38th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 150 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140274187 | Output Management for Press-to-Transmit Communications - Methods, systems and devices are provided for managing press-to-transmit (PTX) communications on a PTX device, including include receiving at a recipient PTX device a first indication that a floor grant has been granted to an originating PTX device. Also, determining whether a PTX message segment from the originating PTX device should be buffered for delayed playback by the recipient PTX device. Further, transmitting a buffer signal based on determining the PTX message segment should buffered, the buffer signal indicating one of a request to buffer the PTX message segment and a recipient storage indication signifying the PTX message segment will be stored in a memory of the recipient PTX device. Further still, transmitting a ready signal indicating the recipient PTX device is ready to output PTX message segments. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274188 | REDUCED-POWER TRANSMITTING FROM A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - Aspects of the present disclosure teach decreasing, in a time-averaged regime, the amount of RF energy emitted by a communications device. Generally speaking, the network tells the communications device what power level it should transmit at. If, however, the device determines that it would exceed an emission standard by transmitting at the specified power level for as long as it needs to in order to carry out its transmission duties, then the device can instead decide to transmit at a lower power level. Alternatively (or in combination), the device can, instead of transmitting all the time while it has data to send, only transmit intermittently. In either case, the emitted electromagnetic energy, as averaged over a period of time, is reduced below the maximum allowed by the standard. Later, if possible and necessary, the device can again transmit at a higher power level or more frequently. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274189 | REDUCED-POWER TRANSMITTING FROM A COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE - Aspects of the present disclosure teach decreasing, in a time-averaged regime, the amount of RF energy emitted by a communications device. Generally speaking, the network tells the communications device what power level it should transmit at. If, however, the device determines that it would exceed an emission standard by transmitting at the specified power level for as long as it needs to in order to carry out its transmission duties, then the device can instead decide to transmit at a lower power level. Alternatively (or in combination), the device can, instead of transmitting all the time while it has data to send, only transmit intermittently. In either case, the emitted electromagnetic energy, as averaged over a period of time, is reduced below the maximum allowed by the standard. Later, if possible and necessary, the device can again transmit at a higher power level or more frequently. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274190 | REAL-TIME EXPOSURE ASSESSMENT - Efficient techniques for determining compliance of a wireless device with radio-frequency (RF) exposure standards and regulations. In an aspect, two-dimensional surface scans of a device are determined and stored in a memory during a certification phase. Each scan corresponds to a basis surface scan wherein only one transmitter and one antenna of the device are active. During real-time operation, the basis surface scans corresponding to the real-time active transmitters and antennas of the device are retrieved. The retrieved scans are processed according to the real-time operating parameters to determine an estimated RF exposure metric, e.g., a peak specific absorption rate (SAR). The transmit power levels of the device may be adjusted in real time to ensure compliance of the estimated RF exposure metric with applicable standards and regulations. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274191 | METHOD FOR ADJUSTING A TRANSMIT POWER OF A MULTI CARRIER TRANSMITTER AND A MULTI CARRIER TRANSMITTER - A method for adjusting a transmit power of a multi carrier transmitter in a mobile communication system includes providing at least two data streams, each data stream to be transmitted on a separate carrier frequency, and determining a transmit signal adaptation metric separately for each of the at least two data streams. The method further includes calculating a combined transmit signal adaptation metric based on the separate transmit signal adaptation metrics, combining the two data streams carried on the two carrier frequencies to an overall transmit signal, and adjusting the transmit power of the overall transmit signal based on the calculated combined transmit signal adaptation metric. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274192 | POWER CONTROL OF NEIGHBOR DISCOVERY SIGNALS - A method of adjusting power of a neighbor discovery signal may include determining a maximum transmission power of a transmitting wireless device. The transmitting wireless device may be configured to transmit a neighbor discovery signal to one or more receiving wireless devices. The one or more receiving wireless devices may be discovered neighbor wireless devices of the transmitting wireless device and may be configured to receive the neighbor discovery signal. The method may further include determining a power level of the neighbor discovery signal based on the maximum transmission power of the transmitting wireless device and a number of the discovered neighbor wireless devices. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274193 | OUT-OF-BAND NOISE AND OVERLOAD PROTECTION - A method for providing overload or noise protection may include applying an amplification factor to a first-band signal transmitted in a first frequency band. The first frequency band may include a first uplink band and a first downlink band. The amplification factor may be applied by an amplification circuit configured for signals transmitted in the first frequency band. The method may further include detecting a second-band signal transmitted in a second frequency band. The second frequency band may include a second uplink band and a second downlink band. Additionally, the method may include adjusting the amplification factor based on the detected second-band signal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274194 | CONTROL APPARATUS, REPRESENTATIVE BASE STATION, AND BASE STATION CONTROL METHOD - According to one embodiment, a control apparatus includes a terminal information collection unit, a map generator, a terminal information accumulation unit, a parameter calculator, and a parameter setting unit. A map generator generates a map indicating a distribution of the representative terminals. A terminal information accumulation unit accumulates the map generated by the map generator. A parameter calculator sets operating frequencies and transmission powers for the base stations by simulation, empirically estimate, based on past maps accumulated in the terminal information accumulation unit, received powers of the representative terminals generated by the operating frequencies and transmission powers sets by simulation, and determine new operating frequencies. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274195 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DYNAMIC POWER REGULATION IN SMALL CELLS - Disclosed are systems and methods for dynamic power regulation in small cells. In one aspect, a system is configured to determining at least one mobility metric indicative of at least one access terminal mobility at the cell. The system then configured to determine whether the value of mobility metric is acceptable. When the value of mobility metric is unacceptable, the system is configured to increase the transmit power of the cell until the value of mobility metric becomes acceptable. If the value of mobility metric does not become acceptable after increasing the transmit power of the cell above a threshold, the system is configured to decrease the transmit power of the cell. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274196 | DEVICE-TO-DEVICE (D2D) POWER CONTROL METHOD, USER EQUIPMENT, BASE STATION, AND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention provide a device-to-device (D2D) power control method, a user equipment, a base station, and a communication system. The method includes: receiving, by a first user equipment UE, path loss information sent by a base station or a reference signal sent by a second UE, and obtaining a transmit power of the first UE according to the path loss information or the reference signal; sending data to the second UE based on the transmit power of the first UE, so that the second UE obtains an adjustment reference value according to the data and sends detection control information to the base station according to the adjustment reference value; and receiving, by the first UE, power adjustment information which is sent by the base station according to the detection control information, and adjusting, according to the power adjustment information, the transmit power of the first UE. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274197 | WIRELESS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND COMMUNICATION CONTROL METHOD - The present invention relates to a wireless communication system and a communication control method. The wireless communication system includes: a wireless terminal; a plurality of base stations; and a host-side base station, wherein, in a case where CoMP transmission/reception is requested, the host-side base station decides base stations cooperating therewith for the CoMP transmission/reception, opens wireless lines for base stations under connection to the wireless terminal, and sends a same signal thereto, thereby performs the CoMP transmission/reception, and each of a plurality of the base stations functions as a relay device in a case of transferring the signal with the host-side base station through the wireless line. