Abstract: A method for arranging a primary contest including a primary computer system in communication with a data feed to a source of data including sequences, wherein the sequences are discrete functions of time, the method including selecting sequences as contestants in the contest, providing a definition of a contest outcome as a measure relating to either a contestant's performance independently of other contestants or a joint performance of interacting contestants, receiving data from the data feed, wherein the data relates to the sequences selected, and determining an outcome of the contest according to the definition.

Abstract: To provide a game machine for providing a sport game to be played between an operation target team and an opponent team, which allows a game player to relatively readily find out the position of a teammate player object. A position announcing sound data storage unit (72) stores position announcing sound data in association with a relative position condition concerning the relative position of the teammate player object relative to the position and reference direction of the operation target player object. A relative position determination unit (76) determines whether or not the relative position of the teammate player object selected by the position announcement target selection unit (74), relative to the position and reference direction of the operation target player object, satisfies the relative position condition associated with the position announcing sound data.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for administering payouts in gaming machines are disclosed. More particularly, improved techniques for distributing large payouts with minimal interruption of a gaming session at a gaming apparatus are disclosed.

Abstract: The systems generate and provide user interactive screens which include contest grids for each sub-contest, with the grids having a second row of spaces for entry of multiple estimations of an event or a condition, a third row of spaces for entry of points per estimation, and a first row of spaces that indicates if any estimation matches historical data. Contest points may be partially or completely allocated between sub-contests in sub-contest fields. The user may select a state and county applicable to the contest. Distribution options of uniform, triangular (peaked), increasing or decreasing may be selected for the points per estimation. The user interactive screens are useful for estimating future agricultural crop events or conditions.

Abstract: The methods and contests feature contest grids for each sub-contest, with the grids having a second row of spaces for entry of multiple estimations on an event or a condition, a third row of spaces for entry of points per estimation, and a first row of spaces that indicates if any estimation matches historical data. Contest points may be partially or completely allocated between sub-contests in sub-contest fields. The user may select a state and county applicable to the contest. Distribution options of uniform, triangular (peaked), increasing or decreasing may be selected for the points per estimation. Applications for the methods and contests include agricultural crop events or conditions.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for transferring privileges in a computer system. In one implementation, a system for transferring online privileges includes: a game server having a network connection and storing data providing an online game and game environment; a game database connected to said game server, said game database storing data representing one or more game items, data representing a first user game account, and data representing a second user game account, said game item associated with said first user game account; an auction server having a network connection and connected to said game server though said network connections, and storing data providing an online auction for game items; and an auction database connected to said auction server, said auction database storing data representing one or more game items received from said game server, data representing a first user auction account, and data representing a second user auction account.

Abstract: A gaming system having a multiple hand Three-card Poker game is provided. The Three-card Poker game includes seven cards dealt to the player and the dealer. First the gaming system sets the seven dealer cards to form a high three-card dealer hand, a low three-card dealer hand, and a tie breaker card, according to a set of predetermined rules. Similarly, the player sets the seven player cards to form a high three-card player hand, a low three-card player hand, and a tie breaker card. For the player and dealer hands, the high three-card hand must have a rank greater than or equal to the rank of the low three-card hand, and the rank of the low three-card hand must be greater than or equal to the tie breaker card. If the high and low three-card player hands both beat the corresponding dealer hands, the player wins an award. If only one of the three-card player hands beats the corresponding dealer hand, the outcome of the game is determined by the tie breaker card.

Abstract: According to one example embodiment disclosed herein, a connection is established between a network and a plurality of gaming units located in a gaming establishment, wherein each gaming unit includes at least one wagering input unit; wherein the network includes one or more network resources and is connected to at least some of the plurality of gaming units; and a gaming information traffic is transmitted on the network.

Abstract: A solution for managing communicative interactions between network elements is described herein. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a processor module that monitors communications between a program resident on a user machine and a server program resident on a computing device remote from the user. The processor module may be utilized to effectively reduce the number of communications actually transmitted between the client program and the server program. For example, the processor module may intercept certain client initiated communications intended for the server program, process those communications without server program involvement, and respond to the client program.

