Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided. The mobile communication device includes a terminal body, and a speaker module located in the terminal body. The speaker module includes an enclosure located in the terminal body, the enclosure defining a chamber therein, and a speaker having a front surface and a rear surface, the speaker being located in the enclosure such that the front surface of the speaker is exposed from the enclosure and the rear surface thereof is positioned within the chamber, to allow a sound generated from the rear surface to resonate within the chamber. A mutual interference between the sound generated from the front side of the sound emission part and the sound emitted from the rear side thereof can be reduced to thereby improve the performance of the middle and low sound.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic apparatus including a main body, an elastic fixing element, a display module and a cover is provided. The elastic fixing element is provided at the main body, and the display module having a display area is provided at the elastic fixing element. Furthermore, the cover is assembled at the main body and covers the display module. The cover has an opening and a plurality of guiding portions provided around the opening. The guiding portions are used to locate the display module to expose the display area by the opening.

Abstract: There is provided a communication system, comprising a transmission unit to be worn at a user's body at or below the user's neck for transmitting audio signals via an inductive link; and an earpiece to be worn at least in part in the user's ear canal including a receiver unit for receiving audio signals via said inductive link from the transmission unit, an audio signal processing unit for processing audio signals received by the receiver unit, and a loudspeaker stimulating the user's hearing according to the processed audio signals; wherein said inductive link is an amplitude modulation inductive link having a carrier frequency of from 100 kHz to 30 MHz.

Abstract: A hinge mechanism includes a rotation center shaft and a shaft rotationally supporting member, supported by first and second members respectively. One of the shaft and the supporting member includes a configuration to make an intermediate portion of a flexible electric wire extending between the first and second members being in contact with the shaft and to prevent the intermediate portion from being away from the shaft with a rotation of the shaft with respect to the supporting member. A portable end device includes first and second electric units contained in the hinged first and second members and electrically connected to each other by the electric wire. In a cellular phone, an operation unit to operate at least one of the electric units and a speaker are provided on one of inner surfaces of the housings, and a display unit and a receiver are provided on the other.

Abstract: A sliding mechanism for connecting a display housing and an input housing of a portable communication device. The sliding mechanism includes a slide and a sliding element. The slide is fixed on the input housing and the sliding element is fixed on the display housing. The sliding element is slidably provided on the slide so that the display housing can slide relative to the input housing. Both the slide and the sliding element are hidden between the input housing and the display housing when the input housing and the display housing slide relative to each other. A portable communication device utilizing the slide mechanism is also disclosed.

Abstract: A reinforcing apparatus for a housing of a bar-type mobile phone is provided to allow the housing to bend and straighten. The mobile phone includes a first housing having a liquid crystal display and a second housing having a key pad. The apparatus includes a first reinforcing member in the first housing, a second reinforcing member in the second housing, and a reinforcing connector that couples the first and second reinforcing members to each other and connects the first and second housings so that they may be bent or straightened with respect to one another. This configuration minimizes damage caused by dropping the phone.

Abstract: A system for the application of a trading card metaphor to a disassociated computer program and the unique design of several hardware and software systems supports and enhances collecting, trading, game playing, and creating of digital electronic trading cards by taking the traditional trading card metaphor and uniquely updating and enhancing it for application in consumer digital media. An electronic hardware and software architecture for electronic trading cards (ETCs) has a number of components that function together as a system that support making electronic trading cards, trading electronic trading cards, activities (such as game playing) with electronic trading cards, and collecting electronic trading cards. The ETC format is embodied in the components of the electronic trading card system, which are designed to generate and accept a common proprietary electronic trading card format, so that, for example, a card created in a card-making application can be recognized by an electronic trading card album.

Abstract: As a user views online content such as a news articles on a Web page, a personalized fantasy sports context interface provides information and Web links related to fantasy sports teams or players such as the names of real-life players and teams that are mentioned in the online content. The fantasy sports context is displayed in conjunction with, e.g., alongside, the online content to provide convenient access to the information and the Web links while the user is viewing the content. The displayed information includes a list of players mentioned in the article, links to Web pages related to each listed player. The fantasy sports context also provides features for performing actions related to each listed player, such as viewing recent news items the player or adding/dropping the player to/from the user's fantasy sports team.

Abstract: Of a region in a tabular form having a plurality of entries and squares related to the entries, a portion thereof including a square designated by a player is displayed on a screen. Next, information about an entry related to the designated square is obtained. The obtained entry is displayed in association with a display position of the designated square.

Abstract: Disclosed are a game and method for a game including a stud poker feature game.

