Abstract: A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues.

Abstract: A virtual lottery unit can be utilized by a player to play a virtual lottery. A virtual lottery ticket display is provided to display a plurality of virtual lottery ticket prices. Each of the virtual lottery ticket prices corresponds to a distinct known percentage of a progressive jackpot that can be won with a winning virtual lottery number. The progressive jackpot increases progressive jackpot increases in size based on a portion of ticket sales revenue and that can be won with a winning virtual lottery number. A price selection input receives a selection of the virtual lottery ticket price of which the lottery ticket is to be purchased. Further, a number selection input receives a selection of a virtual lottery ticket number from the player. In addition, a random number generator generates the winning virtual lottery ticket number. A virtual lottery processor compares the selection of the virtual lottery ticket number form the player with the winning virtual lottery ticket number.

Abstract: A multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine is disclose. A price category reception module receives a first price category of a first distribution. The price category reception module receives a second price category of a second distribution. The second distribution is established so that a first association between the first distribution and the first price category has a variable ratio with a second association between the second distribution and the second price category. The multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine also has a user input module. Further, the multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine has a lottery ticket printer. The multi-priced lottery ticket dispensing machine also has a controller that receives the price categories, receives an input from the user, and provides an instruction to the lottery ticket printer.

Abstract: A method of multiple pricing for a predetermined or progressive single jackpot in a single lottery game is disclosed. For instance, a lottery ticket purchased for one dollar can result in a ten million dollar win, a lottery ticket purchased for two dollars can result in a twenty million dollar win, a lottery ticket purchased for three dollars can result in a thirty million dollar win, etc. Further, different winnings increments can be used. For instance, the three-dollar ticket can result in a forty million dollar win to induce the purchase of higher-priced tickets. The potential distributions can be established according to a constant ratio, a variable ratio, or a combination of a constant ratio and a variable ratio. In addition, the lottery prize can also be a variable prize that progressively increases with a percentage of each ticket sold. The prizes are won from a single pool.

Abstract: When a player character is moved toward a two-dimensional non-player character (NPC) in response to operation of an input section 21 by a player, a main process is repeatedly carried out by a video game apparatus 100. Thus, the two-dimensional NPC approaches the player character and is moved toward a visual boundary surface, and finally leaves the field of view of the virtual camera without moving within the 2D inhibit space. Because the two-dimensional NPC is maintained in a space opposite from the player character with respect to a boundary surface between 2D and 3D in this way, and the two-dimensional NPC is prevented from moving within the side of the player character P from the boundary surface between 2D and 3D, it is possible to reduce processing load of hardware without losing realism (realistic sensation) when an image including multiple objects is drawn in a virtual three-dimensional space.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method for controlling gate data of a game in which a plurality of players take part. Before the start of the game, game data is copied form the memory region of each player and stored in a prescribed game memory region, based on the game data of each player stored in the prescribed game memory region, the game is played, and after the end of the game, the game data of each player stored in the game memory region is returned to the memory region of each player.

Abstract: A manner for presenting payouts in gaming activities. The invention may be used in connection with primary gaming activity and/or in connection with secondary/bonus activity. The invention provides a controllable selection and/or item capture mechanism used to identify full or partial payout values, and/or other play parameters such as multipliers, continue/discontinue identifiers, etc. The system and/or the user can control the selection/capture mechanism. In one embodiment, a platform typically concealed from the participant is moved to a location proximate the item capture mechanism, and a particular selectable item determined by the RNG is retrieved by the item capture mechanism among the otherwise perceivable selectable items.

Abstract: In a mahjong game system constituted by a mahjong game machine and an information processing device, the information processing device comprises: game data reception means for receiving game data; game data storage means; ranking criterion setting means for setting a ranking criterion during the creation of a ranking list at predetermined time intervals based on the game data; ranking means for creating, on the basis of the ranking criterion, a ranking list based on the stored game data; and ranking data transmitting means for transmitting the ranked ranking data to the mahjong game machine.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes symbol display unit 4 for variably displaying a plurality of symbols, game element acquisition unit 2 for selecting a symbol displayed on the symbol display unit 4 and acquiring a game element based on the selected symbol, game processing unit 3 for performing game processing for players to compete with each other for a move of a piece based on the game element acquired in the game element acquisition unit 2, and game display unit 5 for displaying the processing result of the game processing unit 3.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatus are provided for receiving a request for a lottery ticket, the request including a purchase amount that is less than a price of a full lottery ticket. A fractional amount of the full lottery ticket is calculated, the fractional amount being based on the purchase amount and the price of the full lottery ticket. An indication of the fractional amount and an indication of the full lottery ticket is stored.

Abstract: A system and method for performing integrated lottery ticket and merchandise transactions using a point-of-sale terminal that generates a single sales receipt containing all pertinent lottery ticket and merchandise transaction information. The lottery tickets generated include fractional value and “quick-pick” lottery tickets. A group of point-of-sale terminals are connected to a POS controller which communicates with a lottery data processing system. An encrypted authentication code also printed on the sales receipt allows the lottery player to verify all lottery ticket transaction information, as needed.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless system for a video game console having at least one of an Infrared (IR) receiver and a Radio Frequency (RF) receiver, and further having at least two operation modes including (i) a first game mode capable of playing video games and (ii) a second entertainment mode capable of playing DVD videos. The wireless system includes a dedicated DVD remote control transmitter and a wireless game controller. The dedicated DVD remote control transmitter has DVD player function control buttons and is incapable of controlling all of the game functions of the video game console. The dedicated remote control transmitter wirelessly transmits DVD player control commands to at least one of the IR receiver and the RF receiver for controlling the DVD player functions of the video game console when in the second entertainment mode.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a static pose fixture (10) used for measuring a subject (42) that is the object of a motion capture system. The static pose fixture (10) provides a means for holding the subject (52) in a static position by using various struts in order to automate the sizing of a computer generated model or to position and orient markers with respect to the model.

Abstract: A decision support system comprises a decision repository with at least one stored game play decision for a particular hand held by a player and a corresponding first card held by a dealer, in a game of blackjack, and a programming facility operable, selectively, by the player to amend the at least one stored game play decision. The decision repository has a stored game play decision for every possible combination of a particular hand held by the player and corresponding first card held by the dealer.

Abstract: A game enhances conventional video poker by providing players an enhanced opportunity to hit four of a kind. Ideally, players are provided an option to place a wager once five initial cards are displayed. The option is provided in response to the five dealt cards including one or more pairs. Should the player elect to place the wager, the player must retain one pair and a kicker. The player is then provided with a fourth card having a rank the same as the rank of the pair. The player now holds three of a kind and a kicker. Finally, a fifth and final card is displayed. If the player obtains a four of a kind, the player receives a payout. Other versions include a progressive jackpot and the option to buy cards.