Abstract: A launcher has programmable keys that activate a programming device to communicate with a flying toy to set up any one of multiple different motions of the toy. This is affected when the flying object and the launcher are connected together. Different combinations of program keys include changing of speed and landing procedures. The flying toy includes a receiver that operates a motor, and the flying object is clipped on the launcher and ejected after a user triggers the release button on the launcher.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a gaming machine. The player is allotted one or more numbers for each credit bet. The allotted numbers represent a subset of the predetermined fixed range of numbers. A feature game is triggered for the progressive prize based on a numerical comparison between the selected random number and the number(s) allotted to the player. Certain embodiments provide a trigger condition for a feature outcome based on an event having a probability related to credits bet per game at a gaming machine. A probability of success in the feature game may be higher than a probability of success in the base game.

Abstract: A gaming device having an improved award offer bonus scheme wherein the player may improve their award during the bonus round. The bonus game enables the player to select an award offer from a plurality of award offers. The gaming device enables the player to modify the selected award offer, creating a subsequent or modified award, with the idea of increasing the award offer to receive a greater or higher award during a bonus game.

Abstract: A method of conducting a wagering game includes receiving a wager from a player for playing the wagering game. An array of symbol-bearing locations and at least one payline is displayed along a plurality of the symbol-bearing locations. The plurality of the symbol-bearing locations includes first and second non-adjacent outer locations. The method further includes evaluating symbols at the symbol-bearing locations along the payline for winning outcomes such that symbols at the first and second non-adjacent outer locations are evaluated in sequence.

Abstract: A method that provides a virtual presentation including: registering a first registration code for at a product on a website, viewing a virtual replica of the product responsive to a successful registration, accessing a first subset of restricted content responsive to the successful registration, and receiving an additional subset of restricted content when a second registration code is registered by a same user. The first subset includes at least one of: a virtual room, virtual currency, virtual food, a furnishing for the virtual room, and a chat function. The additional subset of restricted content includes at least one of the following: access to additional virtual currency, access to an additional furnishing, access to an additional chat room, access to additional food, access to an additional game, access to an additional challenge, access to an additional room, and access to an additional activity.

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: A word puzzle device, method and apparatus, is disclosed which is based on the popular “find a word,” and “form a word” games. The puzzle employs logical structures to scramble an initial board display of characters, and requires a player to reconstruct the scrambled board before finding predefined words hidden in the display. The logical structures include a shift process, and a cause/effect process to change the position of characters in the display, or to replace characters with other characters based on predefined rules. When playing “form a word” game, a player is permitted to shift rows and/or columns, and/or activate control points to replace characters, to form as many new words as possibly can within a predetermined period of time. The puzzle device includes means to store a plurality of games, and input control mechanisms to enable a player to interact with the device. The device keeps a score that measures the player's skills in solving the word puzzle.

Abstract: A gaming machine with interactive pop-up windows providing enhanced game play schemes, including side-bet schemes, is described herein. Placing a side-bet utilizing interactive pop-up windows enables the player to make an additional wager to “purchase” one of any number of game enhancements, or to “side-bet” that the game outcome will include a particular symbol or symbol combination, depending on the side-bet scheme enabled for a particular gaming machine. In an embodiment, the player has an option to select one or more side-bet(s) via a pop-up window(s) prior to game play initiation. In another embodiment, the player has an option to select one or more side-bet(s) via a pop-up window(s) after a partial game outcome is displayed.

Abstract: A method and system for accumulating data to match and matching a user, based upon a play style and/or personal attribute, in an online gaming environment is described. One aspect of the invention provides a matchmaking system that matches players based upon a play style of the players. The system matches players who are looking for games with players who prefer similar play styles. Similarly the system can match players based upon a personal attribute of the player. The system can be built into existing general skill level and technical capabilities based matchmaking systems to provide more user desired matchmaking parameters, allowing a user to choose based upon play style, personal attribute, general skill level, and/or technical capabilities.

Abstract: A high impact game ball with a core structure founded on a spherical member, a spherical casing concentrically disposed relative to the spherical member, at least one surface deviation disposed relative to the spherical member of the core structure, and at least one corresponding surface deviation disposed relative to the spherical casing in a mating relationship with the at least one surface deviation of the spherical member. A switching arrangement can be embedded in the spherical member for causing a response to be exhibited based on the occurrence of an activation condition, such as an impact or a remote activation signal. A plurality of positioning stays can project from the spherical member to ensure a concentric relationship relative to the spherical casing.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot, wherein each player has a unique game array of game indicia for the occurrence of the wagering game and individual game indicia are sequentially selected from a range of available game indicia. Players may win the wagering game, interim pattern awards and/or progressive jackpot awards by matching predetermined patterns with patterns formed on their unique game array with indicia matching selected indicia. The players may sleep interim pattern awards and progressive jackpot awards by failing to claim the awards by acknowledging the awards at the gaming unit within a finite sleep time period. The slept interim pattern awards and slept progressive jackpot awards may be added to a progressive jackpot pool.

