Patent Publication Number: US-9430899-B2

Title: Configuring and controlling wagering game presentations

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a Continuation application that claims priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/299,917 filed 9 Jun. 2014. The Ser. No. 14/299,917 application claims priority benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/129,293, which is a National Stage Application of PCT/US09/64280 filed 12 Nov. 2009, which claims priority benefit of Provisional U.S. Application No. 61/114,355 filed 13 Nov. 2008. 
    
    
     LIMITED COPYRIGHT WAIVER 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. Copyright 2015, WMS Gaming, Inc. 
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     Embodiments of the inventive subject matter relate generally to wagering game systems and networks that, more particularly, configure and control wagering game presentations. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Wagering game machines, such as slot machines, video poker machines and the like, have been a cornerstone of the gaming industry for several years. Generally, the popularity of such machines depends on the likelihood (or perceived likelihood) of winning money at the machine and the intrinsic entertainment value of the machine relative to other available gaming options. Where the available gaming options include a number of competing wagering game machines and the expectation of winning at each machine is roughly the same (or believed to be the same), players are likely to be attracted to the most entertaining and exciting machines. Shrewd operators consequently strive to employ the most entertaining and exciting machines, features, and enhancements available because such machines attract frequent play and hence increase profitability to the operator. Some of those machines, features, and enhancements may include presenting multiple content data (“content”) on a single wagering game machine. Developers encounter many challenges programming wagering game machines that can control the presentation of the multiple content, especially considering that there are many factors that can affect content presentation. Therefore, there is a continuing need for wagering game machine manufacturers to continuously develop ways of controlling the presentation of wagering game content. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Embodiments are illustrated in the Figures of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of providing presentation templates to wagering game machines, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of a wagering game system architecture  200 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 3  is a flow diagram  300  illustrating presenting content in presentation templates according to presentation requirements, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of a wagering game system  400 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of a presentation templates  500 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 6  is an illustration of a wagering game system  600 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 7  is an illustration of a wagering game system  700 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram  800  illustrating determining and using presentation templates to present multiple content, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 9  is a flow diagram  900  illustrating prioritizing the presentation of content on presentation templates, according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 10  is an illustration of a wagering game machine architecture  1000 , according to some embodiments; 
         FIG. 11  is an illustration of a mobile wagering game machine  1100 , according to some embodiments; and 
         FIG. 12  is an illustration of a wagering game machine  1200 , according to some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS 
     This description of the embodiments is divided into six sections. The first section provides an introduction to embodiments. The second section describes example operating environments while the third section describes example operations performed by some embodiments. The fourth section describes additional example embodiments while the fifth section describes additional example operating environments. The sixth section presents some general comments. 
     Introduction 
     This section provides an introduction to some embodiments. 
     Casinos, and providers of wagering game entertainment, provide a multitude of wagering games. Those wagering games are created by different wagering game content providers and manufacturers, and are stored on separate gaming machines configured to process and present games from only that provider. When a player wants to play one of the games, the player has to find a specific machine within the casino that contains that wagering game. Some content providers, however, have recognized that a player may want to play more than one specific wagering game, and have thus created wagering game machines that can process and display multiple different wagering games themes. However, controlling the presentation of multiple content on a single display can present certain challenges for game providers and manufacturers. Embodiments of the present invention, however, present ways to control the presentation of multiple content via presentation templates. For example, a wagering game system, according to some embodiments, can present casino operators (“operators”) with a configuration tool that can configure presentation templates with fixed presentation areas (e.g., windows, frames, interfaces, etc.) to be used with certain types of content, machines, players, etc. in certain situations. The operators can store the presentation templates on wagering game machines. The wagering game machines can receive content and, based on needs and requirements of the content, determine presentation templates that will present the content in the fixed presentation areas (“presentation areas”) according to the needs and requirements of the content. By using presentation templates, an operator can control the appearance of content in a very structured manner, providing a consistent look and feel for content. The fixed structure of the presentation templates relieves the wagering game machine from having to determine how the content should look within a presentation area and allows content from multiple sources to be presented in a way that was preferred or intended by the content provider. Wagering game machines can thus simultaneously process applications in different display areas because the presentation template areas have been pre-configured to function with specific applications, for certain conditions, etc. 
       FIG. 1  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of providing presentation templates to wagering game machines, according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 1 , a template configuration server  180  stores presentation templates  110 , each of which can present content in various presentation areas (see  FIG. 5  for a detailed description of some example presentation templates). The template configuration server  180  can be a tool used by an operator to generate, modify and update the presentation templates  110  according to presentation requirements for different content that is displayed at the same time upon displays associated with wagering game machines. The template configuration server  180  can provide some, or all, the presentation templates via a communications network  122  to one or more types of wagering game machines ( 160 ,  162 ,  164 ) residing within a casino. The wagering game machines  160 ,  162 ,  164 , use the templates to present content on displays associated with the wagering game machines  160 ,  162 , and  164 . Depending on the presentation requirements of the content, the wagering game machines  160 ,  162 , and  164 , select a presentation template that can present multiple content data (e.g., communication messages, game assets, advertisements, help screens, minimized game icons, promotional messages, help screens, etc.). 
     Although  FIG. 1  describes some embodiments, the following sections describe many other features and embodiments. 
     Example Operating Environments 
     This section describes example operating environments and networks and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. More specifically, this section includes discussion about wagering game system architectures. 
     Wagering Game System Architecture 
       FIG. 2  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wagering game system architecture  200 , according to some embodiments. The wagering game system architecture  200  can include an account server  270  configured to control user related accounts accessible via wagering game networks and social networks. The account server  270  can store and track player information, such as identifying information (e.g., avatars, screen name, account identification numbers, etc.) or other information like financial account information, social contact information, etc. The account server  270  can contain accounts for social contacts referenced by the player account. The account server  270  can also provide auditing capabilities, according to regulatory rules, and track the performance of players, machines, and servers. The account server  270  can include an account controller configured to control information for a player&#39;s account. The account server can also include an account store configured to store information for a player&#39;s account. 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include a wagering game server  250  configured to control wagering game content, provide random numbers, and communicate wagering game information, account information, and other information to and from a wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game server  250  can include a content controller  251  configured to manage and control content for the presentation of content on the wagering game machine  260 . For example, the content controller  251  can generate game results (e.g., win/loss values), including win amounts, for games played on the wagering game machine  260 . The content controller  251  can communicate the game results to the wagering game machine  260 . The content controller  251  can also generate random numbers and provide them to the wagering game machine  260  so that the wagering game machine  260  can generate game results. The wagering game server  250  can also include a content store  252  configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game server  250  can also include an account manager  253  configured to control information related to player accounts. For example, the account manager  253  can communicate wager amounts, game results amounts (e.g., win amounts), bonus game amounts, etc., to the account server  270 . The wagering game server  250  can also include a communication unit  254  configured to communicate information to the wagering game machine  260  and to communicate with other systems, devices and networks. 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include the wagering game machine  260  configured to present wagering games and receive and transmit information to configure and control wagering game presentations. The wagering game machine  260  can include a content controller  261  configured to manage and control content and presentation of content on the wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game machine  260  can also include a content store  262  configured to contain content to present on the wagering game machine  260 . The wagering game machine  260  can also include an operating system  263  configured to control the operation and presentation of system objects and instructions. The wagering game machine  260  can also include an application controller  264  configured to control and support application functionality. The wagering game machine  260  can also include a template controller  265  configured to control the activation, switching, and other uses of presentation templates. The wagering game machine  260  can also include a template store  266  configured to store presentation templates used to present content on the wagering game machine  260 . 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include a secondary content server  290  configured to provide content in addition to content provided by the wagering game server  250  and the wagering game machine  260  (e.g., additional wagering game content, promotions content, advertising content, player tracking content, web content, etc.). 