Abstract: A system for playing a game of skill with rules fashioned on those of poker and uses one suit of a standard deck of playing cards. The system comprises programming allowing a plurality of players to compete against one another, each player provided a screen with the same hand of face-up cards simultaneously. The cards in each hand are of the same suit. Each card is arranged within a circular configuration in sequential numerical and/or value order. The system deals each player a previously unknown and not predetermined initial set of cards as each other player and allows each player to change any one or more of his cards in sequential numeric/value order, up or down. Each single step up or down to change a card is considered a step and a predetermined total number of steps is allowed to attempt to achieve the best poker hand.

Abstract: A gaming system comprising a symbol selector arranged to select, in a first play round, at least one first symbol to form at least part of a first player hand comprised of a plurality of symbols and to select at least one second symbol to form at least part of a second player hand comprised of a plurality of symbols, and arranged to select, in each subsequent play round, at least one replacement symbol for modifying one of the first player hand or second player hand; and an outcome generator arranged to determine for each play round whether the game is completed or whether the game should proceed to a subsequent play round based on a ranking of one of the first player hand and the second player hand being higher than the other of the first player hand and the second player hand for at least two consecutive play rounds, the ranking of the first and second player hands being derived from the symbols of the hands.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a central controller, a central display which includes a plurality of display segments and a plurality player stations. The display segments are configured to each separately display one of a plurality of games, to co-act to display a plurality of games, or to co-act to display one game. Each player station is configured to enable a player to play one or more of the games displayed by the display segments. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play a group game on the central display, a plurality of players to simultaneously play multiple group games on the central display, and a plurality of players to each simultaneously play multiple individual games on the central display.

Abstract: A slot machine includes a first display, a second display, and a controller. In a base game, the first display rearranges a plurality of symbols arranged on a plurality of defined areas. The second display is disposed adjacent to the first display, and displays an effect image in the base game. The controller displays an image related to a decision of a payout amount of game mediums in a bonus game astride the first display and the second display in a case of shifting a game from the base game to the bonus game and executing the bonus game.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include method and system for providing a bonus game of chance in conjunction with a plurality of base games of chance over a plurality of gaming locations. The bonus game is associated with a vault including a bonus prize and a secret combination of discrete elements. A player is qualified to participate in the bonus game upon meeting at least one winning criterion on the base game of chance. An input device is provided to be presented to the player, wherein the player inputs a guess at the secret combination. The player guess at the secret combination is then received through the input device and a determination is won as to whether the bonus prize is won based on the secret combination, the player guess, and a matching criteria associated with the secret combination.

Abstract: Frameworks for providing modular computer program code and automated configuration of server-based gaming environments are disclosed. One or more “pluggable” modular gaming modifier can be provided for the modular computer program code without requiring the replacement of the entire computer program code for the game. Typically, the pluggable” modular gaming modifier can be added to or can replace one or more gaming modules or sub-modules, thereby requiring less time and effort for effectively modifying game presentation. In addition, configuration data can be generated and stored as configurations templates which can be used to configure one or more gaming machines in an automated manner. The configuration templates can be generated based on gaming modules and/or sub-modules provided for modular computer program code.

Abstract: A gaming system where, as players place wagers to play the primary games of the gaming devices, a portion or percentage of the wager placed by each player to initiate the primary game is allocated to an accumulated value pool. A target value is based on the average expected payout of a bonus event. In one embodiment, if the accumulated value pool meets or exceeds the target value, a bidding sequence is triggered. During the bidding sequence, the central controller enables each of the players playing at the gaming devices to place one or more bids for the opportunity to participate in the bonus event. In one embodiment, the player who places the highest bid participates in the bonus event and is provided with a bonus award, wherein the bonus award may be equal to, higher than, or lower than the winning bid.

Abstract: A game of chance may be provided to a player. A system to provide the game of chance may include a display configured to sequentially display a set of elements and at least one set of bonus elements, each set simulating slot machine reels. The system may also include an input device configured to receive a player indication of desire to play the game. The system may also include a processor configured to, responsive to the player indication, determine the set of elements based on pre-defined rules, award at least one winning bonus spin to the player if the set of elements are in a first pre-defined winning pattern, determine at least one set of bonus elements to the player, including a subset of winning sets of bonus elements, wherein a quantity of winning sets of bonus elements is equal to a quantity of winning bonus spins awarded to the player. The system may also include a dispenser for dispensing an award to the player, wherein the award is determined based on the subset of winning sets of bonus elements.

