Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and apparatus for generating an action selection policy (ASP) of an execution device. One method includes, in a current iteration, computing a first reward for a current state based on respective first rewards for actions in the current state and an ASP of the current state in the current iteration; computing an accumulative respective regret value of each action in the current state based on a difference between the respective first reward for the action and the first reward for the current state; computing an ASP of the current state in the next iteration; computing a second reward for the current state based on the respective first rewards for the actions and the ASP of the current state in the next iteration; and determining an ASP of the previous state in the next iteration based on the second reward for the current state.

Abstract: As provided herein, a domain model, corresponding to a domain of an image, may be merged with a pre-trained fundamental model to generate a trained fundamental model. The trained fundamental model may comprise a feature description of the image converted into a binary code. Responsive to a user submitting a search query, a coarse image search may be performed, using a search query binary code derived from the search query, to identify a candidate group, comprising one or more images, having binary codes corresponding to the search query binary code. A fine image search may be performed on the candidate group utilizing a search query feature description derived from the search query. The fine image search may be used to rank images within the candidate group based upon a similarity between the search query feature description and feature descriptions of the one or more images within the candidate group.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating collaboration between video creators/publishers and users in need of video creations and/or publication of videos are provided. A profile component receives and stores profile information regarding video creators. A video request component receives a request for at least creation of a video, the request indicating one or more characteristics associated with the creation of the video. A search component responds to the request and searches the profile information in connection with identifying one or more of the video creators that can create the video based on a correlation between their respective profile information and the one or more characteristics associated with the video creation.

Abstract: A videogame may be provided to one or more users in which characters controlled by users earn fans that impact the videogame similarly to fans in real life. For example, a character may earn virtual currency, be invited to participate in events and/or teams, obtain sponsorships, and/or experience other impacts associated with fanbase size. The videogame may include one or more primary objectives presented to the user. The performance of the primary objectives by the user may impact the progression of a character being controlled by the user through the videogame. The videogame may further include provide one or more fan objectives within the game which can be performed by the character being controlled by the user to earn fans to be included within a fanbase associated with the character in the game.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating cross-game content access are disclosed. A set of content may be gated by a non-player character in a first online game. Access to the set of content may be granted in the first online game upon user defeating the non-player character or a character corresponding to the non-player character in a second online game. A notification may be generated in the first online game when a user encounters the non-player character in the first online game. The notification may include information indicating that the non-player character may be defeated in the second online game. In some examples, the non-player character in the first online game may share the same entity state with the corresponding character in the second online game such that they may appear as if there were the same character in the first and second online games.

Abstract: A videogame may be provided to one or more users in which characters controlled by users earn fans that impact the videogame similarly to fans in real life. For example, a character may earn virtual currency, be invited to participate in events and/or teams, obtain sponsorships, and/or experience other impacts associated with fanbase size. The videogame may include one or more primary objectives presented to the user. The performance of the primary objectives by the user may impact the progression of a character being controlled by the user through the videogame. The videogame may further include provide one or more fan objectives within the game which can be performed by the character being controlled by the user to earn fans to be included within a fanbase associated with the character in the game.

Abstract: A betting system for handling betting events, comprising means for determining natural probability values assigned to the events based on a statistical method; and transformation means for applying a transformation function to the natural probability values to get transformed probability values; and means for providing the transformed probability values to betting clients of the betting system. The betting system may provide real-time betting events in comparable short time intervals.

Abstract: A scorebook system and related methods for receiving optimal performance and weight classification data for wrestlers of any age and background, creating brackets for a tournament event, providing live scoring and real-time statistical data at a wrestling meet and thereafter, analyzing and reporting statistical information about the meets, teams and wrestlers, and compiling and providing media information about a wrestling meet.

Abstract: Embodiments of golf handicap systems and methods to calculate a golf handicap are generally described herein. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

Abstract: The present disclosure involves systems, software, and computer implemented methods for calculating a proposed strategy for a sport. One example method includes identifying a set of historical data associated with prior performances of a sport, the set of historical data identifying a plurality of historical parameters associated with the prior performances; identifying a set of real-time situational data associated with a current performance of the sport in a game, the set of real-time situational data identifying a plurality of real-time parameters associated with the current performance; receiving a request to identify a proposed strategy associated with the current performance; calculating at least one proposed strategy associated with the current performance based at least in part on the set of historical data and the set of real-time situational data; and providing the at least one proposed strategy associated with the current performance in response to the received request.

