Patents Issued in January 31, 2013
  • Publication number: 20130029715
    Abstract: A push-to-talk mobile terminal is disclosed, and includes a mobile terminal body of push-to-talk. The mobile terminal also includes: a multifunctional interface socket and peripheral devices, wherein, one end of the multifunctional interface socket is connected with the mobile terminal body, and the other end is connected with the peripheral devices; the mobile terminal body includes a switch interface, and the mobile terminal body is connected with the multifunctional interface socket through the switch interface; the peripheral devices include an external Push To Talk (PTT) keyboard for controlling conversations of the push-to-talk mobile terminal. Therefore, the provided push-to-talk mobile terminal not only facilitates users to use and guarantees traffic safety, but also can enhance conversation effect and be easy to carry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ZTE CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hai Xu
  • Publication number: 20130029716
    Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for performing group-based machine to machine (M2M) communication. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method in which a plurality of M2M communication devices from a group, and a specific M2M communication device which is a member of the group performs communication with a base station, comprises the following steps: transmitting, to the base station, a first message for requesting network registration; receiving, as a response to the first message, a second message containing information on the representative M2M communication device which is a representative of the group; and transmitting, to the representative M2M communication device, data to be transmitted to the base station on the basis of the second message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jin Lee, In Uk Jung, Gi Won Park, Young Soo Yuk
  • Publication number: 20130029717
    Abstract: A mobile station includes a monitor configured to monitor an amount of change of timing which is indicative of transmitting data from the mobile station to a base station, and a controller configured to control a value of a transmission power required for transmitting the data when the amount reaches to a certain value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventor: Yoshimitsu SAITOH
  • Publication number: 20130029718
    Abstract: In a mobile communication apparatus capable of performing data communication by use of a first wireless access network and a second wireless access network, a receiver processes signals received from the first wireless access network and the second wireless access network, and a controller includes a processor, and establishes a connection to the second wireless access network and stops processing of signals received from the first wireless access network when the processor transitions to a suspend state after data communication using the first wireless access network is performed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU TOSHIBA MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS LIMITED
    Inventor: Naritoshi SAITO
  • Publication number: 20130029719
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing application service in a mobile communication system. A method in which a base station provides application service comprises: a step of receiving a request for application service from a mobile terminal; and a step of providing the mobile terminal with the requested application service on the basis of application service information pre-stored in the base station and/or application service information received from an application server, in accordance with whether or not the application service information corresponding to the requested application service is pre-stored in the base station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yoon-Il Choi, Young-Ky Kim
  • Publication number: 20130029720
    Abstract: A radio communication device may be provided. The radio communication device may include: a first circuit; a second circuit; a processor configured to operate the radio communication device in a plurality of operation modes, wherein the plurality of operation modes may include: a first operation mode in which the first circuit processes received data of a first communication channel independent from the second circuit and in which the second circuit processes received data of a second communication channel independent from the first circuit; and a second operation mode in which the first circuit and the second circuit jointly process received data of a third communication channel. The radio communication device may further include a mode switching circuit configured to switch between the plurality of operation modes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTEL MOBILE COMMUNICATIONS GMBH
    Inventor: Thorsten Clevorn
  • Publication number: 20130029721
    Abstract: The invention provides a communication device for automatically switching its communication modes and an operating method thereof. The communication device includes a photodetector module, a processing module, and a coder-decoder (CODEC) module. The photodetector module is configured to sense variation of light from an object to obtain an optical signal, and is configured to convert the optical signal to an electric current signal, wherein the light varies with a position of the object from the communication device. The processing module is connected to the photodetector module and is configured to direct the CODEC module to switch between audio channels of the communication device according to the electric current signal so as to change a communication mode of the communication device in a phone call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicants: Inventec Appliances (Pudong) Corporation, Inventec Appliances (Jiangning) Corporation, Inventec Appliances Corp.