Abstract: A gaming device having an award value or symbol display device is provided. The display device includes multiple interconnecting rotators that cooperate to drive an indicator to produce a translating motion. The translating indicator is positioned along linearly spaced apart award values to sequentially and intermittently indicate or point to various ones of those values and ultimately to one of the values, which has been generated randomly for the player. The value can be awarded to the player or be combined with another value to form an award for the player.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of primary reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the primary reels. At least one and preferably a plurality of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as activator symbols. An activator symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a primary reel, is adapted to cause the activation of at least one supplemental reel. The supplemental reel includes a plurality of supplemental symbols. After the primary reels spin to generate a plurality of symbols, the gaming device determines if an activator symbol is generated on the primary reels. If no activator symbol is generated on the primary reels, any award based on one of or a combination of the generated symbols is determined and any determined award is provided to the player. If an activator symbol is generated on the primary reels, the supplemental reel is activated and displayed to the player. The activated supplemental reel spins to generate a plurality of supplemental symbols.

Abstract: A method provides a virtual presentation includes providing a toy that is represented on a website via a virtual replica of the toy, wherein the toy is associated with a registration code; validating the registration code; responsive to said validating, displaying said virtual replica of the toy representing said toy on said website; providing at least one virtual room on the website for the virtual replica of the toy; offering one or more virtual furnishings for the at least one virtual room; providing content that allows the one or more virtual furnishings to be arranged in the at least one virtual room; and interacting the virtual replica of the toy with at least one of the one or more virtual furnishings.

Abstract: A slot machine type wagering game having a bonus feature that is activated by a start-bonus outcome in the basic game. For example, one start-bonus game outcome may be the occurrence of a winning pay line in the base game array. Certain symbols on the winning pay line are replaced to create a bonus array; all other symbols in the bonus array remain the same, and in the same position, as in the original base array. The replacement symbols are randomly determined. Once the symbols are replaced, the bonus array is checked for winning symbol combinations on active pay lines. If the bonus array forms winning symbol combinations (i.e., a winning pay line), a second start-bonus game outcome may be triggered and the process continues until an array is created that does not form any winning pay lines.

Abstract: A system for playing a game comprises a game unit and a number of mobile terminals which can communicate with the game unit. The game unit is arranged for sending a game code to one or more mobile terminals, and the mobile terminals are arranged for sending at least one game code-related reply message to the game unit. Each reply message comprises an identification code of the mobile terminal. The game code is a number consisting of two or more digits, and each digit identifies a key of each mobile terminal. Each reply message is a word composed of letters which have been selected by means of the keys identified by the digits of the game code. The game unit is arranged for verifying the letters of the reply message.

Abstract: A cabinet for gaming machines and the like includes a pair of doors that are pivotably mounted to the cabinet by a pair of hinges. At least one of the doors includes a flange adjacent the hinges that provides a smooth, uncluttered appearance and hides the door hinges and associated mounting hardware from view.

Abstract: A method for hosting a word-based lottery game having a plurality of players is disclosed. A player selects a plurality of cells from a playslip and these cells will be converted to a plurality of letters and symbols by a lottery game machine. The player will use these letters and symbols along with one or more letter(s) drawn by the lottery to form words and compare these words with a list of words. For each formed word that is on the list, a point is awarded and extra bonus points may be awarded to some special words. The total points obtained by the player is compared with a prize table and the player is awarded a prize according to the prize table.

Abstract: A gaming system including a central server linked to a plurality of gaming machines. The central server monitors wagers on the gaming machines. Based at least in part on the wagers the central server determines when bonus events will occur and which gaming machine(s) will provide the bonus awards. In one embodiment, the central server determines which gaming machine(s) will provide progressive awards and/or supplemental bonus awards, wherein the number of provided supplemental awards is determined based on the number of active gaming machines. Each supplemental bonus award provided by each gaming device is based on any accumulated wagers placed at that gaming device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating a gaming device that enables a player to obtain an award based upon the number of goals the player is able to achieve during game play. The goals advance in difficulty as the player achieves each goal. The game terminates automatically when the player fails to achieve a goal.