Abstract: A game control program is provided to improve user convenience of a game. A game control unit executes a game program, and records a history into a history holding unit while controlling progress of the game. When an operation instruction to pause the game is accepted from the user, a pause control unit stops the progress of the game with the display screen at that point in time displayed. When a request to resume the game is accepted from the user, a resume control unit resumes the game after display screens and sound are reproduced from a point in time which is a predetermined period before the pausing point up to the pausing point.

Abstract: A gaming device including an interface unit configured to accept game play data from a player and a controller coupled to the interface unit. The controller includes a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores payback data. The processor is configured to receive, via the interface unit, the game play data for the player playing a game, evaluate the received game play data based on predefined criteria, determine a level of skill of the player based at least on the evaluated game play data, and adjust the payback data based on the determined level of skill of the player.

Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.

Abstract: Systems and methods for interactive play are provided, including a method of interacting with an action figure. The method includes the steps of providing a base unit having a processor, providing an action figure having a memory which stores data relating to the action figure, communicating the data in the form of communication signals to the processor, and presenting an activity instruction based on the communication signals received, with the activity instruction enacting a real-life activity that the action figure can engage in.

Abstract: A method and system for playing an interactive game includes inputting into a host computer an access code, wherein the access code is operatively associated with game data storing a predetermined outcome of a game play, transmitting from the host computer a game play for play by a player on a terminal device in response to the inputted access code, and increasing the amount of a progressive jackpot in response to the occurrence of at least one game playing event.

Abstract: A game apparatus causes a character object to perform a first hitting motion on the necessary condition that a to-be-hit object is present in a first area 104a which is set based on a position of the character object in a virtual game space, and causes the character object to perform a second hitting motion on the necessary condition that the to-be-hit object is present in a second area 104b, 104c, or 104d. Furthermore, the game apparatus adjusts a position of at least one of at least a part of the character object and the to-be-hit object, such that when the character object is caused to perform the second hitting motion, the character object and the to-be-hit object are in a predetermined positional relationship.

Abstract: A method and related system of generating a frame of video is disclosed. In the method, a request is received. The frame of video is generated using a plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks. The frame of video is compatible with an MPEG compression standard. The plurality of pre-encoded macro-blocks are pre-encoded prior to the request. In some embodiments, the request initiates a video game.

Abstract: A method of: enabling an entrant to enter a competition; and limiting subsequent communication between a competition administrator and the entrant; via a sensing device interacting with machine-readable coded data on a printed competition entry form, the method comprising the steps, performed in a computer system, of: receiving interaction data representing the interaction of the sensing device with the coded data, the interaction data enabling the competition entry to be electronically captured in the computer system; transmitting the competition entry to the competition administrator; and enabling transmission of up to a predetermined number of electronic messages from the competition administrator to the entrant.

Abstract: A game machine is communicatively connected to a game server and display-outputs a game screen showing a content corresponding to the player's operation by exchanging data with the game server. The response time to the operation is stabilized, and consequently the player does not feel stress due to a variation of the response time to the operation. A reference time storage unit (38) stores a reference time from the player's operation to the display-output of the game screen showing contents corresponding to the player's operation. A waiting unit (32) awaits the display-output of the game screen showing a content corresponding to the player's operation according to the stored reference time.

Abstract: The invention is a fantasy vault system and method for operating a fantasy league, such as a fantasy sports league. The system is independent from the league participants, namely, a fantasy league commissioner and fantasy competitors. Fantasy data providers provides data whereby the performance of the fantasy competitors can be scored and ranked. Different league accounts can be associated with respective distinct data providers. A data provider can be a fantasy host. The system is, therefore, adapted to scoring competitors based on competition data represented in a plurality of formats. The system may accept default and alternate award schemes from commissioners, the particular scheme to be used depending upon the number of competitors paying their entry fee by a deadline. Entry fees from the fantasy competitors are not handled by the league participants, but are deposited into an account in the vault system, from which they may be transferred to a bank account.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a gaming system includes a multi-player wheel game. The game includes a wheel having a plurality of sections. Each of the sections is associated with an award symbol. Each of the sections is also associated with a characteristic independent of the award symbol, such as a color. The gaming system enables each of a plurality of active players to select at least one of the characteristics associated with the wheel. The gaming system activates the wheel and indicates at least one section of the wheel. The gaming system and at the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide an award associated with the award symbol of the indicated section. For each active player that selected the characteristic associated with the indicated section, the gaming system and the gaming devices associated with the gaming system provide a modified award.