     The wagering game system architecture  200  can also include a template configuration server  280  configured to process and control information to configure and control wagering game presentations. The template configuration server  280  can include a template configuration controller  281  configured to control the generation and configuration of templates. The template configuration controller  281  can create templates and configure them with fixed presentation areas having fixed display characteristics, and other properties, for presenting content according to content presentation requirements and other characteristics and constraints related to a wagering game environment, wagering game device types, player characteristics, etc. The template configuration controller  281  can also receive pre-configured templates from game providers and customize them with operator requirements. The template configuration controller  281  can also present filtering and selection controls that an operator can use to select template types and provide the template types to certain wagering game machine types. The template configuration server  280  can also include a configuration rules store  282  configured to store rules concerning presentation requirements, template configurations, template selection requirements, presentation priority, etc. 
     Each component shown in the wagering game system architecture  200  is shown as a separate and distinct element connected via a communications network  222 . However, some functions performed by one component could be performed by other components. For example, the wagering game server  250  or the template configuration server  280  can also be configured to perform functions of the application controller  264 , the template controller  265 , the template store  266 , and other network elements and/or system devices. Furthermore, the components shown may all be contained in one device, but some, or all, may be included in, or performed by multiple devices, as in the configurations shown in  FIG. 2  or other configurations not shown. For example, the account manager  253  and the communication unit  254  can be included in the wagering game machine  260  instead of, or in addition to, being a part of the wagering game server  250 . Further, in some embodiments, the wagering game machine  260  can determine wagering game outcomes, generate random numbers, etc. instead of, or in addition to, the wagering game server  250 . The wagering game machines described herein (e.g., the wagering game machine  260 ) can take any suitable form, such as standing floor models, handheld mobile units, bar-top models, workstation-type console models, surface computing machines, etc. Further, the wagering game machines can be primarily dedicated for use in conducting wagering games, or can include non-dedicated devices, such as mobile phones, personal digital assistants, personal computers, etc. 
     In some embodiments, wagering game machines and wagering game servers work together such that wagering game machines can be operated as a thin, thick, or intermediate client. For example, one or more elements of game play may be controlled by the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game servers (server). Game play elements can include executable game code, lookup tables, configuration files, game outcome, audio or visual representations of the game, game assets or the like. In a thin-client example, the wagering game server can perform functions such as determining game outcome or managing assets, while the wagering game machines can present a graphical representation of such outcome or asset modification to the user (e.g., player). In a thick-client example, the wagering game machines can determine game outcomes and communicate the outcomes to the wagering game server for recording or managing a player&#39;s account. 
     In some embodiments, either the wagering game machines (client) or the wagering game server(s) can provide functionality that is not directly related to game play. For example, account transactions and account rules may be managed centrally (e.g., by the wagering game server(s)) or locally (e.g., by the wagering game machines). Other functionality not directly related to game play may include power management, presentation of advertising, software or firmware updates, system quality or security checks, etc. 
     Furthermore, the wagering game system architecture  200  can be implemented as software, hardware, any combination thereof, or other forms of embodiments not listed. For example, any of the network components (e.g., the wagering game machines, servers, etc.) can include hardware and machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein. Machine-readable media includes any mechanism that provides (i.e., stores and/or transmits) information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a wagering game machine, computer, etc.). For example, tangible machine-readable media includes read only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk storage media, optical storage media, flash memory machines, etc. Machine-readable media also includes any media suitable for transmitting software over a network. 
     Example Operations 
     This section describes operations associated with some embodiments. In the discussion below, some flow diagrams are described with reference to block diagrams presented herein. However, in some embodiments, the operations can be performed by logic not described in the block diagrams. 
     In certain embodiments, the operations can be performed by executing instructions residing on machine-readable media (e.g., software), while in other embodiments, the operations can be performed by hardware and/or other logic (e.g., firmware). In some embodiments, the operations can be performed in series, while in other embodiments, one or more of the operations can be performed in parallel. Moreover, some embodiments can perform more or less than all the operations shown in any flow diagram. 
