Abstract: A slot car drag racing reaction start timer assembly that can be mounted on a variety of different slot car tracks. The reaction start timer tower provides for a full drag racing staging and starting light Christmas tree assembly which is electronically linked to car activated optical emitter and sensor combinations from an overhead start gate and timer bridge and the individual driver's car controllers in an electronic integrated timing and reaction circuit. The start tower assembly provides for electronic on-line linking to a use access website to afford multiple racer participation in competition.

Abstract: Providing real-time segment performance information is disclosed. In some embodiments, a segment associated with a user's current activity is determined based at least in part on at least a portion of location information recorded so far. In some embodiments, real-time segment performance information associated with the user's current activity on the segment is communicated.

Abstract: Symbols to be rearranged on the lower image display panel are randomly selected. When the combination of the rearranged symbols results in the establishment of a bonus trigger, how many BONUS symbols are included in the combination of the symbols is counted. Random determination based on a free game number random determination table is executed for a number of times corresponding to the counted number of the BONUS symbols. The randomly-determined total number of times of execution of the free game is awarded as the number of times of execution of the free game. Furthermore, when the number of the BONUS symbols including the combination of the symbols resulting in the establishment of the bonus game trigger is 15, the right to execute the free game 50 times is awarded.

Abstract: A haptic peripheral comprising a housing, a user input element, a position sensor coupled to the user input element, and an actuator located within the housing and coupled to the user input element. The position sensor is configured to detect a position of the user input element and is configured to send the position to a processor. The actuator is configured to receive a haptic effect drive signal from the processor and is configured to output a force in response to the haptic effect drive signal from the processor. The force is transmitted to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect. The haptic peripheral may include a mechanical amplification system coupled to the actuator and configured to increase the force output by the actuator. In such an embodiment, the increased force is transmitted from the mechanical amplification system to the user input element as a kinesthetic haptic effect.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: In exemplary implementations of this invention, a basketball net or flat net measures the translational kinetic energy of a ball that passes through an aperture in the net or impacts the net. The net includes one or more electrically conductive cords, which have a resistance that varies depending on the degree to which the cord is stretched. From sensor measurements, a processor determines: (a) instantaneous rate of change of resistance, and (b) duration of a time period that begins when resistance exceeds a baseline (with hysteresis). In the case of a basketball net, a processor may calculate the translational kinetic energy of the ball as equal to a sum of two terms. The first term is inversely proportional to the square of the duration; the second is proportional to the square of the integral of the instantaneous rate of change of resistance over the time period.

Abstract: Based on posture/motion information obtained from predetermined detection means for detecting a posture or a motion of an input device operated by a user, a virtual plane is calculated at a predetermined timing and set as reference plane. Then, based on motion information, the posture of the input device is calculated as necessary. In accordance with the posture of the input device with respect to the reference plane, predetermined game processing such as moving an object in a virtual space or the like is executed.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus has both a base wagering game apparatus with a processor, symbol display component and player input controls, and a secondary game element visible from the base wagering game. The secondary game element has a see-through container that is liquid proof, a fluid source and a pump to move fluid into and out of the see-through container. Winning outcomes in the base wagering game cause the pump in the secondary game element to change a visible volume of liquid within the container so that a changed level of liquid within the container can be seen. When a predetermined level of liquid is attained within the container, a bonus payment or bonus game is initiated as a resolution of wagers placed through the player input controls.

Abstract: One embodiment of an adjustable aiming aid device for first-person video games, video simulators, and similar video-based human-computer interactions in which the protagonist launches projectiles on targets. The device comprises an attachment unit and a sighting unit. The attachment unit is utilized to attach the device to a monitor, the monitor having a screen on which the software-generated visual environment is displayed. The sighting unit is utilized to position a sight at a predetermined location between the user and the screen, in a plane approximately parallel to the screen. The sight assists the user in aligning one's line of vision with the location on the screen towards which the software-simulated projectiles are launched. The sight is positioned in a different plane of focus than the screen, thus creating a new user experience. Other embodiments are described.

Abstract: A video game processing apparatus for controlling progress of a video game while displaying a three-dimensional avatar, arranged within a virtual space, on a display screen of a the display device is provided. A three-dimensional partial model is generated on the basis of two-dimensional image data inputted by a user of the video game processing apparatus. The three-dimensional partial model constitutes at least apart of a body of a three-dimensional avatar, including a face portion of the three-dimensional avatar. A plurality of three-dimensional partial models thus generated is stored in a three-dimensional partial model memory. At least one three-dimensional partial model for each scene in the video game is specified from the plurality of three-dimensional partial models. The display device is caused to display the three-dimensional avatar, which includes the specified three-dimensional partial model, in a corresponding scene on the display screen.

