38th week of 2014 patent applcation highlights part 151 |
Patent application number | Title | Published |
20140274289 | PAYLINES IN THREE DIMENSIONS - A gaming apparatus comprising a processor, game logic, a video display and player input system configured to execute a method comprising:
| 2014-09-18 |
20140274290 | WAGERING GAME WITH POSITIONAL FEEDBACK FOR MECHANICAL REELS - A method of conducting a wagering game on a gaming terminal includes receiving, via an input device, a wager to play the wagering game. Each of a plurality of symbol bearing reels is spun using one or more motors of the gaming terminal. During the spinning, the symbols on a first one of the reels are monitored using one or more video cameras to generate image data associated with the symbols on the first reel. The generated image data associated with the symbols on the first reel is compared with master image data associated with the wagering game. Based on the comparing, it is determined if the symbols on the first reel are associated with the wagering game being conducted on the gaming terminal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274291 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ASSOCIATING GAME SYMBOLS - Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for associating game symbols. For example, scatter symbols and/or other reel symbols in a slot-style game may be related such that they become connected in relation to one or more results and/or outcomes of a game session. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274292 | GAMING MACHINE AND METHODS OF ALLOWING A PLAYER TO PLAY GAMING MACHINES HAVING MODIFIABLE REEL FEATURES - A gaming machine is described herein. The gaming machine includes a display device for displaying a game and a controller connected to the display device. The game includes a plurality of reels, each reel having a reel strip including a plurality of symbol positions and a plurality of game symbols displayed in each of the symbol positions in a predetermined order. The controller is configured to determine an outcome of the primary game, responsively spin and stop the reels to display the outcome of the primary game, and provide a first award to the player based on the primary game outcome. The controller detects if a triggering graphic is being displayed with the primary game outcome and is associated with at least one reel, modifies a reel feature of a reel strip associated with the reel, and generates an outcome of a secondary game including the modified reel strip. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274293 | GAMING MACHINE HAVING A FIRST DISPLAY AND A SECOND DISPLAY - Provided is a gaming machine that can offer various play patterns and payout patterns without giving the player distrust or uncomfortableness. Upon establishment of a bonus trigger, a main CPU conducts a jackpot challenge lottery; if a jackpot is drawn, conducts another lottery to select either one of the prizes, Credit or Jackpot+Credit; if the prize Credit is drawn, pays out a determined amount to be credited; if the prize Jackpot+Credit is drawn, conducts another lottery for a jackpot prize, and pays out the amount corresponding to the drawn prize and the amount to be credited. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274294 | Wagering Game With Upgradable Symbol Stacks - A gaming system includes one or more input devices, display devices, processors, and memory devices. At least one of the memory devices store instructions that cause the system to receive a wager and to display at least one array having a plurality of columns. An outcome is randomly selected, in response to the wager, in which a first column is stacked with a stack of symbols of a first rank and a second column is stacked with a stack of symbols of a second rank. The first rank is compared with the second rank to determine a high rank and a low rank according to a predetermined pay table. The stack of symbols of the low rank is upgraded to a stack of symbols of the high rank. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274295 | Wagering Game Having Multi-Array Symbol Placement Feature - A gaming system includes one or more display devices, one or more processors, and one or more memory devices. The one or more memory devices store instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, cause the gaming system to (i) display, on at least one of one or more display devices, a first symbol array and a second symbol array, (ii) in response to a triggering symbol appearing in the first symbol array, place a first symbol into a number of symbol positions within the second symbol array, the number being defined by a quantifier associated with the triggering symbol, (iii) provide an award based on one or more winning symbol combinations in the second array with the first symbols placed in the symbol positions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274296 | SLOTS GAME - A slot machine game having a first reel having a first set of symbols/indicia thereon, a second reel having a second set of symbols/indicia thereon and a third reel having a third set of symbols/indicia thereon. The first, second, and third reels being operatively configured to spin based upon an initiation button/lever and stop spinning based upon a random generator. The slot machine game being configured to determine a win based upon any three consecutive matching symbols/indicia on the first, second and third reels relative to the adjacent reels. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274297 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR GENERATING A COMPILATION REEL IN GAME VIDEO - In some embodiments, a system comprises an interface, a set of compilation rules, a trigger indication selection module, and a compilation reel generation module. The interface may be configured to receive metadata corresponding to gameplay on a digital device. The metadata may include a set of trigger indicators associated with a set of gameplay events occurring during the gameplay. The set of trigger indicators may be based on a set of trigger conditions occurring during the gameplay. The trigger indicator selection module may be configured to select a subset of the set of trigger indicators based on the set of compilation reel rules. The compilation reel generation module may be configured to generate a compilation reel based on the subset of trigger indicators selected by the trigger indicator selection module, the compilation reel including video of the gameplay events corresponding to the subset of trigger indicators. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274298 | WAGERING GAME WITH SIMULATED MECHANICAL REELS - A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region. A first image display device for simulating mechanical reels of a slot machine in the display region includes a curved surface that approximates the radius of curvature of a mechanical reel. The curved surface displays first video images that include a plurality of symbols indicating a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game. A second image display device displays second video images spatially separated from and overlaying the first video images within the display region. The second video images include indicia related to the wagering game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274299 | GAMING MACHINE CAPABLE OF IMPROVING AMUSINGNESS - The present invention provides a gaming machine capable of improving amusingness of a game by varying the continuity of the main game. According to the present invention, a normal mode game in the normal mode is started based on an input of the bet information from the bet input device; the mode is entered from the normal mode to the chance mode when an enter condition is satisfied as a result of referring to the predetermined symbol determination table in the normal mode; a free game is started as a chance mode game in the chance mode; and the mode is returned from the chance mode to the normal mode when an end condition is satisfied as a result of referring to the specific symbol determination table in the chance mode. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274300 | GAMING MACHINE - On a lower image display panel | 2014-09-18 |
20140274301 | Systems and Methods for Operating a Sweepstakes - Systems and methods for determining sweepstakes winners involve a display providing a code to an end-user device and the end user-device providing the displayed code to a computer, which determines whether the displayed code is a winning code. Whether a code is a winning code can be based on a variable factor, such as a geographic location, a date, a time of day, a day of a week, a number of submissions by a particular person, valued activities performed by a particular person. The identification of a code as a winning code can be performed either before the code is provided to the display or after the code is received by the computer. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274302 | WAGERING SYSTEM WITH DIFFERENTIAL COMMISSIONS - A wagering system having a processor operatively connected to a random number generator that has a wagering base with at least first and second different information that is each accessed by an input wager. The random number generator is configured so that a probability of accessing the first information through an input wager is higher than a probability of accessing the second information. The processor is programmed to identify: a) one return for an input wager that accesses the first information; and b) a second higher return for an input wager that accesses the second information. The processor is programmed to factor in a higher percentage commission for one of the first and second returns than a percentage commission for the one return. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274303 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ONLINE LEARNING IN A COMBINED GAME AND FORUM SETTING - The field of the invention relates to systems and methods that enable online learning in a game setting combined with community forum support and real world practice. In an embodiment, the system includes an online learning server system coupled to a public network and accessible to one or more users. The online learning server system is configured to retrieve a user's data in association with an educational game, determine at least one lesson, challenge, or mini-game, and provide the at least one lesson, challenge, or mini-game for playing. When the user unlocks a lesson or level in the game, the system unlocks the associated lesson or level in a forum associated with the game, and promotes the user to participate in the forum. At the completion of the learning game, the online learning server system calculates progress and level of the user, updates, and stores the user's data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274304 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR EVALUATION OF SKILL LEVEL PROGRESSION AND MATCHING OF PARTICIPANTS IN A MULTI-MEDIA INTERACTIVE ENVIRONMENT - In an online interactive simulation or game environment, in which an object's motion is controlled by a player, a player's skill level is quickly quantified as they control the object to properly place the player in games with those of like skill without having to compete with others. An optimal motion is established for the object's travel during a portion of a game. At each increment of travel, an optimum velocity or time delta is established. The motion of the object that is being controlled by a player who is being rated is then tracked relative to the established optimal motion. Deviations therebetween are calculated on an incremental basis, and the aggregate score is used to determine the player's skill level for a set of equivalent conditions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274305 | SMI FOR ELECTRONIC GAMING MACHINE SECURITY AND STABILITY - A system and method for providing security services to an electronic gaming machine (EGM) utilizes system management interrupts (SMIs) triggered by security events to invoke execution by the EGM processor of one or more SMI handlers configured to provide a security service. Security events include the opening of an access panel on the EGM, an AC power loss to the EGM, a request for security attestation, a request for a secure encryption key, and other events requiring a secure operation to be carried out. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274306 | SMART PHONE OPTIMATION OF CASHLESS WAGERING - A system for transferring credit within a gaming environment includes:
| 2014-09-18 |
20140274307 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING VIRTUAL WORLD REWARD IN RESPONSE TO THE USER ACCEPTING AND/OR RESPONDING TO AN ADVERTISEMENT FOR A REAL WORLD PRODUCT RECEIVED IN THE VIRTUAL WORLD - A virtual world reward redemption system and method are disclosed which may comprise a user computing device displaying a virtual world interactive video game environment, including, e.g., a display of a video game, with, e.g., a prompt to the user indicating the availability of a virtual game item to the user as a reward for the user taking an action in the real world of the user with respect to at least one of purchasing the product or the performance of the service. A user interface may verify the taking of the action by the user through the capture of a video feed using the user computing device of a proof of purchase item and the computing device may receive confirmation of the user performing the action of the user in the real world of the user in the form of a redemption of the virtual game item. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274308 | WAGERING GAME WITH DYNAMIC PRIZE OFFERING - A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting a trigger for a bonus game associated with presentation of a wagering game. The operations can further include, in response to the trigger, providing, for presentation, an option to select either a prize or play of the bonus game. The operations can further include detecting a selection of either the prize or the play of the bonus game, and providing either the prize or the play of the bonus game based on the selection. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274309 | GAMING DEVICE DOCKING STATION - In one embodiment, a system to authorize a mobile electronic device to play games of chance includes a gaming system manager and a portable docking station configured to: (i) detect whether the mobile electronic device is connected to a receiver of the portable docking station; (ii) receive device information from the mobile electronic device if it is detected that the mobile electronic device is connected to the receiver; (iii) determine whether the games of chance can be played on the mobile electronic device based on the received device information; (iv) authorize the mobile electronic device to play the games of chance; and (v) transmit gaming data to the mobile electronic device if it is determined that the games of chance can be played on the mobile electronic device and if the mobile electronic device is authorized. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274311 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MEMBERSHIP-BASED SPORTS BOOK AND BETTING EXCHANGE - A method and system for providing an online membership gaming service where sports book and exchange players are members of a social media community and platform where they may bet on the outcomes of sporting events without the risk of losing their own money. The method comprises receiving entries into one or more sports book and exchange contests from a plurality of subscription members. A betting fund is distributed to each of the subscription members and the amount distributed is based on a predetermined amount associated with the one or more sports book and exchange contests and/or membership level. Bets are received from the plurality of subscription members. One or more winners of the one or more sports book and exchange contests are determined based on a total amount of the betting fund of each of the plurality of subscription members based on one or more outcomes of the bets. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274312 | Token Dispenser System, Installation Apparatus, and Method - A token dispensing system is adapted suitable for installing a token dispenser in a game device. A mounting bracket for the token dispenser provides a simple and inexpensive way to install the token dispenser as part of the token dispensing system inside the housing of a game device. The dispensing system includes an electronic control circuit that controls an alarm device to provide a low level warning signal when the level of tokens in the token dispenser is low and an empty warning signal when the token dispenser is empty. The electronic control circuit controls dispensing tokens from the token dispenser such that a user receives the correct number of tokens even if the dispenser runs out of tokens in the middle of dispensing a selected number of tokens during a transaction. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274313 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PURCHASING PHYSICAL TOYS AND CORRESPONDING VIRTUAL TOYS - System and methods for physical toy and virtual toy interactions are disclosed. According to aspects of the invention, a system for purchasing a physical toy and a corresponding virtual toy comprises a video game console, a physical toy, and a virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be made available in a video game played on the video game console. The physical toy may be purchased by a user of the system from an external merchant. The virtual toy corresponding to the physical toy may be separately purchased by the user from a purchasing system within the video game. The physical toy may be registered with the gaming platform. If the user registers the physical toy with the gaming platform and the user previously purchased the virtual toy, the system refunds to the user the purchase price of virtual toy. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274314 | Systems and Methods for Integrated Game Play at Payment-Enabled Terminals - A game play system and methods for facilitating game play purchases through a payment-enabled terminal store a plurality of records of game play number sets associated with respective payment card numbers. The association of game play number sets with respective payment card numbers allows for substantially “ticketless” lottery wagers, draws, scratch tickets, branded games, and second change games, access to game play purchases beyond the traditional manned lottery authority terminals, automatic redemption by associating a winning game play with a payment card number, and purchase of game plays using payment cards (e.g., debit or credit cards) instead of cash. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274316 | METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR A BONUS ROUND OF A GAME WHICH PROVIDES FOR PLAYER INFLUENCE OF VOLATILITY - In some embodiments, a player may influence the volatility of a bonus round of a game by placing elements collected during a primary game onto symbol positions of the bonus round. In some embodiments, if a symbol position onto which a player placed one or more bonus round symbols is selected as an active symbol position for an event instance of the bonus round, the player wins a prize. Additionally, a multiplier may be applied to the value of the prize or other benefit may be provided to the player if the player placed more than one bonus round symbol element on the position. Thus, a player having a plurality of bonus round symbols to place may choose to increase the frequency of prizes won (e.g., by distributing the bonus round symbols over more positions) or increase the value of prizes (e.g., by grouping more symbols on fewer positions). | 2014-09-18 |