       FIG. 3  is a flow diagram (“flow”)  300  illustrating presenting content in presentation templates according to presentation requirements, according to some embodiments.  FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7  are conceptual diagrams that help illustrate the flow of  FIG. 3 , according to some embodiments. This description will present  FIG. 3  in concert with  FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6 and 7 . In  FIG. 3 , the flow  300  begins at processing block  302 , where a wagering game system (“system”) configures presentation templates that are used to present content on a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the system can configure the look and behavior of the presentation templates. The presentation templates can possess fixed presentation areas positioned on the presentation template. The fixed presentation areas can be configured with configuration settings (e.g., properties, characteristics, etc.), that control the look, behavior, sounds, or other presentation characteristics of content. The system can present a configuration tool, as shown in  FIG. 4 , to create and/or modify presentation templates, with presentation areas, and assign configuration settings to the presentation template and presentation areas of the presentation template. In  FIG. 4 , a wagering game system (“system”)  400  can include a template configuration server  480 , which can present a configuration interface  401 . The configuration interface  401  can include a template editor  402  in which an operator can create, modify, save, delete, or otherwise configure a presentation template  410 . The system  400  can name the presentation template  410  and store the presentation templates in the form of a configuration file that can be provided to (e.g., downloaded to) one or more wagering game machines  460  connected to the template configuration server  480  via a communications network  422 . The configuration interface  401  can include objects and controls, such as windows, graphics, borders, branding icons, buttons, etc., that an operator can drag and drop onto the presentation template  410 . Some graphics can be specific to an operator. The system  400  can also configure the look and behavior of presentation templates via properties and characteristics  407  associated with a presentation area or any other part of the presentation template  410 . The presentation template  410  can include multiple presentation areas, such as a left-hand-side presentation area (e.g., left-side window  408 ), a main game display presentation area (e.g., game theme display  409 ), or any other presentation areas available by the configuration tool. The presentation areas may include user interfaces, windows, graphical presentation areas, web interfaces, etc. The properties and characteristics  407  may include configurations related to priority, display, sound, etc. The system  400  can pre-program the properties and characteristics into the presentation template  410 . The pre-programmed presentation configurations can interact with content, when provided to one of the wagering game machines  460  and passed into one of the presentation areas of the presentation template  410 . Operators can create as many presentation templates as they want to configure. The system can store as many templates as it needs to present content. The system can provide guidelines for limiting the number of presentation areas on a configuration template as based on presentation rules and guidelines for practicality of displaying many windows simultaneously. The presentation template  410  can include various types of presentation areas. The presentation template  410  illustrates two different types, a “main” presentation area (e.g., the game theme display  409 ) and one or more an auxiliary presentation areas (e.g., the left-side window  408 ). The main presentation area can be an area of a presentation template within which main game content is displayed (e.g., game graphics, symbols, reels, meters, buttons, etc.). The one or more auxiliary presentation areas, or “windows”, can be areas of the presentation template within which additional application content is displayed (e.g., secondary games, advertising, player messages, account data, etc.). The presentation areas can be displayed individually as single “windows” or can be grouped into an area. The presentation areas can include fixed display parameters so that content displayed in a presentation area can display according to a set resolution, size, quality, etc. Each presentation areas can be independent of any other presentation area and can be controlled independently. Some presentation areas can be utilized for displaying minimized icons. Minimized icons can be the result of an application running within a window being minimized. When minimized, the application content within the window can still be operational, just not viewable until the window is maximized. Some presentation areas can be shared or integrated areas for more than one application to use.  FIG. 5  illustrates an example of presentation template layouts with main areas (e.g., game theme display areas) and auxiliary areas (e.g., shared windows, overlays, corner windows, etc.). Each of the presentation areas can include characteristics that define the settings for the presentation area. Some examples characteristics may include, but are not limited to, the following:
         Location: a location for a presentation area in relation to a presentation area&#39;s border (e.g., X-Y coordinates specifying the location of area on the presentation template)   Size: a size, in pixels, of the area.   Scale: a direction in which a presentation area (e.g., the game theme display) scales. The direction can be left to right, right to left, top to bottom, bottom to top, a combination, etc., which can cause the presentation area boundaries to squeeze together.   Overlay: a layering characteristic whereby a presentation area can overlay on top of another presentation area (e.g., on top of the game theme display).   Minimization: a minimization characteristic which can suspend the presentation of content in the presentation area and minimize a representation of the content into a minimization area. The minimization feature does not necessarily close the presentation area, which could cause the application running within it to cease operation, but rather it can allow the content to continue to run while the presentation area is no longer visible to the player. The presentation areas may be designed to minimize to an icon that will maximize upon being selected (e.g., touched) by the player or in response to a server-side application message.   Minimized size: a size of the icon created when the presentation area is instructed to minimize.   Minimized location: X-Y coordinates specifying the location of the icon to be displayed when the presentation area is minimized.       

     In some embodiments, the presentation templates can be designed so that their layouts compliment each other and can be interchanged to present additional content without unduly affecting content that is already being displayed. For example, a second presentation template  502  includes an overlay presentation area  522  which is compatible with characteristics of (e.g., has common display characteristics with, can fit within the borders of, etc.) (1) a full screen display area  511  of the first presentation template  501 , (2) a game theme display area  533  of a third presentation template  503 , (3) a right-hand game theme display area  544  of a fourth presentation template  504 , (4) a left-hand game theme display area  555  of a fifth presentation template  505 , (5) a game theme display area  566  of a sixth presentation template  506 , and (6) a game theme display area  577  of a seventh presentation template  507 . Further, the fourth presentation template  504  is a mirror image of the fifth presentation template  505 . For example, a left-hand shared window  541  of the fourth presentation template  504  has the same set characteristics for displaying content as a right-hand shared window  551  of the fifth presentation template  505 . Likewise, the right-hand game theme display area  544  has the same set characteristics for displaying content as the left-hand game theme display area  555 . As a result, if the fourth presentation template  504  and the fifth presentation template  505  are interchanged while presenting content within the presentation areas  541 ,  544 ,  551 , and  555 , the display of the content can be interchanged (e.g., from the left-hand shared window  541  to the right-hand shared window  551  and from the right-hand game theme display area  544  to the left-hand game theme display area  555 , or vice-versa), without affecting the content resolution, size, etc. of the content. A wagering game machine would not need to determine how to shift the content around the display because the presentation templates would already have the pre-programmed display characteristics and constraints programmed into them. The wagering game machine, and/or its applications, would only need to know that a new template was being interchanged and the wagering game machine, or its applications, would look for a presentation area on the new template that can display the content according to presentation requirements. In the case of conflicts, however, the system can work out conflicts, as illustrated in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , according to some embodiments. Returning to the discussion of the presentation templates  500 , some presentation templates can be partially compatible with other presentation templates. For example, the fourth presentation template  504  and the fifth presentation template  505  can be partially compatible with the sixth presentation template  506  because the left-hand shared window  541  of the fourth presentation template  504  and the right-hand shared window  551  of the fifth presentation template  505  are compatible with the left-hand shared window  561  of the sixth presentation template  506  and with the right-hand shared window  562  of the sixth presentation template  506 . However, the right-hand game theme display area  544  and the left-hand game theme display area  555  are not compatible with the game theme display area  566  of the sixth presentation template  506 . As a result, the system could interchange the fourth presentation template  504  or the fifth presentation template  505  with the sixth presentation template  506  only by modifying the look of the content displayed within the game theme display areas (e.g., the content as displayed within the right-hand game theme display area  544  or the left-hand game theme display area  555  would have to shrink to fit into the game theme display area  566  of the sixth presentation template  506 ). As a result, the system may reject an interchange, to preserve the content display, especially during times when game display content within the right-hand game theme display area  544  or the left-hand game theme display area  555 , when modifying the display characteristics of the game display content would potentially cause confusion or annoyance to a casino patron. 
