Patent Publication Number: US-8529341-B2

Title: Optically sensitive display for a gaming apparatus

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     This patent is directed to a casino gaming apparatus, which could be either an individual gaming unit or a casino gaming system having a plurality of gaming units, each gaming unit including an optically sensitive display. 
     A gaming apparatus of the type used in casinos has included a display unit such as a video display unit or a set of mechanical slot machine reels, a value input device such as a coin slot or paper currency reader, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device and having a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller was programmed to control the overall functions of the gaming machine, including generating game displays representing one or more of a number of casino games, such as poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0205662 to Boer discloses an image sensor array. The image sensor array includes image sensors having photo thin-film-transistors (TFTs), which generate a photocurrent in response to received images. U.S. Pat. No. 5,951,397 to Dickinson discloses a gaming apparatus that include a touch screen applied to an outer face of a cathode ray tube (CRT) display. The touch screen was used to control play and select games. Touch fields were defined on the surface of the screen. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0173354 to Winans et al. discloses a thin light-emitting interface display mounted to a surface on a gaming machine. The thin light-emitting interface displays may be used to input and output gaming information on the gaming machine. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0036425 to Kaminkow, et al. discloses a gaming machine that includes an input mechanism with a non-physical contact data interface, such a bill validator, a bar-code reader and a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag reader. U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2003/0162591 to Nguyen, et al. discloses a gaming machine that includes a device for acquiring player authentication data from a player tracking card inserted into a card reader, a signature entered via a touchscreen, an image of a personal identification card entered via a scanner, or biometric data such as a fingerprint, an iris, a photographic image, radiometric facial data, or a unique voice characteristic entered via a fingerprint scanner, an iris scanner, a digital camera or a microphone. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In one aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus which may include a display unit, an optically sensitive control panel, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the optically sensitive control panel and the value input device. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the optically sensitive control panel generate a display of one or more game controls, to cause the optically sensitive control panel to read an image of a fingerprint of a player when the fingerprint is positioned over the one or more game controls, to compare a characteristic of the fingerprint image with a corresponding characteristic relating to a player identification stored in the memory, to cause the display unit to generate a game display and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game. The display may relate to poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. 
     In another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus which may include a display unit, an optically sensitive control panel, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the optically sensitive control panel and the value input device. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the optically sensitive control panel to read a first image, to cause the optically sensitive control panel generate a display of one or more game controls, to cause the display unit to generate a game display and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the game. The game display may relate to poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. 
     In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming apparatus that may include a display unit, a value input device and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input device. The display unit may include an optically sensitive video display screen. The controller comprising a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to cause the display unit to read an image of an object placed on the optically sensitive display screen, to receive data representing a payline selection made by a player, to cause the display unit to generate a game display on the optically sensitive video display screen and to determine a value payout associated with an outcome of the slots game based on a configuration of slot machine symbols. The game display may include images of a plurality of slot machine symbols each of which is associated with a respective slot machine reel. 
     In still another aspect, the invention is directed to a gaming method which may include causing a control display of one or more game controls to be generated on an optically sensitive video display unit, reading an image of a player identification when the identification is positioned over the optically sensitive video display unit comparing a characteristic of the player identification image with a corresponding characteristic relating to a stored player identification causing a game display to be generated, and determining a value payout associated with an outcome of the game represented by the video image. The game display may relate to poker, blackjack, slots, keno or bingo. 
