Abstract: A play apparatus has a pair of devices. Each device has: a capture arrangement such as a cavity to capture an object such as a ball; an object detector to detect that the object has been captured; a transmission module to transmit a release signal; a receiver module to receive a release signal; and a release actuator to release the captured object. A first device detects capture of a first object, transmits a first release signal to cause a second device to release a second object. The first device withholds the first object until releasing it responsive to receipt of a second release signal indicating that another object has been captured by the second device.

Abstract: A gaming machine having an electronic display which displays a plurality of empty drinking cups. A game controller causes the display of a ball and its movement toward and into one of the empty cups. A game play mechanism allows the player to direct the movement of the ball. If the player is successful in movement of a ball into a cup, the cup and the ball is then removed from the display. During play of the game, an amount of sobriety is determined in accord with the number of cups removed by the player. In accordance with the amount of sobriety determined, the cups are displayed in wobbling movement in order to give amusement to the game as well as difficulty in the play.

Abstract: An example of a controller includes a housing including an opening, and an operation member, a part of which is exposed through the opening. The operation member includes a key top exposed through the opening and operated by a user, a shaft portion extending downward from the key top, and a protruding portion protruding from the shaft portion. Further, in the housing, a pedestal with which the protruding portion of the operation member comes into contact when the operation member is tilted is provided. The tilt of the operation member is limited by the protruding portion coming into contact with the pedestal.

Abstract: A method includes. determining numbers of a cards sequentially removed from a card shooter and delivered to one or more persons during a round of a card game. The method further includes determining, based on the determined numbers of the cards and based on one or more signals received from a set of card detecting optical sensors of a group of sensors located on one or more card guide rails, whether there is an attempt to draw a card from the card shooter after the round of the card game is over. The method also includes, based a determination of that the attempt occurred, generating a signal indicating the attempt.

Abstract: A video game controller for use with a smartphone includes a top panel hinged relative to a bottom panel, with the bottom panel having control inputs for playing video games. The top panel folds onto a bottom panel in a closed configuration to easily fit in a pocket of the user's garment, such as pants pocket, shirt pocket, jacket pocket, etc.). The top panel pivots relative to the bottom panel to an open configuration to support the smartphone on the top panel during use irrespective of the size of the smartphone.

Abstract: A device for storing a portable electronic system includes a main body having four body sections that are separated by fold lines that are positioned along a common edge. The first body section includes a pair of wing-shaped pockets extending outward therefrom and a user belt for securing the main body horizontally around a user. The second body section includes a storage strap for receiving and engaging a portable electronic system. When the main body is in the closed position, the third and fourth body sections are folded over the portable system, and the first and second body sections are secured together. The fourth body section includes a pair of retention straps for also receiving the portable electronic system and positioning the system at a playing position when the device is in the open position.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for game control. A graphical user interface is generated and displayed on a display screen. The graphical user interface presents at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object. A user is enabled to provide a user input to control a movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface. A predetermined area is identified around the at least one user-controllable object in the graphical user interface. It is detected whether or not the at least one target object lies within the predetermined area in the graphical user interface. If it is detected that the at least one target object lies within the predetermined area, an action is executed on the at least one target object from the at least one user-controllable object.

Abstract: Social media activities associated with an on-line social media system are linked to casino game activities and casino gaming machines. A player of a casino gaming machine may access a social media website via the casino gaming machine, such as to play a social media game at the casino gaming machine. A player may also access the social media system from a presentation computing device and, via that system, link to a casino gaming machine to play one or more casino wagering games. Social media currency and casino monetary credits may be exchanged or converted and other aspects of casino game play and social media activities may be integrated.

Abstract: Techniques for emoji-based communications derived from facial features during game play provide a communication channel accessible by players associated with gameplay hosted by the online game platform and capture an image of a user using a controller that includes a camera. The techniques further determine facial features of the user based on the image, generate an emoji based on the facial features of the user, and transmit the emoji to the players associated with the online game platform over the communication channel.

