Abstract: A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display, a digital camera device, a credit input mechanism, and a processor programmed to perform operations comprising: (i) receiving, from the digital camera device, a digital image of the player; (ii) determining an emotional state of the player by performing facial expression analysis on the digital image; (iii) determining an emotion level of the player by categorizing the emotional state of the player based on the determined emotional state, the categorizing includes a first state representing a positive emotional level and a second state representing another emotional level; (iv) determining that the emotional level is the other emotional level; and (v) automatically initiating a game session action during the game play session, the game session action is configured to cause the player to transition to the positive emotional level.

Abstract: A mobile electronic apparatus including an audio receiver and a controller is provided. The audio receiver receives a reference signal via a first hole and a second hole on a housing of the mobile electronic apparatus. The controller detects a touch event on the second hole according to the received reference signal.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine includes a display, a digital camera device, a credit input mechanism, and a processor programmed to perform operations comprising: (i) receiving, from the digital camera device, a digital image of the player; (ii) determining an emotional state of the player by performing facial expression analysis on the digital image; (iii) determining an emotion level of the player by categorizing the emotional state of the player based on the determined emotional state, the categorizing includes a first state representing a positive emotional level and a second state representing another emotional level; (iv) determining that the emotional level is the other emotional level; and (v) automatically initiating a game session action during the game play session, the game session action is configured to cause the player to transition to the positive emotional level.

Abstract: A computer implemented game involving analytics and real time data analysis. The game can allow players to predict and wager on the types of plays that have yet to occur, for example, in a football game. The game may utilize an algorithm that compares situational data in a game to stored data regarding similar situations in past games. The game can then provide a likelihood that a certain type of play can be performed, which may be interpreted as odds of a certain type of play. Users can then utilize this information to predict and wager on the upcoming play. Depending on the results of the play, users may win or lose their wager.

Abstract: A controller is configured to obtain, from a first video camera in proximity to a ticket dispensing machine, a first video stream; transmit the first video stream to an application server for delivery to a user device; receive, from the application server, a dispense command for the ticket dispensing machine; cause the ticket dispensing machine to dispense, based on the dispense command, a ticket having a scratching area; receive user-provided scratching data from the application server; and cause a robotic scratching device to scratch the scratching area in accordance with the scratching data.

Abstract: Systems and methods for resolving discrepancies between recordings made by multiple scorekeepers for a game comprising discrete events. In an example, a discrepancy resolving system include at least two personal computing devices and a remote server connected thereto, wherein each of the personal computing devices and the server is equipped with software which enables the personal computing devices to receive recordings of game events from a different scorekeeper, sending such recordings to the server, where the recordings from different scorekeepers are compared and discrepancies detected. The discrepancies are sent back to the computing devices for further responses from the scorekeepers. When the responses from different scorekeepers agree with each other, the discrepancies are resolved.

Abstract: A fraud detection system which detects fraud in a game of performing collection and redemption of chips in accordance with a win or lose result includes a camera which captures an image of chips contained in a chip tray of a dealer, an image analyzing apparatus which analyses the image captured by the camera to detect an amount of the chips contained in the chip tray, a card distribution device which determines a win or lose result of a game, and a control device which compares the win or lose result of the game and the amount of the chips contained in the chip tray before and after collection and redemption of the chips to detect fraud.

Abstract: Disruptive behavior events are identified within an online gaming system. Players responsible for the identified disruptive behavior events are verified. A behavioral designation is applied to players in the online gaming system. The behavioral designation indicates whether or not a player is verified as responsible for one or more of the identified disruptive behavior events. Current real-time player behavior demographic data is generated for a specified game space using the behavioral designations applied to players associated with the specified game space. The generated current real-time player behavior demographic data for the specified game space is displayed to players associated with the specified game space. Using current real-time player behavior demographic data generated and displayed for different game spaces, a player is enabled to make a behavior-informed selection of a game space in which to enter for game play.

Abstract: A method of and system for conducting multiple competitions of skill for a single performance are described herein. User generated competition groups and system generated competition groups allow users to participate in multiple competitions at once based on answering the same questions or making the same selections related to a single event. The users are informed of each competition either via email, text message or when logging into the network via a website. The users select which competitions groups to join. After joining the desired groups, the users then make their selections related to the event which are transmitted to the network where results are tabulated and transmitted back to the users. The results are separated based on each competition group, so that users can continually know where they stand in each separate competition. With multiple competition groups, users are able to have varying success from the same performance in multiple competitions.