Abstract: A method for conducting and scoring a golf video game, comprising determining the number of strokes it takes a team to complete a golf hole, wherein the team comprises of a plurality of players collectively playing one ball, allowing at least one player to take a strategic position further down the golf course ahead of where the ball is being played, and basing a score on the number of strokes the team collectively takes to complete the golf hole.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for game play using virtual players, sometimes referred to herein as vBots, is disclosed. In one aspect, a method for game play involves the use of the system electronic system environment described herein, wherein one or more virtual players are displayed to the player of the game, preferably, the virtual players have differing play characteristics, receiving from the user association with a selection of a virtual player, displaying a simulated game using the virtual players, identifying a subset of the virtual players as being winners of the simulated game, and awarding a win to the lottery user if the selected virtual player is in the subset of virtual players.

Abstract: This is a simple generalization of the theory of c-games. A differential game is interpreted as a many person game where two or more coalitions are formed. A coalition change is defined in this case and the time this happens, also called c-time, is introduced. The quantities used to formulate the c-games and the methods introduced to obtain optimal c-times and optimal variables in general, apply in the present case without modification or with some very minor and obvious changes of the definitions used in c-games.

Abstract: The Inverse Probability Bracket method is a technique of making and scoring “Pick-Em” bracket competitions by using weighted scores in a way that awards correctly predicting unlikely events. The system “weights” the correct picks in the competition according to the unlikelihood of those selections. Points are awarded based on the inverse of the likelihood of the event occurring.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a virtual game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices.

Abstract: A system and method, a machine, and an article of manufacture of an occupational performance system and method for achieving occupational performance of competency based education and work force standards.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing statistical analytics of golf performance including text, tabular, graphic, and image-based outputs that include trends information for the golfer, all based upon actual golf play on course situations, wherein the golfer inputs shot data during play, without interrupting the flow of the game, and uploads the shot data for analytics and review online, including detailed diagrammatic representations of golf performance analytics, such as scattergraph diagrams, that provide information including zone-based target areas rather than merely pinpoint targets.

Abstract: An online real-time (ORT) system and method implementing such system for real-time prediction of one of two actions or classes of action are described. Such actions are detected by corresponding transducers configured to translate the actions to time varying amplitude signals.

Abstract: Skill scores represent a ranking or other indication of the skill of the player based on the outcome of the game in a gaming environment. Skills scores can be used in matching compatible players on the same team and matching opposing players or teams to obtain an evenly-matched competition. An initial skill score of a player in a new gaming environment may be based in whole or in part on the skill score of that player in another game environment. The influence that the skill scores for these other game environments may have in the skill score seeding for the new game environment may be weighted based on a defined compatibility factor with the new game environment. The compatibility factor can be determined based on a game-to-game basis, compatible categories or features, game developer defined parameters, or any combination of considerations.

Abstract: An entertaining and informative method of displaying competitive product performance data is disclosed. The various embodiments include a method for displaying product performance data by use of animated contests between animated representatives of competing products. The contest results are relative to selected product test results. The relationship between the test results and the contest results is a mathematical approximation. Thus, a gross disparity in the displayed animated contest is indicative of a gross disparity in the performance of the products on the test. Likewise, a closely fought contest in the displayed animated contest is indicative of close performance of the products on the test.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time, automatic golf scoring apparatus that can automatically tally golf scores and record the positions of golf shots. The real-time, automatic golf scoring apparatus includes: a storage unit for storing information regarding driver shot positions at holes; a communications unit for receiving position computation information for calculating a current position of a golfer; and a control unit for counting the number of driver shots if a condition on the number of driver shots based on the information regarding the driver shot positions and information regarding the current position of the golfer is satisfied using these means, the system is capable of providing useful real-time information to golf players and of automatically managing play records.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting outcomes of hypothetical events which can occur during a game of baseball, includes: accumulating and storing in a computer memory a statistical database of the cumulative effects of latency and engrams specific to an individual batter having individual batter capabilities and an individual pitcher having individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a pitch, by a user, from amongst pitches compatible with the individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a swing, by a user, from amongst swings compatible with the individual batter capabilities; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual pitcher of the selected pitch; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual batter of the selected swing; and matching in a computer processor the statistical performance of the individual pitcher with the statistical performance of the individual batter so as to compute an outcome.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for planning actions in a repeated Stackelberg Game, played for a fixed number of rounds, where the payoffs or preferences of the follower are initially unknown to the leader, and a prior probability distribution over follower types is available. In repeated Bayesian Stackelberg games, the objective is to maximize the leader's cumulative expected payoff over the rounds of the game. The optimal plans in such games make intelligent tradeoffs between actions that reveal information regarding the unknown follower preferences, and actions that aim for high immediate payoff. The method solves for such optimal plans according to a Monte Carlo Tree Search method wherein simulation trials draw instances of followers from said prior probability distribution. Some embodiments additionally implement a method for pruning dominated leader strategies.

