Abstract: A game of chance, a ticket for a game of chance, and a method of playing and operating a game of chance are provided. The game includes a plurality of parameters, each parameter representing a unit of time, and each parameter including a separate matrix with variables representing a subunit or a point of time contained within the parameter. The game of chance is configured such that a player selects one or more player variables within at least one of the parameters, and a gaming operator draws one or more operator variables from a same set of the parameters and a same set of the variables within the parameters. If the player variables selected by the player matches the operator variables selected by the operator, then a corresponding payout is awarded.

Abstract: One object is to provide a setup for recommending a game content more effectively. In accordance with one aspect, a server device according to an embodiment includes: a game progress control unit for controlling the game progress; an information storage unit for storing information; a determination unit for determining whether a player owns a game content that requires a change in display mode of a screen containing a guidance display area for guiding the player to a gasha screen for obtaining a card as a game content; and a display control unit for displaying the screen containing the guidance display area on the terminal device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a lottery ticket to a player of a hybrid game having a gambling game portion and an entertainment game portion are provided. One or more lottery tickets are generated by a lottery system and transmitted to the hybrid game where the one or more lottery tickets are held in a queue. Attendant rules for issuing a lottery ticket are also transmitted to the hybrid game. The hybrid game receives player actions from the entertainment portion of the hybrid game and, based on the player actions and the attendant rules, awards a lottery ticket to the player.

Abstract: A method of allowing a player to play a keno-type game on a gaming machine is described herein. The method includes displaying the keno-type game including a plurality of game symbols. The plurality of game symbols includes a set of player selectable game symbols and a non-player selectable game symbol. A first collection of game symbols is selected from the set of player selectable game symbols. A second collection of game symbols is randomly selected from the set of player selectable game symbols and the non-player selectable game symbol. The method includes determining if a triggering condition occurs, wherein the triggering condition is defined as at least one of the randomly selected game symbols in the second collection matching the non-player selectable game symbol, and generating a game outcome based on the selected first collection and the selected second collection and the occurrence of the triggering condition.

Abstract: A remote player at a first location which is remote from a second location where a bingo game is being presented is able to participate in the bingo game via a proxy player at the second location. The remote player may provide instructions to the proxy agent who uses financial account information to purchase and play bingo cards on behalf of the remote player. Winning and losing outcomes are reported to the remote player. Awards for winning outcomes may comprise the award of one or more additional game cards for the same bingo game or other bingo games.

Abstract: A gaming system and method for use in one or more casino establishments for offering a secondary game initiated after a loss. The gaming machine and method are offered on electronic gaming machines such as slot machines and video poker machines, but may also be deployed in other forms such as on a general purpose computing device in stand-alone form or connected to a network such as the internet.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for enhancing game components in a gaming system, the method comprising: displaying at least one of a row and a column of the game components along a plane on a display device in accordance with a set of game rules for a given game, each one of the game components having an original symbol associated thereto; selecting at least one of the game components for enhancement; expanding selected ones of the game components outside of the plane and associating at least one additional symbol to expanded selected ones of the game components; and integrating the at least one additional symbol into the given game.

Abstract: Gaming systems, devices and methods are set forth which provide for the selection and application of modifiers to game outcomes. The modifiers confer different functionalities to base game symbols or an augmenting functionality to alter or provide an outcome.

Abstract: To conduct a contest, game parameters are downloaded from a server to a device in response to a player app being launched on the device. The player device displays available games that can be played by a player, the games including target game locations from which the games can be played. A player is allowed to select a game to play only when the player is within a predetermined distance of a target game location and when check-ins are still available for the game. A jackpot prize is awarded to the player if the player is a winner of a game selected by the player. The player is entered in a raffle if the player is not the winner of the game selected by the player.

Abstract: A character input device of the present invention includes a skill estimation unit that estimates the skill of a user in character input operation, based on the history of key operation by the user. In this character input device, a determination period for determining an input character being selected by a character input interface unit is increased or decreased, according to the skill estimated by the skill estimation unit. The character input interface unit selects the character based on the number of times at which a same key has been depressed, and judges whether or not the determination operation of the character has been performed, based on the determination period.