    Inventors: Yue-Bo Ma, Yang Liu
  • Publication number: 20130029722
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device is for use with a hearing aid including a hearing aid compatible (HAC) coil. The device may include a portable housing and a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing. The device may also include at least one image capture component and a positioning coil associated therewith and carried by the portable housing. A controller may also be carried by the portable housing for selectively operating the positioning coil for image capture, and for inductively coupling received signals from the wireless receiver to the HAC coil.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: RESEARCH IN MOTION LIMITED
    Inventor: Research In Motion Limited
  • Publication number: 20130029723
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for displaying content on a mobile device are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining content to display on the mobile device, obtaining distance information indicative of a distance that separates a user from the mobile device, accessing content-size data on the mobile device that is associated with the distance information, and adjusting a presentation of content on the mobile device based upon the content-size data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM INNOVATION CENTER, INC.
    Inventors: Saumitra M. Das, Hui Chao
  • Publication number: 20130029724
    Abstract: The disclosure provides a mobile phone and a method of utilizing a dial telephone in communication by the mobile phone. The mobile phone is electrically connected to the dial telephone via an audio interface and positioned on a dial plate of the dial telephone, and is rotated with the dial plate. The mobile phone stores a plurality of relationships between sensing parameters and numbers. A user of the mobile phone dials numbers via the dial plate, the mobile phone senses the number-dialing operations, dials out the dialed numbers, and makes a call via a receiver of the dial telephone, thus, it is no need to physically hold the mobile phone to communicate, thereby reducing the amount of radiation received by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: HON HAI PRECISION INDUSTRY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: YING-HAO HSU
  • Publication number: 20130029725
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for mitigating health risk from cell phone usage wherein a cell phone having a source of radiation generating excitatory radiation toward brain tissue and an earphone electrically connected to the cell phone via a cord of sufficient length to permit the cell phone to be located more than ten inches from brain tissue during operation of the cell phone. An automatic shutoff mechanism preventing operation of the cell phone unless the cord is extended at least ten inches whereby the excitatory radiation is at a sufficient distance from the brain tissue to prevent brain tissue damage from the excitatory radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SAFER TECHNOLOGIES LLC
    Inventors: Joan Lilia Heil-Brice, George Louis CARLO
  • Publication number: 20130029726
    Abstract: The method and system relate to prioritizing access and shaping traffic to the SIM such that the requests to the SIM that pertain to registering the wireless mobile device on a network are given a higher priority than other requests to the SIM. The higher priority requests that relate to registering the mobile device on a network may be processed by the SIM prior to at least one other request that is not related to registering the mobile device on the network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Michele Berionne, Vivek Shankar, K. Shreyas Hegde, J. Alfredo Ruvalcaba
  • Publication number: 20130029727
    Abstract: A radio base station eNB according to the present invention is provided with: a generation unit 12 configured to generate “eNB DIRECT INFORMATION TRANSFER (a message for information transfer)” including an information element “Inter-system Information Transfer Type” to which either one of a first information element “RIM Transfer” including first radio information requested in GERAN and a first forwarding address destined for the GERAN, or a second information element “SON information transfer for E-UTRAN-UTRAN” including second radio information requested in UTRAN and a second forwarding address destined for the UTRAN can be set.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: NTT DOCOMO, INC.
