Abstract: A system for playing and managing an interactive social game between a plurality of client computers connected to a network in a communications network includes a processor for playing an interactive social game program at the plurality of client computers operated by users. The interactive social game program includes associating the users of the client computers with social item(s) to be managed. The processor is operable to present the users of the client computer with stored promotions in memory. The processor is operable to cause the execution of the social game program in response to an input command, to incorporate a selected promotion and present the selected promotion visually to client computers while playing the interactive social game.

Abstract: An example of a controller includes a housing including an opening, and an operation member, a part of which is exposed through the opening. The operation member includes a key top exposed through the opening and operated by a user, a shaft portion extending downward from the key top, and a protruding portion protruding from the shaft portion. Further, in the housing, a pedestal with which the protruding portion of the operation member comes into contact when the operation member is tilted is provided. The tilt of the operation member is limited by the protruding portion coming into contact with the pedestal.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and methods are described for adjusting a thumbstick of a controller, such as adjusting a height and/or other characteristic of the thumbstick. Systems, apparatus, and methods can include one or more of a base element, an adjustment element, and a cap element, which can couple to one another to form an interlocked or stacked configuration that, when coupled to the thumbstick, can adjust the thumbstick of the controller.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for generating inputs to a game software application might comprise obtaining sensor inputs from a set of sensors of a user device, the set of sensors comprising a first set of sensors and a second set of sensors, determining, from a first set of signals from the first set of sensors, and a gesture definitions ruleset, a gesture, generating a gesture message corresponding to the gesture, determining, from a second set of signals from the second set of sensors, a position data structure corresponding to position details of the user device, generating a position message corresponding to the position details, providing the gesture message and the position message to a game move determining module, determining, from the gesture message, the position message, and a gesture-to-move mapping table, a game move, generating a game move message, and providing the game move message to an input portion of the game software application.

Abstract: An accessibility computer game controller includes a central control button on a round base and peripheral control buttons on the base surrounding the central control button. The peripheral control buttons can have distinct sizes and shapes. An analog stick unit is reciprocatingly engaged with the base and includes a control portion rotatable relative to the base.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for game control. A graphical user interface is generated and displayed on a display screen. The graphical user interface presents at least one user-controllable object and at least one target object. A user is enabled to provide a user input to control a movement of the at least one user-controllable object within the graphical user interface. A predetermined area is identified around the at least one user-controllable object in the graphical user interface. It is detected whether or not the at least one target object lies within the predetermined area in the graphical user interface. If it is detected that the at least one target object lies within the predetermined area, an action is executed on the at least one target object from the at least one user-controllable object.

Abstract: An ecommerce platform, available via an interactive electronic resource, allows a user to purchase products and services from the resource, receive promotional-valued credits in return for the purchase, and play games to earn additional promotional-valued credits. The user can purchase products and services at the electronic resource with either or both of a government-issued legal tender, such as the U.S. dollar, or a virtual currency used by the electronic resource, such as the promotional-valued credits. In embodiments of the invention, the user is guaranteed that an amount of legal tender (e.g., the U.S. dollar) paid-in to the ecommerce platform is the same as or less than a fair market value of the products or services purchased via the ecommerce platform.

Abstract: Data processing apparatus comprises a control device having one or more user-operable controls; a pressure detector to detect user pressure applied while operating the one or more user-operable controls; and a processor to initiate a data processing action in response to a detection of user pressure of at least a threshold amount greater than that required to operate the one or more user controls.

Abstract: A system includes a display device including a display surface configured to display a graphic and including an opening. The system also includes a peripheral device mounted within the opening of the display surface, and a processor configured to execute instructions stored in a memory device, which when executed, cause the processor to at least: display the graphic on the display surface of the display device adjacent to the peripheral device, whereby the graphic is displayed at least partially in association with the peripheral device.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of three-dimensional puzzles that implement image sensors to read signatures of individual shell segments to thereby determine shell segment patterns. Also disclosed are embodiments of systems that implement RGB sensors adjacent gradient color maps to provide contactless absolute position encoders.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to gameplay using mobile devices. Embodiments include receiving, by a first device, player input initiating a targeted action. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, an orientation of the first device. Embodiments include determining, by the first device, a location of at least a second device based at least on a message received from the second device. Embodiments include identifying, by the first device, that a target of the targeted action is associated with the second device based on the orientation of the first device and the location of the second device. Embodiments include transmitting, by the first device, an indication of the targeted action to the second device.