     Returning now to the discussion of  FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the system can correlate (e.g., assign, apply, transfer, etc.) presentation templates to wagering game machines based on wagering game machine characteristic types and constraints. Every wagering game machine or group of wagering game machines has it&#39;s own unique characteristics, requirements, or constraints based on wagering game machine or group capabilities, functions, locations, audience, etc. The presentation templates can be configured, like a wardrobe, for each wagering game machine or group of wagering game machines. Some presentation templates may possibly apply to multiple characteristics or to multiple types of a single characteristic (e.g., some presentation templates may apply to various machine types). The system can provide controls and settings that an operator can use to select different characteristic types and constraints that a wagering game machine possesses, encounters, or experiences, and apply, or assign, a presentation template to those characteristics. The system can provide (e.g., download) the presentation template to wagering game machines that match some, or all, of the selected characteristic types and/or constraints. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the template configuration server  480  can present, via the configuration interface  401 , a selection panel  414  for selecting characteristic and/or constraint types. A dropdown menu  416  can present various type categories. The selection panel  414  can present type option controls, based on the type category selection, like check boxes  415 . An operator can select the available type options by activating the desired check boxes  415 . The operator can further select other type categories from the dropdown menu  416  and select additional type options from additional check boxes that would appear showing options for the category type. As the operator select different type options, the configuration interface  401  can present a selection display  420  indicating the various options types that the operator selected. The configuration interface  401  can also include a warning display  418  that indicates whether a selection of an option type would be compatible with features of the highlighted presentation template  410 . Some examples of different characteristics and/or constraints related to wagering game machines may include, but not necessarily be limited to, the following:
         Machine type: different wagering game machines can support different sets of presentation templates. Machines types can vary based on characteristics of the machine, such as wagering game machines with reels, wagering game machines with overlapped displays, wagering game machines with props, wagering game machines with different resolutions, wagering game machines with multiple displays, (each display could have its own deck of presentation templates), etc.   Content Type: games and other content may have constraints (e.g., a full screen display, window of a certain size and shape, text of a certain font, etc).   Conditions of the wagering game machine: examples of conditions may include the location, the age, the amount of play the machine receives, etc.   Machine resources: machines may have different processing power, memory size, audio/visual equipment, bandwidth, etc.   Patron/player type: operators can create presentation templates with layouts that look different depending on, for example, the patron&#39;s level. The look and feel of each screen layout can be customized to meet the particular target segment&#39;s expectations   Game themes: different game content may have different graphics, backgrounds, branding, and other themed elements.   Time of day/year, events, etc.   Machine or game manufacturers   Operator constraints: for example, operators may want to apply a certain look and feel.       

     The flow  300  continues at processing block  304 , where the system transfers the presentation templates to a wagering game machine. In some embodiments, the system can determine current versions of presentation templates on the wagering game machine and compare with the current versions with updated versions of presentations templates stored on the template configuration server. The system can download/update presentation templates to the wagering game machine (e.g., via XML messages). The system can update configuration files already existing on the wagering game machine for older versions of presentation templates, download new presentation templates to the wagering game machine that weren&#39;t already there, and delete old and outdated presentation templates. The system can also transfer the presentation templates to multiple wagering game machines, based on selections, or filters, for characteristics or constraints. For example, in  FIG. 4 , the configuration interface  401  can include a submission control, like button  419 , which, when selected, can transfer the updated presentation template  410  to all wagering game machines on a casino floor that match the selected type options indicated in the selection display  420 . The system can store as many presentation templates on a wagering game machine as the wagering game machine may practically use or need. The system can download and store all of the available presentation templates on a wagering game machine or only those that the wagering game machine will use based on presentation requirements, conditions, characteristics, constraints, etc. The system can activate the presentation templates (i.e., bring them into operation, or focus), when applications (e.g., server-side applications) request to present content on the presentation templates. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  306 , where the system determines content from one or more content sources and determines presentation requirements for the content. In some embodiments, presentation requirements can be set by a content provider and/or by the casino operator. The requirements can relate to preferred, predetermined configurations, set by the content provider and/or the casino. The configurations can include content display requirements based on selected configuration factors (e.g., characteristics, types, etc.), and/or other needs of the content, such as preferred display sizes and resolutions, preferred presentation area dimensions (e.g., within the main theme display, within a particular sized auxiliary windows, etc.), priority information (e.g., high priority content versus low priority content), etc. In some embodiments, the content can include the presentation requirements (e.g., via attached messages, via metadata, etc.). The content can deliver the presentation requirements when the content is requested or delivered. In other embodiments, system applications and/or services can assign configuration requirements based on presentation rules. The presentation rules can provide display rules, priority rules, and other information related to presentation of specific types of content. In some embodiments, the presentation requirements can be pre-programmed into configurations files associated with the presentation templates. In some embodiments, the system can communicate with server-side and client-side applications to determine content and presentation requirements. The applications can store the content that they will display within each window. One or more servers can provide the content (e.g., provide a URL for the content, offer access to the content for download, respond to requests for the content, etc). Server-side applications can provide the content to a wagering game machine and client-side applications on the wagering game machine can access the content. The wagering game machine can also include applications, modules, software, hardware, etc. that can control the presentation of the content. The system (e.g., applications, wagering game machine, etc.) can provide requests, commands, instructions, messages etc. that control the content presentation (e.g., instructions to lock/unlock the wagering game machine, commands to open windows, commands to load content into windows, commands to close windows, etc.). Server-side application can send the wagering game machine a request to display specific content within a presentation template having a specific layout. The server-side application may specifically indicate presentation areas (e.g., the main theme display, auxiliary windows, etc.) of the presentation template.  