Abstract: A computer-based method and system for AI planning based quasi-Monte Carlo simulation for probabilistic planning are provided. The method includes generating a set of possible actions for an initial state, generating a set of sample future outcomes, generating solutions for each of the sample future outcomes, using an AI planner, generating a set of future outcome solutions that are low probability and high-impact, combining the solutions generated from each of the sample future outcomes with the future outcome solutions generated by the AI Planner into an aggregated set of future outcome solutions, analyzing the aggregated set of future outcome solutions, selecting a best action based at least partially on the analysis of the aggregated set of future outcome solutions, and outputting the selected best action to computer memory.

Abstract: A handheld device in communication with a tote board of at a pari-mutuel wagering event receives data concerning the competitive entries and the odds associated with each entry. For each event, a total bet is determined and a subset of entries picked for which the total bet is to be allocated among. A computation is made as to the allocation based on the current odds of each entry and the desired rate of return on the total bet if any of the selected entries wins. The bet and entry data is then uploaded to the tote board at which it is accepted and entered.

Abstract: A fantasy sports game device includes a memory configured to store a set of instructions and a processor configured to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions cause the processor to receive a first fantasy lineup for a fantasy team. The fantasy lineup includes one or more players. The instructions further cause the processor to receive statistical information relating to each one of the players whereby the processor calculates a player point total for each player based at least in part on the received statistics. A fantasy team score for the first fantasy lineup may then be calculated by adding together the player point total for each player. The instructions further cause the processor to receive a subsequent fantasy lineup for a fantasy team where the subsequent lineup comprises one or more players, wherein none of the players of the first lineup are included in the subsequent lineup.

Abstract: A fantasy football game which is carried out as a tournament play over the Internet. The fantasy football game can be played between different computers. The hosting computer maintains information indicative of the teams performance as well as their strength of schedule. Winners who play in the playoffs are selected based on both information such as the win loss record, but also the strength of schedule. In addition to the win loss record, total points scored by teams, total numbers of losses and other information may be maintained in order to find more information about the win loss record.

Abstract: A calculation method for finding the hole mobility or the electron mobility of an organic film. The method includes the steps of: calculating the electron density of a film using semi-empirical quantum molecular dynamics calculations; using the fact that holes and electrons move easily through regions of high electron density to calculate the probability that a hole or an electron will move in an excited state in which an electron is excited from the HOMO (highest occupied molecular orbital) to the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital) using a Monte Carlo method; and, using the probability as a performance index, calculating the hole mobility from the number of carriers which exist in the HOMO and the orbitals below the HOMO, or calculating the electron mobility from the number of carriers which exist in the LUMO and the orbitals above the LUMO.

Abstract: A method includes receiving statistical data associated with a past performance of a player at a position at a past sporting event. The player is associated with a plurality of skills that correspond to the position of the player. Each skill has a corresponding offsetting skill and complementary skill. A skill rating is calculated for each skill based on the received statistical data and an expert's subjective input. The subjective input includes (1) an importance rating of that skill to the position of the player, (2) a predicted strength rating of the corresponding offsetting skill at a future sporting event, or (3) a predicted strength rating of the corresponding complementary skill at the future sporting event. An output associated with the calculated skill ratings is sent to an output module and is used to predict a future performance of the player at the position at the future sporting event.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile terminal including a movement sensor that detects a movement of a user and outputs movement information, acquires information on a building existing at a current location or information on buildings existing in a vicinity of the current location, analyses the movement information output from the movement sensor, and detects a first behavior pattern corresponding to the movement information from multiple first behavior patterns obtained by classifying behaviors performed by the user over a relatively short period of time, and analyses the information on a building or buildings and the first behavior pattern, and detects a second behavior pattern corresponding to the information on a building or buildings and the first behavior pattern from multiple second behavior patterns obtained by classifying behaviors performed by the user over a relatively long period of time.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of predicting outcomes of hypothetical events which can occur during a game of baseball, includes: accumulating and storing in a computer memory a statistical database of the cumulative effects of latency and engrams specific to an individual batter having individual batter capabilities and an individual pitcher having individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a pitch, by a user, from amongst pitches compatible with the individual pitcher capabilities; selecting a swing, by a user, from amongst swings compatible with the individual batter capabilities; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual pitcher of the selected pitch; computing in a computer processor a statistical performance of the individual batter of the selected swing; and matching in a computer processor the statistical performance of the individual pitcher with the statistical performance of the individual batter so as to compute an outcome.