     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. 2B  illustrates an embodiment of an optically sensitive video display screen; 
         FIG. 2C  illustrates an embodiment of a pixel element that may be used with the optically sensitive video display screen of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional illustration of a representation of the pixel element of  FIG. 2C ; 
         FIG. 2E  illustrates an alternative embodiment of a pixel element that may be used with the optically sensitive video display screen of  FIG. 2B ; 
         FIG. 3  is a block diagram of the electronic components of the gaming unit of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  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. 5  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. 5A  is a flowchart of an embodiment of an image display and image input routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video poker routine of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video blackjack routine of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video poker routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 9  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video blackjack routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the slots routine of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video keno routine of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a slots routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 13  is a flowchart of an embodiment of a video keno routine that may be performed by one or more of the gaming units; 
         FIG. 14  is an illustration of an embodiment of a visual display that may be displayed during performance of the video bingo routine of  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 15  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. A player tracking card may be provided as a magnetic card with a magnetic strip containing the data representing the identity of the player, the identity of the casino, the player&#39;s gaming habits, etc. The player tracking card may also be provided as an optically readable card with an image provided on the card. The image may represent data regarding the identity of the player, the identity of the casino, the player&#39;s gaming habits, etc. The image may include a barcode, a computer generated image, a photograph, a watermark, a symbol, an alphanumeric symbol, 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 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 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 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 as a video display unit that may display a plurality of game controls. The input control panel  66  may be provided with a plurality of pushbuttons, touch-sensitive or optically-sensitive areas that may be pressed-by a player to select games, make wagers, make gaming decisions, etc. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates one possible embodiment of the control panel  66  which may include a plurality of game controls, 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 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 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 . The control panel  66  may further be provided with an “ID” button  75  that may be activated when a player provides a personal identification to the gaming unit  20 , in which case the gaming unit  20  may cause the control panel  66  and/or the display unit  70  to read an image such as a player identification (e.g., a fingerprint, a player tracking card, etc.). 
     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 ,  75 ,  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 display unit  70  is provided as a video display unit, the control panel  66  could be generated by the display unit  70 . In that case, each of the buttons of the control panel  66  could be a colored area generated by the display unit  70 , and some type of mechanism may be associated with the display unit  70  to detect when each of the buttons was touched, such as a touch-sensitive screen or an optically sensitive video display screen. 
     Gaming Unit Display and Control Panel 
       FIG. 2B  is an illustration of an embodiment of an optically sensitive video display screen  84  that may be utilized as part of the control panel  66 , if provided as a video display screen. The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may also be utilized as part of the video display unit  70 . The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may display video images including game controls, game displays (discussed further below) and other display images. The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may further read images, including a player identification such as a fingerprint, a player identification card (e.g., a player tracking card), etc. The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may concurrently display images and read images. 
     The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may comprise a plasma display panel (PDP), a liquid crystal display (LCD), a liquid crystal on silicon (LCOS) display, a light emitting diode (LED) display, a ferroelectric LCD display, a field emissions display (FED), an electroluminescent display (ELD), a front projection display, a rear projection display, and a microelectromechanical device (MEM) display such as a digital micromirror device (DMD) display or a grating light valves (GLV) display, etc. The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may further include organic display technologies such as an organic electroluminescent (OEL) display and an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, as well as a light emitting polymer display. In one example, the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may be a low temperature polysilicon thin film transistor liquid crystal display (LTPS TFT-LCD) or another system on glass (SOG) display technology, such as a display system with a built-in image scanner provided by Toshiba Matshushita Display and demonstrated in April 2003 in Tokyo at the Electronic Display Expo. In addition, the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may be a touch-sensitive display for control of a game routine by a player which may display the game controls for operating the game. Although the optically sensitive video display screen  84  is described as an LCD device, it should be understood that the image reading capabilities of the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may be provided with other display technologies, such as those mentioned above, using optically sensitive devices, some of which are discussed below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2B , the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may include an array  85  of a plurality of pixel elements  86 . The number of pixel elements  86  within the array  85  may vary depending on the resolution of the optically sensitive video display screen  84 . Each pixel element  86  (and the sub-pixel elements thereof) may be operatively coupled to a gate driver  87  and a source driver  88 , or any driver mechanism that may receive data relating to an image and cause the pixel element  86  to display a particular color. Together the drivers  87 ,  88  may cause the array  85  of pixel elements  86  to collectively display an image. The optically sensitive video display screen  84  may further include optical sensors, such as photodiodes or other photosensitive elements. The optical sensors may be provided as part of the array  85  of pixel elements  86  as optical sensor elements. The optical sensors may read an image placed in proximity to the surface of the optically sensitive video display screen  84 . Each of the optical sensor elements may be operatively coupled to a control circuit, such as the drivers  87 ,  88  or a separate image data input device, which may receive image data read by the optical sensor elements. 