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274198 | REDUCING AN ACOUSTIC INTENSITY VECTOR WITH ADAPTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION WITH TWO ERROR MICROPHONES - A second error microphone may be incorporated in a mobile device to allow computation of additional parameters for modifying an adaptive noise cancellation (ANC) algorithm. For example, a first and second acoustic pressure may be calculated from a first and second error microphone of the mobile device. The first and second acoustic pressure may be input to an algorithm for determining an acoustic intensity vector. The ANC algorithm may receive the acoustic intensity vector as an input, and adapt an anti-noise signal to reduce the acoustic intensity vector. Additionally, an input impedance for the error microphones may be calculated from the acoustic pressure to determine coupling between a speaker and a user's ear. The anti-noise algorithm may be adjusted or disabled when the input impedance indicates the user has removed the phone from the user's ear. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274199 | Noise Cancellation Apparatus and Method - A noise cancellation structure comprises a trans-impedance stage couple to an output of a mixer of a receiver and a noise cancellation stage connected in parallel with the trans-impedance stage, wherein the noise cancellation stage comprises a first adjustable resistor and a second adjustable resistor connected in series with the first adjustable resistor, wherein the first adjustable resistor and the second adjustable resistor are configured such that the first adjustable resistor has a first resistance variation portion and the second adjustable resistor has a second resistance variation portion equal to the first resistance variation in an opposite direction and a magnitude of the first resistance variation is so selected that differential mode second-order noise and common mode second-order noise cancel each other. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274200 | COMMUNICATIONS CONTROL BETWEEN MOBILE DEVICE AND PERIPHERAL DEVICE - A non-transitory computer-readable medium can include instructions for performing a method that includes docking a mobile device with a docking station using at least one physical connection and at least one wireless connection to provide communication between the mobile device and the docking station. One of the physical or wireless connections can be selected for providing a signaling channel for communication of signaling data between the mobile device and the docking station. Independently of the signaling channel, one of the physical or wireless connections can be selected for providing a media channel for communication of media data between the mobile device and the docking station. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274201 | DUAL-SIM WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MITIGATING RECEIVER DESENSE IN DUAL-ACTIVE OPERATION - Aspects of the disclosure provide for an access terminal configured to enable communication with two or more wireless communications networks simultaneously. According to some aspects of the disclosure, an access terminal (e.g., dual-SIM access terminal) can be active simultaneously on both networks with reduced interference between transmission and reception. A number of different techniques for mitigating desense on a victim's Rx are illustrated in this disclosure with a GSM aggressor and an EV-DO victim as non-limiting examples. Other aspects, embodiments, and features are also claimed and described | 2014-09-18 |
20140274202 | IN-DEVICE COEXISTENCE OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGIES - In a method of operating a communication device that includes at least (i) a first network interface configured to operate according to a first communication protocol and (ii) a second network interface configured to operate according to a second communication protocol, the first communication interface is operated according to the first communication protocol. The first communication protocol defines a periodically repeating set of time intervals. One or more time intervals, from the set of time intervals, that meet a selection criteria are determined. The selection criteria is based on level of interference experienced by the first network interface. During the determined one or more time intervals, operation of the first network interface according to the first communication protocol is suspended, and operation of the second network interface according to the second communication protocol is enabled. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274203 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A VOICE COMMAND - According to some aspects, a method of monitoring an acoustic environment of a mobile device, at least one computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform such a method and/or a mobile device configured to perform such a method is provided. The method comprises receiving acoustic input from the environment of the mobile device while the mobile device is operating in the low power mode, detecting whether the acoustic input includes a voice command based on performing a plurality of processing stages on the acoustic input, wherein at least one of the plurality of processing stages is performed while the mobile device is operating in the low power mode, and using at least one contextual cue to assist in detecting whether the acoustic input includes a voice command. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274204 | PERSONAL E-PORT APPARATUS - A persona e-port apparatus. The personal e-port apparatus includes a portable apparatus such as bag, purse, backpack, etc. with specific portions for protecting, organizing displaying and charging plural electronic devices such as smart phones, book readers, game consoles and tablet computers. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274205 | LASER OBSTACLE DETECTOR - The present invention provides a device for assisting a person in determining the presence or identity of obstacles in the person's path, characterized by a housing, a laser projector for generating a laser pattern in a surface in said person's path, a receiver for at least receiving a plurality of images of the laser pattern reflected from the surface and for generating a signal corresponding to said laser pattern reflection and a processor for processing said signal to at least determine the presence or identity of an object, and a warning generator for generating a warning to the person. The present invention also provides a method for assisting a person in determining the presence of an object in a person's path comprising generating a laser pattern comprising a plurality of laser lines on a surface, distinguishing between one or more straight line segments in the laser pattern and distorted line segments of said laser pattern after they are reflected from said surface and evaluating the distortions in said line segments of said laser pattern to determine the presence or identity of an object in the person's path. The present invention can be used to assist the visually impaired in seeing objects in their path or can be used by a sighted user in game play or at night for detecting obstacles. Some of the functions of the present device can be provided in a smart phone which can be adapted with a laser projection as a separate attachment or as part of the smart phone circuitry. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274206 | WIRELESS TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE AND USES THEREOF - A wireless telecommunication device including a foreground unit, and a background unit that is physically separated from the foreground unit and in local communication with the foreground unit. The foreground unit is provided to support incoming calls independently of the background unit. Furthermore, the foreground unit and the background unit cooperate to support outgoing calls. The scope of the invention also includes a method for doing business by offering the foreground unit for sale in a packaging having a form factor selected from the group consisting of a pen, a pen cap, a wristwatch, and a necklace. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274207 | DATA TRANSFER DEVICE FOR MOBILE TERMINAL - A data transfer device for a mobile terminal, comprising a control unit, a program storage unit, a data storage unit, a power supply unit, a display unit, and a plurality of connection interfaces. When a user electrically connects two mobile terminal using different operating systems with the connection interface of the device, the control unit of the device is activated to execute a control program stored in a program storage unit of the device. The control program is configured to detect different operating systems of the two mobile terminals, and then back up and transfer the data to a metafile, wherein the metafile is backed up in the data storage unit. Then, the metafile is transferred and copied in the target mobile terminal by the control program to finish the data transfer between the two mobile terminals using the different operating systems. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274208 | Portable Three-in-One Mobile Phone Accessory - A portable three-in-one mobile phone accessory comprising a phone stand, a game control system and a docking station is disclosed. Said phone stand, game control system and docking station are built into one integrated device. Said accessory can be split into half so that a mobile phone can be held into said accessory vertically or horizontally. A user is able to charge a mobile phone and play games on the phone using the game control system in either an upright position or a horizontal position. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274209 | LABEL CONFIGURED TO OPERATE BETWEEN A PLURALITY OF OPERATIVE POSITIONS - Arrangements described herein relate to presenting a label in a mobile station. The label can be configured to operate within the mobile station between a second operative position resulting from a subscriber identity module (SIM) being present in the mobile station and a first operative position resulting from the SIM not being present in the mobile station, in the second operative position the label not being externally viewable with respect to the mobile station, and in the first operative position the label being externally viewable with respect to the mobile station. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274210 | DUAL SIM CARD ADAPTER FOR MOBILE DEVICE - What is disclosed is an apparatus for a dual Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card adapter, comprising: a first storage space for a SIM card tray ejection pin configured to eject a SIM card from the mobile device; a second storage space for a SIM card tray for a mobile device; a connector operational to be entered into a SIM card slot for the mobile device, said connector comprising an input and an output; a switch comprising an input and at least two outputs, said switch operational to couple the switch input to a selected one of the at least two switch outputs; and at least two integrated SIM card holders. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274211 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR DETECTING A VOICE COMMAND - According to some aspects, a method of monitoring an acoustic environment of a mobile device, at least one computer readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed, perform such a method and/or a mobile device configured to perform such a method is provided. The method comprises receiving, by the mobile device, acoustic input from the environment of the mobile device, detecting whether the acoustic input includes a voice command from a user without requiring receipt of an explicit trigger from the user, and initiating responding to the detected voice command. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274212 | Method and Apparatus for Acoustically Characterizing an Environment in which an Electronic Device Resides - A method and apparatus for adapting acoustic processing in a communication device, and capturing at least one acoustic signal using acoustic hardware of the communication device, characterizing an acoustic environment external to the communication device using the at least one captured acoustic signal, adapting acoustic processing within the communication device based on the characterized acoustic environment. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274213 | Wrist phone - A telecommunication device includes a casing, smart phone components disposed within the casing, two opposed flexible wrist grips having upper and lower surfaces, and a flexible screen disposed on the lower surfaces of the casing and the opposed flexible wrist grips and in communication with the smart phone components. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274214 | DISPLAY OF AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE SUPPORTING MULTIPLE OPERATION MODES - A method and an apparatus output data from an electronic device. The method includes: identifying at least one display area matched to at least one opening area formed in a part of a cover of the electronic device on a display screen of a display unit of the electronic device; operating the at least one display area in a first mode, and operating at least a partial area of a remaining display area of the display screen in a second mode. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274215 | MOBILE DEVICE COVER WITH DISPLAY MODULE - A mobile device case or cover can include a display module that can display notifications or other useful data to users. The display module can communicate wirelessly with the mobile device to obtain notifications. In addition, in some embodiments, the display module can communicate with a secondary mobile device (such as a phone in a user's pocket) to obtain notifications or other data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274216 | MOBILE COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Various embodiments of a cellular telephone are described, including embodiments having no external physical buttons and no external physical switches. In one embodiment, the device is small enough to fit in a small pocket yet has a touchscreen large enough for a smartphone-sized virtual keyboard. In one embodiment, the device automatically switches between various power modes configurations and can send at least one notification to a user when its battery needs charging. Each described embodiment of a cellular telephone can be used as a primary cellular device or a secondary cellular device, where the secondary cellular device can share the same cellular number as that of the primary cellular device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274217 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OPERATING ELECTRONIC DEVICE WITH COVER - A method includes detecting whether a cover covers the at least one portion of the display, receiving a call signal, displaying an information related to the reception of the call signal on the at least one portion of the display in response to the reception of the telephone call reception signal, detecting an external object that is adjacent to a surface of the display, and connecting a call in response to the detection of the adjacency of the external object. An electronic device includes a controller configured to cause the display to display receiving a call through the window in response to receiving the call while the cover is detected to cover the display, and control the call to be connected in response to detecting an external object that is adjacent to a surface of the display. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274218 | Apparatus with Adaptive Acoustic Echo Control for Speakerphone Mode - A method includes cycling through a plurality of microphone and speaker combinations in a mobile device in response to the mobile device being placed in speakerphone mode. The mobile device includes a plurality of microphones and at least one speaker. The method obtains acoustic echo data from an echo canceller for each microphone and speaker combination, calculates an acoustic isolation value for each combination and then selects a microphone and speaker combination based on the acoustic isolation value. The method may also include determining an echo spectrum for each microphone and speaker combination using the obtained acoustic echo data, and select an echo control profile based on a characteristic of the echo spectrum. The echo control profile is selected to further improve acoustic isolation for the selected microphone and speaker combination. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274219 | Telecommunication Power System - A telecommunication power system comprises a battery recharge bus connected to a load bus via a plurality of contactor control paths. The telecommunication power system continuously cycles battery strings as primary power for loads at telecommunication sites in conjunction with utilizing alternate power sources as secondary power for the loads at the telecommunication sites. The telecommunication power system may be installed in a telecommunication site without removing an existing lead-acid rectifier system. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274220 | MOBILE POWER SUPPLY DEVICE WITH EXPANDING FUNCTION - The present invention discloses a mobile power supply device. The mobile power supply device includes at least one expansion interface, at least one transmission interface, a charging control unit, a battery, and an expansion control unit. The transmission interface is used for electrically connecting to an electronic host device. The charging control unit is electrically connected to the transmission interface and to at least one external power supply. The battery is electrically connected to the charging control unit. The charging control unit is used for controlling the external power supply to charge the battery and for controlling the battery to charge the electronic host device. The expansion control unit is electrically connected to the expansion interface and the transmission interface; the expansion control unit communicates with the external device via the expansion interface and communicates with the electronic host device via the transmission interface. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274221 | FLEXIBLE CABLE FOR SUPPORTING ITSELF OR AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE ELECTRICALLY CONNECTED THRERETO - A cable including: a body having one or more elongated conductors and an electrically insulating sheathing covering the elongated conductor; and a connector disposed at at least one end for electrically connecting the elongated conductor to an electronic device; wherein at least a portion of the body has a rigidity such that the portion can be shaped into a predetermined configuration and maintained in the predetermined configuration when one or more of supporting the electronic device in a predetermined position or maintaining the body into a predetermined configuration. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274222 | Hands-Off Detection and Deactivation for Handheld User Devices - A user device having an active application periodically detects for a hands-off state of the user device. Upon detecting a hands-off state, the user device affects at least one of the active application and the user device. Prior to affecting at least one of the active application and the user device, the user device detects for one or more of a connection between the user device and another device, and an application of pressure to the user device. If either is detected the, the user device bypasses affecting at least one of the active application and the user device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274223 | Method and Apparatus for a Battery Saver Utilizing a Sleep and Vacation Strategy - A cellular communication module utilized within a battery-powered vehicle comprising a processor configured to activate an extended power mode, wherein the extended power mode allows the cellular communication module to establish a data session with a cellular communication network for a first time period. The process if further configured to activate a low power mode, wherein the low power mode allows the cellular communication module to maintain a registered cellular connection with the cellular communication network for a second time period, and activate a sleep mode, wherein the sleep mode maintains a registered cellular connection with the cellular communication network during a reoccurring wake-up cycle or is disconnected from the cellular communication network for a third time period. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274224 | MANAGING POWER CONSUMPTION ON AN ELECTRONIC DEVICE - In one aspect, in general, a method includes, based on a first indication of an amount of battery life of a battery-powered device, calculating a first polling interval for an electronic communication application running on the battery-powered device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274225 | POWER OPTIMIZATIONS FOR CHALLENGING WAN SERVICE CONDITIONS - A method for a tracking device optimizing power to remain reachable for a desired period based on evaluated wide-area-network conditions. The tracking device may communicate via a power-intensive long-range transceiver and may continually measure service conditions related to network communications. The tracking device may periodically calculate statistical information describing the service conditions, such as a percentage of time in which the tracking device was out-of-network-service. Based on the statistics, the tracking device may operate in an optimization mode to conserve power when out-of-network-service. In an embodiment, the tracking device may calculate the statistics based on evaluation periods defined by predefined numbers of out-of-network-service occurrences, predefined time periods, and/or a hybrid of both. In an embodiment, the tracking device may conserve power in a power save state that alternates with another operating state in which the tracking device periodically evaluates criteria before either continuing to conserve power or utilize network resources. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274226 | Method and Apparatus for an Alert Strategy Between Modules - A telematics control unit comprising a transceiver configured to receive a message from a vehicle module during a sleep mode, the message requesting the telematics control unit to output information via a telecommunications network. The telematics control unit also includes a processor configured to determine whether to output the information or delay the output of the information based upon the message, and output the information to the telecommunications network, or delay outputting the information until the telematics control unit enters a full-power mode or a wake-up cycle. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274227 | ET SYSTEM WITH ADJUSTMENT FOR NOISE - An envelope tracking transceiver dynamically adjusts envelope tracking parameters to achieve the desired tradeoff between noise performance and power efficiency. When higher levels of noise are acceptable, the envelope tracking transceiver dynamically adjusts transmitter parameters to achieve better power efficiency while sacrificing noise performance. When lower levels of noise are desired, the envelope tracking transceiver dynamically adjusts parameters to achieve better noise performance while sacrificing efficiency. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274228 | PORTABLE STAND FOR MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICES - This invention provides portable stands for cell phones/tablets/mobile electronic devices having at least one receptacle for power and/or an earphone/headset. The portable stand includes a support leg for supporting the electronic device on a surface, the support leg having a proximal end and a distal end, the distal end being configured to engage with a surface on which the mobile device is being supported. The stand includes a clasping means for releasably attaching the support leg to the electronic device. The clasping means extends from the proximal end of the support leg and is configured to be engaged with a connector plug inserted into the receptacle of the electronic device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274229 | MOBILE PHONE EMPLOYING BONE CONDUCTION DEVICE - One surface of a housing is furnished with an opening larger in diameter than a bone conduction device placed therein. A cushioning material is arranged on the inside surface of the opening, and an abutting member secured to a plate yoke constituting the bone conduction device is supported on the cushioning material, such that the top surface thereof is positioned slightly above the surface of the housing. The cushioning material is an annular disk in which is formed a center hole slightly smaller in diameter than the outside diameter of the bone conduction device. The outside peripheral half of the cushioning material is secured resting on the upper edge of the opening of the housing, and the outside edge of the abutting member is secured resting on the upper edge of the center hole of the cushioning material. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274230 | Retaining arrangement for a mobile communication device - The invention relates to a retaining arrangement ( | 2014-09-18 |
20140274231 | MULTIBAND ANTENNA USING DEVICE METAL FEATURES AS PART OF THE RADIATOR - Mobile communication devices include multi-band antennas that use an internal conductor and a perimeter conductor to define antenna sections that are coupled together based on an RF wavelength of interest. The antenna sections can be selected or deselected by shunting to ground using a passive filter device or an active RF switch. In other examples, filters or switches are configured to couple an internal conductor and a portion of a perimeter conductor together to provide an effective antenna length associated with a selected frequency. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274232 | WATERPROOF MOBILE DEVICE CASE - A case for a mobile communication device includes a base that defines an interior and a first surface and is configured to receive at least a portion of the mobile communication device in the interior. A screen protector is configured to releasably engage the base and defines a first surface of the screen protector. The screen protector is configured to retain a gasket, which is releasably engageable to the screen protector, between the first surface of the base and the first surface of the screen protector. A cover is provided that is releasably engageable with the base and is configured to releasably restrain the screen protector when engaged with the base. The cover defines an opening through which at least a portion of the screen protector is accessible. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274233 | Double-Walled Plastic Grain Bin With Integrated Fluid Storage Between Walls - In one embodiment, a combine harvester comprising a chassis; and a double-walled, plastic grain storage bin coupled to the chassis, the bin configured to store crop material processed by the combine harvester. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274234 | Roto-Molded Plastic Grain Bin - In one embodiment, a combine harvester comprising a chassis; and a grain storage bin coupled to the chassis, the bin comprising a single-walled, plastic storage container for the storage of crop material processed by the combine harvester. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274235 | Grain Bin Constructed of Plastic Panels - In one embodiment, a method of forming a grain storage bin for a combine harvester, the method comprising forming, in a plastic molding process, plural double-walled plastic panels of the grain storage bin; and coupling the plural double-walled plastic panels in an interlocking arrangement. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274236 | Harvester Crop Delivery System - A harvester is provided comprising a vessel for securing a crop therein and a crop delivery system. The crop delivery system has a first tube with a first angled orientation, a first end and an opposed second end, the first tube being configured to receive the crop from the vessel at the first end. A continuous belt is provided having a receiving region in close proximity to the first end of the first tube. A portion of the belt operable to carry the crop from the receiving region is structurally supported by and substantially covered by the first tube, while a portion of the belt operable to return to the receiving region after delivering the crop passes beneath the first tube. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274237 | Double-Walled Plastic Grain Bin With Integrated Support Structure - In one embodiment, a combine harvester comprising a chassis; and a double-walled, plastic grain storage bin coupled to the chassis, the bin comprising an integrated support structure disposed on an interior surface of the bin that contacts crop material processed by the combine harvester. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274238 | System and Method for Harvesting and Processing Sugar-Containing Crops in the Field - A mobile field harvesting process for harvesting and further processing sugar-containing crops, such as sweet sorghum, includes cutting the crop, chopping the crop, and reducing the crop to the crop's separated juice and solids in the field. Separation is carried out using a chopper and a juicer. The juicer may be a screw press. The juice may be stored and fermented on the farm, followed by distillation by a mobile distillation process to separate the alcohol from the stillage. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274239 | COMPUTER READABLE MEDIUM RECORDING SHOOTING GAME - Provided herein is a computer readable medium recording a shooting game. The shooting game includes a character moving module, a screen moving module, a focusing module, and an attack module. The character moving module moves the location of a character. The screen moving module senses the movement of a terminal using a gyrosensor and then moves the game screen depending on the variation in the angle of the terminal. The focusing module senses dragging when a drag icon is dragged. The attack module generates an attack signal to the center of the game screen at the time at which the dragging is terminated. The attack module generates a hitting signal for the character when the character is located at the center of the game screen at the time at which the dragging is terminated, or a preset time after the time at which the dragging is terminated. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274240 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR SIMULATED GAMEPLAY BASED ON A GEOSPATIAL POSITION - A device includes circuitry configured to receive, from a position sensor, a geospatial position of the device. The circuitry is configured to receive, from a memory, image data corresponding to one or more golf courses, wherein the image data is received when the circuitry determines that the geospatial position of the device corresponds to a current golf course, of the at least one golf courses. The circuitry is configured to control a display such that the image data corresponding to the current golf course is output on the display. The circuitry is configured to receive a simulated shot input representing a simulated golf stroke taken at the geospatial location of the device. The circuitry is configured to calculate a simulated shot trajectory based on the simulated shot input. The circuitry is configured to control the display to output a result of the simulated golf stroke. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274241 | SCHEME FOR REQUIRING ADDITIONAL USER INPUT WHEN CATCHING AN OBJECT IN A COMPUTER SIMULATION - A method includes displaying a character on a display, wherein movements of the character are controllable by a user, displaying an object on the display and causing the object to appear to be moving, causing the character to appear to be attempting to catch the object in response to control input received from the user, receiving a catch command input from the user, and causing the character to appear to successfully catch the object if a set of at least one condition(s) are all met, wherein the set of at least one condition(s) comprises that the object is within a predetermined distance from a catching element of the character at a time of receipt of the catch command input and wherein the character is oriented in a manner suitable for catching the object. A storage medium and system are included. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274242 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REAL-TIME MEASUREMENT AND EVALUATION OF SKILL LEVELS OF PARTICIPANTS IN A MULTI-MEDIA INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT - Apparatus and methods are described for operating an online interactive simulation/game environment, where an object's motion is controlled by a player along a path. A player's skill level is quickly quantified as they control the object traversing the path, so that they can be properly placed in games with those of like skill, and do so without having competed with others. An optimal path is established for the object's travel during a portion of a game, and at each increment of travel, an optimum velocity or time delta is established. The path of the object being controlled by a player being rated is then tracked over the same path. At each distance increment its position and velocity or time delta are recorded and compared with the optimum. Deviations therebetween are calculated on an incremental basis, and the aggregate determines the player's skill level for a set of equivalent conditions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274243 | TAILORING EDUCATIONAL LEARNING ENVIRONMENTS - A method of tailoring an educational learning environment to a particular student may include receiving a selection of an educational game type from a plurality of educational game types and determining a learning activity. The method may also include determining a difficulty level for the learning activity and accessing a parameter set based on the learning activity and the difficulty level. The method may additionally include accessing, based on the parameter set, a set of functional instructions and a plurality of graphic objects. The method may further include creating an educational game based on the set of functional instructions, the plurality of graphic objects, the educational game type, the learning activity, and the difficulty level. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274244 | ENHANCING TECHNIQUES AND SYSTEMS FOR LOGICAL GAMES, ACTIVITIES AND PUZZLES - The present invention pertains to a class of games and activities of skill and logic, particularly to puzzles based on reason and logic. Disclosed are a method and a system for comparing solutions to the puzzles based on the paths to solution and for completion of the activities based on the order of carrying out the steps of the activity. A number of applications of the method are disclosed for development of further puzzles and activities from the initial puzzle or activity, as well as for other enriching experiences and expressions, particularly the method of providing a priori or real time hints to a participant to solve the puzzle or advance in the activity. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274245 | FANTASY PLAYER ALGORITHM - In a system and method to facilitate the evaluation and selection of players to be used for collective scoring in a fantasy environment of competing groups sports players can be evaluated for inclusion to a fantasy sports roster by evaluating past and projected performance statistics to maximize a team manager's opportunity to defeat other teams based on the particular scoring system employed by a fantasy sports league. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274246 | LOCALIZED SHORTEST-PATHS ESTIMATION OF INFLUENCE PROPAGATION FOR MULTIPLE INFLUENCERS - A method and a system for resolving a two-player influencer blocking conflict are disclosed. The method and system may include to form a set of defender actions to increase a defender set of nodes; form a set of attacker actions; determine a defender strategy based the set of attacker actions, the defender strategy comprising a new defender action; to determine an attacker strategy that is based the set of defender actions; modify the set of defender actions to include the new defender action; update the set of attacker actions according to the attacker strategy; form a new set of attacker actions when the set of defender nodes increases more than a threshold; and form a display to show the defender set of nodes and the attacker set of nodes in a graph. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274247 | Predictive Sports-Based Platforms - An apparatus for a contest based on the accuracy of predictions for a future sports event is described. Participants in a sports-based contests attempt to engage in multiple, successful predictions, which may result in “streaks” that provide for additional points or other rewards for contest participants. Participants may also engage in seed-based predictions, which may result in additional points or other rewards for contest participants. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274248 | Predictive Sports-Based Platforms - An apparatus for a contest based on the accuracy of predictions for a future sports event is described. Participants in a sports-based contests attempt to engage in multiple, successful predictions, which may result in “streaks” that provide for additional points or other rewards for contest participants. Participants may also engage in seed-based predictions, which may result in additional points or other rewards for contest participants. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274249 | Gaming System and Methods of Playing a Baccarat-Type Game Having a Side Wager - A method of providing a wagering game is described herein. The method includes providing one or more decks of randomly-ordered physical playing cards, receiving a side wager from a player, and distributing a plurality of playing cards at the gaming table from one or more decks of playing cards. Each playing card of the plurality of playing cards has an associated pip status. The plurality of distributed playing cards includes a predefined set of playing cards. The method also includes detecting a winning condition in the plurality of distributed playing cards, wherein the winning condition is defined as each playing card of the predefined set of playing cards having a predefined pip status. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274250 | Method and Apparatus for Electronic Gaming - A system and method for controlling a player's rate of play is provided. In an embodiment, a rate of play is defined that influences when a player is transferred to a new hand, such as upon folding or when play in a current hand is completed. Rate of play may be expressed, for example, as a percentage of hands to transfer upon which the player is to be moved upon folding. In another embodiment, a player may select, for example, a “Fold and Transfer” option or a “Fold and Observe” option, thereby allowing the player to better control the rate of play. In yet another embodiment, a player may designate a rate of play and be presented with a “Fold and Transfer” option and/or a “Fold and Observe” option, wherein the “Fold and Transfer” option and/or the “Fold and Observe” option may override the designated rate of play. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274251 | WAGERING GAME PREFERENCE SELECTION - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include presenting, at a wagering game machine, a wagering game including a wagering game element. The operations can include presenting a graphical indicium in association with the wagering game element. The operations can include detecting player selection of the graphical indicium, wherein the player selection of the graphical indicium indicates player liking for the wagering game element. The operations can include modifying the wagering game based on the player liking for the wagering game element. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274252 | WIDE AREA GAMING TABLE SYSTEM - An electronic gaming table adapted to host table games involving wagers includes a physical surface adapted for the play of live table games that include live players and the use of a live dealer and physical game components, multiple player terminals having separate processors, a master table controller in communication with each of the player terminal processors and adapted to control a plurality of electronic gaming table functions, and at least one interface in communication with the master table controller and one or more additional electronic gaming tables remotely located from the electronic gaming table. Each player terminal allows for a live player stationed thereat to participate in a first live table game directly at the electronic gaming table and also a second live table game remotely at a remotely located table. The first and second live table games can be different games, and can be played simultaneously. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274253 | WIDE AREA TABLE GAMING SYSTEM - An electronic gaming table adapted to host table games involving wagers includes a physical surface adapted for the play of live table games that include live players and the use of a live dealer and physical game components, multiple player terminals having separate processors, a master table controller in communication with each of the player terminal processors and adapted to control a plurality of electronic gaming table functions, and at least one interface in communication with the master table controller and one or more additional electronic gaming tables remotely located from the electronic gaming table. Each player terminal allows for a live player stationed thereat to participate in a first live table game directly at the electronic gaming table and also a second live table game remotely at a remotely located table. The first and second live table games can be different games, and can be played simultaneously. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274254 | LITERATURE CARD GAME - Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for a literature card game. In one aspect, a method includes receiving a request to view a book; displaying the book on a display device. The method further includes displaying an activity indicator at a location in the book. The method further includes receiving a selection of the activity indicator. The method further includes displaying an activity on the display device, the activity being associated with the book and the location of the activity indicator within the book. The method further includes receiving a response to the displayed activity from the user; determining that the response to the activity meets specified criteria. The method further includes awarding a playing card that is associated with the book, the playing card configured to be used in a card game played by the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274256 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR A BLACKJACK HOLD-EM GAME - Methods, computer-implemented methods, systems, tables and computer-readable mediums for playing blackjack hold-em that include receiving a buy-in from each player, calculating a unit, wherein the unit is the value of each hand, calculating total units needed to win a game, dealing player hold cards, wherein the hold cards are dealt face-down, receiving one or more requests for hit cards, wherein the hit cards are dealt face up, instructing each player to turn over their hold cards, determining the winning hand or hands, and paying the winning hand the appropriate unit(s) or unit fraction, minus any house take. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274257 | Method and Apparatus for Electronic Gaming - A system and method for controlling a player's action and/or a player's rate of play is provided. In an embodiment, automatic folding hands are provided, wherein the automatic folding hands identify which hands are to be automatically folded. The automatic folding hands may be identified as a list of hands that are not to be played, or a set of hands that are to be played such that if a hand is not in the list it is to be folded. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274258 | GAME ALLOCATION SYSTEM FOR PROTECTING PLAYERS IN SKILL-BASED ONLINE AND MOBILE NETWORKED GAMES - A system for controlling access to a plurality of games in a skill-based electronic game with (1) an electronic data warehouse server configured to determine a game skill level value of a player in the skill-based electronic game network in accordance with predetermined criteria including game play history, and to (a) store a player protection classification value for the at least one player, and (b) store an access protection classification value for at least one of the plurality of games, the game access protection classification value for the at least one game; and (2) an electronic game server configured to allow or deny the player electronic access to the at least one game based upon a comparison of that player's player protection classification value and the game access protection classification value of the at least one game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274259 | BONUS ALLOCATION AND PROVISIONING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR WAGERING GAMES - A bonusing system allocates bonus awards randomly within a plurality of sets of indicia by inserting a bonus triggering indicia within a subset of the plurality of sets of indicia. Each set of indicia is randomized or shuffled for use in a base game. One of the sets of indicia is randomly selected for use in the base game. During play of the base game, a player is automatically paid a bonus award upon receiving the bonus triggering indicia. If the player achieves a winning outcome at the base game, the player is also paid an award associated with such winning outcome. The bonusing system is configured for use with a variety of wagering games, including video poker, keno and blackjack among others. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274261 | BOARD GAME AND METHOD OF IMPLEMENTING THE GAME - A board game and method of implementing the game comprise displaying a squared oblong rectangular game board comprising a width comprising at least eight squares. A set of chess type game pieces on the game board are displayed. The chess type game pieces represent at least a standard set of black and white chess pieces. The chess type game pieces are initially arranged for beginning play by placement of black pieces in an order comprising a standard chess order at a first end of the game board with white pieces being placed at an opposing second end of the game board in an order comprising a the chess standard order. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274262 | Auction Closing Price Guessing Game System - An auction closing price guessing game system is a method for attracting participants to an auction, even if they have no interest in buying the item being auctioned. A system for an auction closing price guessing game includes a processor; memory operably connected to the processor; client bidding and guessing, auction end, and month end programs loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; lists of user data, item listings, bids data, and guesses data loaded into the memory and operable by the processor; and the current time loaded into the memory and operable by the processor. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274263 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH STRATEGIC REVEALS - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may a reveal a payout using different measures of value. For example, the system may reveal the payout as a cash reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win two dollars”), an in-game reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win a thermite bomb”), a multimedia reward (e.g., “defeat an enemy in a game and win two music downloads”), and/or other value. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274264 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING REAL WORLD WAGER OUTCOMES BASED ON USER INTERACTIONS WITH INTERACTIVE MEDIA - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. By integrating real-world wager outcomes with gameplay and other user interactions, the system may provide an engaging user experience with interactive media. For example, a game may reveal an outcome of a real-world wager (which has already occurred), in response to in-game actions such as user actions in the game, other players' actions in the game, game events (e.g., events caused by the game logic/artificial intelligence), and/or other events. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274265 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH TIMED REVEALS AND REVEAL DECAY - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers. The system may provide a time-conditioned reveal such that a certain action must be performed within some period of time (or by a deadline) to claim a potential payout. The system may provide a reveal decay, where the user may be given an opportunity to complete an action such that the longer it takes to complete the action, the payout amount that is revealed decreases to zero. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274266 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH MIRAGE REVEALS - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may provide mirage reveals that give an appearance to the user that an objective may be achieved to obtain a reward. However, the objective may not be achievable, thereby guaranteeing a loss. The mirage reveals may be used to reveal a loss resulting from a real-world wager in a manner that the loss appears to result from the failure to achieve the objective. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274267 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH GUARANTEED REVEALS AND PARTNER PROMOTIONS - The invention relates to systems and methods of placing real-world wagers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers using guaranteed and partner promotion reveals through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may provide guaranteed reveals that may guarantee a payout of some value (e.g., the outcome of a real-world wager). The system may provide reveals that are tied to promotions from the partner promotions provider. For example, the system may provide a reveal that includes a promotional coupon or other value from a retailer. The promotional coupon may be provided as a bonus and/or a consolation. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274268 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH SKILL BASED ACTIONS - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating skill-based actions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from skill-based actions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may reveal an outcome of a real-world wager through the skill-based action, which is required to claim a value of the reveal. The skill-based action may include an action that requires interaction from a user and for which is not completely dependent on chance for the user to achieve the action. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274269 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH ESCALATING REVEALS - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may reveal a single outcome (or other value) using a reveal staircase, in which the outcome is split into different increments each having a different value. In an implementation, the different increments may be revealed randomly or in order of their value. For example, a ten dollar payout may be revealed using four fifty cent reveals, three one dollar reveals, one two dollar reveal, and one three dollar reveal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274270 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH ALLOCATED REVEAL PAYOUTS - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions. The system may withhold a reveal of a payout if one or more reveal parameters are not satisfied. A reveal parameter may specify that a minimum level of performance of an objective must be achieved for a reveal to occur. The objective may include, for example, an amount of winnings in a game, a number of points in a game, a number of enemies defeated in a game, a length of a video viewed, a number of promotions redeemed, a number of advertisements viewed, etc. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274271 | System and Method of Revealing the Outcomes of Real World Wagers Through Win-Win Reveals - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may enhance a perceived value of a payout by providing one or more companion items. For example, the system may augment a two dollar payout with one or more companion items as a bonus. The system may provide a consolation prize (which may or may not be the same as the companion items) in the event that the user fails to achieve an objective. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274272 | System and Method of Revealing the Outcomes of Real World Wagers Through Single or Multiple Reveals - The invention relates to systems and methods of selecting and placing real-world wagers responsive to one or more wager triggers, obtaining outcomes of the real-world wagers, facilitating user interactions with various interactive media, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user interactions even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may obtain an outcome of a real-world wager and update an unrevealed balance of a user. The unrevealed balance may include an indication of an outcome (e.g., an amount of a payout or a loss) of a real-world wager that has not yet been revealed to the user. The system may reveal at least a portion of the unrevealed balance or a given outcome in a single or multiple reveals. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274273 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING A LOTTERY GAME - The disclosed technology relates generally to a method and system for conducting a lottery drawing that includes two or more potential prizes that are tied to the life of a winner of the prize. A first prize, in certain embodiments, is a payment made in first regular installments throughout the remaining lifetime of the first prize winner and a second prize, in certain embodiments, is a payment made in second regular installments throughout the remaining lifetime of the second prize winner. In certain embodiments, the first regular installments may have a different periodicity and different value than the second regular installments. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274274 | GAMING MACHINE WITH CONTROLLABLE AND VARIABLE MECHANICAL VIBRATION AND RHYTHM PATTERNS - According to some aspects of the present disclosure, a gaming machine includes one or more display devices configured to display a wagering game, a knocker, and one or more memory devices. The knocker includes a first impactor configured to strike a first portion of the gaming machine, and a motor coupled to the first impactor. The motor is configured to selectively actuate the first impactor to strike the first portion of the gaming machine with one of a first impact force and a second impact force. The one or more memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one processor, cause the gaming machine to actuate the knocker in response to an occurrence in the wagering game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274275 | PATTERN MATCHING IN A KENO GAME - A method for determining an award during a keno game includes, but is not limited to any of combination of: generating a predetermined number of draws for placement on a keno board during the keno game, wherein the keno board includes a predetermined number of spots; evaluating a plurality of sub-regions of the keno board associated with the keno game for matches between the generated draws and one or more predetermined patterns; and determining an award based on results of the evaluating step. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274276 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A KENO GAME INCLUDING AN ADDITIONAL NUMBER TRIGGERING EVENT THAT CAUSES AT LEAST ONE ADDITIONAL NUMBER TO BE ADDED TO A SELECTED NUMBER SET TO FORM A MODIFIED NUMBER SET - The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing a keno game including an additional number triggering event that causes at least one additional number to be added to a selected number set to form a modified number set. A player number set and a gaming system number set are selected from a plurality of numbers. Upon an occurrence of an additional number triggering event, the gaming system adds at least one of the numbers to one of: the player number set to form a modified player number set, and the gaming system number set to form a modified gaming system number set. The gaming system determines any awards based on a comparison of the player number set (or the modified player number set) with the gaming system number set (or the modified gaming system number set), and provides any determined awards. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274277 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A COMMUNITY BINGO GAME - A game system and method plays an electronic provides an electronic community bingo game. The electronic community bingo game is initiated on a predetermined periodic time period and has a predetermined qualifying basis. Each player's entry into the electronic community bingo game is normalized as a function of the respective player's wagers and the predetermined qualifying basis. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274278 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR BINGO GAMES HAVING A VISIBLE BALL QUEUE - Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including a representation of a ball queue. In one example, a display for a bingo game represents a queue of one or more upcoming ball calls for the bingo game. In some embodiments, a ball queue may include partial information about an upcoming ball call (e.g., an indication of a corresponding bingo card column but not a bingo number). | 2014-09-18 |
