Abstract: A shove board game system and playing method thereof includes: a game host to process a shove board game program and provide a picture of a chessboard and an information window and reset status of all pieces on the chessboard, a display device communicating with the game host to display the chessboard, pieces and the information window and related information, and an input device communicating with the game host to receive operations of players to proceed the shove board game. The chessboard is octagonal and has multiple longitudinal and transverse lines in directions of X and Y axes and diagonal straight lines formed at an angle of 45 degrees against the X and Y axes. The lines cross one another to form points of intersection. The pieces are positioned on the points of intersection.

Abstract: A method and associated system for automatically determining game characteristics for a game of skill, the method comprising: (a) determining or accepting a first numerical rating associated with said first participant; (b) determining or accepting a further numerical rating associated with a further participant in said game; wherein said first and further ratings are indicative of an ability level of said first and further participants, to the extent said ability level is known; (c) calculating a likelihood of a scenario, said scenario being representative of a specific outcome to said game, said likelihood being a mathematical function of said first and further numerical ratings; (d) generating betting odds based on said calculated likelihood. One application of the invention can be found in turn-based games of skill such as chess or the like.

Abstract: A casino-style blackjack card game that offers players the option of placing wagers against the occurrence of their hand value exceeding 21 (commonly known as busting) on the next card drawn when they have a hard card count of 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 or 20.

Abstract: A gaming device involving a three-dimensional figure with a plurality of three-dimensional sections, each section having height, width and depth, is disclosed. At least one three-dimensional section is moveable relative to other sections, includes a plurality of three-dimensional fractional images, and may be moved to allow a player to view the three-dimensional fractional images. With the moveable three-dimensional section in one position, the plurality of three-dimensional sections may form at least one whole, integrated three-dimensional image. The gaming device may further include an actuator and controller for moving the moveable three-dimensional section. A method for playing a game using a moveable three-dimensional section to provide an integrated three-dimensional image is also disclosed.

Abstract: Game performance systems and methods are provided. The game performance system includes a display unit, an image capture unit, and a processing unit. The display unit displays at least a board corresponding to a board game, wherein at least one game accessory is placed on the display unit. The image capture unit captures an image corresponding to the game accessory and the board displayed in the display unit. The processing unit receives the image, and performs a game decision corresponding to the board game according to the image.

Abstract: In the game, instead of filling up an entire board as is done in the known Othello® game, a certain amount of moves are made by the game, such as two moves, while the player makes a same amount of moves. The game moves first, followed by the player. The moves flank or bound and convert at least one of the opposing chips to a chip belonging to the entity making the move. For example, upon a game move, at least one player chip is bounded or flanked by game chips and converted to a game chip. Likewise, upon a player move, at least one game chip is converted to a player chip. The game and player go back and forth in that manner until each of the game moves and player moves is exhausted. The player's remaining chips are assigned values that total to an award for the player.

Abstract: There is a desire to provide a way to determine relative skills of players of games such as computer games, chess, tennis and any other suitable type of game. Our earlier Bayesian Scoring system is implemented in Xbox Live (trade mark) and is currently commercially available under the trade name TrueSkill (trade mark). Here we build on our earlier work and use a new method of computation to enable processing times to be significantly reduced. Message passing techniques are adapted to enable computation of updated skill beliefs to be obtained quickly even in the case of multiple teams of multiple players.

Abstract: In a bonus game, one or more scatter symbols 180 and zero or more specific areas 190 are displayed (arranged) in display windows 151 to 155 forming a matrix shape and a prize is awarded according to the one or more scatter symbols 180 displayed in the one or more arrangement areas in which the specific areas 190 are displayed, and the number of the scatter symbols 180 displayed in the display windows 151 to 155.

Abstract: The invention relates to chess game playing method, in particular to a novel type of a chess game between two pairs of players. The inventive chess game playing device comprises at least two playing fields (7) which are divided into squares of two alternating colours, two sets of chess pieces, each of which consists of two groups (8, 9) of chess pieces (10-15) and two chess-clocks (2) each of which is provided with a timer (39) connected to two displays (3, 4) and to a control unit (41) which is used for switching said displays (3, 4). The chess game playing device also comprises means for exchanging data related to the location of the chess pieces (10-15) on the playing fields (7), each chess-clock (2) comprises a device for locking the control unit (41), wherein all timers (39) are interconnected.

Abstract: A clear path electronic game is described in which one or more vessels are placed adjacent a mines of various sizes on rows of a grid. The game player then activates one mine at a maximum size to shoot a projectile at another mine. The mine shooting the projectile is removed. When the projectile hits the mine, the mine either grows or is removed from the grid. In response to the mine on the row adjacent one of the vessels being removed, the vessel is moved in its row across the former location of the removed mine. The vessel continues to move in the row off of the grid unless there is another mine in the row. Points are awarded for removing vessels and mines. Play ends when all maximum size mines are removed and when there are not vessels of the first type that has been removed from the grid.