FIG. 6  illustrates an example wagering game system (“system”)  600  that communicates messages between server-side applications  602 , client-side applications  661 ,  662 ,  663  and  664 , a wagering game machine&#39;s operating system (“operating system”)  608 , and a presentation template  601 . In  FIG. 6  several of the server-side applications  602  communicate data to their respective client-side counterparts  661 ,  662 ,  663  and  664  on a wagering game machine. The wagering game machine includes the operating system  608  that can control the use of presentation templates and presentation areas (e.g., see wagering game machine  206  in  FIG. 2  for an example architecture). The operating system  608  can control the communications between applications and respond to requests and comments by the applications to present content within one or more presentation areas on the presentation template  601 . As an example, in some embodiments, the system  600  can determine that a player logs in to the wagering game machine. A player may insert a player tracking card into a card reader. The card reader reads a magnetic stripe and publishes the encoded information. A server-side, player tracking application  621  and a server-side, promotional rewards application  622 , both of which subscribe to the information provided by the card, receive the player&#39;s card ID. The player tracking application  621  identifies the player and activates a set of media content designed to welcome the player (e.g., a message indicating the player&#39;s status points value and that the player is close to a status upgrade). The promotional rewards application  622  determines that the player has earned a reward (e.g., an offer for free spins). The server-side applications  621  and  622  send messages to the wagering game machine notifying the respective client-side applications (a client-side, player tracking application  661  and a client-side, promotional rewards application  662 ) that the content is available for download and/or pushes the content to the wagering game machine. The system  600  (e.g., the wagering game machine, the operating system  608 , a network service, the client side applications  661  or  662 , etc.) determines presentation requirements for the content which indicate that the player tracking content and the promotional content can be presented on the presentation template  601 . The player tracking content may indicate that it is to be displayed in a top presentation area  630 , or rather in a presentation area that has configuration settings and characteristics that match those of the top presentation area  630 . The promotional content may indicate that it is to be displayed in a center overlay presentation area  635 . The system  600 , therefore, can present the content in the top presentation areas  630  and the center overlay presentation areas  635 . At the same time, wagering game applications (e.g., a server-side, primary game application  623  and a server-side, secondary game application  624 ) can also communicate messages and content to respective client-side game applications (e.g., a client-side, primary game application  663  and a client-side, secondary game application  664 ). The content for the primary game application  623  can indicate that it is to be presented in a main game theme display area  631 . The secondary game application  624  can indicate that it is to be presented in a left-hand window  632 . The operating system  608  can provide operating system specific communications to control and coordinate data presented in and/or used to present content within the presentation template  601 . Applications can communicate bi-directionally (e.g., Client-side applications can communicate via bi-directional XML messages). Bi-directional communication can be useful so that the system  600  can determine potential conflicts between important, or high priority, applications (e.g., base game applications) and lower priority applications (e.g., secondary applications). Bi-directional communication can also be helpful so that the system  600  can provide cooperation between applications to present their content in ways that compliment other content displayed in neighboring areas. Through the use of a secure socket, wagering game machine specific information can be made accessible to the applications (e.g., ShockWave™ applications) running within presentation areas. However, some applications (e.g., secondary applications, low-priority applications, non-wagering-game applications, etc.) may be restricted from accessing all wagering game machine related information. In this manner, the security and integrity of the wagering game machine can be maintained. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  308 , where the system determines an active presentation template utilized by the wagering game machine. The system can load, or activate, a presentation template on a wagering game machine when the wagering game machines powers-up and initializes and at all other times when the wagering game machine is on, for various presentation purposes. For example, after start-up, the system may activate a presentation template that can display attract animations. When a player approaches the wagering game machine and logs in, the system may activate a presentation template that can display logon information. After logging on, the system may activate a presentation template that can display game selection icons, and so forth. Based on triggering activity, the system loads different presentation templates. Whichever presentation template was the last one loaded is the “active” presentation template. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  310 , where the system determines whether the content can be presented using the active presentation template according to the presentation requirements. In some embodiments, the content to be displayed in each window can vary. In some cases the content displayed in an auxiliary, or shared, presentation area (e.g., marketing or advertising content, bonus game content, second-chance to win content, mystery bonus content, progressive content, secondary game content, non-game content, etc.) can be different from the content displayed in the main presentation area (e.g., base game content). Consequently, the system can determine the presentation needs of the content and can determine, based on characteristics and configuration information associated with the presentation templates, which presentation areas are best suited for the content that needs to be presented. At the point which the wagering game machine receives the content, the wagering game machine may have a presentation template activated, or loaded. If that “active” presentation template is not capable of presenting the content according the presentation requirements (e.g., the presentation areas are insufficient to present the content properly), then the system can determine that another presentation template would need to be loaded, or activated, before presenting the content. If the content cannot be presented using the active presentation template according to the presentation requirements, then the process continues at processing block  312 . Otherwise, the process continues at processing block  316 . 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  312 , where the system determines an appropriate presentation template that can present the content according to the presentation requirements. In some embodiments, the system can determine a presentation template that displays the content according to a preferred configuration. The preferred configuration can represent operator configured, system defined and/or content appropriate display constraints. The presentation template allows the content to be presented as it should, for maximum effect, and avoids presenting content in ways for which it wasn&#39;t intended (e.g., avoids forcing content into a static auxiliary window, avoids shrinking or expanding content, avoids presenting content in presentation areas that cannot present specific effects, etc.). In some embodiments, the system can determine the content&#39;s needs and select the presentation template that will fit the needs of the content (e.g., a bonus application wants to display an award, and wants to use a full screen). The system then selects an appropriate presentation template from a store of presentation templates on the wagering game machine and/or requests a presentation from a server (e.g., a template configuration server). 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  314 , where the system activates the appropriate presentation template on the wagering game machine. 
     The flow  300  continues at processing block  316 , where the system determines one or more presentation areas of the presentation template in which to present the content and present the content in the one or more presentation areas. In some embodiments, the system can determine presentation requirements of the content; and determine that the one or more presentation areas of the presentation template include configuration settings that match presentation requirements.  FIG. 7  illustrates an example of presenting content within the one or more presentation areas of a presentation template. In  FIG. 7 , a wagering game system (“system”)  700 , presents content using the presentation template  601  illustrated in  FIG. 6 . For example, in  FIG. 6 , the four server-side applications  621 ,  622 ,  623  and  624  provide messages indicating that content should be presented in various presentation areas of the template, respectively the top presentation area  630 , the center overlay presentation area  635 , the main game theme display area  631 , and the left-hand window  632 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the presentation of the content within the presentation areas  630 ,  631 ,  635  and  632 . In  FIG. 7 , a wagering game machine  760  receives content from various sources, including a primary wagering game server  740 , a secondary wagering game server  750 , a player tracking server  780  and a promotions server  790 . Each of the servers  740 ,  750 ,  780 ,  790  provides content and requests that the wagering game machine display content within one of the presentation areas  730 ,  731 ,  732 ,  733 ,  734 , and  735 . Specifically, the player tracking server  780  requests to present content  708  within a top presentation area  730 , the promotions server  790  requests to present content  709  within a center overlay presentation area  735 , the primary wagering game server  740  requests to present content  704  within a primary game presentation area  731 , and the secondary wagering game server  750  requests to present content  711  within a left-hand side presentation area  732 . The servers  740 ,  750 ,  780 , and  790  can all request to present content within shared presentation areas  734  and  733 . For instance, the primary wagering game server  740  and the secondary wagering game server  750  can both present and/or respond to controls  710 ,  712  within a right-hand-side presentation area  734 . The shared, lower-left-hand-side presentation area  733  can present minimized icons for applications, content messages, toggle-buttons, bonus indicators, etc. The wagering game machine  760  presents the content  708 ,  709 ,  711 ,  704  and other items (e.g., the controls  710 ,  712 ) within the presentation areas  730 ,  731 ,  732 ,  733 ,  734 , and  735 . In some embodiments, the content and other items do not interfere with one another and so the wagering game machine  760  can present the content simultaneously on one presentation template. However, in some embodiments, there may be a conflict of content presentation within presentation areas and/or with presentation templates.  