20140274279 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING A BINGO GAME HAVING A SHARING FEATURE - Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including at least one initial ball call and an option for a player to receive at least one additional ball call. In one example, the at least one additional ball call includes one or more of: (i) a ball call locked until a player accepts an option to unlock the locked ball call, and (ii) a ball call provided by another member of a social network (e.g., a friend of the player). | 2014-09-18 |
20140274280 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND APPARATUS FOR A BINGO GAME HAVING SPECIAL BALL FUNCTIONS - Systems, apparatus, methods and articles of manufacture provide for a bingo game including at least one special ball having an associated special function. In one embodiment, one or more special functions may have persistent effects on one or more bingo spaces (e.g., of a bingo card) and/or may be combined with the effects one or more other special functions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274281 | WAGER SELECTIONS FOR WAGERING GAMES TRUNCATED BY PRIOR WAGE LEVEL - A gaming system includes one or more input devices, one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices storing instructions. When executed by the one or more processors, the instructions cause the gaming system to receive, via at least one of the input devices, an input indicative of a wager selected from at least one wager amount being a function of a previous wager associated with an immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions cause the gaming system to display a wagering game on the one or more displays, the wagering game being in an advantageous state relative to the immediately preceding wagering game. The instructions further cause the gaming system to display an outcome of the wagering game on the one or more displays, at least a portion of the outcome being enhanced by an outcome of the immediately preceding wagering game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274282 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH SYMBOL CLUMPS AND NON-UNIFORM WEIGHTING OF REEL POSITIONS - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. A gaming system is disclosed which includes one or more processors and one or more memory devices storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the processors, cause the gaming system to: receive a wager to play a wagering game with symbol-bearing reels, each of which has distinct reel positions populated by various symbols, at least one reel bearing a symbol clump; and, display via a display device a randomly determined outcome of the wagering game. Each wagering-game outcome includes predetermined symbols occupying distinct array positions in a displayed array. Each reel position has a weighted probability of occupying an array position in the array. The weighted probabilities are configured such that the symbol clump, when part of a wagering-game outcome, can only land in its entirety in the array. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274283 | PERSISTENT ASSOCIATION OF GAME FEATURES WITH A USER - The systems and/or processes described herein may unlock, enhance, and/or upgrade one or more features of a game with respect to a user that is playing the game. While the user is playing the game, the systems described herein may monitor a performance or a progression of the user with respect to the game. Upon determining that a predetermined threshold or criteria has been satisfied, such as the user earning a cumulative amount of points or currency, one or more features of the game may be dynamically enhanced or upgraded. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more features of the game may be unlocked to the user, where those features were previously not available to the user. The unlocked, enhanced, and/or upgraded features may be persistently associated with the user such that those features may be available and accessible to the user when the user subsequently plays the game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274284 | GAMING SYSTEM AND METHOD PROVIDING A MULTIPLAY SLOT GAME INCLUDING A CASCADING SYMBOLS FEATURE IN WHICH SYMBOLS ARE REMOVED FROM CORRESPONDING SYMBOL DISPLAY AREAS OF DIFFERENT SETS OF SYMBOL DISPLAY AREAS - Various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a gaming system and method providing a game including a cascading symbols feature in which symbols are removed from corresponding symbol display areas of different sets of symbol display areas. In one embodiment, the gaming system displays a first set and a second set of symbol display areas. For each symbol display area, the gaming system displays one of a plurality of different symbols at that symbol display area. If a designated symbol combination is formed by the symbols displayed at the symbol display areas of the first set, the gaming system removes the symbols displayed at the symbol display areas of the second set that correspond to the symbol display area of the first set displaying the symbols forming the designated symbol combination. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274285 | Electronic Gaming Machine and Gaming Method - An electronic gaming machine has an electronic game controller and a display where game symbols are arranged in an array, where R is the number of available predetermined game positions in the array. The electronic game controller determines the appearance of a group of special symbols in the predetermined game positions, the group affecting the outcome of the game, and the probability of the group appearing on the array is less than 1 in X, X being the average number of games played with R predetermined game positions. A gaming method is also provided. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274286 | WAGERING GAMES HAVING REDUCED MAXIMUM WAGERING LEVELS - A gaming system and method includes receiving a wager and in response thereto a basic game is conducted. The basic game includes a plurality of symbols that indicate a randomly selected outcome. In response to an offer trigger, an offer is displayed to conduct one or more subsequent plays of the basic game at a reduced maximum bet wager having a wager amount that is less than a normal maximum bet wager amount. A second input is received indicative of an acceptance of the offer for a reduced maximum bet wager. A randomly selected outcome is displayed. The plurality of possible outcomes each include a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. If the randomly selected outcome includes a winning symbol combination, an award is provided for any winning outcome. The provided award is determined as though a normal maximum bet wager amount was received. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274287 | Gaming Machine and Methods of Allowing a Player to Play Gaming Machines Having Modifiable Reel Features - A method of allowing a player to play a gaming machine is described herein. The game includes a plurality of reels, each reel having a reel strip. The method includes initiating a primary game, responsively spinning the reels, randomly determining an outcome of the primary game and responsively stopping the reels to display the primary game. The method includes detecting if a triggering condition occurs in the primary game outcome, the triggering condition being defined as the at least one trigger symbol being displayed in at least one reel of the plurality of reels in the primary game outcome, and responsively modifying a reel feature of a reel strip associated with the at least one reel to generate an outcome of a secondary game including the modified reel strip. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274288 | WAGERING GAMES EMPLOYING A MEGA SYMBOL - A method in a gaming system comprises receiving a wager and displaying an array having a plurality of array positions. Each of the plurality of array positions is populated by at least one of a plurality of symbols, which include a mega symbol configured to occupy at least two array positions on each of at least two adjacent columns of the array. In response to at least a portion of the mega symbol displayed in the array, the method includes determining a functionality for the mega symbol based on a number of array positions on which the mega symbol is displayed, the portion of the mega symbol displayed, the size of the mega symbol displayed, a random determination, the received wager, or a turnover amount over a plurality of plays. A payout is awarded based on the symbols displayed in the array and the determined functionality of the mega symbol. | 2014-09-18 |