Abstract: A predictive game, and its method of play, include an input device utilizable for other purposes than in the predictive game (such as a mobile touch screen device having Internet and texting, phone, and/or email capability) and for inputting predictions of individual events of a sporting contest substantially immediately before the event occurs, and application software for the input device. The input device is connectable to a remote host computer which tracks inputs into the device and ultimately whether or not the predictive inputs are correct. The application software may display screens relating to prediction of football plays during a live football game, the screens displayed before each football play is run, and includes at least “Run” and “Pass” touch boxes. Other touch boxes may be provided by pictorial representations of football players.

Abstract: A system and method for event outcome prediction may include a processor configured to receive via a user interface a user-selection of a subset of a plurality of listed statistical categories, and rank participants of the event based selectively on analysis of the statistical information concerning the selected subset of categories. The system may output the ranked list as a predicted outcome, and may further output a user interface via which to place a bet on the predicted outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recognizing and evaluating the quantitative mispricing of gaming markers. One method includes the steps of defining at least two entities, defining a measured marker, defining a cumulative period of events of the two entities, each event having the measured marker, assigning a value to the measured marker based on the at least two entities achievement or failure to obtain the measured marker for each event during the cumulative period, measuring the divergence of the value of the measured marker during the cumulative period, and quantifying the divergence. One such system accepts information from a user via an interface, calculates a divergence value and/or graph(s) for upcoming event(s) based upon the information input by the user, and provides the divergence value and/or graph(s) to a user. The divergence value may be compared to a scale of divergence values to evaluate a strength of such value.

Abstract: Technology is described for tracking golf handicaps. The technology receives an identification of one of at least two golf handicap rating agencies a user is affiliated with; receives a golf score for the user; and electronically provides the received golf score to the identified rating agency.

Abstract: A system for predicting athletic ability is disclosed. The system includes at least one device for measuring at least a first athletic parameter and a second athletic parameter, and a computer for calculating a performance score based upon the first athletic parameter and the second athletic parameter. The performance score is predictive of athletic ability. Methods of predicting athletic ability based upon a plurality of athletic parameters are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention is a computerized system and method for managing a fantasy sports team. The system and method includes a computer for processing league and player information, devices for inputting information, such as Internet connections for league and player information, devices for a user to add or modify league and player information and to initiate tasks for the system to perform such as a keyboard and mouse, and a display device or e-mail generation for conveying information as a result of the tasks. The system and method is able to measure and generate all possible team management decisions based on the impact to the probability of winning the league championship.

Abstract: A differential game is interpreted as a many person game where two coalitions are formed. A coalition change is defined and the time this happens, called c-time, is introduced. Various methods are introduced to obtain optimal c-times. The above are generalized to an arbitrary number of coalition changes, cases where players change values of parameters of a differential game and cases where players choose different strategies in a differential game than those obtained by the Isaacs solution. A broader coalition is introduced that allows players to cooperate though they might be opponents in a particular differential game.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game system using LEDs in a controller 20. In a game system of the present invention, an image pickup apparatus captures the controller. The controller includes multiple input units for making an operation input to advance a game, and multiple LEDs for indicating a controller number set for the controller in a game application executed. A game apparatus accepts an operation input provided to the controller and reflects the operation input in the processing of a game application, acquires a captured image from the image pickup apparatus, acquires the position of the controller in the captured image based on the position of the LED in the captured image and reflects the acquired position information in the processing of the game application, and generates an image signal showing the result of application processing performed based on the operation input and acquired position information.

Abstract: Methods and systems of pari-mutuel wagering are disclosed to facilitate the wager construction process. In one method, patrons select runners, and betting options of selected runners are presented. In another method, a first wager is placed and other wagers are presented, wherein the additional wagers may include a runner of the first wager. Another method allows patrons to wager on a runner, wherein an area representing the runner is marked to indicate that this runner was selected on a previous wager or in the current wager. In another method, a portion of a wager is patron selected and a portion of the wager is suggested by the betting interface. In another method, patrons may construct wager(s) for single or future races, or specify criteria for those wagers. In another method, runners are displayed in a table and patrons may select or deselect runner combinations by selecting cells within the table.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a playback apparatus, a method, and a program which can appropriately perform jump playback when content transmitted through a network is played back in real time. A terminal 3 receives stream data transmitted from a server 1, buffers the stream data, and plays back the buffered data. The terminal 3 has multiple buffers to allow content data of the positions of jump destinations that can be specified as a jump destination during jump playback to be pre-buffered in the multiple buffers. As a result, upon receiving a request for jump playback, the terminal 3 can start playback from a jump destination without delay, since the data of the jump destination has already been buffered. The present invention is applied to, for example, television receivers.

