Abstract: Activity scene detection, display, and enhancement implementations are described. In an example implementation, a method includes displaying an animated character on a display of a computing device, detecting a tangible interface object on a physical activity scene proximate to the computing device, rendering a virtual interface object based on the tangible interface object, determining an interaction routine between the animated character and the virtual interface object, and executing the animation routine to animate on the display, an interaction between the animated character and the virtual interface object.

Abstract: Various implementations for detection and visualization of a formation of a tangible interface object include a method that includes capturing a video stream that includes an activity object and a formation of a tangible interface object, identifying the activity object, determining a virtual object based on the identity of the activity object, displaying a graphical user interface embodying a virtual scene and including the virtual object, detecting a formation of the tangible interface object, generating a virtualization based on the formation of the tangible interface object, and updating the graphical user interface to include the visualization.

Abstract: An example system includes a stand configured to position a computing device proximate to a physical activity surface. The system further includes a video capture device, a detector, and an activity application. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically interactable with by a user. The detector is executable to detect motion in the activity scene based on the processing and, responsive to detecting the motion, process the video stream to detect one or more interface objects included in the activity scene of the physical activity surface. The activity application is executable to present virtual information on a display of the computing device based on the one or more detected interface objects.

Abstract: An example method for virtualizing physical objects into a virtual environment includes capturing a video stream of a racing field component, displaying a graphical user interface embodying a virtual game, detecting a placement of a physical vehicle at a starting portion of a channel of the racing field component, identifying one or more characteristics of the physical vehicle at the starting portion, generating a virtual vehicle representation of the physical vehicle using the one or more characteristics of the physical vehicle, and displaying the virtual vehicle representation of the physical vehicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for virtualized tangible programming are described. In an example implementation, a method includes detecting an object in image data, performing a comparison between the object and a predefined set of object definitions, recognizing the object as a visually quantified object or a visually unquantified object based on the comparison, processing a command region and a quantifier region for the visually quantified object and identifying a corresponding command, and executing a set of commands for the object.

Abstract: A tangible object virtualization station including a base capable of stably resting on a surface and a head component unit connected to the base. The head component unit extends upwardly from the base. At an end of the head component opposite the base, the head component comprises a camera situated to capture a downward view of the surface proximate the base, a lighting array that directs light downward toward the surface proximate the base. The tangible object virtualization station further comprises a display interface included in the base. The display interface is configured to hold a display device in an upright position and connect the display device to the camera and the lighting array.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine game which has a main game (pure chance or with an element of skill) and a skill bonus round. As the player plays the slot machine game, a skill bonus round can be randomly triggered. If the skill bonus round is randomly triggered, then the player can earn a score in the skill bonus round which can be placed on a leaderboard. Cash awards can be earned from winners on the leaderboard.

Abstract: Various implementations for object detection include a method includes capturing a video stream that includes an activity object and a pointing object, identifying the activity object, displaying a graphical user interface embodying a virtual scene based on the identified activity object, determining a location of the pointing object relative to the activity object, determining a routine based on the location of the pointing object relative to the activity object, and executing the routine within the virtual scene.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine game which has a main game (pure chance or with an element of skill) and a skill bonus round. A player can watch an advertisement to earn a set of non-monetary credits and use these non-monetary credits to play the main game. The skill bonus round is typically triggered randomly in the main game but when the player plays the game utilizing the non-monetary credits the player earned from watching the advertisement, those non-monetary credits will guarantee the player that the skill bonus round will be triggered at least once.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to implement a content distribution system in which users can connect remotely to access content via a computer communications network. A server would utilize algorithms which typically incorporate a random element as to which of a plurality of users who have accessed content would be entitled to a potential distribution routed to the respective users across the network.

Abstract: An example system includes a computing device located proximate to a physical activity surface, a video capture device, and a detector. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically intractable with by a user. The detector processes the video stream to detect the one or more interface objects included in the activity scene, to identify the one or more interface objects that are detectable, to generate one or more events describing the one or more interface objects, and to provide the one or more events to an activity application configured to render virtual information on the one or more computing devices based on the one or more events.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to cause icons to be displayed on an electronic output device. The icons can be displayed at random times during the playback of a video or display of static content. A user's goal is to touch an icon, which can be stationary or moving on the electronic display, in order to capture that icon. Predefined combinations of icons would trigger particular prizes to be awarded.

Abstract: Activity scene detection, display, and enhancement implementations are described. In an example implementation, a method includes displaying an animated character on a display of a computing device, detecting a tangible interface object on a physical activity scene proximate to the computing device, rendering a virtual interface object based on the tangible interface object, determining an interaction routine between the animated character and the virtual interface object, and executing the animation routine to animate on the display, an interaction between the animated character and the virtual interface object.

Abstract: An example system includes a stand configured to position a computing device proximate to a physical activity surface. The system further includes a video capture device, a detector, and an activity application. The video capture device is coupled for communication with the computing device and is adapted to capture a video stream that includes an activity scene of the physical activity surface and one or more interface objects physically interactable with by a user. The detector is executable to detect motion in the activity scene based on the processing and, responsive to detecting the motion, process the video stream to detect one or more interface objects included in the activity scene of the physical activity surface. The activity application is executable to present virtual information on a display of the computing device based on the one or more detected interface objects.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable storage to cause icons to be displayed on an electronic output device. The icons can be displayed at random times during the playback of a video or display of static content. A user's goal is to touch an icon, which can be stationary or moving on the electronic display, in order to capture that icon. Predefined combinations of icons would trigger particular prizes to be awarded.

Abstract: A wireless communications system includes a computer system that runs on at least one platform on which a plurality of different lottery games for different jurisdictions are supported and run from the at least one platform. A plurality of multiple functions relative to lottery games are mapped to the at least one platform. Multiple functions for the plurality of lottery games and different jurisdictions are mapped to the at least one platform and the at least one platform is scaleable. The at least one platform is configured to perform gifting.