Abstract: A slot machine of the present invention comprises: a mechanical reel device provided with a plurality of reels each having a plurality of symbols drawn on its peripheral face; an image display device which is provided at a front of the mechanical reel device and is capable of changing the state of the backside thereof from visible to invisible by displaying an image; and a controller, the controller programmed to execute the processing of: (A) executing a game in which the plurality of symbols are variably displayed and then stop-displayed to the mechanical reel device after game media are BET in number equal to or less than a previously set maximum number of BETs, and game media are paid out in number according to the plurality of symbols stop-displayed or a combination thereof; (B) shifting a mode from a non-insurance mode to an insurance mode on condition that a predetermined number of game media is inserted; (C) counting the number of games played after shifting to the insurance mode, in the insurance mod

Abstract: A slot machine method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to present a player with multiple themes simultaneously. A main window can display one screen of a slot machine game, while other windows can display derivative displays of the main window but with a transformation. The transformation can be merely visual or can also affect payouts.

Abstract: A slot machine which differentiates display of symbols satisfying a condition for payout among several types of symbols arranged on a display from display of the other symbols and rearranges the symbols other than the symbols satisfying the condition for payout.

Abstract: A slot machine is adapted, with respect to a particular symbol selected by a player making a pressing operation to a touch panel, to have fixed a coinciding symbol neighboring a selected particular symbol and coinciding with the selected particular symbol, and raise a tonal scale of a stopping sound of symbols from a low pitch to a high pitch, in dependence on an increased number of such coinciding symbols.

Abstract: The plural symbols of a plurality of areas are respectively scrolled and rearranged. Under state before one symbol is rearranged, when a symbol to be rearranged is as a stage having a possibility that a winning will occur in connection with the symbols having been already rearranged, an area width is enlarged in the scroll direction so that the arrangement number of the symbols is increased, for the area in which the symbols are scrolled.

Abstract: A gaming device and method where there is a primary game and a bonus game. The player makes a wager and plays the primary game to obtain an outcome. Before, during or after the primary game a bonus game is played, apart from the primary game, which can trigger an separate, unrelated award. A bonus award display displays any award from the bonus game.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine provides a base game comprising a multi-line spinning reel game and a random prize awarding feature which selectively provides a feature outcome. The machine is arranged to offer the feature outcome when a game has achieved a trigger condition, the machine including trigger detection arranged to test for the trigger condition and to initiate the feature outcome when the trigger condition occurs. The trigger condition may be determined by an event having a probability related to the number of lines played in the respective game. The feature outcome is provided as a feature game phase which comprises one or more free respins and feature game phase prizes are paid according to predetermined feature game phase rules. In a feature game phase all the reels are respun once and after the first free respin, and after any subsequent free respin, any reel strip displaying a symbol in a predefined manner is held in place for a remainder of the feature game phase.

Abstract: Rearrangement symbol data that relate to rearrangement symbols are received from a host computer 200 that determines rearrangement symbols for every unit game. Based on the rearrangement symbol data, a plurality of symbols 180 are rearranged. An award is given based on the plurality of symbols 180 thus rearranged.

Abstract: A slot machine 10 executes rescue pay when a value Ta of a unit game counter has reached Ta max k.

Abstract: Payout methods in a mechanical, an electro-mechanical and/or computer-based slot machine-like games-of-chance enable a series of awards based upon: appearance of predetermined symbol combinations in the symbol matrix; issuance of awards for the predetermined combination of symbols; removal of the winning symbol combinations from the symbol matrix; replacement of removed symbols with other symbols; issuance of awards for predetermined combination of symbols in the symbol matrix; and recurring cycles of award, removal and replacement until no winning symbol combinations appear in the symbol matrix.

Abstract: The invention provides a gaming machine having manufacturer-limited parameter values or parameter value combinations selectable by an operator during gaming machine set-up. The parameter values preferably include different maximum pay lines associated with different denominations and are limited to those which have been determined by the manufacturer to provide optimum game play. The different maximum pay lines may be associated with different math models having substantially the same payback percentage values. Subsequent operator selection of the parameter values during gaming machine therefore setup allows the gaming machine having a single game theme or a gaming machine having multiple game themes to be configured with different maximum pay lines for each single game theme. As a result, the player can play a single theme wagering game with a first maximum pay line value and with a second maximum pay line value where the second maximum pay line value differs from the first maximum pay line value.

