Abstract: In a game bonus initiated by a base game trigger, a plurality of scripts may be chosen randomly. A select script takes a player through a predetermined bonus sequence. The bonus sequence can be located on a video screen, or on a top box. Each script may request player interaction at each let of the current step before moving on to the next step. Each step may have the same value or it may have different values, with the defining difference being on the method of awarding the sum of the values of each step of the script. With multiple scripts associated with the same sum value, it is possible to provide the appearance of luck and/or skill to a player that may never see the same bonus sequence twice and thus would be unable to predict the outcome.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating collaborative services with content. Collaboration services are provided to a user in the context of content such that the user may collaborate with other contacts or users within the context of the content. The collaborative services are accessed through a pane or window that initially displays a list of experts and peers as well as frequently asked questions links, availability data and configuration data. When a contact is selected, more details about the selected contact are provided to the user including a contact block that indicates how the user may collaborate with the selected contact. The contact block identifies modes of communication such as e-mail, instant messaging, video conferencing, threads, telephone, and the like. When a mode of communication is selected, the user may collaborate with the selected contact. The context of the content is often supplied to the selected contact to improve the collaboration.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a lottery pooling management system. The lottery pooling management system may include a participant interface, lottery interface, and notification interface. The participant interface may be in communication with a participant computer and configured to allow pool participants to participate in one or more lottery pools with each lottery pool having one or more sets of lottery numbers. The lottery interface may be in communication with one or more lotteries and the participant interface, and configured to ascertain drawing results and jackpot amounts for the lotteries and compare the drawing results with the sets of lottery numbers in the lottery pools. The notification interface may be in communication with the participant interface and the lottery interface, and configured to alert pool participants about activity in the lotteries, the status of the lottery pools, and the compared drawing results.

Abstract: The invention concerns an aligning device for a simulator (105) arranged for firing and mounted on a weapon. The weapon has aiming means arranged to indicate the aiming of the weapon in a target area. The simulator is equipped with at least a first element arranged so as to emit an electromagnetic beam along a simulation axis, and adjusting means arranged so as to control the simulation axis in order to align the simulating axis with the aiming means. The device is characterized in that it has means (201) arranged so as to reflect visible light from the beam, and sighting means for alignment that are arranged so as to display a projection of the reflected light superimposed over an image (206) of the target area in an alignment sight window. The projected light is movable within the alignment sight window by means of adjusting means so as to enable placement of the projection at a point at which the aiming means are aimed.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a method is provided for redeeming a game entry. The method includes steps of determining a wager amount that is associated with a winning game entry, determining a proportional share based on the wager amount, and determining a prize share amount based on the proportional share. The method may further include providing the prize share amount to a holder of the winning game entry. In some alternative embodiments, a prize for a winning game entry may be a non-monetary benefit.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display unit, a value input device, and a controller coupled to the display unit and value input device. The controller includes a memory and a processor programmed to allow a person to make a wager and cause a video image representing a game to be generated on the display unit. The controller can further be programmed to determine an outcome of the game and a value payout associated with the outcome. The controller can further be programmed to generate an audible or verbal explanation of the value payout based on the information defined in a stored payout data contained within the controller.

Abstract: A gaming device having a primary game with a bonus triggering event that affects the outcome of a secondary or bonus game. The number of symbols in the bonus game is dependant on the number of bonus triggering symbols in the bonus triggering event. After generating a number of bonus triggering symbols in the base or primary game, the gaming device animates the bonus triggering symbols and generates a related number of bonus symbols. The gaming device provides an award based on the combination of the bonus symbols.

Abstract: A first game image of a displayed region of a game space which contains all player characters is created, and a second image is created by zooming in, when a player has performed a specific operation on an operation means, on a surrounding region of a player character controlled by the player. When the specific operation of the operation means has not been performed by any player, the first image is output as a game image, and when the specific operation of the operation means has been performed, the second image is superimposed on the first image as an output game image.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for computerized training, monitoring, certification or re-certification of human raters in clinical trials. The invention provides an interactive computerized interview that can be compared scores obtained by human raters to monitor and train clinical raters on a continuing basis in order to reduce rater drift and variance during clinical trials. Remediation can be automatically flagged or provided to improve a deviating rater's performance. Computerized assessment of symptom severity is provided without the need for human clinical raters. The system and method enable screening of prospective patients for inclusion or exclusion from a clinical trial by automatically obtaining computerized ratings of symptom severity.

Abstract: A device is described for introducing variation in athletic training and competitive events. This device maintains an internal state that occupies one of several allowed values. Depending upon the selected configuration, the device changes internal state at regular or irregular intervals, progresses through its allowed values sequentially or in random order, and spends a different designated fraction of time in each state. This variable and typically unpredictable state is presented to the field of play where one or more athletes receive the information and react to it as a change in their athletic training or game environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a graphical representation of a gaming environment and for providing information regarding individual components or persons located in the environment are provided. The invention includes a graphical user interface which displays a graphical representation of at least a portion of a gaming environment, such as a graphical representation of individual components of a gaming system and their surrounding physical environment. The components are graphically portrayed in positions corresponding to the relative positions of the actual components of the gaming system. The components are also graphically displayed in a graphically reproduced environment which represents the actual environment, such as a casino, in which the actual gaming system components are located.

Abstract: A gaming device having a game with a grid which has a plurality of segments. The grid segments are defined by a plurality of independently selectable first coordinates and second coordinates. The gaming device provides the player with a number of opportunities to select segments of the grid and obtain awards by independently selecting both a first coordinate and a second coordinate.

Abstract: A participant search method in an online game and online chat, wherein, when starting an online game or online chat on a network connecting a plurality of subscribers to each other with a network server as a core, the network server that has received participant search information from one subscriber matches network subscriber-related attribute information stored in the server with the participant search information to select a matched subscriber currently connected to the network, distributes participant recruiting information to that subscriber, and sends back participant acceptance information for the subscriber who has accepted the recruiting information to the above-described one subscriber.

Abstract: An apparatus for billiards practice, comprising a housing; an emitter connectively disposed to the housing; a pair of detectors equally spaced about the emitter; a controller having logic controlling the emitter; at least one indicator in communication with the logic; the logic receiving at least one signal from the detectors via the emitter projecting the signal onto the surface of the billiards ball; the logic resolving the position of the billiards ball with respect to the emitter in concert with the detectors; and a response to the logic resolved position of the billiards ball via the indicator. The player's instant feedback is implemented via a controller disposed within the billiards practice device. The controller has means to emit infrared signals and capture the return reflected infrared signal from the cue ball. The returned infrared signals are interpreted and processed via the controller.

Abstract: A two wire exchange system is disclosed that enables a gaming device having one communication port to function as a gaming device having a plurality of communication ports. The two-wire exchange system allows a gaming device having only a single communication port to connect to two or more system hosts simultaneously. The two wire exchange system is an intelligent multiplexer that communicates using the same protocol as the system hosts to which it is connected. The two-wire exchange system has the ability to respond to a poll from the system host by indicating that the gaming device is busy, and that the system host should poll the gaming device again. This is provided to avoid and to prevent data collisions.