Abstract: A payment card is disclosed. The payment card may comprise a substrate, and an issuer identifier, and a game code printed on the substrate. The payment card may be a stored value card or a gift card, and can be used in an open loop payment system. A removable layer can be present over the game code.

Abstract: Various techniques are described for facilitating implementation and use of accomplishment-based games or applications for wager-based challenges (collectively “Game” or “Challenge”) for the purpose of facilitating person-to-person, business-to-business, and/or business-to-consumer wagering in an asynchronous environments.

Abstract: Example systems and methods involve an information processing apparatus configured to transmit transmission data to one or more of a plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the transmission data including identification information for content data executed by the information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus is also configured to receive reception data from one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses, the reception data from each respective other information processing apparatus including identification information for content data executed by the respective other information processing apparatus. The information processing apparatus accesses purchase information associated with purchasing content data corresponding to at least one piece of identification information included in the reception data received from the one or more of the plurality of other information processing apparatuses.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include determining content from both a first wagering game application and from a second wagering game application. The first and second wagering game applications can be independent wagering game applications played by a player account during a wagering game session. The operations can further include determining some portion of the second content (e.g., three-dimensional objects) that appears to originate from a second-application domain (e.g., from within confines of the second wagering game application), and presenting the portion of the second content within a first-application domain (e.g., within confines of the first wagering game application). In some embodiments, the operations can further include presenting the portion of the second content interacting with the first content within the first-application domain (e.g.

Abstract: Systems and methods in accordance with embodiments of the invention operate an autonomous agent hybrid game including a gambling game providing a game of chance and an entertainment game providing a game of skill, where the autonomous agent hybrid game utilizes an agency module constructed to: configure an agent player profile based upon player instructions, where an agent player action during entertainment game gameplay is determined by the configuration of the agent player profile; communicate an agent gameplay gambling event occurrence based upon an agent player action to the gambling game, where the gameplay gambling event occurrence triggers an agent wager in the gambling game; and allocate a payout from the agent wager to a player profile associated with the player instructions based upon the agent player profile.

Abstract: A system and method for user interaction includes a network, a server connected to the network, a supervisor device receiving information from a global positioning system and connected to the network, a user device receiving information from the global positioning system and connected to the network. The supervisor, having the supervisor device, defines a set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones in which the user device is tracked, and saves the set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones to a supervisor account on the server. The user downloads a user application, sets-up a user account, and downloads the set of virtual geographic zones and sub-zones. As the user, having the user device, moves through the virtual geographic zones and sub-zones the location of the user device is determined and a set of supervisor-defined actions are executed on the user device based on the location of the user device.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: Electronic fund transfer (EFT) systems and methods are disclosed for managing and transferring electronic funds from a patron's financial account to provide gaming or amusement credit in physical or electronic form. The systems comprise an electronic fund transfer (EFT) device, a secure payment gateway configured to connect to the patron's financial accounts via a financial network, a host system, and a funds management portal connected to the host system and to the secure payment gateway. The EFT device is configured to communicate with the patron's financial account via a secure connection to the secure payment gateway and to transmit instructions for transferring electronic funds from the patron's financial account to a credit system via the secure payment gateway and the funds management portal.

Abstract: A computer receives an image access preference that is associated with a user included in a first game session. The computer receives an image from a camera, connected to the computer, through a network. The computer analyzes the first image to identify the presence of the user. The computer generates and compares a first analysis result a to a set of stored data to determine, based on the comparison, if the user is present. Responsive to determining that the user is present, the computer applies the received access preferences, associated with the present user, to the first image.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for executing game operations. One method includes an operation for receiving a request from a player to acquire a first game asset to be utilized in the game, the first game asset being associated with a token usable in the real world outside the game. After assigning the first game asset to the player in the game, the player is rewarded in the game with a second asset in response to the request. Further, the method includes an operation for detecting a commercial operation executed outside the game by the player with the token, and the player is rewarded in the game with a third asset in response to the detecting.