    Inventors: Hideaki Takahashi, Wuri Andarmawanti Hapsari
  • Publication number: 20130029728
    Abstract: A controller acquires first phonebook data from a portable Bluetooth phone via a Bluetooth interface portion, and stores the first phonebook data in a storage portion. A use flag is attached to the first phonebook data of the portable Bluetooth phone stored in the storage portion. When the use flag is set to “1,” the controller stores a copy of the first phonebook data of the portable Bluetooth phone in the storage portion as second phonebook data for an in-vehicle phone. When the in-vehicle phone is selected, as a used phone, the second phonebook data for the in-vehicle phone stored in the storage portion is available.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Suguru Matsushita, Soichi Saito, Ryuuji Sakata, Shinichi Yamamoto, Kazushige Hayashi, Masao Sasaki
  • Publication number: 20130029729
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing, a wireless transceiver carried by the portable housing, an input device carried by the portable housing, a display carried by the portable housing, and a processor carried by the portable housing and coupled to the wireless transceiver, the input device, and the display. The processor may perform a time alarm function having a time alarm value settable via the input device, and generate an alarm indication upon reaching the time alarm value. The processor also may generate a first time alarm function GUI on the display including a first selectable menu list for the time alarm function, and generate a second time alarm function GUI including a second selectable menu list on the display different from the first selectable menu list when a current time is within a threshold time of the time alarm value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Michael Logan, Rohill Rocky Jain, Steve Kin Ping Chung
  • Publication number: 20130029730
    Abstract: A mobile electronic apparatus includes a memory that stores a search range of an object and a processor that executes a process. The process includes acquiring a moving speed of the mobile electronic apparatus, determining the search range of the object on a basis of the moving speed, detecting the object existing within the search range, detecting whether a display unit of the mobile electronic apparatus is in an active state, and notifying that the object is detected when the display unit is detected to be in the active state and the object existing within the search range is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Noriyuki HARADA, Hiroshi KANNO, Toshiya MIYAZAKI
  • Publication number: 20130029731
    Abstract: There are provided a portable device, and a control program and a control method of the portable device. The portable device includes a display unit, an input unit configured to detect an input to the display unit, and a control unit configured to set and cancel a limit function of limiting an input by the input unit. The control unit is configured to display two or more objects on the display unit and to cancel the limit function when two of the displayed objects are matched with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: KYOCERA CORPORATION
    Inventors: Takayoshi FUCHIGAMI, Sunao HASHIMOTO
  • Publication number: 20130029732
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an apparatus and a method for controlling a function of a communication module in a portable terminal, by which the function of the communication module can be automatically turned on or off in order to reduce the consumption of a battery of the portable terminal based on a connection/disconnection pattern, so that learning pattern the communication module selectively turned on a particular cycle calculated as a learning pattern.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jin-Man KIM
  • Publication number: 20130029733
    Abstract: A wireless communication circuit includes a sensing unit, a control unit and a wireless communication unit. The sensing unit is for detecting existence of a surrounding object, to generate a sensing signal. The control unit is coupled to the sensing unit, for generating a control signal according to the sensing signal. The wireless communication unit is coupled to the control unit, for adaptively adjusting a circuit configuration of the wireless communication unit according to the control signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Chung-Yen Yang
  • Publication number: 20130029734
    Abstract: A method for controlling a crop separating process of a combine harvester with a separation device that transfers crop a cleaning device having at least one sieve with adjustable opening widths driven in an oscillating manner and a fan providing air flow upon the sieves to loosen the crop located thereon, assures that substantially three different loosening phases (F, S, W) occur during the loosening of the crop. The method determines current separation curves of the crop across a width of the cleaning device at points separated from each other in a conveyance direction (FR), evaluates the separation curves, detects the loosening phase (F, S, W) present in a conveyance direction (FR) by comparing the separation curves and initiates action depending on a detected loosening phase (F, S, W) that results in optimization of the loosening on at least one section of the cleaning device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Willi Behnke, Markus Brune
  • Publication number: 20130029735
    Abstract: A virtual world environment unit, and related methods, operable to simulate an actual live event in substantially real-time is disclosed. Also disclosed is an interactive media system configured to present a substantially real-time simulation of an actual live event involving a moveable object in an arena.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: VIRTUALLY LIVE LTD.