FIGS. 8 and 9  below illustrate two examples of prioritizing conflicts of presentation of content on a presentation template according to some embodiments. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram (“flow”)  800  illustrating determining and using presentation templates to present multiple content, according to some embodiments.  FIG. 7  is a conceptual diagram that helps illustrate the flow of  FIG. 8 , according to some embodiments. This description will present  FIG. 8  in concert with  FIG. 7 . In  FIG. 8 , the flow  800  begins at processing block  802 , where a wagering game system (“system”) presents first content in a first presentation area of a first presentation template according to first presentation requirements. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the system  700  presents primary wagering game content from the primary wagering game server  740  in the primary game presentation area  731 . 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  804 , where the system receives a request to present a second content according to second presentation requirements. In some embodiments, the first content and second content can be different types of content. In some embodiments, the first presentation requirements can require that the first content be displayed according to a first display dimension and/or resolution that match configuration settings for the first presentation area. The second presentation requirements can require that the second content be displayed according to a second display dimension and/or resolution that matches, or correlates, to configuration settings for a presentation area other than the first presentation area. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the secondary wagering game server  750  can request to present a secondary wagering game in a presentation area with a preferred display dimension and resolution. 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  806 , where the system determines whether at least one other (“second presentation area”) of the first presentation template can present the second content according to the second presentation requirements (e.g., the preferred display dimension and resolution) while the first content is presented. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the system receives content from the secondary wagering game server  750  and refers the presentation requirements (e.g., the preferred display dimensions and resolution) associated with the content. The system can refer to configuration files associated with the active presentation template for the wagering game machine  760 . The configuration file indicates the presentation requirements (e.g., lists the display dimensions and resolutions for each presentation area  730 ,  731 ,  732 ,  733 ,  734 , and  735 ). The system can also refer to the configuration file to determine the name, description, and function for the presentation areas  730 ,  731 ,  732 ,  733 ,  734 , and  735  to determine which ones are configured to present the type of content (e.g., secondary game content) from the secondary wagering game server  750 . In some embodiments, the system can determine priority conflicts that may result when presenting content. As stated previously in conjunction to  FIG. 5 , presentation templates and presentation areas can be designed so that they can be compatible with the other presentation templates and presentation areas. However, sometimes, a presentation area may exist that can present the content, but it is being used. In other embodiments, the presentation template may not have a presentation area that can present the content according to the presentation requirements. If the second presentation area is capable of presenting the second content according to the second requirements, then the process continues at processing block  808 . If not, then the process can continue at processing block  812 . 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  808 , where the system determines whether the second presentation area of the first presentation template is available. For example, in  FIG. 7 , if the content from the secondary wagering game server  750  can be presented in the left-hand side presentation area  732 , the system  700  checks to see if there is other content is being actively displayed, meaning that the other content is in the process of being presented. The other content displayed in the left-hand side presentation area  732  may not be able, or willing, to release the left-hand side presentation area  732  (e.g., the other content is receiving a wager, processing game elements, displaying an outcome, etc.). If the second presentation area is available, then the process continues at block  819 . If not, then, in some embodiments, the process can return to processing block  808  until the second presentation area is available. In other embodiments, however, the system can determine whether another presentation area (e.g., a third presentation area, a fourth presentation area, etc.) on the first presentation template can present the second content according to the second presentation requirements and whether the other presentation area is available. If there is an additional, available presentation area that can present the second content according to the second presentation requirements, then the process can continue at processing block  810 , where the system presents the second content in the other presentation area of the first template. In some embodiments, the second presentation areas (e.g., the left-hand side presentation area  732 ) is unavailable, but the system determines that the second content is high priority enough to present immediately, without waiting for the other content to release the second presentation area. As a result, the system can minimize the content in the second display area (e.g., minimize the content in the left-hand side presentation area  732  into the shared, lower-left-hand-side presentation area  733 ) and present a message, icon, or other representation, that the content (or application running the content) is in stasis and is awaiting further action. The system can then present second content in the second presentation area (e.g., in the left-hand side presentation area  732 ). 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  810 , where the system presents the second content in the second presentation area of the first presentation template. For example, the wagering game machine  760  presents the content  711  (e.g., secondary wagering game elements) in the left-hand side presentation area  732 , which contains presentation configurations that match the presentation requirements for the second content. 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  812 , where the system determines a second presentation template that can present both the first and a second content in separate presentation areas according to the first presentation requirements and the second presentation requirements. In some embodiments, the system can determine a presentation template that displays the content according to a preferred presentation configuration set by a content provider, according to content display requirements, and/or other needs of the content. 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  814 , where the system determines whether the first content can accommodate a switch to the second presentation template. In some embodiments, the system can determine whether the content is active (e.g., slot reels are spinning and therefore cannot be stopped to switch templates unless the switch can be done seamlessly). If the first content cannot, or is not willing to, accommodate a switch, according to presentation rules or guidelines for proper display and functionality, then the system can elect to reject the request to switch to a second presentation template. The system can wait until the first content can accommodate the switch (i.e., return to processing block  814 ) or it can force the switch. In some embodiments, the system can activate the second content (e.g., launch a secondary application) in suspended mode, and present the content when the first content can accommodate the switch. If the system forces the switch before the first content can accommodate the switch, the system can determine options for pausing the first content (e.g., presenting a message to the player that it is pausing the wagering game, then switch the presentation templates). If the first content can accommodate a switch to the second presentation template, then the process continues at processing block  816 . If not, then the process can return to processing block  814  until the first content can accommodate the switch to the second presentation template. 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  816 , where the system activates the second presentation template in place of the first presentation template. 
     The flow  800  continues at processing block  818 , where the system presents the first content and the second content in preconfigured presentation areas of the second presentation template. 