Abstract: A golf aid for assisting a user in reading a green includes a user tracking system to determine the location of a user on a golf course, a heads up display, and a processor. The heads up display is configured to be worn on the user's head, and to display an image within a field of view of the user. The processor is in communication with the user tracking system and with the heads up display, and maintains a representation of a topology for each of a plurality of golf greens, receives an indication of the location of the user from the user tracking system, identifies one of the plurality of golf greens that is the closest to the user, and displays a representation of the topology within the field of view of the user via the heads up display.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method are described for managing audio chat for an online video game or application. For example, a system according to one embodiment comprises: an online video game or application execution engine to execute an online video game or application in response to input from one or more users of the video game or application and to responsively generate audio and video of the video game or application; and a chat subsystem to establish audio chat sessions with the one or more users and one or more spectators to the video game or application, the chat subsystem establishing a plurality of audio chat channels including a spectator channel over which the spectators participate in audio chat and a user channel over which the users participate in audio chat.

Abstract: A method includes the following operations: (1) executing an application that that generates a series of video frames using a graphics processing unit (GPU); (2) determining that a first video frame in the series has been completely written to a back buffer; (3) determining whether a current scan line of a second video frame is outside of a specified region, where the second video frame is stored in a front buffer and is being read out line by line following receipt of a monitored synchronizing signal; (4) presenting the first video frame to the front buffer without frame transitions, if the current scan line is outside of the specified region and is in a vertical blanking interval (VBI); and (5) presenting the first video to the front buffer with frame transitions, if the current scan line is outside of the specified region and is not in the VBI.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system for providing a virtualized application hosting environment comprising: a plurality of application/game servers each having a memory for storing application program code and data and a processor for executing the application program code and processing the data on behalf of a client; a virtualization service executed on each of the application/game servers, the virtualization service comprising a file redirection module for redirecting file system operations generated by the application program code to one or more virtualized file locations; and a registry redirection module for intercepting registry operations generated by the application program code and executing the registry operations on behalf of the application program code at one or more virtualized registry locations.

Abstract: A system and method are described for managing the state of an online video game. A method includes initiating a new online video game in response to user input from a client device, the online video game being in a first state on a first server when initiated; executing the online video game on the server, thereby causing the online video game to enter a second state; pausing or terminating the online video game; determining differences between the first state and the second state and generating difference data containing the differences; transmitting the difference data over a network to a second server; and recreating the second state from the difference data and the first state in response to user input indicating that the user wishes to resume the online video game and in response to the second server being selected as the server on which to execute the video game.

Abstract: A system and method for entering text within a video game application are described.

Abstract: Tutorial assets may be dynamically integrated into a mobile application at different locations in game play in a staged manner such that individual tutorial assets can be integrated into the mobile application without requiring a wholesale update of the mobile application. The staged updating may be effected without requiring users to access an updated version of the application from an “app store” or other similar online marketplace for mobile applications. This may be accomplished by implementing the mobile application as an “app” including compiled code that implements game assets and tutorial assets to provide a view of the game to the user. The game assets and tutorial assets may be non-compiled information objects, such as images, scripts, and/or other non-compiled information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine where players can play without giving them a sense of unfairness or suspicion and it is possible to identify die spots with a comparatively simple and uncomplicated structure. A gaming machine involving the present invention is characterized as a gaming machine comprising a die, a die container and a means of turning, the body of the die having transparency and the spot display panels formed on each face of the die having light shielding properties, the die container comprising a die shaker and a die slide where the die shaker is connected to the die slide in order to enable the die to move between the die shaker and the die slide, the die shaker has transparency, part of the die slide has light shielding properties, the die slide can slide without the die rolling, the means of turning turns the die container and comprises a motor and a plurality of gears connected to the motor.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and techniques for dual-mode communication are provided. Example embodiments provide an enhanced mobile device that includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. The enhanced mobile device is in communication with a console via both the low latency transceiver and the high latency transceiver. The console also includes a CPU, a low latency transceiver, and a high latency transceiver. In some embodiments, the low latency communication channel is used to transmit control messages to an entertainment console whereas the high latency communication channel is used to communicate data between the mobile device and the entertainment console. The dual-mode communication may be used in different scenarios, including with an entertainment console for arena gaming and other entertainment applications.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporated with a game operation interface to offer selection of anyone of multiple game stations to play a game includes a judgment unit, a control unit and a prompt unit. The judgment unit is connected to the game stations and monitors historical game results of the game stations. The control unit is connected to the judgment unit and prompt unit. The prompt unit includes a plurality of notification elements corresponding to the game stations and is incorporated with the game operation interface. When the judgment unit detects that one of the historical game results of the game stations has met a preset condition, a control signal is generated. The control unit controls the prompt unit to make the notification elements to generate a notification signal to inform players whether a hot game is generated on the game stations.