Abstract: A system and method for entering text within a video game application are described.

Abstract: A puzzle set comprises a plurality of cubes, each configured with a drawing at one or more of its facets; and an interface configured to cause the cubes to be positioned one adjacent to the other while permitting a change in disposition and rotational state of any of the cubes. The drawings are designed to allow continuation of one another, by which viewable contiguous facets define together a composite symbol, upon positioning the cubes in accordance with a predetermined arrangement. At least one of the facets is rotatable in relation to other facets when the cubes are positioned one adjacent to the other, allowing rotation of its drawing without separating the cubes. In a method for generating a viewable object, a facet is displaced and rotated until the drawing on each of the viewable contiguous facets are in continuation of one another to define together the viewable object.

Abstract: A method for ball game training, the method comprising steps executed by at least one computer, the steps comprising: receiving image data of a player and a ball, the image data being captured using at least two cameras, using the received image data, tracking motion of the player and motion of the ball in three dimensions, based on the tracked motions, predicting a position of the player and a trajectory of the ball, and based on the predicted position and trajectory, generating a control command for at least one ball throwing machine.

Abstract: Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.

Abstract: A horse training goggle assembly includes a pair of goggles that may be worn by a jockey riding a horse during race training. The goggles have a frame and a lens that is removably positioned in the frame. A tracking unit is coupled to the goggles and the tracking unit is in electrical communication with a global positioning system (GPS) to identify a physical location of the jockey. Moreover, the tracking unit calculates a speed and direction of the horse during the race training. A display is embedded within the lens and the display is visible to the jockey when the goggles are worn. The display displays indicia in the lens and the display is electrically coupled to the tracking unit to display data relating to the speed and direction of the horse. A communication unit is coupled to the goggles for verbal communication between the jockey and the trainer.

Abstract: A sports training system includes an array of break beam sensors. Each sensor is configured to detect a passage of an object, such as a hockey puck, between adjacent posts and provide information for the passage to a controller communicatively attached to the array of sensors. A mobile application is configured to receive information from the controller and provide, for presentation to a user, passage statistics for the passages completed by one or more players. Servers are located in at least one data center. The servers are configured to receive and store the passage statistics and to provide access to the passage statistics.

Abstract: A method and system for recognizing complex patterns of motion and gesturing is disclosed. In one embodiment of the invention a pair of wrist (or ankle) bands senses motion which is analyzed to determine user movements in sagittal, frontal, and transverse planes. An optional front facing camera may be used to augment the data stream collected by motion sensing bands worn by the user. Games and training applications used in conjunction with the motion sensing system provide appropriate feedback, incentives, and scoring to the user via visual, audible, and haptic mechanisms.

Abstract: A method for controlling interaction with a virtual target includes: obtaining an interaction instruction; detecting whether there is a virtual target within an interaction distance range corresponding to the interaction instruction; after a plurality of virtual targets are detected within the interaction distance range, obtaining preset priority data; selecting a virtual target within the interaction distance range according to the priority data; and controlling, according to the interaction instruction, a controlled virtual character to interact with the selected virtual target.

Abstract: Systems and methods of conducting games involving, among other things, providing, hosting, conducting and/or facilitating modified wagering games which have outcomes dependent at least in part on twitch-skill and/or strategic use of time during the game.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system that connects a game implement to a computer. Two or more persons are allowed to be interconnected and play interactively through the system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to generating and displaying a score related to the results of wagering by a player on an electronic gaming machine. In one embodiment, a method for generating a score related to play on at least one electronic gaming device includes tracking the amount wagered on the gaming device, tracking the amount awarded by the gaming device, and generating a score related to the tracked amounts.

Abstract: The process enables a reaction time of an athlete at the start of a race to be measured with a personalized transponder module positioned on the athlete and a base station. The module comprises a receiver unit, a processing unit, a transmitter unit for data signals and a motion sensor to supply measurement signals to the processing unit. The module is activated by a received wake-up signal and a measurement of the movement is performed by the sensor at the start of the race. The data signals are transmitted to the base station and a determination of the reaction time of the athlete at the start of the race is performed to determine a possible false start if the reaction time is below a determined time threshold following the starting signal.