20140274317 | SERVICE-TRIGGERED GAME EVENTS - Various embodiments relating to management of game data of a video game by a game service and service triggered delivery of game data to various subscribers are provided. In one embodiment, game data of a video game is received at a game service computing machine as the video game is being executed on a user gaming machine. A game statistic is generated by the game service computing machine based on the game data. The game statistic is sent to subscribers having a subscription to the game statistic. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274318 | Game Access System - A method of authorizing game play associated with an online game server advantageously involves the purchase of a prepaid right to play one or more games available on the server. The prepaid right preferably includes a unique URI having an associated wallet essentially funded as part of the purchase amount. The user accesses the unique URI to commence game play on the server with wins and losses financially tracked using the wallet. The invention is also directed to the game card preferably having the unique URI and associated wallet to allow game play. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274319 | Method and System for Localized Mobile Gaming - In one embodiment, a system and method to facilitate playing games of chance on a MGD includes a game zone, having: a) at least one portable transceiver configured to: i) detect the MGD; ii) obtain MGD data from the MGD; and iii) periodically re-detect the MGD within the game zone, the at least one portable transceiver repositionable to form the game zone; b) a portable controller configured to receive MGD data; and c) a gaming server configured to: i) receive the MGD data from the portable controller; ii) determine if the MGD is authorized to place a monetary wager to play games of chance based on the MGD data; iii) periodically receive detection confirmation from the portable controller if the MGD is present in the game zone; iv) transmit and/or receive game of chance data to/from the MGD, wherein the game zone is repositionable and configurable. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274320 | Method and System for Localized Mobile Gaming - In one embodiment, a system and method for facilitating intra-casino mobile gaming, the method includes forming an intra-casino mobile gaming zone internal to a casino establishment; pairing a player ID tag with a PGD; determining whether one of the player ID tag or the PGD is within the intra-casino mobile gaming zone using a zone specific local positioning system; and permitting the PGD to provide a wager gaming capability associated with the intra-casino mobile gaming zone while wirelessly interacting with a gaming server if the determining determines that at least one of the player ID tag or the PGD is within the intra-casino mobile gaming zone. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274321 | SCALABLE AUTOMATED REAL-TIME MANAGEMENT OF PEER-TO-PEER WAGERS BASED ON EVENTS OCCURRING DURING EXTERNAL CONTEXTS - An internet based automated wagering system allows many participant to wager on outcomes of certain events associated with a game. The wagering can occur in real time or can be delayed. Presentations are made to participants indicating various events associated with the game and participants can then send to the system proposed wagers based on possible outcomes of the event as selected by each participant. The system then finds a partner for each participant and an engagement is established between the participants interested in the same wager and event outcome. The system can monitor events and determine their outcomes, or can obtain event outcome information from external sources. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274322 | SERVICE-TRIGGERED GAME EVENTS - Various embodiments relating to management of game data of a video game by a game service and service triggered delivery of game data to various subscribers are provided. In one embodiment, game data of a video game is received at a game service computing machine as the video game is being executed on a user gaming machine. A game statistic is generated by the game service computing machine based on the game data. The game statistic is sent to subscribers having a subscription to the game statistic. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274323 | Games Using Financial Indicators as Random Number Generators - According to various systems and methods, financial indicators may be used as random number generators to determine variables, such as numbers and cards, for various games, including casino-style games like roulette and poker. Players may place wagers relating to one or more game variables, such as one or more cards, hands, a roulette wheel spin, a lottery number, or other variable or outcome of a game. After bets are received, one or more random numbers may be determined based on one or more financial indicators, such as a least significant digit of the price or value of a financial instrument, index, or financial metric at a specific time. The random number(s) may be used to determine game variables, such as a winning lottery number, slot reel values, or numbers and suits of cards dealt. In some embodiments, players may select one or more financial instruments or indicators that will be used to resolve one or more game variables. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274324 | Online Fantasy Sports System - An apparatus and a method are provided for a multiple league hosting system providing a centralized location where users connected to a communications network compete and place wagers in the course of playing Fantasy sports without being restricted to their respective original leagues. The users access one or more host sites, stored on the multiple league hosting system, and engage in competition and wagering with one another in the course of playing the Fantasy sports. An upload feature enables the users to upload teams from their original Fantasy Sports servers to the multiple league hosting system. The upload feature synchronizes the uploaded teams with the original teams stored on the original Fantasy Sports servers. League management systems on the multiple league hosting system enable the users to manage their teams and wagers without having to access the original Fantasy Sport servers. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274325 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELECTING MECHANISMS USED IN INTERACTIVE MEDIA TO REVEAL OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS - 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 identify at least one reveal mechanism from among a plurality of reveal mechanisms to reveal at least a portion of the unrevealed balance via a user interaction with the interactive media after the outcome has been predetermined. The system may reveal the portion of the unrevealed balance via the at least one reveal mechanism, which may include a manner in which to reveal a value to the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274326 | System and Method of Providing Wagering Opportunities Based on Invitations - 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 based on invitations to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the invitations even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the invitations. The system may provide an invitation to participate in a reveal opportunity. For example, the system may invite the user to play a specific game (e.g., “play this game to claim five dollars”), interact with multi-media content (e.g., “watch a video to win ten dollars”), challenge one or more other players (e.g., “challenge another player to win two dollars”), engage in some other objective, and/or otherwise accept an opportunity to reveal at least a portion of a payout that has not yet been revealed. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274327 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF SELECTING INTERACTIVE MEDIA USED TO REVEAL OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS - 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, and revealing the outcomes of the real-world wagers through select interactive media to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from user interactions with the interactive media even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers and were determined before the user interactions. The system may select a given interactive media application (or interactive media) to reveal a value (e.g., a payout) based on various factors to customize which application or media is used to provide a given reveal. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274328 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MANAGING USER ACCOUNTS TO TRACK OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS REVEALED TO USERS - The invention relates to systems and methods of maintaining revealed and unrevealed balances that both belong to a user, but the user is aware only of the revealed balance. In this manner, the system can give the user an impression that a value (e.g., a cash amount or other value) has been gained or lost by transferring the value between the revealed and unrevealed balances of the user, even though no gain or loss actually occurred. The unrevealed balance may include a payout from a real-world wager. Thus, payout may be revealed to the user in a manner that the user believes that the payout was won by the user through a game or other interactive media, even though the payout belongs to the user based on the payout. Other changes in value to the unrevealed and revealed balances may occur as well. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274329 | System and Method of Providing Wagering Opportunities Based on Gameplay - The invention addressing these and other drawbacks 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 a wager opportunity based on the occurrence of certain events with interactive media. Upon the occurrence of an event, for example, the user may be provided with an opportunity to place a wager. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274330 | System and Method of Providing Wagering Opportunities Based on External Triggers - 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 trigger a wager opportunity based on external information. The external information may include, without limitation, social profile information, location information, partner-provided information, content consumption information, timing information, and/or other information that may be used to trigger a wager opportunity. The triggered wager may include a real-world wager or other wager such as a virtual or simulated wager. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274331 | System and Method of Providing Wagering Opportunities Based on Multiplayer Interactions - 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 trigger reveals based on multiplayer interactions, such as, for example, a player-versus-player (“PvP”) interaction, a tournament interaction, a massively multiplayer online (“MMO”) interaction, and/or other types of multiplayer interactions. Regardless of the type of multiplayer interaction, the system may manage reveals based on an individual user's unrevealed balance, which includes payouts resulting from real-world wagers (and/or other value) that have not yet been revealed to the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274332 | VERSATILE AUTOMATED WAGERING SYSTEM - Systems and methods can support an automated wagering system. The system can specify a payout scenario. The system can specify a number of wager options. The system can assign outcomes of the specified payout scenario to each of the specified number of wager options. The system can receive one or more wagers, from one or more users, each wager for a selected wager option. The system can receive from the one or more users, a payment for each wager. The system can price future wager options based on prior wager options. The system can calculate a purchase option metric to determine if the house should opt to purchase unselected wager options. The system can identify a winning wager from actual payout event. The system can allocate some or all of the received payments to one or more of the one or more users in response to the user being associated with the winning wager. Also, the system can allocate the received payments not allocated to the user to the house. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274333 | System and Method of Providing Wagering Opportunities Based on Promotional Content - 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 leverage the foregoing features to provide wager-enabled promotions. For example, a promotion such as an advertisement may be wager-enabled such that selecting the advertisement provides an opportunity to place a wager. An outcome of the wager may be predefined and based on an outcome of a real-world wager that was already determined. Thus, the user may be given the impression that the outcome of the real-world wager resulted from interaction with the promotion. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274334 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF DETERMINING A REVEAL SPECIFICATION IN AN INTEGRATED WAGERING AND INTERACTIVE MEDIA PLATFORM - 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 generate a reveal specification that specifies how a reveal should be made and/or which interactive media should be used to reveal a given outcome of a real-world wager. The system may reveal a value associated with a payout using the reveal specification. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274335 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING THE OUTCOMES OF REAL WORLD WAGERS THROUGH GEOLOCATION REVEALS - 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 through location-based reveals to give an appearance that the outcomes of the real-world wagers resulted from the user location even though the outcomes resulted from the real-world wagers. The system may associate certain locations with a reveal such that when a user enters, is determined to be at, and/or leaves a reveal location, a reveal opportunity may be presented to the user. For example, the system may invite the user to make a purchase at a nearby partner retailer for a chance to win a payout or be guaranteed to win a payout and/or may simply obtain a particular payout (e.g., via cash, item, etc.) when a user enters a particular location. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274336 | System and Method of Securing Reveals of Outcomes of Real World Wagers - 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 securing reveals of the outcomes of the real-world wagers through the interactive media such that if the reveals 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 an outcome of a real-world wager to be transmitted securely, such that it will be known whether the outcome was viewed by the user and/or the system. For example, the system may enable a wagering outcome to be encrypted, transmitted and later revealed securely, where an indication is provided if the outcome had been earlier revealed or inspected. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274337 | System and Method of Providing an Integrated Wagering and Interactive Media Platform - The invention relates to systems and methods of providing an integrated wagering and interactive media platform. The system may allow various types of third party interactive media providers such as video game publishers (including smartphone and tablet game publishers, console game publishers, etc.), video and other multimedia download or streaming services, and others to access outcomes of real-world wagers associated with users so that the outcomes may be revealed in association with interactive media. Other types of systems may also access the reveal mechanisms to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers such as, for example, retail systems, kiosks, vending machines, and/or other user touch points that can identify a user, obtain wager outcomes from the system, and provide the wager outcomes to the user. Furthermore, in-house developed games and other interactive media may use the reveal mechanisms described herein to reveal outcomes of real-world wagers associated with the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274338 | System and Method of Selecting Real-world wagers on Behalf of Users in an Integrated Wagering and Interactive Media Platform - 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 interactive media, and revealing the outcomes 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 select a real-world wager based on one or more wager parameters that specify one or more aspects of the wager. In some instances, the user may directly specify some of the foregoing parameters and the system may select other ones of the foregoing parameters. For example, the user may identify a particular horse race on which to place the real-world wager and the system may select the winner, an amount of the wager, etc. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274339 | System and Method of Selecting Parameters for Real World Wagers Placed on Behalf of Users in an Integrated Wagering and Interactive Media Platform - 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. In an implementation, the system may select a set of wager parameters that define a given wager. Such wager parameters may specify a type of wager, including various types of horse race wagers, a number of wagers to place, where to place the wager, an amount of the wager, and/or other parameters. The wager parameters may be selected based on a level of risk associated with a wager and/or a level of risk associated with a user for whom the wager is placed. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274340 | System and Method of Timing Wagers in an Integrated Wagering and Interactive Media Platform - 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. A real-world wager may be initiated by one or more wager triggers that cause the real-world wager to be placed. The one or more wager triggers may include, without limitation, acquisition of a token, user selection or initiation of interactive media (e.g., selection of a game to play), an occurrence of an event in the interactive media (e.g., based on a user controlled or other in-game action), and/or other events. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274341 | Real Money Gambling Payouts That Depend on Online Social Activity - Software on a server and/or client device causes a view in a graphical user interface (GUI) for a game to be displayed to a user. The game is an online gambling game for real money. The software receives input from the user. The input includes a wager and play according to game mechanics for the game. The software calculates a payout from the play. The payout includes a promotional payout that depends at least in part on a measure of social activity associated with the user or a measure of social influence associated with the user. And the software broadcasts the payout to at least one other person who is a social relation of the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274342 | ADAPTIVE MOBILE DEVICE GAMING SYSTEM - Embodiments disclosed herein concern mobile gaming environments. Portable electronic devices can be supported by the mobile gaming environments. The locations of the portable electronic device can influence how the portable electronic devices operate or what services or features are available to the portable electronic device or their users. According to one embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern gaming/betting opportunities that can be secured using a portable electronic device even when an individual is located in a location where betting or games of chance are not permitted. According to another embodiment, a mobile gaming system can concern an application program operating on a portable electronic device that supports multiple modes of operation depending upon whether the portable electronic device is in a location where betting or games of chance are permitted. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274343 | WAGERING SYSTEM BASED ON COMMUNITY PLAY - A wagering system having a wagering base with information therein. A plurality of terminals make up a Community Play grouping. At least one processor is programmed to determine whether any wager input at any of the terminals in the Community Play grouping accessed information in the wagering base. The at least one processor additionally identifies a return for each of the players that input a wager at the Community Play grouping for a predetermined game over a predetermined time period in the event that any wager made in the Community Play grouping accessed the information. The return for each of the players is determined in relationship to the size of the wager input by each player. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274344 | GAME RELATED SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND ARTICLES THAT COMBINE VIRTUAL AND PHYSICAL ELEMENTS - Disclosed are physical objects which may be employed with a virtual game layout to enhance wager and non-wagered based gaming. Display subsystems may provide a changeable or selectable virtual game layout with demarcations appropriate to a selected game. A sensor subsystem may detect physical aspects of game related pieces (e.g., playing cards, chips, markers, dice, spinners, tokens, tiles) as well as media (e.g., identity media, financial media). All gaming functions may occur through interaction with a playing surface, as well as functions such as ordering food, beverages and services. Automated tracking of players, dealers and games may be realized along with bonusing and promotions. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274345 | ANTI-CHEATING HYBRID GAME - Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments operate an anti-cheating hybrid game. One embodiment includes an anti-cheating hybrid game constructed to communicate occurrences based upon a player's skillful execution of an entertainment game that triggers a randomly generated payout to a gambling game; where the anti-cheating hybrid game incorporates an anti-cheating module constructed to: receive player data for a player, where the player data is indicative of the player's current gameplay performance at the entertainment game; analyze the player data to determine whether cheating is occurring by comparing the player's current gameplay performance with historical gameplay data to evaluate whether the player's current gameplay performance is beyond the statistical limits of the randomness inherent in the anti-cheating hybrid game; and send a command to penalize the player during play of the entertainment game based upon a determination that cheating has occurred from the analyzed player data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274346 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A LIST OF MONETARY INSTRUMENTS ASSOCIATED WITH A SYSTEM - A system has one or more gaming devices including gaming machines and other devices. At least one transaction reading device is coupled to the gaming devices and reads information associated with the monetary instruments associated with the gaming devices. A host computer is operatively coupled to the transaction reading device. A database is associated with the host computer and is configured to retrievably store the information associated with monetary instruments. A data display device is operatively coupled to the host computer and retrieves and displays a list of the monetary instruments in response to input from a user. The data display device can be associated with a wireless remote device, wired to the host computer or associated with the gaming device. The list of the monetary instruments includes information associated with each of the monetary instruments. The list of the monetary instruments can include information from selected gaming devices. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274347 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONDUCTING ON-LINE TOURNAMENT CONTEST - Systems and methods for conducting on-line tournaments, and in particular such tournaments as permit participants to receive prizes without having to place wagers. Participants are permitted to enroll in an on-line tournament pool and submit tokens. The tokens act as each respective participant's prediction regarding the outcome of one or more events associated with a sporting event or other contest. Tokens may be completed “brackets” representing a participant's prediction of winners of all games in various rounds of a sporting event, or partially completed brackets representing the participant's prediction of winners of only some games thereof. Cash prizes are awarded for top scoring participants but no wagers or entry fees of any kind are accepted from or required to be paid by the participants. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274348 | SYSTEMS, METHODS, AND DEVICES FOR PLAYING WAGERING GAMES WITH RANDOMIZED AWARD MULTIPLIERS BASED ON WAGER LEVEL - Gaming devices, gaming systems, methods of conducting wagering games, and computer programs for executing wagering games are disclosed. Computer-implemented methods of executing a wagering game are disclosed herein. For some implementations which utilize paylines in determining a winning outcome, the method incorporates a non-linear escalation of payline multipliers based on a player's wager level. The wager level determines which of a plurality of “multiplier pools” the player will be entered into for a particular play of the wagering game. A minimum multiplier for each pool is at least the standard payline multiplier (e.g., at wager level 2, the minimum multiplier is 2×), though at higher wager levels the minimum multiplier in the corresponding pool may be higher than the standard minimum payline multiplier (e.g., at wager level 4, the minimum multiplier is 5× instead of just 4×). | 2014-09-18 |
20140274349 | PROGRESSIVE VALUE TRACKING AND PUBLICATION IN GAMING SYSTEMS - A gaming system harvests a current progressive value from available gaming devices. A protocol is implemented that incorporates the current progressive value with current geolocation data associated with the available plurality of gaming devices as a universal progressive data feed. The universal progressive data feed is published. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274350 | PROGRESSIVE WAGERING SYSTEM - A progressive wagering system having at least one processor and a wagering base with information. Wagers are input from a plurality of terminals to create a first pool and to access the information in the wagering base. The at least one processor is programmed to: (a) identify wagers that have accessed information in the wagering base; and (b) identify a return for each input wager accessing the information in the wagering base. The plurality of terminals are configured to allow selective inputting of at least a part of an input wager to a second pool. The at least one processor is programmed to award a payout to a first player from the second pool based upon criteria related to the first player's activity related to the first pool. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274351 | Method and Apparatus for Variable Contribution Progressive Jackpots - Methods and apparatuses for variable contribution multiple progressive jackpot games are disclosed. A variable contribution rate is determined as a function of a wager level. A contribution amount is determined by multiplying each wager by its corresponding contribution rate. The contribution amount is then added to at least two jackpot meters. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274352 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERACTIVE GAMES - The invention relates to systems and methods of gaming, including online gambling. The system may enable betting to be performed by a user with respect to one or more events (e.g., the betting results are revealed to the user (optionally in a time delayed manner) based at least in part on the user's game play with respect to an interactive game (e.g., an online interactive electronic game)). By way of example and not limitation, the event may be a sporting event, a lottery, stock market activity, a political race, or other form of risk resolution that provides a return against an amount wagered. The interactive game may involve physical coordination, problem solving and/or other activity unrelated to the underlying event being wagered on. Further, the actual selection of events (e.g., races and competitors, stocks, etc.) to bet on may be automatically selected, without requiring the user to perform manual selections. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274353 | DETECTING AN EVENT WITHIN INTERACTIVE MEDIA - As a user is being presented with interactive media by a presenting device, a separate monitoring device may be used to monitor the presentation of the interactive media and detect an event that occurs therein. Such a monitoring device may be configured and positioned to access media content from the presentation of the interactive media. For example, the monitoring device may be configured and positioned to record video content with a camera and record audio content with a microphone. Having accessed this media content, the monitoring device may generate an identifier, such as a fingerprint or watermark, of the media content and compare the generated identifier with a reference identifier that is generated from the source of the media content. Based on the generated identifier matching the reference identifier, the monitoring device may detect that an event has occurred within the interactive media presentation and present a corresponding notification. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274354 | INTELLIGENT MERCHANDISING OF GAMES - User activity with respect to media content, such as games, may be tracked and collected. Data associated with the user activity may be utilized to generate one or more predictive models, which may determine correlations between users that accessed the media content, the media content, or genres relating to the media content. Additional media content may be recommended and/or promoted to users based at least in part on the correlations and/or the likelihood that the additional content would be of interest to the users. The additional content may be presented to the users via one of multiple communication channels, such as an application associated with a user device, a site associated with the additional content, via messages transmitted to the users, and/or any other manner of communicating the additional content. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274355 | DYNAMIC RECOMMENDATION OF GAMES - A user may utilize a user device to interact with a plurality of games via an application stored on the user device and/or a site associated with the plurality of games. The user may also select at least one of the plurality of games to view, try, play, download, install, and/or acquire. In response to a user selection of at least one of the plurality of games, one or more additional games may be dynamically presented and/or recommended to the user. The one or more additional games may be determined to have a higher likelihood of being of interest to the user. An area in which the one or more additional games are presented to the user may be persistently displayed to the user via a display of the user device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274357 | RECONFIGURABLE GAMING ZONE - In one embodiment, method of operating a zone-based gaming activity, includes generating, in response to a request, a reconfigurable zone; determining one or more eligible participants; and modifying said zone to change the number of eligible participants. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274358 | Suggesting Friends for Playing A Game - Exemplary methods, apparatuses, and systems provide a suggested list of people for a user of a social network system to play a game with. A social networking system receives a trigger for providing the user access from a user device to the game over a network. The social networking system identifies a pool of people who have a personal connection with the user and who have not played the game before. From the pool of people, a suggested list of people is selected based on closeness to the user. The suggested list is sent to the user device for the user device for the user to selectively invite one or more of the people to play the game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274359 | MULTI-PLAYER COLLABORATIVE PLAY OF A GAME - The systems and/or processes described herein enable multiple users to play a game in a collaborative and/or competitive manner. Users that are playing the game may be provided with game moves that allow the users to take an action with respect to themselves, to take an action with respect to a different user in collaboration with that user, or to take an action with respect to a different user in competition with that user. In addition, one or more criteria associated with the game may be satisfied based at least in part on multiple users collaborating with one another during play of the game. An enhancement associated with the game may be provided to the collaborating users and may be based on the criteria being satisfied. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274360 | Portable Intermediary Trused Device - In one embodiment, an intermediary gaming trusted electronic device for use with an untrusted PED may include a position sensor configured to acquire position information, a memory configured to store at least game session data, and a processor configured to at least: securely communicate with a gaming apparatus via the wireless transceiver; securely communicate with the associated untrusted PED; determine whether a gaming session is permitted based on the position information; receive gaming data from the gaming apparatus if it is determined that the gaming session is permitted; transmit presentation data to the associated untrusted PED for presentation on a display of the associated PED, wherein the intermediary gaming trusted device is able to support interaction between the gaming apparatus and the associated untrusted PED so that the associated untrusted PED, when coupled to the intermediary gaming trusted device, can execute a gaming software. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274361 | KIOSK FOR GAMING - A kiosk for gaming by patrons. An identification scanner may scan an identification document into digital form. A biological sensor such as a camera may obtain biological data describing a human patron. Input-output device(s) mounted in the kiosk may present information and accept registration/login information and gaming commands from a human patron. A currency acceptor and dispenser may accept money. The kiosk may ask a patron to insert an identification document into the identification scanner, and scan the document. The kiosk may obtain biological data describing the patron. The kiosk may verify the identity of the patron and acceptability of the patron for gaming based at least in part on the digital form of the patron's identification and the biological data. The kiosk may accept currency for deposit into a wagering account. Once the patron is verified and the account is funded, the kiosk may offer gaming activities to the verified patron out of the wagering account, and pay out gaming winnings at the currency dispenser. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274362 | Player Recommendation For Playing Online Game - Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for recommending a list of players for playing an online game. The method includes receiving a request to join an online game currently being played by a plurality of players. In response to the request, player attributes of the plurality of players playing the online game are gathered, in substantial real-time. A subset of players matching at least two of the player selection parameters with the player attributes of the players, is identified. The subset of players is returned as a list of recommended players to a client device for rendering. The returned list includes options to select one or more players and to join the selected players in playing the online game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274363 | GAMIFYING SEARCH ENGINE RESULTS - A computer-implemented method in a gaming system includes, in response to a participant's search query, conducting, by one or more processors, a search on a search engine through a web browser; and presenting, by at least one of the one or more processors, search engine results including one or more standard indices and one or more incentivized indices, each of the one or more standard indices including a selectable hyperlink for directing the participant to a third-party website, each of the one or more incentivized indices including a selectable hyperlink for playing a game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274364 | ELECTRONIC GAMING SYSTEM WITH ROM-BASED MEDIA VALIDATION - Examples disclosed herein relate to systems and methods for validating the authenticity of one or more media associated with a gaming system. The systems and methods may utilize a public key in association with a ROM-based algorithm to validate such media. The systems and methods may: decrypt the encrypted game assets media signature; determine a verified game assets hash signature from the decrypted game assets media signature; determine a game assets verification range from the decrypted game assets media signature; calculate a game assets hash signature based on the game assets verification range; and/or determine if the game assets verified hash signature matches the game assets calculated hash signature. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274365 | SYSTEM AND METHOD OF REVEALING SPONSORED AND OTHER ITEMS THROUGH MOCK 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. Alternatively or additionally, the system may provide mock reveals that are not driven by wagering mechanics. For example, the system may provide reveals that are tied to promotions provided by a partner promotions provider, virtual items (e.g., certain in-game items) that the system is promoting to sell, and/or other item that is not tied to a real-world wager. The system may provide such mock reveals to facilitate promotional campaigns, retain users, and/or otherwise make the gaming experience more enjoyable for the user. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274366 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MODIFYING SELECTIONS AVAILABLE IN A BONUS GAME - In at least one embodiment, systems, methods and articles of manufacture provide for a game comprising a primary game and a bonus round comprising a plurality of player selectable elements, in which game an outcome of the primary game may include an eliminator symbol which functions to render unavailable for selection at least one of the player selectable elements. In one embodiment, the lowest value player selectable element is removed or rendered unavailable, thus effectively increasing the player's chances of selecting a higher value player selectable element. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274367 | AUTHENTICATION OF MOBILE SERVERS - In one embodiment, a method, apparatus, and system of authenticating a mobile server may have at least one mobile server configured to execute games of chance on a plurality of mobile gaming devices and an authentication server configured to: determine a location of the at least one mobile server; determine a wireless communication means to communicate with the at least one mobile server based on the location of the at least one mobile server; communicate with the at least one mobile server via the determined wireless communication means; and initiate authentication, by an authentication server, of the at least one mobile server. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274368 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR COMBINING MULTIPLE GAME OR APPLICATION VIEWS INTO A SINGLE MEDIA STREAM - A system and method are described for combining multiple views of a video game or application into a single video stream (or set of video streams). For example, a system according to one embodiment comprises: a plurality of application/video game instances executed for a particular multi-player video game or application on a hosting service, the application/video game instances being executed in response to control signals received from a plurality of clients; compositing logic executed at the hosting service to combine video streams generated by each of the application/video game instances into a single video stream for a first one of the clients; and compression logic to compress the single video stream with low latency such that the user of the first one of the clients has the perception that the video game or application is being executed locally. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274369 | SCHEME FOR ASSISTING IN 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 flying through the air, and displaying a first visual indicator on the display that visually indicates to the user which direction the character should move in order to get closer to a catch region where the character will be able to catch the object. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium stores one or more computer programs, and a system includes a display and a processor based apparatus. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274370 | Highly Interactive Online Multiplayer Video Games - Latency compensation is performed during play of a multiplayer video game over a network. A first system includes a first estimator, a first player, and a first game object controlled by movement of the first player, and a second system includes at least a second player and a second game object controlled by movement of the second player. The first estimator receives data values characterizing delayed states of the second system via the network. Based on the received data values, the first estimator estimates a latency-compensated state of the second game object using a physics model of the second game object and a behavior model of the second player. The behavior model provides a representation of how the second player interacts with the video game relative to the first player. The first player is enabled to interact with the video game with compensated latency. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274371 | TRIGGERING OF MULTI-PLAYER MINI GAMES - The systems and/or processes described herein enable multiple users to play a single player game, such as playing a game within a virtual environment. In response to one or more criteria associated with the single player game being satisfied, a multi-player mini game may be presented to the multiple users. The multi-player mini game may cause the multiple users to collaborate with one another to achieve a common goal or to compete against one another for the purpose of obtaining an award. During play of the multi-player mini game, a progression or performance of each of the multiple users may be displayed in real-time. In response to determining a winner of the multi-player mini game, an award may be provided to the winner. Then, the multiple users may resume play of the single player game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274372 | TOUCH BUTTON WITH TACTILE ELEMENTS - An electronic gaming machine for playing an electronic game is disclosed. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a game controller housed within the cabinet, a display configured to display the electronic game to a player, and a user-input panel. The gaming machine further includes a first button mounted to the user-input panel. The first button includes a first touch sensing section configured to receive inputs from a player and to provide signals relating to the inputs to the game controller. The gaming machine further includes a first tactile element. The first tactile element is distinguishable from the first touch sensing section by the player by sense of touch. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274373 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ANIMATING VIRTUAL CHARACTERS - System and methods for defining and applying animations to virtual characters with interchangeable body parts that may be combined to form composite virtual characters are disclosed. According to aspects of the invention, a software program running on a gaming platform comprises a plurality of virtual characters, each comprising a plurality of interchangeable body parts. An animation clip may be defined for an interchangeable body part of a first virtual character. The animation clip may be defined for the first virtual character's interchangeable body party using a virtual skeleton that has the bones of the interchangeable body part and the bones of one or more generic body parts. The defined animation clip may control one or more of the bones of the interchangeable body part and one or more of the bones of the one or more generic body parts. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274374 | Gaming Machine Having Flexible Mount For Tower Light - A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a topbox frame attached thereto and facing a player position in front of the gaming machine, and one or more display devices within the cabinet and configured to display a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a tower light for indicating a status condition, and a conduit for mounting the tower light to the topbox frame. The conduit has a fixed end attached to the topbox frame and an adjustable end attached to the tower light. The adjustable end is movable to different positions to provide a line of sight for viewing the tower light. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274375 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF FOLLOWING GAME-RELATED CONTENT BASED ON KEYWORDS - A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for following game-related content based on keywords is provided. A game server receives a web feed request for a web feed to be displayed on a client device, where the web feed request includes a keyword identifying a type of content to be displayed in the web feed. The game server identifies web feed content to be displayed in the web feed, including identifying content relevant to the keyword. The web feed content may include game content associated with one or more computer-implemented games. The client device is provided with the web feed content to be displayed in the web feed. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274376 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF PROVIDING PARENTAL CONTROLS FOR GAME CONTENT - A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method of providing parental controls for game content is provided. A game server receives a request to access game content associated with a computer-implemented game, including receiving the game request from a game user interface on a client device. In response to the game request, the game server identifies that a safe mode is enabled, where the safe mode prevents restricted game content from being displayed on the game user interface. Safe mode game content in accordance with the safe mode is accessed and provided to the game user interface on the client device, where the safe mode game content includes the requested game content without the restricted game content. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274377 | PRE-PLAY AND POST-PLAY VIDEO GAME CHARACTER PRESENTATION AND EQUIPPING - Systems and methods for pre-game and post-game video game character presentation and equipping are disclosed. According to one aspect of the invention, a computer implemented method useful for video game play comprises: determining identities and equipment of at least some game characters for participation in game play; in a time period outside of game play, providing information for rendering the game characters with their equipment in a scene having visual characteristics of a virtual world for game play; providing game players the opportunity to change and/or purchase equipment for their game characters; and providing for game play including the game characters. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274378 | METHOD AND SYSTEM OF VIRTUAL GAMING IN A VEHICLE - A system for virtual gaming in a vehicle including a first imaging device having an image projection mechanism and an image capture mechanism. The image projection mechanism configured to project images on a game surface. The image capture mechanism configured to detect a first set of image position data defining a position of the images relative to the game surface and detect a set of player position data defining a position of one or more. The system further including a game module for processing the first set of image position data and the set of player position data to calculate a second set of image position data. The system also including an image module for controlling the image projection mechanism to project images according to the second set of image position data. The system also including a processor for executing the game module and the image module. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274379 | CLIENT SIDE PROCESSING OF CHARACTER INTERACTIONS IN A REMOTE GAMING ENVIRONMENT - Embodiments of the present invention split game processing and rendering between a client and a game server. A rendered video game image is received from a game server and combined with a rendered image generated by the game client to form a single video game image that is presented to a user. Control input is received by a client device and then communicated to a game server, potentially with some preprocessing, and is also consumed locally on the client, at least in part. An embodiment of the present invention processes and renders some or all of a character's interactions with game objects on the client device associated with the character. A character is associated with a client device when control input associated with the character is received from a user of the client device. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274380 | CONTROLLER EMULATION FOR CLOUD GAMING - A server may determine a client device type from an identifier and generate a user interface configuration profile for the client device using the client device type. The client device can use the profile to configure a first user interface to provide inputs for a software title emulated by the server. The software title is configured for use with a device having a second user interface. The server sends the profile to the client device and emulates the software title with inputs received from the client device. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274381 | SERVER DEVICE, METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING GAME PROGRAM - The server device periodically calculates a contribution degree to a network game as an active level for each participating user during progress of the network game, so that a ranking for each user is determined and displayed. Furthermore, the server device adjusts a parameter for each participating user in accordance with the ranking determined during progress of the game. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274382 | FHS: Smarter Contact Selectors - The invention relates to a computer implemented method of controlling a display on a first computer device connected via a communication network to a plurality of other computer devices, the method comprising: receiving user inputs from the first and other computer devices during interaction with a game rendered on the display of each computer device, the game being played by users of the computer devices over the communication network; storing the user inputs in computer storage and generating user behaviour data based on the user inputs; accessing computer storage holding a plurality of contact identifiers of the users and controlling the display of the first computer device to display only a selected set of the stored contact identifiers, wherein the set of contact identifiers is selected to be displayed based on the user behaviour data. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274383 | Method For Playing a Game Using Generic On-Line Chat Conversation, From An Opponent, As Game Data - A method and system are provided for playing a game on-line using ordinary chat messages. A list of words is presented by an automated process running the game and presented to a player, and the player selects one of the words. The automated process also displays forbidden words to the player, which are words that the player may not use in outgoing chat messages. Chat messages are exchanged with another person who is using a standard chat messaging service and the automated process parses the content of the chat messages. If the word selected by the player is present in an incoming chat message, the player wins. If the selected word or if any forbidden words associated with the selected word is present in an outgoing chat message, the player loses. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274384 | DELIVERING AND CONSUMING INTERACTIVE VIDEO GAMING CONTENT - Delivering and consuming interactive video gaming content is described. An operation for such may include transmitting, over a network to a video content decoding appliance, one or more video frames of a video content item associated with a session related to an interactive video game; receiving, over the network, a game control input from a client computing device associated with the session; and modifying, in view of the game control input, a state of the session. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274385 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROMOTING GAME PLAY FREQUENCY - The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for promoting game play frequency of online games. Embodiments include displaying a plurality of positioned game elements, wherein each positioned game element is associated with a game time period; displaying a game indicia associated with a positioned game element if a player has acquired a game piece during the game time period associated with the positioned game element; selecting one or more positioned game elements after a game duration; and awarding one or more prizes if the selected positioned game elements are associated with a game indicia. Numerous additional aspects are disclosed. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274386 | PEER-SCORED COMMUNICATION IN ONLINE ENVIRONMENTS - Systems and methods for peer-scored dialogue are provided. Meaningful communications are fostered by enabling students or players of an online game to affect the score of other players by scoring the communications of other players. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274387 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INDICATING EVENTS IN GAME VIDEO - In some embodiments, a system comprises a game controller module, a trigger satisfaction module, a metadata module, and a marker module. The game controller module may be configured to receive user control signals and execute gameplay based on the user control signals. The trigger satisfaction module may be configured to determine whether one or more events that occur during the gameplay satisfy one or more trigger conditions of a trigger. The metadata module may be configured to generate one or more trigger satisfaction indicators based on the satisfaction of the one or more trigger conditions of the trigger. The marker module may be configured to associate the one or more trigger satisfaction indicators with video of the gameplay to generate one or more game event markers to be used to enable a viewer to jump to one or more game segments associated with the trigger. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274388 | DETERMINATION OF ADVERTISEMENT BASED ON PLAYER PHYSIOLOGY - A method, apparatus, and system of selective advertising includes a gaming server to receive a request to play a game of chance from a gaming device, transmit gaming data to the gaming device, the gaming data associated with the requested game of chance, and receive player data, the player data associated with the player's eye movement, gestures, or change in state. The server may also be configured to analyze the player data, determine a context associated with the player data; and initiate an action based on the determined context. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274389 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TOY ADOPTION AND MARKETING - Interacting with a virtual presentation includes: entering a first registration code associated with a first product for registering the first product on a website via a user account; accessing a restricted portion of the website that was not accessible prior to registering the first product; displaying a virtual character that is controllable on the website; registering a second product by entering a second registration code provided to the product, wherein the second product is different than the first product, the second character also accessed via the user account; receiving content for displaying a second virtual character that is controllable on the website; and gaining access to additional content, beyond a chat function, for the first product in response to registration of the second product with the user account, wherein the additional content comprises additional resources of the website beyond the resources provided after registration of the first product. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274390 | TOGGLABLE PLAYER TILES TO ASSIST A USER-PARTICIPANT DURING A FANTASY LEAGUE DRAFT - In a fantasy league draft, a programmatic determination is made to present an optimized lineup of players to a user-participant for the fantasy league draft. This lineup may inform the user-participant of which players to choose during the draft to optimize both cost and projected fantasy points. The user-participant can target and/or avoid specific players in each round of the fantasy league draft to be included or excluded from the optimized lineup. Furthermore, a graphic user interface can be generated to enable the user-participant to configure a variety of metrics to produce the optimized lineup based on targeted and avoided players and an optimization calculation. | 2014-09-18 |
20140274391 | DIGITAL INTER-PUPILLARY DISTANCE ADJUSTMENT - Stereoscopic viewing systems may be adjusted for a user's inter-pupillary distance (IPD). Software-generated calibration images may be presented on a display having two optics. One or more settings for presentation of the calibration image are adjusted. The settings are related to an inter-pupillary distance (IPD) of the user. An input is received from a user when the user perceives the calibration image to be acceptable at a particular value of the one or more settings. An IPD value that corresponds to the particular value of the one or more settings is then determined. The determined IPD value is used in presenting subsequent software-generated images with the stereoscopic display. | 2014-09-18 |