Abstract: This invention is a networked board game apparatus and method of playing a customized game for 2 or more players on recursively organized boards, and a method for applying the aforementioned to leadership, communications, and team building education, and further to apply the aforementioned to the specific form of Chess. Applied to form of Chess, the first board is identical to a chessboard. The second board is an 8× multiple of the first board. Tartary boards follow this exponential growth. Players alternate moving pieces to a game-ending condition. Two players lead, the next 32 players play on a second board. Each first board move changes the positions of a second board player's pieces by a uniform transformation where the first board piece's new position is a function moving the second board player's pieces, which then continue from their new positions, potentially affecting deeper levels.

Abstract: A board game system comprises a touch screen, a computing device and a robot arm. The computing device comprises a processor and a memory. At least one type of board game program is stored in the memory so that the processor can execute the board game program present a corresponding board game interface on the touch screen. The robot arm controlled by the computing device can touch the touch screen and play the board game with a user.

Abstract: An electronic camera including an electronic imaging sensor providing an output representing an imaged field, a first imaging functionality employing the electronic imaging sensor for taking a picture of a scene in the imaged field, a second imaging functionality employing the electronic imaging sensor for data entry responsive to user hand activity and a user-operated imaging functionality selection switch operative to enable a user to select operation in one of the first and second imaging functionalities.

Abstract: This invention describes a game of inverse chess, with a pre-identified start position, and end position and arbitered moves chosen amongst a set of possible moves, played between two opponents on a chess board. This differs from normal chess in that it is played backwards in time where the objective is to reconstruct the pre-identified start position, from the pre-identified end position. While the pieces used in the game are essentially the same as that of regular chess, the moves they make are reversed. Since the state-space of this game is much larger in the potential moves, an arbiter is used to validate possible moves that one player might choose to make. Using either a regular or modified chess board, the pieces on the board move backwards. Three such moves are described in the I-castle, spawn and I-check moves. A variant of the game is the two-knight game wherein two knights play each other and the piece reaching the pre-identified start position, win.

Abstract: A chess-like game involves hidden information. The information provided to a player of the game includes positions and types of game pieces on a) squares that are occupied by game pieces belonging to the player and squares that are diagonally adjacent thereto, b) squares to which one or more of the game pieces belonging to the player can move according to their respective movement patterns and which are not occupied by an enemy game piece and squares that are diagonally adjacent thereto, and c) squares occupied by enemy game pieces that can be captured or put into check by one or more of the game pieces belonging to the player can move according to their respective movement patterns. The information excludes positions and types of game pieces on any other squares. The game may also involve non-alternating moves.

Abstract: A pawn (10) for use on a board (21) is provided. The pawn (10) is arranged to provide a trigger signal upon a touch of a triggerable part of the pawn (10) by a user, and comprises communication means for communicating the trigger signal to a board (21). The pawn (10) comprises at least two separate triggerable sub-parts (11, 12) for, upon a touch of each respective one of the at least two separate triggerable sub-parts (11, 12) by a user, respectively providing a first and a second trigger signal. The first and the second trigger signal are mutually distinguishable. Such a pawn (10) can easily be used for activating a certain function of a set of functions. A function is selected by touching a corresponding triggerable sub-part (11, 12).

Abstract: The invention relates to a game apparatus and a corresponding method, where the game apparatus comprises a game board (1, 4) comprising a plurality of rows (R) and a plurality of columns (CO), said rows and columns defining fields (2) on said game board (1, 4), and a plurality of playing pieces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12), one set of playing pieces for each individual player of said game and furthermore a plurality of 3D-members (9) for providing different three-dimensional structures or landscapes on said game board (1, 4), the 3D-members (9) comprising a bottom face (32) for placement on said board or on an adjacent 3D-member, a top surface (22, 31) for placement of an adjacent 3D-member or one of said playing pieces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12) and side faces (30), where the side faces (30) during a play can represent fields (2) that according to specified rules of the game are able to affect permitted movements of said playing pieces (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12).

Abstract: Allowed actions of a computer-based player in a game are limited. A pre-action value is identified which corresponds to a relative advantage between the computer-based player and a real person player prior to a current action taken by the computer-based player. A post-action value is identified corresponding to the relative advantage between the computer-based player and the real person player after the current action taken by the computer-based player. The current action is limited to be among a set of allowed actions, which keep the post-action value at least as great as a threshold value. The current action of the computer-based player also may be limited to keep the post-action value not more than a tolerable value, where possible. The current action is selected from the set of allowed actions. The threshold value and tolerance value are prescribed, selected or varied over the course of the game.

Abstract: A system is provided for providing an war game which is configured to dynamically change a range of location information of pieces which is to be transmitted to enemy players, depending on game situation to increase uncertainty of the game about win-or-lose. The system comprises transmitting part for transmitting location information of the opponent player's group of pieces to each of players, wherein said transmitting part comprises changing part for changing dynamically, on receiving move information, to be transmitted to each of players, a range of the location information of the opponent player's group based on the move of said move information and/or said location information of the two or more groups which are updated based upon move information.