Abstract: Methods for apportioning revenue in an online game-playing community include: maintaining a trait summation ladder, the trait summation ladder comprising a hierarchy of player communities, each player community comprising one or more player groups all having a given trait; receiving a request from a user to play an online game, wherein the user is a member of a player group comprising one or more players sharing a given trait; receiving a request from the user to play a session of the online game in a forum corresponding to a given community, wherein the community includes the user's player group; computing an amount of revenue derived from the player during the session; and determining, based on a level of the given community within the trait summation ladder, a given percentage of the revenue amount to allocate to the player group. Corresponding systems are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus and method providing at least one input device which enables a player to deposit an amount of money into a gaming device and a memory device configured to store the deposited amount of money. The gaming device displays the amount of money deposited by the player on a credit meter or display. The gaming device includes a game operable upon a wager. The gaming device further includes at least one input device for enabling the player to initiate a play of the game by inputting the wager using the deposited funds. The game includes a plurality of award opportunities. The gaming device determines which of the award opportunities will be employed based on the amount of money deposited by the player. In one embodiment, the gaming device provides an enhanced award opportunity if the amount of money deposited by the player is at or above a designated amount of money. In one embodiment, the deposited amounts are on a gaming system, such as a gaming system accessed through the internet.

Abstract: Unidentified player tracking systems and related methods of tracking an unidentified player are disclosed herein. According to one method, an unidentified player initiates a first gaming session on a first networked gaming machine, and the gaming activity data during the first gaming session is accumulated. A printed voucher that includes an identification number is issued in response to input from the unidentified player to terminate the first gaming session. The accumulated gaming activity data is then associated with the identification number of the printed voucher, and the identification number of the printed voucher and the associated gaming activity of the unidentified player is stored for future analysis.

Abstract: In a game machine, a game system, and a game control method according to the present invention, it is made possible to select a game using base game software when points awarded according to a past game execution amount is not more than a preset threshold value. It is made possible to select specific game software on which a higher bet can be bet than that bet on the base game software, in addition to the game using the base game software, when the points are more than the preset threshold value. Therefore, a higher frequent player of the game machine can execute a game capable of higher bet.

Abstract: A peripheral device of a gaming machine includes an imaging unit and a processor. The imaging unit images a human face in response to one imaging command, and generates a plurality of different imaging signals. The processor operates to select one imaging signal from the plurality of imaging signals generated by the imaging unit in response to one imaging command.

Abstract: A peripheral device of a gaming machine includes an imaging unit, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores therein a reference data item of a predetermined area of an image that is based on an imaging signal generated by the imaging unit. The memory further stores therein several imaging signals generated by the imaging unit under several different imaging conditions. The processor operates to select, among the imaging signals stored in the memory, such an imaging signal that a data item about an image based thereon is closest to the reference data item of the predetermined area of the image. The processor further operates to set a condition for an imaging by the imaging unit to an imaging condition corresponding to the imaging signal thus selected.

Abstract: A peripheral device of a gaming machine includes an imaging unit, a memory, and a processor. The imaging unit images a human face and generates an imaging signal. The memory stores therein a reference distance data item relating to a distance from the imaging unit to an imaging object. The processor operates to measure the distance to generate a distance data item, and to correct the imaging signal generated by the imaging unit, based on a measured distance data item thus generated at a time of generation of the imaging signal and the reference distance data item stored in the memory.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a wagering system associated with a first wagering facility, the system communicably coupled with a network and including a memory operable to store betting odds on a plurality of wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. The system further includes a processor coupled to the memory and operable to receive a first bet on a particular event via the network, the particular event comprising at least one of the wagering events hosted by the first wagering facility. If a second bet is received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon both of the first bet and the second bet. If a second bet is not received within a predetermined period of time after the first bet is received, then the processor recalculates the betting odds on the particular event based upon the first bet.

Abstract: A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a plurality of possible game outcomes, is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random award from the prize pool for each of at least two game outcomes from the plurality of game outcomes.

Abstract: A method of providing a game for a gaming device using random payout from a prize pool, the game including a plurality of possible game outcomes, is provided. The method comprises: receiving, at the gaming device, a wager amount; receiving an input to initiate game play; and qualifying the wager amount to win a random award from the prize pool for each of at least two game outcomes from the plurality of game outcomes.

Abstract: A processing device measures the time it takes for a player to take some action in a game and bases the award or result in the game for the player at least in part on that measured time. A player receives a more desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a shorter player action time and/or receives a less desirable result or outcome for a particular game play in response to a longer player action time. Providing more desirable results for shorter player action times or less desirable results for longer player action times provides players an incentive that influences them to take the appropriate player actions more quickly.