       FIG. 2C  is an illustration of an embodiment of a pixel element  86   a  which may be provided in the array  85 . Referring to  FIG. 2C , the pixel element  86   a  may include a plurality of sub-pixel elements including an optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  and a plurality of display sub-pixel elements  91   a . As indicated above, the optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  may be a photosensitive or photodetector device such as photodiode optical sensor, a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) optical sensor, a charge coupled device (CCD) element sensor (e.g., a light senstive photocell), a photo TFT, etc. The optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  may be capable of reading images in color or grayscale. The display sub-pixel elements  91   a  may include a display sub-pixel element for each of the red, green and blue (RGB) display colors used for display devices. An example of a photo TFT, and an image sensor array of photo TFTs, is further described in U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2003/0205662, which is hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
       FIG. 2D  is a cross-sectional illustration of a representation of the pixel element  86   a  shown in  FIG. 2C . Referring to  FIG. 2D , the pixel element  86   a  may include a photosensitive device  92 . The pixel element  86   a  may further include a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) element, which may be a thin film transistor LCD (TFT-LCD). The LCD element may include a transistor  93  and a color filter  95  for each of the display sub-pixel elements  91   a . It should be appreciated that additional elements (not shown) may further be provided with the LCD display device such as a storage capacitor, pixel electrodes, interconnect wiring, spacers, etc. In another embodiment, each display sub-pixel element  91   a  may be individually provided with a color filter  91   a , transistor  93 , storage capacitor, pixel electrode, interconnect wiring, etc., which may allow each display sub-pixel element  91   a  to be individually addressable. Likewise, each photosensitive device  92  may be individually addressable. Both the photosensitive device  92  and the LCD element may be provided on a substrate  96 , and the color filters  95  may be provided on color filter substrate  97 . Polarizers  98 ,  99  may be provided above and below the LCD element, and a liquid crystal material may be provided between the substrates  96 ,  97 . The polarizers  98 ,  99  may further be provided above and below the photosensitive device  92 . A backlight (not shown) may be provided to emit light beneath the pixel element  86   a.    
     As shown in the array  85  of pixel elements  86  in  FIG. 2B , an optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  may be provided for each pixel element  86   a  in the array  85 . In another embodiment, only some of the pixel elements  86  may be provided with an optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  such that particular areas of the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may be used to read images. For example, an image displayed on the optically sensitive video display screen  84 , such as the “ID” button  75 , may coincide with those pixel elements  86   a  that include an optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a . In another example, an optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   a  may only be provided for every other pixel element  86   a , every third pixel element  86   a , every fourth pixel element  86   a , etc., which may be utilized if the resolution of the image of being read may be less than the resolution of an image displayed on the optically sensitive video display screen  84 . 
       FIG. 2E  is an alternative embodiment of a pixel element  86   b  which may be provided in the array  85 . Referring to  FIG. 2E , the pixel element  86   b  may include a plurality of sub-pixel elements including a plurality of display sub-pixel elements  91   b  and a plurality of optical sensor sub-pixel element  90   b  for each display sub-pixel element  91   b . The resolution of an image read by the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may thereby be three times the resolution of an image displayed on optically sensitive video display screen  84 . As above, optical sensor sub-pixel elements  90   b  may be provided with only some of the pixel elements  86   b , such that particular areas of the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may be used to read images, or optical sensor sub-pixel elements  90   b  may only be provided for every other pixel element  86   b , every third pixel element  86   b , every fourth pixel element  86   b , etc. 
     Gaming Unit Electronics 
       FIG. 3  is a block diagram of a number of components that may be incorporated in the gaming unit  20 . Referring to  FIG. 3 , 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. 3  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. 3  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. 3  illustrates that the control panel  66 , the display unit  70 , the coin acceptor  52 , the bill acceptor  54 , the card reader  58  and the ticket reader/printer  56  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. 3 , the components  52 ,  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  66 ,  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. 3  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. 4  is a flowchart of a main operating routine  200  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . Referring to  FIG. 4 , 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 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 , a prompt such as the “ID” button  75  to present an identification to the optically sensitive video display screen  84 , 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 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. 4 , 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. 5  is a flowchart of an alternative main operating routine  300  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . The main routine  300  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. 5 , the main routine  300  may begin operation at block  302  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 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  304 , the attraction sequence may be terminated and a game display may be generated on the display unit  70  (if provided as a video display unit) at block  306 . The game display generated at block  306  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  308 , 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  310 . Block  312  may be used to determine if the player requested initiation of a game, in which case a game routine  320  may be performed. The game routine  320  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  320  has been performed to allow the player to play the game, block  322  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  324  based on the outcome of the game(s) played by the player. The operation may then return to block  302 . If the player did not wish to quit as determined at block  322 , the operation may return to block  308 . 
