Abstract: An electronic game features captivating animations and rich selection criteria while offering the simplicity that makes the popularity of legacy games such as roulette, wheel of fortune and multi-line fruit machines casino games. One implementation of the present electronic game is configured as a 2D game tailored for slot machines. Solid 3D variants of the game extending beyond the established video slot machine form-factor are also described.

Abstract: A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.

Abstract: A system for concurrent gaming comprises a gaming server and a client computer connected to the gaming server by means of an open communication network. The gaming server is instructable by the client to randomly select multiple, concurrent hands of playing cards to a player in a turn of a game of Caribbean Stud poker. The compositions of the multiple, randomly selected concurrent hands is transmitted by the gaming server along the communication network to the client computer where they are displayed to the player, under program control as part of a simulation of the game of Caribbean Stud poker. Gaming server also generates the gaming server also randomly selects a hand associated with a dealer in the game, the composition of the dealer's hand being also transmitted by the gaming server to the client computer and displayed as part of the simulation. The player then makes desired game play decisions, in turn, as a function of each one of the, multiple concurrent hands and the dealer's hand.

Abstract: A method of eliciting customer preferences includes establishing a computer-enabled facility accessible to the target audience of participants, determining features to collect bets on, determining which participants may register, determining a betting period, determining betting rules, determining how to decide winners and prizes, registering the participants participation using the website, instructing the participants about procedures of abetting game and list of possible product features, betting, by the participants, on the product features the participants think will be preferred by the general public, determining whether an end of the betting period has been reached, determining, at the end of the betting period, average bets for each of the product features, predicting average customer preferences based on the average bets, determining a score of each participant who made bets, determining which of the participants has a best score, and using resulting preference information for production planning.

Abstract: An apparatus for remotely controlling the movements of a vehicle includes a user input means, such as a gamepad with a plurality of joystick-controlled and button-controlled outputs, a tracker, and optional sliding foot pedals; a processor for running a control mapping algorithm; and a remote vehicle controller. A control mapping algorithm maps the outputs to the remote-controlled vehicle's course, heading, displacement, and camera view, with the joysticks mapped to provide open loop directional control over the vehicle's course and heading, the tracker providing open loop control over the camera view, and the optional sliding foot pedals providing open loop control over the vehicle's displacement. The remote vehicle controller sends commands to on-board controls to direct the vehicle's movement. A video stream from an on-board camera is transmitted back to the operator station for viewing on a computer desktop display or a head mountable display.

Abstract: A game machine includes a monitor, a comparator and an adjuster. The monitor monitors a difference between the amount of game value inserted and the amount of game value paid. The comparator compares the difference with a preset reference value. The adjuster extends a game time of a game performed on the monitor when a result of the comparison that the difference is greater than the reference value is determined by the comparator.

Abstract: An on-line poker game system includes a poker table staffed with a live dealer with a plurality of designated seats assigned to at least one a remote player and one or more live players or to a plurality of remote players. Remote players connect to the system via a wide area network. Located at each designated seat is a private card camera that produces and transmits images of face down cards dealt thereto. A public card camera produces and transmits images of all face up cards dealt on the poker table. A table camera constantly provides an image of the entire table and dealer. A deck of cards with an identifying RFID tag is used with images to verify the identity of the private and public cards. A game logic server connects to a network server and host and client-side software programs enable the remote players to connect to the server.

Abstract: A method and system for players to purchase a time credit, play a vibrant console type skill game and place countless numbers of bets until the time credit has elapsed. A two-player console type skill game allows two players to enter a fierce challenge and place countless numbers of bets until the time credit has elapsed. Wherever gaming regulation allows time-gaming AutoBet, then the bet outcome result (instead of fixed points) is briefly shown and accumulated each time a winning or losing feature is hit along the play path; otherwise a “BET” or “No Bet” prompt confirms that a betting opportunity has been offered and requests that the player confirm his or her intention to place the bet.

Abstract: A gaming device such as a slot machine may be operated in an automated play mode in which the need for player input is reduced or eliminated. Game play cycles may be continuously performed in the automated play mode without player input. One or more parameters for controlling the automated play mode may be determined based on player input and/or data or a program stored in the gaming device and/or data or a program stored in a controller in communication with the gaming device. Termination of the automated play mode may result from player input and/or may be determined on the basis of a parameter that may be determined on the basis of player input or may be determined automatically by the gaming device or by a controller in communication with the gaming device.

Abstract: A matchmaking service that selects matches based on personal/social characteristics as well as skill and experience. The service takes into account direct feedback from other players about positive and negative experiences with a particular player and expectations about appropriate conduct and type of game being played before a player joins the game session.

Abstract: The game device comprises display means for displaying game images, operation means operated by game players, and control means for controlling a game. On the game device, a competition game which is played by a plurality of game players is made to win and lose. The game device further comprises storage means which count values of a prescribed trick played by the game players, nicknames related to the prescribed trick, and nicknaming conditions for giving the nicknames. The control means judges based on operation states of the operation means operated by the game players whether or not the prescribed trick has been played by the game players in the progress of the game, renews the count values when it is judged that the prescribed trick has been played, and gives the nickname to the game players when the count values have satisfied the nicknaming conditions. The display means displays in the game images the nicknames, related to the game players.