       FIG. 9  is a flow diagram (“flow”)  900  illustrating prioritizing the presentation of content on presentation templates, according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 9 , the flow  900  begins at processing block  902 , where a wagering game system (“system”) receives high priority content. High priority content may include content that relates to a high priority, or very important activity, according to presentation and/or priority rules. Examples of high priority content may include wagering games content, and, more particularly, content that relates to wagers, game play elements, and wagering game outcomes. High priority content may be content that should normally not be interrupted in its appearance or function. 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  904 , where the system presents the high priority content on a first presentation template according to first presentation requirements that match one or more configurations of the first presentation template. 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  906 , where the system receives a lower priority content, where the lower priority content cannot be presented on the first presentation template according to second presentation requirements. 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  908 , where the system determines whether the high-priority content is still active. If the high-priority content is still active, then the process continues at block  910 . If not, then the process continues at block  912 . 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  910 , where the system determines whether presenting the lower priority content before the high priority content becomes inactive is more valuable than presenting the high-priority content according to its presentation requirements. In some embodiments, the system can supersede, or modify, the priority of the content and can shift the priority of the content (e.g., dynamic determination of the presentation templates based on the number of items in queue). For example, a first presentation template may be displayed that presents the high-priority content. The system wants to present the lower priority content, but requires a second presentation template because the first presentation template does not have an available presentation area that can present the lower-priority content. The system can cause the lower priority content to wait until the high-priority content is displayed. However, the system can instead determine, regardless of the lower-priority content&#39;s lower assigned priority, that it can still be valuable to present the lower-priority content even if it means affecting the presentation of the high-priority content. For example, in  FIG. 7 , the system  700  may present the primary game content on reels  704 . The reels  704  may be spinning (a very high priority activity that, according to presentation rules, should normally not be interrupted in its appearance or function). Nevertheless, the promotions server  790  may receive promotional content that indicates that the player will receive a bonus award if the player places wagers to exceed a certain credit value over a number of spins. Thus, the system can determine that although the presentation of the promotional content is a lower priority, according to presentation rules, than presenting the active spinning of the reels  704 , the system may determine that the player may want to increase the bet of the current spin, before the reels  704  stop spinning, to count toward the betting requirement indicated in the promotional content. Thus, the system may present the promotional content in the center overlay presentation area  735 , even though it may affect the presentation of the reels  704 . Alternatively, the system can determine a presentation template that may accommodate both content without significantly affecting the presentation of the reels  704 . For example, the game content in the primary game presentation area  731  may indicate, according to presentation requirements, that the reels  704  should be presented at a high resolution. Nevertheless, the system determines that a second presentation template can present the reels  704  in a presentation area, but the reels  704  would be presented on the second presentation template at a lower resolution, contrary to the presentation requirements for the primary game content. The system  700  may, nevertheless, activate a second presentation template that has an available auxiliary presentation area with does not overlay or obstruct the reels  704 , present the reels  704  in a presentation areas with a lower resolution (e.g., shrink the size of the reels  704 ) and also present the promotional content in an auxiliary window while the reels  704  are still spinning. If presenting the lower priority content before the high priority content becomes inactive is more valuable than presenting the high-priority content according to its presentation requirements, then the process continues at block  912 . If not, then the process returns to block  908  and waits until the high-priority content is no longer active. 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  912 , where the system activate s a second presentation template in place of the first presentation template. The second presentation template can present the high-priority content and at least some of the lower priority content according to their respective presentation requirements. 
     The flow  900  continues at processing block  914 , where the system presents the high-priority content and at least some of the lower priority content on the second presentation template. 
     Additional Example Embodiments 
     According to some embodiments, a wagering game system (“system”) can provide various example devices, operations, etc., to configure and control wagering game presentations. The following non-exhaustive list enumerates some possible embodiments.
         In some embodiments, the system can present a small alert (e.g., an icon, an avatar, a customizable ring tone, a highlighted number, etc.) on a mobile wagering game machine to notify a player to take action on an application, a secondary application, etc. (e.g., a notification to take an action with a primary application, a notification to look at a secondary application, etc.). The small alert can be very lightweight and utilize very little processing resources and/or other resources from the mobile wagering game machine. For example, the system can keep a secondary application on standby, in the background, but check periodically for updates and/or present alerts to the user to respond to the secondary application. This can conserve performance for the primary application because the secondary application is on standby and not constantly utilizing processing cycles. However, with small alerts, the system can still notify the player of needs by background applications. The player, however, can respond to those needs at the player&#39;s convenience. The small alert can also include a selection for a player to make. For example, the small alert may include a message at the bottom of the wagering game machine display to press a button to activate the content for the secondary application in standby.       

     Another button can indicate that the message should go away indefinitely or be delayed for a specified period of time. 
     Additional Example Operating Environments 
     This section describes example operating environments, systems and networks, and presents structural aspects of some embodiments. 
     Wagering Game Machine Architecture 
       FIG. 10  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wagering game machine architecture  1000 , according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 10 , the wagering game machine architecture  1000  includes a wagering game machine  1006 , which includes a central processing unit (CPU)  1026  connected to main memory  1028 . The CPU  1026  can include any suitable processor, such as an Intel® Pentium processor, Intel® Core 2 Duo processor, AMD Opteron™ processor, or UltraSPARC processor. The main memory  1028  includes a wagering game unit  1032 . In some embodiments, the wagering game unit  1032  can present wagering games, such as video poker, video black jack, video slots, video lottery, reel slots, etc., in whole or part. 
     The CPU  1026  is also connected to an input/output (“I/O”) bus  1022 , which can include any suitable bus technologies, such as an AGTL+ frontside bus and a PCI backside bus. The I/O bus  1022  is connected to a payout mechanism  1008 , primary display  1010 , secondary display  1012 , value input device  1014 , player input device  1016 , information reader  1018 , and storage unit  1030 . The player input device  1016  can include the value input device  1014  to the extent the player input device  1016  is used to place wagers. The I/O bus  1022  is also connected to an external system interface  1024 , which is connected to external systems (e.g., wagering game networks). The external system interface  1024  can include logic for exchanging information over wired and wireless networks (e.g., 802.11g transceiver, Bluetooth transceiver, Ethernet transceiver, etc.) 
     The I/O bus  1022  is also connected to a location unit  1038 . The location unit  1038  can create player information that indicates the wagering game machine&#39;s location/movements in a casino. In some embodiments, the location unit  1038  includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that can determine the wagering game machine&#39;s location using GPS satellites. In other embodiments, the location unit  1038  can include a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag that can determine the wagering game machine&#39;s location using RFID readers positioned throughout a casino. Some embodiments can use GPS receiver and RFID tags in combination, while other embodiments can use other suitable methods for determining the wagering game machine&#39;s location. Although not shown in  FIG. 10 , in some embodiments, the location unit  1038  is not connected to the I/O bus  1022 . 
     In some embodiments, the wagering game machine  1006  can include additional peripheral devices and/or more than one of each component shown in  FIG. 10 . For example, in some embodiments, the wagering game machine  1006  can include multiple external system interfaces  1024  and/or multiple CPUs  1026 . In some embodiments, any of the components can be integrated or subdivided. 
     In some embodiments, the wagering game machine  1006  includes a template coordination module  1037 . The template coordination module  1037  can process communications, commands, or other information, where the processing can configure and control wagering game presentations. 
     Furthermore, any component of the wagering game machine  1006  can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein. 
     Mobile Wagering Game Machine 
       FIG. 11  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a mobile wagering game machine  1100 , according to some embodiments. In  FIG. 11 , the mobile wagering game machine  1100  includes a housing  1102  for containing internal hardware and/or software such as that described above vis-à-vis  FIG. 10 . In some embodiments, the housing has a form factor similar to a tablet PC, while other embodiments have different form factors. For example, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  can exhibit smaller form factors, similar to those associated with personal digital assistants. In some embodiments, a handle  1104  is attached to the housing  1102 . Additionally, the housing can store a foldout stand  1110 , which can hold the mobile wagering game machine  1100  upright or semi-upright on a table or other flat surface. 