Abstract: An electronic golf aid system for assisting users with reading greens on golf courses includes a camera that captures images of the user's field of view, and an electronic display device with a display screen that displays captured images. A processor, which communicates with the camera and display device, is programmed to: receive signals from the camera indicative of images of a golf ball and a cup on the green; determine respective locations for the golf ball and cup; determine a perspective view of the topology of the green between the golf ball and cup from the user's point of view; determine, based on the green's topology, a proposed trajectory line from the golf ball's location to the cup's location; and direct the electronic display device to display the proposed trajectory line superimposed on the surface of the green as the green is shown in real-time on the display screen.

Abstract: Described herein are, among other things, handheld controllers having touch-sensitive controls, as well as methods for use of the touch-sensitive controls and methods for assembling the handheld controllers. An example handheld controller may include a top-surface control (e.g., a “trigger button”) that includes a switch, a pressure sensor, and a touch sensor for detecting a presence, location, and/or gesture of a finger on the top-surface control.

Abstract: Videogame controllers with smart trigger stops may include: a housing including A trigger, the trigger movable along a path of travel; a sensor configured to detect the position of the trigger and to generate a signal representing trigger position; a processor configured to interpret signals generated by the sensor and cause an output signal to be transmitted to a gaming console; a trigger-stop that is movable between an engaged position and a disengaged position, the trigger-stop in the disengaged position allowing the trigger to move along the entire path of travel, the trigger-stop in the engaged position blocking the trigger from moving along the entire path of travel; and a switch coupled with the housing and the trigger-stop, wherein movement of the trigger-stop from the disengaged position to the engaged position flips the switch and causes the processor to map received signals to generated signals in a different manner.

Abstract: A body motion driven interface system, the system uses an interface to track body position along with optional body positional elements driven by the user's body. The body motion driven interface includes an interactive object, a rocking platform for supporting the user's body, a tilt sensor for sensing tilt of the rocking platform, an optional position sensor for sensing position of the body positional elements relative to the rocking platform, and an optional tactile sensor for sensing touch of the body. The system further includes a control unit receiving tilt sensor data from the tilt sensor, position sensor data from the position sensor and tactile sensor data from the tactile sensor. The control unit uses the tilt sensor data, the position sensor data and the tactile sensor data to generate instructions that change a state within the computer driven visual display to create an imagination driven simulated reality.

Abstract: Disclosed is a control program for a computer, the computer including a storage unit and being configured to execute a competition game. The storage unit stores a competition result and a counter for each combination of at least two competing players. The control program causes the computer to execute a competition between at least two players When a winning player, of at least two competing players, was defeated by a losing player in an immediately preceding competition, the computer increases the counter corresponding to the combination of the at least two competing players, determines points to be awarded based on the counter, and stores the determined points in the storage unit in association with the winning player.

Abstract: A device and method include: determining the action content of each character engaged in battle by allowing the player to perform an operation whereby an arbitrary item not selected by the opponent is selected from a group of common items, and an operation whereby the selected item is associated with the player's battle character, while allowing the opponent to perform an operation, whereby an arbitrary item not selected by the player is selected from the group, and an operation whereby the selected item is associated with the opponent's battle character; determining the action order of the characters based on an action speed parameter configured for each respective character engaged in battle; and, upon selection of all the items from the group, causing each character engaged in battle to act based on the character action content corresponding to the respectively associated items in accordance with the determined action order.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable information storage medium storing a program that causes a computer to implement a game in which a first area of a virtual space that includes a maze-shaped path delimited by given virtual walls is allocated to a first player character that moves under the control of a first player, a second area of the virtual space is allocated to a second player character that moves under the control of a second player, and the first player character and the second player character compete for game progress in the respective areas allocated thereto.

Abstract: There is provided a gaming machine capable of providing diverse type of image representation. The gaming machine 1 includes: a screen unit 10040 whose surface at least partially includes curved portions 10042; and a projector 10020 accommodated inside a casing 2, which is configured to project light to the screen unit 10040. Light projected by the projector 10020 is incident on a back surface side of the screen unit 10040 from the inside of the casing 2. The screen unit 10040 lets the light incident on the back surface side of the screen unit 10040 pass the screen unit 10040, thereby enabling displaying of an image on the front surface side of the screen unit 10040 positioned on the surface of the casing 2.