , the player may select one or more game numbers, which may be within a range set by the casino. After being selected, the player&#39;s game numbers may be stored in the memory of the controller  100  at block  564  and may be included in the image  522  on the display  520  at block  566 . After a certain amount of time, the keno game may be closed to additional players (where a number of players are playing a single keno game using multiple gambling units  20 ). 
     If play of the keno game is to begin as determined at block  568 , at block  570  a game number within a range set by the casino may be randomly selected either by the controller  100  or a central computer operatively connected to the controller, such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 . At block  572 , the randomly selected game number may be displayed on the electronic display unit  70  and the display units  70  of other gaming units  20  (if any) which are involved in the same keno game. At block  574 , the controller  100  (or the central computer noted above) may increment a count which keeps track of how many game numbers have been selected at block  570 . 
     At block  576 , the controller  100  (or one of the network computers  22 ,  32 ) may determine whether a maximum number of game numbers within the range have been randomly selected. If not, another game number may be randomly selected at block  570 . If the maximum number of game numbers has been selected, at block  578  the controller  100  (or a central computer) may determine whether there are a sufficient number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers selected at block  570  to cause the player to win. The number of matches may depend on how many numbers the player selected and the particular keno rules being used. 
     If there are a sufficient number of matches, a payout may be determined at block  580  to compensate the player for winning the game. The payout may depend on the number of matches between the game numbers selected by the player and the game numbers randomly selected at block  570 . At block  582 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the keno game was won, the payout value determined at block  580 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  540  ( FIG. 16 ). 
     Video Bingo 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video bingo game, the electronic display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 19  is an exemplary display  600  that may be shown on the electronic display unit  70  during performance of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . Referring to  FIG. 19 , the display  600  may include one or more video images  602  of a bingo card and images of the bingo numbers selected during the game. The bingo card images  602  may have a grid pattern. 
     To allow the player to control the play of the bingo game, a plurality of player-selectable buttons may be displayed. The buttons may include a “Cash Out” button  604 , a “See Pays” button  606 , a “Bet One Credit” button  608 , a “Bet Max Credits” button  610 , a “Select Card” button  612 , and a “Play” button  614 . The display  600  may also include an area  616  in which the number of remaining credits or value is displayed. If the electronic display unit  70  is provided with a touch-sensitive screen, the buttons may form part of the video display  600 . Alternatively, one or more of those buttons may be provided as part of a control panel that is provided separately from the electronic display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 20  is a flowchart of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 6 . The bingo routine  250  may be utilized in connection with a single gaming unit  20  where a single player is playing a bingo game, or the bingo routine  250  may be utilized in connection with multiple gaming units  20  where multiple players are playing a single bingo game. In the latter case, one or more of the acts described below may be performed either by the controller  100  in each gaming unit  20  or by one of the network computers  22 ,  32  to which multiple gaming units  20  are operatively connected. 
     Referring to  FIG. 20 , at block  620 , the routine may determine whether the player has requested payout information, such as by activating the “See Pays” button  606 , in which case at block  622  the routine may cause one or more pay tables to be displayed on the electronic display unit  70 . At block  624 , the routine may determine whether the player has made a bet, such as by having pressed the “Bet One Credit” button  608  or the “Bet Max Credits” button  610 , in which case at block  626  bet data corresponding to the bet made by the player may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . 
     After the player has made a wager, at block  628  the player may select a bingo card, which may be generated randomly. The player may select more than one bingo card, and there may be a maximum number of bingo cards that a player may select. After play is to commence as determined at block  632 , at block  634  a bingo number may be randomly generated by the controller  100  or a central computer such as one of the network computers  22 ,  32 . At block  636 , the bingo number may be displayed on the electronic display unit  70  and the display units  70  of any other gaming units  20  involved in the bingo game. 
     At block  638 , the controller  100  (or a central computer) may determine whether any player has won the bingo game. If no player has won, another bingo number may be randomly selected at block  634 . If any player has bingo as determined at block  638 , the routine may determine at block  640  whether the player playing that gaming unit  20  was the winner. If so, at block  642  a payout for the player may be determined. The payout may depend on the number of random numbers that were drawn before there was a winner, the total number of winners (if there was more than one player), and the amount of money that was wagered on the game. At block  644 , the player&#39;s cumulative value or number of credits may be updated by subtracting the bet made by the player and adding, if the bingo game was won, the payout value determined at block  642 . The cumulative value or number of credits may also be displayed in the display area  616  ( FIG. 19 ).