Abstract: A high-skilled-low-level detection system may detect high-skilled entities in low-level matches of an online gaming. The system may identify a plurality of entities that are within a first category of entities eligible to be matched by a matchmaking algorithm. The system may then determine respective feature sets based at least in part on gameplay data associated with the plurality of entities and perform anomaly detection on the respective feature sets. The system may then determine, based on the anomaly detection, an anomalous entity of the plurality of entities and cause the matchmaking algorithm to match the anomalous entity with other entities that are in a second category of entities.

Abstract: An example information processing system includes a main unit, a first controller device and a second controller device. The main unit includes a display. The first controller device is configured to be removably attached to the main unit, and the first controller device transmits first operation data representing an operation performed on the first controller device to the main unit, irrespective of whether the first controller device is attached to the main unit. The second controller device is configured to be removably attached to the main unit, and the second controller device transmits second operation data representing an operation performed on the second controller device to the main unit, irrespective of whether the second controller device is attached to the main unit. The main unit displays, on the display, an execution result of an information process based on the first and the second operation data.

Abstract: A device comprising at least one controller handset possessing a housing and at least one control element that is arranged so as to protrude from the housing and to be movable with respect to the housing so as to allow a user to control at least one movement of at least one object that is external to the device, and a contactless transponder having at least one antenna that is housed in the at least one control element.

Abstract: A stroke decision device 30 includes an acquisition section 31 configured to acquire state information including a position, a velocity, and a rotational velocity of an incoming ball, and a stroke decision section 32 configured to decide a stroke condition including a position, a velocity, and an orientation of a striking implement at a time point when hitting back the ball toward a target arrival position, based on the state information for the ball and the target arrival position when hitting back the ball with the striking implement.

Abstract: A gaming machine having an electronic display which displays a plurality of empty drinking cups. A game controller causes the display of a ball and its movement toward and into one of the empty cups. A game play mechanism allows the player to direct the movement of the ball. If the player is successful in movement of a ball into a cup, the cup and the ball is then removed from the display. During play of the game, an amount of sobriety is determined in accord with the number of cups removed by the player. In accordance with the amount of sobriety determined, the cups are displayed in wobbling movement in order to give amusement to the game as well as difficulty in the play.

Abstract: A trigger button and a video game controller with triggers are provided in the invention, which relates to the technical field of video game controller. A trigger button is provided, which includes a mounting base and a pressing cap. The mounting base is connected to a casing of a video game controller, and the pressing cap is detachably connected to the mounting base. Through the rotational connection of the pressing cap and the mounting base, the connection of the pressing cap and the mounting base is achieved while increasing the flexibility of the connection between the pressing cap and the mounting base.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are operable to include selecting a virtual prize container from a plurality of virtual prize containers that each correspond to one a plurality of prize levels in response to detecting a game event in a wagering game. The selected virtual prize container including information corresponding to the prize level and concealing a prize that is in the virtual prize container is awarded to the player. An input from the player that corresponds to the selected virtual prize container is received. In response to a player achievement level being at a minimum or higher level that corresponds to the prize level of the selected virtual prize container, the prize is awarded to the player.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are operable to include selecting a virtual prize container from a plurality of virtual prize containers that each correspond to one a plurality of prize levels in response to detecting a game event in a wagering game. The selected virtual prize container including information corresponding to the prize level and concealing a prize that is in the virtual prize container is awarded to the player. An input from the player that corresponds to the selected virtual prize container is received. In response to a player achievement level being at a minimum or higher level that corresponds to the prize level of the selected virtual prize container, the prize is awarded to the player.

Abstract: A method for communication. The method including displaying game play of a first user playing a gaming application on a display. The method including broadcasting an SSID from a first device over a wireless local area network. The method including pairing the first device and a second device associated with a second user over the wireless local area network. The method including streaming a user interface including information related to the first game play from the first device to the second device. The user interface is streamed concurrent with the game play of the first user, and is configured to complement game play of the first user.