Abstract: A method of making a metal capacitor includes the following steps. A dielectric layer having a dual damascene metal interconnection and a damascene capacitor electrode is provided. Then, a treatment is performed to increase the dielectric constant of the dielectric layer surrounding the damascene capacitor electrode. The treatment can be UV radiation, a plasma treatment or an ion implantation. Accordingly, the metal capacitor will have a higher capacitance and RC delay between the dual damascene metal interconnection and the dielectric layer can be prevented.

Abstract: A betting method used in a variety of games of chance, including but not limited to Craps. The method offers a variation of true odds bets referred to as TruePlace bets (TP) in which the pay-out ratio is equal to the probability of the forecasted outcome being randomly generated. A player make a prerequisite Flat bet (FB) and then is permitted to make any of several available TruePlace bets (TP), provided the amount placed at risk for the TruePlace bet (TP) does not exceed a calculated Amount Available. An outcome is randomly generating from the defined set of possible outcomes. The generated outcome is compared to the so that each respective bet (FB, TP) can be assessed as a win, loss or unresolved, which can be different for the Flat bet (FB) and TruePlace bet (TP). The Amount Available for TruePlace bets is (TP) defined by a TruePlace bets Pool less the sum of TruePlace bets already booked (TPB).

Abstract: A metal capacitor structure is disclosed. The metal capacitor structure includes: a dielectric layer having a first region and a second region, a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the second region being higher than a dielectric constant of the dielectric layer in the first region; a dual damascene metal interconnection positioned in the first region; and a damascene capacitor electrode positioned in the second region.

Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. The method initiates with assigning each of a plurality of users to one of a test group and a control group. Each of the test group users is provided a gaming application including a new game feature enabled, and each of the control group users is provided the gaming application without the new game feature enabled. Gaming activity and social network activity of the test group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the test group users. Gaming activity and social network activity of the control group users is evaluated to generate an evaluation score for the control group users.

Abstract: A method of playing a competitive wagering game comprises receiving a wager from each of a first plurality of players, displaying to each of the first plurality of players a first wagering game, and in response to a first triggering event, entering the first plurality of players into a competitive wagering game. The method further comprises declaring a first one of the first plurality of players a winner of the competitive wagering game, in response to a second triggering event, entering the first player and a second plurality of players into a subsequent competitive wagering game and providing the first player with an award enhancement for use during the subsequent competitive wagering game.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for creating a custom tutorial comprising the controller inputs associated with the controller manipulations that cause an action observed by a player during game play. Controller inputs are saved during game play. In response to a first player performing an action to create a tutorial, controller inputs from a tagged player are captured. A custom tutorial is created for performing game actions performed by the tagged player's avatar comprising the captured controller inputs. The tutorial is sent to a memory device accessible by the first player.

Abstract: A gaming machine is arranged as follows: on condition that a game medium is betted, plural symbols including a specific symbol are rearranged based on a symbol randomly selected from the plural symbols; a base game in which a game medium with an amount determined in accordance with the rearranged symbols is run; if in the base game the specific symbol is rearranged with a first predetermined condition, a special game in which a free game is repeated plural times, in the free game a special status in which the specific symbol is added to the plural symbols being established and a game medium with an amount determined in accordance with the rearranged symbols; and another free game is added and made runnable if in the special game the specific symbol is rearranged with a second predetermined condition.

Abstract: A system and method are described for providing a game of chance over messaging services. In one embodiment a method is disclosed for receiving a mobile message from a first user to participate in a game of chance. The mobile message may include an identifier of a second user. A mobile message may be sent to the second user to invite the second user to participate in the game of chance by providing an identifier of another user. A winning identifier is identified from a set of identifiers. A mobile message is sent to the first user and the second user if the amount by which the identifier of the second user matches the winning identifier satisfies a winning threshold. The mobile message may include an indication that the first user and the second user won a prize.

Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a player with an opportunity to compete against an opponent (either a virtual opponent or a human opponent). In one embodiment, the gaming system and method provide a competition game that operates concurrently with a wagering game. In one embodiment, the competition game includes a turn-based video game which enables a player to compete against an opponent. Different generated symbol combinations for the wagering game represent different game actions or sequences for the competition game. That is, the symbols or symbol combinations generated in the wager game determine which game actions or sequences the gaming system causes to occur for the competition game. Based on such displayed game actions and sequences, the disclosed gaming system and method determines whether the player or the opponent wins that competition for the competition game.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing an electronic device (10) provides a substrate (20) that has a plastic material and has a metallic coating on one surface. A portion of the metallic coating is etched to form a patterned metallic coating. A particulate material (16) is embedded in at least one surface of the substrate. A layer of thin-film semiconductor material is deposited onto the substrate (20).

Abstract: Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a scrolling-type game world displayed on a display screen. A first predetermined input supplied by one of the players to the respective input device protects the one player's game character from harm in the game world and the protected game character moves based on the scrolling/non-scrolling state of the game world in accordance with the movement of one or more unprotected characters. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable by the one player in response to inputs to the respective input device.