    Inventors: Jesus Hormigo Cebolla, Jamil Nadim El Imad
  • Publication number: 20130029736
    Abstract: A card game is played against a pay table, wherein a player receives a partial hand that is preferably completed by community cards, but may be completed by cards dealt directly to a hand or a combination of cards dealt directly to a hand and at least one community card or wild card. After placement of an ante wager, each player will have an opportunity to place a game wager before receiving another card for the player's hand (whether dealt directly to the player or as a community card revealed to all players). At least some or all game wagers may be an amount within a range of multiples of the player's ante wager, such as one times, two times, three times, four times, or five times the amount of the ante wager. The range of wagers may remain the same or vary with the number of dealt cards or community card revealed to the players.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Mark L. Yoseloff
  • Publication number: 20130029737
    Abstract: Texas Hold-em poker games are described that optionally include three hole cards. By providing 3 hole cards and allowing a player to discard one, new winning possibilities are provide to hold and maintain enhanced player interest. Variations of the game may be played on slot machines, via the internet, cell phones and in other venues. The 3 hold card game scheme desirably may be combined with other variations such as folding up, bonus features, and use of personalities for virtual computer opponents.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Michael D. A. BAKER
  • Publication number: 20130029738
    Abstract: A casino game utilizes at least one deck of playing cards, the game comprising: each player placing at least one wager to participate in the casino game; dealing a first number of cards to a dealer, the first number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for the dealer; dealing a second number of cards to each player, the second number of cards being greater than the number of cards to be used in determination of a poker rank hand for each player; the dealer discarding at least one card to form a resulting single dealer hand; each player discarding at least one card to form a resulting player's hand for each player, wherein the number of cards in resulting player's hands and the resulting dealer's hand are equal; and resolving each player hand against the dealer's hand according to predetermined game rules. The initial player's wagers must be at least matched with a Game Bet (or play bet) to remain in the game after players have received their cards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Roger M. Snow
  • Publication number: 20130029739
    Abstract: A gaming system and method is disclosed that includes a personalized tournament or group event hosting website wherein players may participate in or organize one or more groups and/or associated group events online or at participating casinos, invite friends and acquaintances to join one or more groups, accept or extend invitations to play in tournaments or competitions, and, set up and enter tournaments or competitions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Multimedia Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick Ramsey, Bradley W. Johnson, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130029740
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of gaming, in which a first player and a second player each submit a set of 2 completed gaming tables, a game board and a guess board, for competition against each other. Each gaming table has the same number of gaming cells and is populated by the respective player with a set of tokens. The populated game board of the first player is compared to the populated guess board of the second player to determine a score for either the first player or the second player, depending on the scoring methodology. Similarly, the populated game board of the second player is compared to the guess board of the first player to determine a score for the first player. Two gaming tables are compared against each other by comparing the values of tokens located in corresponding positions of the gaming tables that are being compared. An intermediate score is determined for each position on the gaming table. Those intermediate scores are then utilised to determine a score for a player.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Anthony Robert Farah
  • Publication number: 20130029741
    Abstract: A virtual roulette game is provided. An example system models virtual roulette wheel operation and generates a repeating sequence of numbers associated with a rotating roulette wheel. Each roulette number is shown, in turn, across multiple individual player displays, effectively turning the collective displays into a view of the rotating virtual roulette wheel. A player may place many types of wagers on where a number or virtual roulette ball will end up. In one implementation, a player may be designated as the virtual roulette ball. The system may allow multiple virtual roulette balls to change odds or enable additional bets. Color-coded roulette balls may also provide rolled die outcome, so that roulette and dice games may be played simultaneously on the same setup. The player stations of multiple electronic game tables and multiple remote video displays may be collectively coupled to become a single virtual roulette wheel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: DIGIDEAL CORPORATION INC
    Inventor: TYLER KUHN
  • Publication number: 20130029742
    Abstract: An instant lottery game and a draw based lottery game that are both based on a set of rules of a playing card game such that an entry into the instant lottery game provides automatic eligibility for an entry into the draw based lottery game are established. Further, a processor generates a random selection of a subset of a deck of playing card indicia concurrently with a purchase of a lottery ticket having the instant lottery game and the draw based lottery game. In addition, a ticket printer prints the subset of the deck of playing card indicia on a lottery ticket according to an order of the random selection and a plurality of order indicia such that each indicium in the plurality of order indicia has an association with a playing card indicium in the deck of playing card indicia to indicate an order in the subset of the deck of playing card indicia.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Michael D. Frick, Mark B. Davis, David Richard Mizeur, Stan Pade