Abstract: An in-game display control method and apparatus, a storage medium, a processor, and a terminal are provided. The method includes that: a touch area is configured on a graphical user interface; in response to a first touch operation acting on the touch area, a movement of a first virtual character in a game scene is controlled according to the first touch operation; a scene display area is updated according to a first position of the first virtual character in the game scene; whether a second virtual character satisfying a preset condition is detected to exist in a preset area of the first position; when the second virtual character satisfying the preset condition is detected to exist in the preset area of the first position, a second position of the second virtual character is acquired; and the scene display area is updated according to the first position and the second position.

Abstract: An in-game event occurring based on a user's input is detected in a game of each time, where the game is performed a plurality of times. A first parameter is increased or decreased based on the in-game event occurring in the game of each time, the first parameter being reset for the game of each time, to calculate a score in the game of each time. A second parameter is increased or decreased based on a result of the game determined based on an assessment parameter different from a final score, the second parameter being used in the game of the plurality of times without being reset for the game of each time.

Abstract: Systems and methods for downloading and updating save data to a data center are described. Save data is downloaded from a cloud storage to the data center before play of a game to cache the save data in the data center. Any updates to the save data that occur during a play of a game are stored in the data center and are uploaded to the cloud storage. Next time, a user desires to access the game, there is no need to transfer the updates to the data center from the cloud storage.

Abstract: Gaming systems and methods which utilize the results of a sporting event to determine a modification of an award, such as an increment of a progressive award.

Abstract: A system that provides zero, one or more benefits to a user in association with transferring an amount of funds from an external account, which imposes a fee for such a transfer, to a gaming establishment account associated with a gaming establishment system component.

Abstract: A system which automatically places (or offers a user the opportunity to place) one or more sports bets upon the satisfaction of a sports bet triggering event which is customizable by the user.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for enabling users playing online games to create coaching videos of gameplay, and post such coaching videos to a cloud gaming system. In one example, coaching videos include a video clip of the gameplay and a video of the user, guiding and/or explaining how the game was played. A user playing the same game may desire coaching, and the cloud gaming system can identify previously posted coaching videos that correspond to the point in time or action in which the user requesting coaching is currently playing. The cloud system can access a database of coaching options, which are then presented to a user. The coaching options may be videos of gameplay and videos of the user providing coaching. The user can then view the coaching videos, rate them if desired, and then resume with his or her gameplay.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are operable to include selecting a virtual prize container from a plurality of virtual prize containers that each correspond to one a plurality of prize levels in response to detecting a game event in a wagering game. The selected virtual prize container including information corresponding to the prize level and concealing a prize that is in the virtual prize container is awarded to the player. An input from the player that corresponds to the selected virtual prize container is received. In response to a player achievement level being at a minimum or higher level that corresponds to the prize level of the selected virtual prize container, the prize is awarded to the player.

Abstract: Various examples are provided for adapters for virtual reality (VR) hand controllers. The adapters can be coupled to hold the VR controllers in temporal axial alignment. In one example, an adapter includes a first end, a second end and one or more cross members connecting the first and second ends. The first adapter coupled to the second adapter in a fixed temporal orientation via a first coupling assembly installed in the first end or the second end of the first adapter and a second coupling assembly installed in the first end or the second end of the second adapter. For example, the first and second coupling assemblies can include a post coupling assembly and a recess coupling assembly. In another example, a system including two adapters can be coupled together to hold VR hand controllers in a fixed orientation with each other, e.g., in temporal axial alignment.

Abstract: An example method for providing enhanced event visualizations based on location data includes receiving, by a visualization processor, location data and sensor data for a plurality of participants; determining an impact indication for two or more participants of the plurality of participants based at least in part on the location data and sensor data; determining, by the visualization processor, a location of impact based on the impact indication and the location data and sensor data for the two or more participants; and generating an impact visualization interface configured to visually indicate impact data associated with the impact indication proximate the impact location.

Abstract: A gaming monetary instrument tracking system is configured to track sources for the monetary value of a monetary instrument across multiple previous gaming transactions. The system can include a plurality of system nodes in communication with a system server. The system nodes can be electronic gaming devices, which can generate data with respect to gaming monetary instruments that each have a monetary value, and some of the system nodes can also issue new gaming monetary instruments. The system server can receive data generated by the system nodes and create data structures that link multiple gaming monetary instruments with each other according to multiple different transactions regarding the instruments at different times and across multiple different nodes. A historical record for each instrument can provide data regarding related previous transactions and instruments.