Abstract: A gaming machine 13 starts a game, determines symbols to be rearranged, and variably displays symbol groups. Next, in a case where at least a predetermined number of identical symbols for providing an award is rearranged or in a case where identical symbols for providing an award are rearranged in “REACH (ready-to-win)” state, the gaming machine 13 displays a rendered effect that corresponds to the identical symbol on a display device. Accordingly, in a case where a combination with a “REACH” state is achieved even if it ends up with a losing combination, a rendered effect, which is the same as that performed when a winning combination is achieved, is performed to allow the player to maintain the feeling of suspense for winning to the end.

Abstract: There is provided a game system in which areas where operation instruction markers of each player influence each other. The game system 1 determines a division position DP of lane L where an operation instruction marker IM is displayed each time when a predetermined condition is satisfied during a game, and a size of display area DA of the lane of each player based on the determined division position DP. The game system 1 also determines the position of operation instruction marker IM corresponding to each operation timing 20 described in sequence data SD so that the position changes with the progress of music being reproduced, and displays a game image GI where the operation instruction markers IM corresponding to each players P are arranged in the display area DA corresponding to the player P.

Abstract: A method for making a micro structure (100) is proposed. The method starts with the step of providing a silicon substrate (102), which has a main surface. A porous silicon layer (103)—extending into the silicon substrate from the main surface—is then formed. The method continues by etching the porous silicon layer selectively to obtain a set of projecting microelements of porous silicon (112); each projecting microelement projects from a remaining portion of the silicon substrate (106), thereby exposing a corresponding external surface. The projecting microelements are then treated to obtain a set of corresponding conductive (115) or insulating (115?) microelements; each conductive or insulating microelement is obtained by converting at least a prevalent portion of the porous silicon (extending into the corresponding projecting element from the external surface) into porous metal or ceramics, respectively.

Abstract: A rotational joint assembly and a method for constructing a rotational joint assembly are provided. The rotational joint assembly includes a first rotational component, a second rotational component coupled to the first rotational component such that the second rotational component is rotatable relative to the first rotational component in first and second rotational directions about an axis, and a flexure member, being deflectable in first and second deflection directions, coupled to at least one of the first and second rotational components such that when the second rotational component is rotated relative to the first rotational component in each of the first and second rotational directions about the axis, the flexure member is deflected in the first deflection direction and exerts a force on the second rotational component opposing the rotation.

Abstract: A photosensitive adhesive capable of alkali development, the photosensitive adhesive exhibiting adhesion property for an adherend after it has been patterned by light exposure and development, the photosensitive adhesive being used in a method for producing a semiconductor device 100 comprising a step of patterning the photosensitive adhesive 1 provided on a circuit surface of a semiconductor chip 20 by light exposure and development; and a step of directly bonding another semiconductor chip 21 to the patterned photosensitive adhesive 1.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of display positions disposed in a display area, a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at respective display positions, and an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbols correspond to a winning outcome with reference to at least one of a plurality of defined win lines. Each of the defined win lines comprises at least one display position, and at least some of the win lines comprise differing numbers of display positions. A corresponding method of gaming is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for testing a new feature of an online gaming application is provided. According to the method, a gaming application request is received from a user, and it is determined whether to add the user to a live test for a new game feature. If the user is added to the live test, then the user is assigned to a test group or a control group. If the user is assigned to the test group, then a gaming application is provided including the new game feature enabled. If the user is assigned to the control group, then the gaming application is provided without the new game feature enabled. User social graph data identifying co-users of the user is obtained, and gaming activity and social network activity of the user is evaluated.

Abstract: A substrate micro-processing method and a semiconductor device manufacturing method in which a stained part does not remain in a finished product even if a residual ion-injected part stays in the finished product. The substrate micro-processing method is one that carries out processing of a substrate by dividing the substrate depthwise, and comprises a proton injection step S11 in which protons are injected from one principal surface side of the substrate and an irradiation step S12 in which the substrate is irradiated with light having the wavelength nearly equal to the absorption wavelength of the defect level formed within the substrate due to the proton injection in order to divide the substrate.

Abstract: A gaming system provides a bonus gaming session, which is activated during a play of a five-card draw poker base game when a predetermined plurality of the first set of five cards dealt meets a predetermined criteria, for example at least four of the five cards dealt and held by the player share a common suit. When activated, the gaming system repeats plays of the game in the bonus gaming session until a winning draw poker outcome has been generated. In the bonus gaming session, the card that is not co-suited with the plurality of the held first set of cards is discarded and randomly replaced until a winning five-card hand is generated. The gaming device provides an award when the winning five-card hand is generated. The gaming system provides a correspondingly larger award for a wining flush hand for each additional re-drawn fifth card required to achieve a winning five-card flush hand.