     Image Display and Image Input 
     As mentioned above, the optically sensitive video display screen  84  may display images in addition to reading images, which may be performed concurrently. The control panel  66  and/or the video display unit  70  may therefore be capable of displaying and reading images.  FIG. 5A  is a flowchart of an image display and image input routine  325  that may be stored in the memory of the controller  100 . Although the routine  325  may be used to read an image relating to a player identification, such as a handprint, a fingerprint or an image on a player tracking card, it should be understood that aspects of the routine  325  may used to read other images while displaying images on the optically sensitive video display screen  84 , including the image displays described below. In one example, the routine  325  may be used to continually read a player&#39;s fingerprint whenever the player makes an input to the gaming unit  20 , such as by pressing one of the buttons on the control panel  66 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5A , the image display and image input routine  325  may begin operation at block  326  during the display of an image on the control panel  66  or the video display unit  70 . The routine  325  may continually determine whether an image is to be read by the optically sensitive video display screen  84 , or the routine  325  may receive a command to read an image, such as by the player pressing the “ID” button  75  or detecting an input from the player. If an image is to be read as determined at block  326 , the routine  325  may cause the optically sensitive video display screen  84  to read an image placed in proximity to the surface of the optically sensitive video display screen  84  at block  327 . 
     If provided to authenticate a player&#39;s identity, age, etc., the routine  325  may read a particular characteristic(s) of a player identification image and compare the characteristic of the player identification image with a corresponding characteristic(s) stored in a memory of the controller  100 . The characteristics may include points or lines on a fingerprint, points or lines on a handprint, the size and spacing of bars on a barcode image, facial characteristics of a player&#39;s photograph, watermarks, unique points within a computer generated image or symbol, etc. The characteristics may also be alphanumeric, and the routine  325  may include optical character recognition (OCR) to read the alphanumeric characters. Although described as reading a player identification, the image may also relate to other information regarding the player including casino identification, player gaming habits, etc. which may be read by the gaming unit  20 . 
     If the characteristic of the image matches the corresponding characteristic stored in the memory as determined at block  329 , the routine  325  may generate (or continue generating) an image, such as game controls, a game display, etc., on the video display unit  70  and/or the control panel  66  at block  330 . If the characteristic of the image does not match the corresponding characteristic stored in the memory, the routine  325  may prevent the player from continuing to play on the gaming unit  20 , such as by no longer generating game controls on the control panel  66  or otherwise locking up the gaming unit  20 . 
     Video Poker 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video poker game, the display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 6  is an exemplary display  350  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 6 , 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 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 display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 8  is a flowchart of the video poker routine  210  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , 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 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 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. 6 ). 
     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 display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 7  is an exemplary display  400  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 7 , 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 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 display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 9  is a flowchart of the video blackjack routine  220  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 9 , 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 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. 7 ). 
     Slots 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video slots game, the display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 10  is an exemplary display  450  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 10 , 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. 12  is a flowchart of the slots routine  230  shown schematically in  FIG. 10 . Referring to  FIG. 12 , 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 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 display unit  70 , actual slot machine reels that are capable of being spun may be utilized instead, in which case the 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 display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 11  is an exemplary display  520  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 11 , 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 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 display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 13  is a flowchart of the video keno routine  240  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . 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. 13 , 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 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 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. 11 ). 
     Video Bingo 
     Where the gaming unit  20  is designed to facilitate play of a video bingo game, the display unit  70  may comprise a video display unit.  FIG. 14  is an exemplary display  600  that may be shown on the display unit  70  during performance of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . Referring to  FIG. 14 , 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 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 display unit  70 . 
       FIG. 15  is a flowchart of the video bingo routine  250  shown schematically in  FIG. 4 . 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. 15 , 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 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 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. 14 ).