Abstract: Near Field Communication (NFC) chips or tags are securely activated where at least one validation or redemption number is assigned to the chip or tag at the time of activation. Subsequent to activation, the NFC chip or tag enables secure data access via an Ancillary Device. Validation or redemption of the NFC chip or tag is also provided for.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of chance. A gaming system includes a primary game display and secondary game display with the secondary game display mapped with prize blocks arranged in a grid that may generally mimic a primary game grid. The prize blocks can be represented as characters, articles, numeral values, symbols and the like. Each prize block is assigned a prize value and a health value. When the health value of a prize block is exhausted based on primary game outcomes, the prize block is destroyed and removed awarding its corresponding prize value. New prize blocks fill the void left by removed prize blocks or the void remains as a space without any assigned prize value. A bonus trigger model also serves to reduce “cold streaks” during which players may lose interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for managing an online game. The apparatus including a processor and a memory. The processor is configured to identify a set of client devices engaged in an online game; identify game parameters associated with client devices in the set; define group of client devices from the set of client devices, wherein the at least one group of client devices includes client devices with similar game parameter; determine communication latency between each of the client devices in the group of client devices and a server; define subgroup of client devices from each of the group of client devices, wherein the subgroup of client devices includes client devices with a similar communication latency; and enable the client devices in the subgroup of client devices to engage in a game session of the online game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for adjusting the strength of turn-based game automatically. The method provides a search algorithm for inquiry and giving decision results. The decision results can be used for filtering and giving filtered results. Then a probability distribution result can be provided to control the virtual node inside the computer host. Furthermore, the game result can be used for adjusting the performance of the virtual node in the game. Thereby, the client node can evaluate its performance in the game conveniently.

Abstract: An athlete tracking system and method for tracking an athlete during training sessions. The system includes a mobile tracking device wearable around a portion of the athlete's head, and a training log server for maintaining an athlete profile that includes a training record updatable by the athlete and a training plan supplied by a coach.

Abstract: An autoplayer system and method enables one or more automated player(s) (autoplayers) that can be used to populate and/or fill a multiplayer online game. The autoplayers may emulate a human player in playing the online game. By filling the online game, the autoplayers may enhance the enjoyment of the human players in playing the online game. Additionally, autoplayer(s) may be used to replace players who drop out of the online game during gameplay of the online game, so that the remaining players can experience a sufficiently filled online game that continues in a similar manner as when the online game was initiated. Autoplayer(s) can also be used to test an online game, such as with a relatively large number of players, prior to deployment for players to play. New features that have been added to an online game can also be tested using autoplayers.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to obtain a user input that was inputted into a first accessory operably coupled with the computing device where the first accessory provides a user interface for user interaction with a video game, determine a language of an intended recipient of the user input based on an identity of the intended recipient, access a multi-lingual library comprising a plurality of words associated with the video game, match the user input to one or more words of the plurality of words of the multi-lingual library to generate a translated message in the determined language of the intended recipient, and provide the translated message to a second accessory for presentation to the intended recipient in real-time. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a crane game machine, which includes at least: a camera unit which images an inside of a main body in which prizes are accommodated, and generates an internal image; a prize moving unit which picks up a prize and then moves the prize to a first score point inside the main body; a sensor unit which is installed at the first score point and senses the passing of the prize through the first score point; a communication unit which transmits the internal image and the sensing result to an external device, and receives a prize moving unit control signal from the external device; and a control unit which controls the movement of the prize moving unit according to the prize moving unit control signal.

Abstract: A gaming system and method operating a virtual world gaming tournament is described. The gaming system includes gaming clients, a virtual world, a tournament session, a live host and a tournament prize. The virtual world has a variety of different locations and each gaming client is located at a particular location in the virtual world. The tournament session includes predetermined game sessions for each gaming client, in which each game session associates a random game outcome with a symbolic representation that is displayed at the location in the virtual world. The live host identifies locations in the virtual world and provides updates on the points awarded to the gaming clients at the virtual world location. The live host selectively broadcasts a first virtual world or a second virtual world during the tournament session. Additionally, the live host broadcast is displayed on a networked display or on the gaming clients.