  • Publication number: 20130029743
    Abstract: A system and method are described for generating hybrid lottery tickets. The hybrid lottery tickets comprise both an instant win portion and a draw portion. The instant win portion provides the opportunity to win a prize at the time of purchase while the draw portion provides the opportunity to win a prize based on a subsequently occurring draw. The instant win portion is generated based on the draw portion, allowing the hybrid lottery ticket to be generated at the time of purchase.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ONTARIO LOTTERY AND GAMING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Adam Bruce CAUGHILL, Steven Joseph DOLAN, Ji HUANG
  • Publication number: 20130029744
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling remote purchase of lottery tickets. A conveyor of goods uses a communications device to prove, via GPS, that they are in a particular location, such as within a specific state so as to legally purchase a lottery ticket, via the communications device such as a smart phone or other mobile electronic device with equivalent means for confirming the geographic location of the user and device. I participant can log onto an application or website provided by the lottery vendor, prove location to the vendor via the device's connectivity to a GPS system, then purchase a ticket. The method proves current geographical location employing a communications device or an electronic location device when required by another conveyor of a good or service or by requirement of a third party entity including but not limited to a governing or regulatory body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan Wayne Harding, James Matthew Miller
  • Publication number: 20130029745
    Abstract: A system and method for providing a secondary gaming feature across affiliated properties, which includes enabling secondary game elements based upon based upon the wagering activity of the player at a base game. When the elements have been enabled a winning or losing outcome for the secondary game may be derived. In certain embodiments the player may select from one or more secondary games. The player may wager upon the secondary game using promotional funds. The secondary game may be a progressive game whose prize is funded based upon player wagering activity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Robert W. Crowder, JR., Dennis W. Lockard, Robert A. Luciano, JR., Jeffrey C. Tallcott
  • Publication number: 20130029746
    Abstract: A wagering game, gaming machine, gaming network, and associated methods are disclosed including scatter symbols, and more specifically a left-to-right scatter feature having variable increasing payouts associated with each symbol. The symbols in the left-to-right scatter may interact visually in a sequential manner according to a theme.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventors: Brian Alexander Watkins, JP Cody
  • Publication number: 20130029747
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20130029748
    Abstract: Various embodiments are directed to converting a conventional video-based gaming machine into a mechanical reel gaming machine with physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto. The repurposed gaming machine does not need any further approval by a government regulator because the existing video game software is not changed. In other embodiments, a mechanical reel-based gaming machine is upgraded to provide physically-spinning stepper reels having video displays affixed thereto.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: BALLY GAMING, INC.
    Inventors: Bryan M. Kelly, Stephen E. Patton, Joseph Lerner, Martin S. Lyons
  • Publication number: 20130029749
    Abstract: A gaming machine and method are provided which provide a plurality of games on a display device to a player. The outcome of the games are randomly selected and displayed on the display device. For each game: if the outcome is a winning outcome an award is awarded to the player as a function of the outcome, the wager made by the player, and a predetermined paytable and if a triggering condition in the outcome of each game, an other award is responsively awarded to the player if the triggering condition is detected in at least two of the plurality of games.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Konami Gaming, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith Rucker, Jason Gilmore
  • Publication number: 20130029750
    Abstract: A player plays a first round of a casino slot machine game. If the player achieves a winning outcome on the first round of play, the payouts for the next round of play of the casino game will be increased. The amount of the increase is based on the category of the winning outcome on the first round of play. Each subsequent round of play continues to have increased payouts if the player continues to achieve winning outcomes. When the player has a losing outcome, the payouts revert to the base level. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of the casino game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Ernest W. Moody
  • Publication number: 20130029751
    Abstract: A gaming system displays a plurality of emblems in a predefined field. For a play of an accumulator positioning game, the gaming system enables a player to position at least one accumulator in the field based on a set of accumulator positioning criteria. The accumulator positioning criteria define allowable accumulator positions and also define whether a positioned accumulator causes the gaming system to indicate any of the emblems as winning emblems. The gaming system may indicate such winning emblems based on a spatial relationship between that emblem and any accumulator, such as a relationship wherein an accumulator encircles an emblem. The gaming system indicates any such winning emblems and provides an award for the play of the game based on any indicated winning emblems.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: IGT