Abstract: Procedure which comprises the control and statistical evaluation of the use and collection of each one of the gaming machines (1a, . . . 1n) and the game that they are showing for certain temporal parameters or in real time, determination of the functioning game most in demand, determination of the machines (1j) with the games least in use and/or that are unoccupied, and the changing of the game and rescheduling remotely of one or more of the gaming machines (1j) not in use, according to the statistical result and the situation, for a more demanded game. The system comprises a number of programmable linked gaming machines (1a, . . . 1n), at least one computer (4) connected to a local or global communications network (2a, 6) for the statistical control remotely, at least one storage base (5) for programs of programmable games in the gaming machines (1a, . . . 1n) remotely.

Abstract: Described herein are various systems and methods for providing gaming activities, these particularly relating to gaming activities where a plurality of players provide respective entry fees. Traditional gaming activities necessarily involve the player putting his or her entry fee at risk. The present invention, at least in some of its preferred forms, modifies the traditional approaches of operating such gaming activities so that the player's entry fee is not necessarily placed entirely at risk. Indeed, in some embodiments a player is provided with an option to participate on the basis that his or her entry fee is wholly refundable while retaining the opportunity to win prizes, potentially alongside more risky though still modified participation by other players.

Abstract: An advertisement delivery scheme and associated facility provide targeted advertisements for multiple video games without advertisers having to specify specific game titles in which they would like their advertisements placed. The targeted advertisements may be provided via a network connection while the video game applications are executed on gaming devices, or via other means. Advertisements may be targeted to groupings of one or more games, and or groupings of one or more players. Data about the presentation of advertisements, such as impression data, may be collected and reported on, along with other information tracked through a game playing device.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display, a touch panel, and a controller. The touch panel is disposed so as to cover a display screen of the display, and outputs a position signal corresponding to a position touched by a player. The controller displays an image on the display, and moves the image based on the position signal on either one of conditions that the position signal is continuously received from the touch panel for a predetermined period of time and that the position signal is received from the touch panel a predetermined number of times.

Abstract: An image display apparatus is caused to respectively display operation guidance constituted from operation instruction icons and end display icons each presenting a specific image and card type icons having display images indicating specific images in first and second specific regions of an image display screen under a predetermined condition. In the case where the operation instruction icons are selected and one end display icon is thereby reached when the card type icon corresponding to the specific image presented by the one end display icon is displayed in the second specific region, the display image of the card type icon is displayed so as to become an exposed state at least temporarily. A privilege relating to a special effect is applied to the player character in the case where all of the display images of the card type icons keep the exposed states for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: When a player character applies a damage to an attack target character on the basis of an attack action of the player character, it is determined whether the attack is a direct attack or a specific kind of attack different from the direct attack and defined in advance. A panic reaction term of a panic reaction is determined in the case where it is determined that the attack is the specific kind of attack. In the panic reaction, the attack target character becomes a state where the attack target character cannot attack the player character and defend oneself from an attack from the player character. The panic reaction is executed until the panic reaction term elapses. A privilege is applied to the player character in the case where it is determined that the attack target character suffers the direct attack during execution of the panic reaction.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes an LCD and a touch panel is provided on the LCD. On the LCD is displayed a game screen on which objects of different types are disposed so as to be aligned in a reticular pattern. By a player touching a desired object, a three-dimensional location of the object is set as a point of gaze of a virtual camera. Then, by the player moving a touch location, the location of the virtual camera (viewpoint) is changed according to the movement. In a virtual space, different layers are provided for the different types of objects. The objects are disposed so as not to overlap with each other between the different layers. When the viewpoint is fixed and a plurality of objects of different types intersecting a line of sight or a line parallel to the line of sight satisfy a predetermined condition, the objects are deleted.

Abstract: In accordance with some described embodiments, a keno game is tied to video content such that events in the video content determine the outcome of the keno game. In one example, outcome determinative events are selected from a set of potential outcome determinative events and marked with cues when the video content is displayed to the keno players and other video content watchers. The cues may be audible or visual and accentuate the fact that an outcome determinative event has occurred.

Abstract: A brush, that includes a bristle support member (205) and at least one bristle (210) attached to the bristle support member. The brush also includes at least one sensor (115) that detects motion of the brush and generates corresponding motion signals. A processor (110) can process the motion signals to generate gaming signals (160) and a gaming adapter (155) can communicate the gaming signals to a gaming device (165). The processor and gaming adapter can be positioned, at least in part, within the bristle support member. The brush also can include a timer (145) that generates timing signals. The processor can process the timing signals to limit a duration of game play. The processor also can process the timing signals to limit a number of gaming sessions in a period. Further, the gaming adapter can stop communicating the gaming signals after a timeout of the timer.