     The mobile wagering game machine  1100  includes several input/output devices. In particular, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  includes buttons  1120 , audio jack  1108 , speaker  1114 , display  1116 , biometric device  1106 , wireless transmission devices (e.g., wireless communication units  1112  and  1124 ), microphone  1118 , and card reader  1122 . Additionally, the mobile wagering game machine can include tilt, orientation, ambient light, or other environmental sensors. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  uses the biometric device  1106  for authenticating players, whereas it uses the display  1116  and the speaker  1114  for presenting wagering game results and other information (e.g., credits, progressive jackpots, etc.). The mobile wagering game machine  1100  can also present audio through the audio jack  1108  or through a wireless link such as Bluetooth. 
     In some embodiments, the wireless communication unit  1112  can include infrared wireless communications technology for receiving wagering game content while docked in a wager gaming station. The wireless communication unit  1124  can include an 802.11G transceiver for connecting to and exchanging information with wireless access points. The wireless communication unit  1124  can include a Bluetooth transceiver for exchanging information with other Bluetooth enabled devices. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  is constructed from damage resistant materials, such as polymer plastics. Portions of the mobile wagering game machine  1100  can be constructed from non-porous plastics which exhibit antimicrobial qualities. Also, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  can be liquid resistant for easy cleaning and sanitization. 
     In some embodiments, the mobile wagering game machine  1100  can also include an input/output (“I/O”) port  1130  for connecting directly to another device, such as to a peripheral device, a secondary mobile machine, etc. Furthermore, any component of the mobile wagering game machine  1100  can include hardware, firmware, and/or machine-readable media including instructions for performing the operations described herein. 
     Wagering Game Machine 
       FIG. 12  is a conceptual diagram that illustrates an example of a wagering game machine  1200 , according to some embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 12 , the wagering game machine  1200  can be used in gaming establishments, such as casinos. According to some embodiments, the wagering game machine  1200  can be any type of wagering game machine and can have varying structures and methods of operation. For example, the wagering game machine  1200  can be an electromechanical wagering game machine configured to play mechanical slots, or it can be an electronic wagering game machine configured to play video casino games, such as blackjack, slots, keno, poker, blackjack, roulette, etc. 
     The wagering game machine  1200  comprises a housing  1212  and includes input devices, including value input devices  1218  and a player input device  1224 . For output, the wagering game machine  1200  includes a primary display  1214  for displaying information about a basic wagering game. The primary display  1214  can also display information about a bonus wagering game and a progressive wagering game. The wagering game machine  1200  also includes a secondary display  1216  for displaying wagering game events, wagering game outcomes, and/or signage information. While some components of the wagering game machine  1200  are described herein, numerous other elements can exist and can be used in any number or combination to create varying forms of the wagering game machine  1200 . 
     The value input devices  1218  can take any suitable form and can be located on the front of the housing  1212 . The value input devices  1218  can receive currency and/or credits inserted by a player. The value input devices  1218  can include coin acceptors for receiving coin currency and bill acceptors for receiving paper currency. Furthermore, the value input devices  1218  can include ticket readers or barcode scanners for reading information stored on vouchers, cards, or other tangible portable storage devices. The vouchers or cards can authorize access to central accounts, which can transfer money to the wagering game machine  1200 . 
     The player input device  1224  comprises a plurality of push buttons on a button panel  1226  for operating the wagering game machine  1200 . In addition, or alternatively, the player input device  1224  can comprise a touch screen  1228  mounted over the primary display  1214  and/or secondary display  1216 . 
     The various components of the wagering game machine  1200  can be connected directly to, or contained within, the housing  1212 . Alternatively, some of the wagering game machine&#39;s components can be located outside of the housing  1212 , while being communicatively coupled with the wagering game machine  1200  using any suitable wired or wireless communication technology. 
     The operation of the basic wagering game can be displayed to the player on the primary display  1214 . The primary display  1214  can also display a bonus game associated with the basic wagering game. The primary display  1214  can include a cathode ray tube (CRT), a high resolution liquid crystal display (LCD), a plasma display, light emitting diodes (LEDs), or any other type of display suitable for use in the wagering game machine  1200 . Alternatively, the primary display  1214  can include a number of mechanical reels to display the outcome. In  FIG. 12 , the wagering game machine  1200  is an “upright” version in which the primary display  1214  is oriented vertically relative to the player. Alternatively, the wagering game machine can be a “slant-top” version in which the primary display  1214  is slanted at about a thirty-degree angle toward the player of the wagering game machine  1200 . In yet another embodiment, the wagering game machine  1200  can exhibit any suitable form factor, such as a free standing model, bar top model, mobile handheld model, or workstation console model. 
     A player begins playing a basic wagering game by making a wager via the value input device  1218 . The player can initiate play by using the player input device&#39;s buttons or touch screen  1228 . The basic game can include arranging a plurality of symbols along a pay line  1232 , which indicates one or more outcomes of the basic game. Such outcomes can be randomly selected in response to player input. At least one of the outcomes, which can include any variation or combination of symbols, can trigger a bonus game. 
     In some embodiments, the wagering game machine  1200  can also include an information reader  1252 , which can include a card reader, ticket reader, bar code scanner, RFID transceiver, or computer readable storage medium interface. In some embodiments, the information reader  1252  can be used to award complimentary services, restore game assets, track player habits, etc. 
     The described embodiments may be provided as a computer program product, or software, that may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic device(s)) to perform a process according to embodiments(s), whether presently described or not, because every conceivable variation is not enumerated herein. A machine readable medium includes any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, magnetic storage medium (e.g., floppy diskette); optical storage medium (e.g., CD-ROM); magneto-optical storage medium; read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); erasable programmable memory (e.g., EPROM and EEPROM); flash memory; or other types of medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. In addition, embodiments may be embodied in an electrical, optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), or wireline, wireless, or other communications medium. 
     General 
     This detailed description refers to specific examples in the drawings and illustrations. These examples are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the inventive subject matter. These examples also serve to illustrate how the inventive subject matter can be applied to various purposes or embodiments. Other embodiments are included within the inventive subject matter, as logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes can be made to the example embodiments described herein. Features of various embodiments described herein, however essential to the example embodiments in which they are incorporated, do not limit the inventive subject matter as a whole, and any reference to the invention, its elements, operation, and application are not limiting as a whole, but serve only to define these example embodiments. This detailed description does not, therefore, limit embodiments, which are defined only by the appended claims. Each of the embodiments described herein are contemplated as falling within the inventive subject matter, which is set forth in the following claims.