  • Publication number: 20130029752
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: IGT
  • Publication number: 20130029753
    Abstract: Sponsored gaming allows a person to provide benefits to a person playing a game such as a slot machine, video poker, online gambling, etc. A sponsor can make a payment in order to improve the odds of a player winning a jackpot, round, hand or game. A sponsor can make a payment to improve a player's odds or to increase the number of units in a player's bet, or to cause other effects. A method for sponsoring gaming can include accessing a sponsor interface; selecting one or more sponsor variables and transferring value; and altering a game to provide a sponsored benefit to a player in response to the selected one or more sponsor variables. The sponsor variables can include a game or game console, a player, a payout, betting units, and/or a statistical advantage, for example. A host of the game, such as a casino or online betting operator, can receive a portion of the payment or other compensation for allowing the sponsorship.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Charles J. Kulas
  • Publication number: 20130029754
    Abstract: Each player receives a play deck of cards from 1 to a first number and a guess deck of cards from 1 to the first number times the number of players. Each player selects a guess card representing each player's guess of the hand total. Play proceeds with each player revealing a play card and adding numerical values of revealed play cards to obtain a hand total when all have revealed a play card. The player whose guess card equals the hand total wins the hand. Alternatively, a player whose guess card is closest to without exceeding the hand total can win.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Robert C. Sotile
  • Publication number: 20130029755
    Abstract: Wagering systems includes a secure wireless network operating within a wagering premises and including one or more network access points for transmitting and receiving network data for devices authorized to participate on the secure wireless network. A server system communicates with the secure wireless network and includes a server with a communication interface for conveying wager requests and wager acknowledgements on the secure wireless network and between the server and mobile devices, which send the wager requests and receive the wager acknowledgements. The mobile devices present a wager interface to enable a user to develop a wager identification including a wagering event, a wager type, and a wager amount. Responsive to the wager identification, a participant interface is presented on the mobile device for enabling the user to develop a participant identification including one or more participants for achieving one or more participant goals identified responsive to the wager type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: United Tote Company
    Inventors: Roger Villarreal, Benjamin Murr, Swain Sivarajah, Jyothi Badireddy, Mark Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130029756
    Abstract: A game is comprised of a plurality of stages. Each operation of the game begins with the operation of a first stage. Depending on the outcome of the first stage the game may be over, or there may be an operation of a second stage. Depending on the outcome of the second stage, the game may be over or there may be an operation of another stage. This sequence continues until the game ends or until the final (nth) stage has been operated, at which time the game ends. Wagers are made on successive stages of the multi-stage game. Each stage of the game may typically have its own paytable or payout scheme, and its own expected return.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: CASE VENTURE MANAGEMENT, LLC
    Inventors: Scott D. Slomiany, Lawrence E. DeMar, Duncan F. Brown
  • Publication number: 20130029757
    Abstract: A gaming system where in one embodiment, as players play the primary games of the gaming devices, players are enabled to join one of a plurality of teams associated with a secondary team game. Each of the teams includes a plurality of players. The gaming system periodically monitors at least one factor or parameter of each player's gaming activity to determine a score for that player. In one embodiment, the scores for each of the players on each team are accumulated to determine that team's cumulative score. If a team's cumulative score reaches a winning value, the gaming system provides a prize to one or more of the players on that team. The gaming system enables players to switch from one team to another in attempt to be on a particular team when that team's cumulative score reaches a winning value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: Daniel J. DeWaal
  • Publication number: 20130029758
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for presenting payouts in primary and/or secondary gaming activities. A plurality of concentric wheels, rings, or other shapes are provided, where each includes a plurality of different symbols, numbers, or other indicia that can be used as a part of a collective payout award. The wheels, rings, or shapes are rotated, and at least one segment designator is provided to demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the wheels, rings, or shapes stop spinning. The payout amount is based on the aggregate of the symbols, numbers, and/or other indicia presented via the segment designator(s) when the spinning wheels, rings, or shapes have come to rest. In an alternate embodiment, the segment designators are rotated, and demarcate segments of each wheel, ring, or shape as an active segment when the segment designators stop spinning.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: King Show Games, Inc.