Abstract: A GridBloc strategy game. The present invention employs a runner and a blocker within any number of various GridBloc boards. The runner is operable to move throughout the GridBloc board, and the blocker who tries to oppose the movement of the runner throughout the GridBloc board. The GridBloc structure is a three dimensional 3D volume in various embodiments of the invention. The GridBloc game is operable to be performed in the volumetric portion of the GridBloc structure. If desired, the GridBloc game is performed along the surfaces of a 3D GridBloc structure. The runners and blockers have various traits in some embodiments, including special traits that allow them to perform actions beyond a basic functionality of a runner and a blocker. The special traits are used to perform running and blocking operations a fixed number of times during the course of a game, or indefinitely throughout the game in various embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: The invention provides a reversi game device of high playability which permits new strategic characteristics to be added to a conventional game and incorporates reversal elements up until the end of the game. The reversi game device comprises: means 3 for displaying on a screen a game board 31 divided into individual piece laying positions by a plurality of rows and columns; and means for placing a piece 32 having a prescribed color or symbol at a specified piece laying position, in accordance with a piece laying input specifying a piece laying position.

Abstract: Disclosed is a receiving apparatus and method, a sending apparatus and method, recording medium, and a communication system for sending or receiving electronic mail. In operatively associated with a command for opening an electronic mail message, a syntax analysis module extracts a script attached to the electronic mail message as an attachment file and analyzes the syntax of the extracted script. An execution module executes processing corresponding to the data accompanying the script or an input event. An output module controls the outputting of the results of this processing. With this configuration, a sender of electronic mail is allowed to make its recipient to quickly and securely take actions desired by the sender.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allowing interaction between an individual and a display screen, such as a computer monitor or television set. A controller has a plurality of keys having a spatial arrangement which corresponds to target areas of the display screen. Particular functions are assigned to the target areas by appropriately designed computer software and a function is selected by pressing the key located in the corresponding position on the controller. A particular function is represented by displaying an appropriate identifying characteristic in the target area of the screen thereby enabling the keys of the controller to be free from any identifying characteristics which limits its use to a designated function.

Abstract: An E-mail games processor includes computer software programs running on two or more computers connected through a computer network. The computer software automatically transmits, receives and processes E-mail messages containing move data for one or more games.

Abstract: A computer-based strategic game system for, e.g., playing chess includes a kingbrain that is characterized by a rating and a queen brain. The rating of the kingbrain is automatically adjusted to the skill of the player, as determined by the queen brain, such that the kingbrain generates opponent moves to counter the player's moves with an effectiveness that is marginally above the player's ability. When the player is losing, the kingbrain can assume an aggressive heroic style of play. On the other hand, when the player is winning, the kingbrain can assume a defensive craven style of play. As the game unfolds, the queen brain evaluates each of the player's moves, and audio-visual annotations and game commentary based on the queen brain's evaluations are spooled to disk. At the end of the game, the annotations and commentary are immediately available to the player for instruction.

Abstract: A device and method for interconnecting a computer or similar central processing unit with the physical structure of an amusement device so that the computer can participate during play. The device can be embodied within the amusement device or can be used in conjunction with an inlay that simulates a board game. In either scenario, a plurality of identification units are positioned in the amusement device at points where game pieces are used. The identification units sense the presence of a game piece as the game is played and the game pieces are moved. If an identification unit detects the presence of a game piece, the identification unit produces an output signal that is read by the computer. The output signal identifies both the location of the game piece and the type of game piece. As a result, the computer is informed as to the location and identity of all the game pieces used in the game. The computer can use this information to monitor the play of the game or participate in the play of the game.

Abstract: A multi-level chess game for three-dimensional play comprises an odd-numbered plurality of chessboards, means for arranging the chessboards in vertical spaced relation to one another, a pair of conventional sets of standard chess pieces, and at least one pair of supplemental sets of additional chess pieces. The most preferred embodiment of the invention includes only three chessboards and only one pair of supplemental sets of additional chess pieces, with the latter initially positioned on the uppermost chessboard, with the conventional sets of standard chess pieces initially positioned on the lowermost chessboard, and with the intermediate chessboard initially vacant. Rules for play of the game are also disclosed, including rules for movement of the chess pieces from one chessboard to another.

Abstract: A game software is devised for a user to play the Kung-Ming Chess on a microprocessor-based system having at least a CPU, a memory unit, a screen, and a cursor position control device. In playing the Kung-Ming Chess, the user plays on screen against a deployment selected from a predefined set of deployments stored in the database of the game software. Each deployment is entitled with the name of a particular stratagem originated from Chinese heritage. While playing the Kung-Ming Chess, the game software allows the user to learn these stratagems and related information.

Abstract: A computer cover structure is removably slid over an associated computer chassis to place facing end walls of the cover and chassis in a contiguous, parallel relationship, the end walls are automatically aligned with one another, in two perpendicular directions parallel to their facing side surfaces, by a plurality of outwardly projecting lance strips associated with the cover structure end wall and received by corresponding elongated, generally diamond-shaped openings formed in the chassis end wall. The wall openings are longer and wider than the outwardly projecting longitudinally intermediate portions of the lance strips, and have oppositely sloped facing side edges. Initially, the longitudinally intermediate lance strip portions freely enter their associated chassis wall openings.