Abstract: A method includes displaying a first set of card representations at a display device of a player station. This first set of card representations is divided into a number of card representation subsets. The method also includes receiving a subset selection input and a wager allocation input at the player station. The subset selection input selects a first and second subset of card representations from the various subsets that have been displayed. Each of these different subsets will be used together with a second, “community” set of card representations displayed at the player station to produce a respective final hand for the player. The wager allocation input allocates a wager amount between the first and second subsets of card representations. First and second prize values are awarded for hands produced from the selected subsets combined with the community card set and considering the wager allocations.

Abstract: A method involves a video poker game in which a first set of card representations is displayed at a player station display device. The first set of card representations is organized into a number of card representation subsets comprising at least one card representation in each subset. After the player selects one of the subsets, a second set of card representations is displayed at the player station display device to combine with the selected subset. The combination is used to produce an optimum card hand that represents the player's result for the game. The player's result may be determined based on the combination of cards or may be predetermined from a lottery-type game, bingo-type game, or a result generator. In the latter cases the card representations displayed in the game are controlled so as to be consistent with the result identified for the player.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus, such as a slot machine, that randomly determines a combination of symbols and pays prizes according to a determined payout table, is used to perform a gaming method similar to conventional slot machine play, but that permits greater interaction with the player. The gaming method provides the player with the option of increasing an amount wagered after at least one of the symbols has been determined. The method additionally provides the player with the option to randomly determine a symbol or symbols a second time, or to force a symbol to be the same as a symbol already determined, optionally at additional cost. The method includes making appropriate adjustments to a payout table, depending on the player's actions during game play.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of determining a most skilled individual from a group of individuals in a tournament setting over a computer network. A method of determining skill level in a card game in a tournament setting comprises assigning players to a plurality of tables, each table consisting of a predetermined number of labelled positions. Cards are provided to each player over the network such that players seated at positions with the same label at each table have the same cards. The performance of players at the same position at different tables is compared after playing a game and such players are ranked as a measure of their skill level.

Abstract: A learning system, method, and data structure provides collaborative activities between learners. The system includes an interface to receive a learning strategy selected by a learner. A content management system stores content and one or more collaboration elements associated with a course. A learning management system determines the learning content and the one or more collaboration elements to present to the learner based on the selected learning strategy. The learner participates using the collaboration element at a time of the learner's choosing while taking the course. The collaboration activity may be based on one or more collaboration scenarios including a brainstorming activity, a cooperative text processing activity, an explanation discourse activity, an answer-to-tutor activity, and a pro-contra dispute. The collaboration element may be provided as an intentional point of collaboration.

Abstract: The embodiments of present invention provide a method for playing wagering games with dominoes. According to a first embodiment of the present invention, a player first places a wager and a dealer then deals three dominoes each to the player and the dealer. The player is then afforded the opportunity to inspect the three dominoes and to arrange their orientation to produce a top hand and a bottom hand defined by a separating line of each domino. The top hand rank is determined by spot values above the separating line and the bottom hand rank is determined by the spot values below the separating line. The dealer arranges their dominoes in the same fashion as the players. Once the arrangements are complete, the player's wager is resolved by evaluating the player's top and bottom hand to the dealer's top and bottom hand in a predetermined fashion.

Abstract: In one primary embodiment of the present invention, the player must wager a number of paylines to qualify for one of a plurality of bonus games. The highest required number of paylines qualifies the player to play the main or most elaborate bonus game. The main or first bonus game preferably has the highest average payout per credit wagered. This provides an incentive to the player to play the highest required number of paylines. In an embodiment, any number of paylines less than the highest required number or max lines qualifies the player to play a second bonus game. The second bonus game has an average payout per credit wagered that is slightly less than the main bonus game. This allows the incentive or disparity between payouts to be set by the game designer so that the player not wagering max lines or the highest required number is not overly disadvantaged.

Abstract: In a method of playing a game, a player plays a main game in which a first set of indicia are displayed. The game may be slots, keno, bingo, pull-tabs, a lottery or the like. If the player receives a special symbol or combination of symbols while playing the main game, the outcome of the game is a guaranteed win. A second set of indicia which represent or correspond to that guaranteed win are displayed to the player, whereby the player is made aware of the particular winning result. If the player does not receive the special symbol or combination of symbols, the play of the main game continues and it is determined if the outcome thereof is a winning result.

Abstract: A gaming device system in which a plurality of gaming devices are linked by a common bonus event is provided. In one embodiment, the linked gaming device system includes a shared symbol generation display that is positioned adjacent to each of a plurality of associated gaming devices and has a plurality of sections and values displayed at each section. Upon a triggering of the bonus event, any player eligible to participate in the bonus may achieve an outcome generated from the bonus event including the shared display. When the shared display is activated, it simultaneously generates a separate or individual outcome associated with each of the gaming devices. The outcomes are spatially related to one another so that a random generation of an outcome associated with one gaming device automatically generates random outcomes associated with each gaming device. Each gaming device however receives the outcome only if it has participated in the random generation.