    Inventor: King Show Games, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130029759
    Abstract: In some implementations of global pool betting, bets can be received at multiple regional servers, each serving a different geographical region. Bets can be initiated, and subsequently transmitted to a regional server, as text messages (e.g., short message service (SMS) messages) at the regional server. A regional server can process the bets and add bet amounts to a regional betting pool accordingly. The bets can be collected at the regional server over a configured period of time. When the configured period of time has elapsed, the regional server can transmit information defining the regional betting pool to global server where the regional betting pool can be added to a global betting pool containing bets from other regional betting pools.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: INTERNATIONAL MOBILE SPORTSBOOK COMPANY S.L
    Inventor: James Sene
  • Publication number: 20130029760
    Abstract: A method of combining games based on levels of interactivity of the games is disclosed. It is identified that a player is idle with respect to a primary game, the primary game having a first level of interactivity. A secondary game having a second level of interactivity is selected based on the second level of interactivity being compatible with the first level of interactivity. The player is provided with an option to participate in the secondary game while the player is idle with respect to the primary game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: ZYNGA INC.
    Inventors: Justin Wickett, Shane Ishmael Sareli, Michael Kane, Justin Potter Driemeyer, Lamberto Alvaro
  • Publication number: 20130029761
    Abstract: The invention allows a casino, or other entity, via a game machine, to provide relevant information at appropriate times, and/or in response to appropriate events, to players using the game machine. A dynamic and flexible system adapted to interact with players on an individual basis by aiding in the management, determination, distribution, and delivery of promotional, inspirational, instructive, informational, communicative, incentive, and other types of messages, is provided. Various methods are provided to ensure that receiving messages at a game machine enhances a player's overall gaming experience by selectively outputting helpful and desirable messages to players while minimizing interference with the players' gaming and to avoid overwhelming players with unsolicited, unwanted, and/or irrelevant messages.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2012
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: IGT
    Inventor: IGT
  • Publication number: 20130029762
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for selectively modifying the display of an advertisement based on an interactive gaming environment associated with the advertisement. An action relating to game play in the interactive gaming environment is received from a user and stored on a remote server. The display of the advertisement is then modified in response to the action from the user by, for example, skipping the displayed advertisement. In some embodiments, an advertisement modification credit is associated with the user profile of the user who provided the action. Based on the amount of advertisement modification credits associated with the particular user, the server determines whether or not to modify the display of the advertisement. Based on the determination, the display of the advertisement is modified if the amount of advertisement modification credits associated with the particular user is greater than or equal to an advertisement modification threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: UNITED VIDEO PROPERTIES, INC.
    Inventor: Walter R. Klappert
  • Publication number: 20130029763
    Abstract: A game controller includes a controller housing, a management module and a locating device, wherein the body has a left handle and a right handle, the management module is fixed in the body for processing the data which is generated by a plurality of function buttons and the locating device, and processing communication with a game platform, the locating device links with the management module, the locating device provides for locating precise to the game character of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Haitao Zhou
  • Publication number: 20130029764
    Abstract: A gun shaped game controller includes a gun shell, a calibration key, self-defined function keys, a two-axis gyroscope chip, a two-axis geomagnetic chip, a three-axis gravity acceleration chip, a human body capacitive touch chip, a battery compartment, a trigger, an arrow key, a cancel key, an infrared sensor, an angle adjustment knob and a main control circuit board. The two-axis gyroscope chip, the two-axis geomagnetic chip and the three-axis gravity acceleration chip achieve 3D spatial positioning of a “virtual potentiometer” via spatial geometrical mathematical modeling algorithm to meet predetermined objectives.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Inventor: Yi Zhong Wang