Abstract: When the game machines (2100, 2110 and 2120) join the same network game, display images necessary for the users playing in a common virtual space are displayed in the displays (2105, 2115 and 2125) of the game machines. The game machines are connected with the controllers (2109, 2119 and 2129). The users operate various operations by means of the controllers for executing the game. The user can play match against or cooperate with the users participating in a common network game, and can also communicate with the users.

Abstract: A system for measuring the performance of participant in a game, wherein the game is comprised of a series of discrete trials where for each trial the participant receives a score selected from one of a finite set of discrete scores based on the participant's performance for each trial. The system may be configured to receive over the network a set of counts corresponding to the numbers of each score from the discrete set received by the participant for each trial during the game. The system may compute a weighted score based on an assigned set of weight factors for each type of score and an entered set of counts. Users of the system may be entered into a tournament based on the users' weighted score rankings and a winner is determined based on the weighted score. A method for ranking golf courses by their level difficulty is provided.

Abstract: Predicting joint positions is described, for example, to find joint positions of humans or animals (or parts thereof) in an image to control a computer game or for other applications. In an embodiment image elements of a depth image make joint position votes so that for example, an image element depicting part of a torso may vote for a position of a neck joint, a left knee joint and a right knee joint. A random decision forest may be trained to enable image elements to vote for the positions of one or more joints and the training process may use training images of bodies with specified joint positions. In an example a joint position vote is expressed as a vector representing a distance and a direction of a joint position from an image element making the vote. The random decision forest may be trained using a mixture of objectives.

Abstract: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a wager input device for receiving a wager to play a wagering game. The gaming machine further includes a display arrangement that is in communication with a controller. The display arrangement displays a plurality of positions and a range of awards associated with each of the symbol position. The controller is programmable to successively populate the plurality of positions with respective symbols, and, in response to the symbol at any of the plurality of positions being a special award symbol, provide an award randomly selected from the range associated with that position, and modify an expected value of the award randomly selected from the range as a result of each subsequent occurrence of the special award symbol.

Abstract: A betting system for handling betting events, comprising means for determining natural probability values assigned to the events based on a statistical method; and transformation means for applying a transformation function to the natural probability values to get transformed probability values; and means for providing the transformed probability values to betting clients of the betting system. The betting system may provide real-time betting events in comparable short time intervals.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling police pursuing a vehicle to slow the vehicle down via short range wireless communication with the vehicle. The process can be carried out with or without involvement of a call center that provides telematics services to the vehicle. The method involves configuring the vehicle to accept a slowdown command, confirming the target vehicle at a pursuing police vehicle, establishing the short range connection between the police vehicle and target vehicle, and slowing the target vehicle by sending it the slowdown command over the wireless connection. The call center can enable or disable the slowdown service according to the vehicle owner's wishes.

Abstract: Among other things, methods and apparatus are disclosed relating to fairer and easier accurate calculations useful in games having tables of odds used to determine the outcome of a battle or other contest. Strength values for two sides are obtained, and calculations are made to determine which odds-value in the table should be used for the contest. If the values do not match with a particular odds-value, then probabilities for using the nearest odds-values can be generated so that the player(s) can determine themselves which odds-value to use, or a random number can be generated to automatically determine which odds-value to use.

Abstract: A wagering system and method may include a processor that presents indicative odds in a parimutuel wagering system to the user such that the user may place a bet of one of the presented bets, besides for a win bet and an exacta bet.

Abstract: Open architecture communication systems and methods are provided that allow flexible data transmission between gaming machines and other devices and nodes within a gaming machine network. The gaming machine and other devices employ a communication interface that sends and receives data via a common communication protocol and via common communication hardware. The communication interface and common communication protocol allow data transfer between gaming machines and other network nodes such as gaming service servers, despite the presence of different proprietary gaming machine functions and proprietary communication protocols and despite the presence of various proprietary hardware and proprietary communication protocols relied on by the servers.