Abstract: A computer-based method for gamifying ride sharing, including: storing computer readable instructions in at least one memory element of at least one computer; and executing, using at least one processor for the at least one computer, the computer readable instructions to: accept a first input including a sign-up by a user for a game; accept a second input including information regarding single occupant vehicle trips reduced by the user; assign, according to the information, a position of the user on a virtual board for the game, a ranking of the user in the game and at least one reward to the user; and transmit, for display, a graphical representation of the virtual board including the position of the user.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to collusion are described. Collusion detection may be used to prevent players in a wagering environment from violating the integrity of a game. Player actions may be tracked to develop a wagering profile that is specific to various game situations. A player acting in a manner that would be against their interest and against their defined profile may be considered a colluding action. Information about collusion actions may be presented for evaluation and/or anti-collusion actions may be automatically taken in response to such collusion actions being determined.

Abstract: A method and device are for fantasy sport applications including receiving a plurality of ranking values associated with a sport player; assigning a corresponding weight value to each ranking value; determining a score value as a function of the ranking value and the corresponding weight value; determining a final ranking value as a function of the score values for the sport player; and generating a recommendation for the sport player as a function of the final ranking value.

Abstract: By providing voice recognition in a gaming environment, an IVR server may operate to revoice a player with a voice tone pitch and accent more appropriate to the player's character. This improves the quality of the illusion of the game play. Furthermore, accurate volume may be applied to particular voices dependent on their location relative to the player and the game may be controlled using voice commands.

Abstract: Various embodiments are provided generally relating to providing a strum pad on a user device. In some embodiments, a musical arrangement may be provided on a user device. A score of the musical arrangement may be tracked as it plays. In some embodiments, gestures may be detected on the user device while the user device plays the musical arrangement. In response to detecting the gesture, a component piece for the musical arrangement may be outputted. In some embodiments, the outputted component piece may correspond to the tracked score of the musical arrangement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods for multi-player gaming. Some embodiments relate to systems having an improved communications infrastructure and improved handheld game controllers, while other embodiments relate to improvements in handling large numbers of players in the multi-player game when played in a game arena with a single large display screen showing the multi-player game images. In one particular embodiment, a system is provided that has a game server controlling a display system to display the multi-player game on the large screen and a plurality of game controllers. Each game controller has a secondary display means for providing a secondary game display and input means for receiving player input. The system further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the game server and each of the plurality of game controllers.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for implementing game play in a video game. A plurality of characters are provided, and a character may be captured and controlled by user for gameplay such as fighting, crafting, and the like. The capture and control is for a limited time, such as a predetermined time that is generally short compared to the overall game duration. After the predetermined time, the character is released and the user free to grab another character.

Abstract: A system, a sound processing method and a sound processing apparatus suitable for enhancing gamer experience for electronic games. The sound processing apparatus can communicate with a terminal suitable for playing an electronic game. The electronic game can be associated with audio data which can be communicated from the terminal to the sound processing apparatus. The sound processing apparatus includes a receive module for receiving the audio data and a processing module coupled to the receive module. The audio data can include low frequency range audio signals, mid frequency range audio signals and high frequency range audio signals. The audio data can be communicated from the receive module to the processing module. The processing module can be configured to process the audio data in a manner such that at least one of the low frequency range audio signals and the high frequency range audio signals are accentuated relative to the mid frequency range audio signals.

Abstract: A method of interactive game play is provided wherein a seemingly magical wand toy is provided for enabling a trained user to electronically send and receive information to and from other wand toys, a master system and/or to actuate various play effects within a play environment. The toy wand or other seemingly magical object is configured to use a send/received radio frequency communications protocol which provides a basic foundation for a complex, interactive entertainment system to create a seemingly magical interactive play experience.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for surfacing game stories are presented. Embodiments may, responsive to detecting a first game action initiated by a first user, surface a first game story to a second user through a social feed. Responsive to detecting that the first game story is activated by the second user, a second game story is surfaced on the social feed that tags the first user. The second game story represents a second game action is performed in a game involving the second user based on the first game story being activated.

Abstract: Systems and methods to identify candidates for targeted advertising in an online social gaming environment are disclosed. Example methods include generating a network graph representative of relationships between users associated with an online social gaming environment, the relationships based on connections between the users. Example methods also include collecting first social gaming data corresponding to participation by a first user and a second user in the online social gaming environment during a first period of time. The example methods further include calculating a first degree of influence of the first user of the online social gaming environment on the second user of the online social gaming environment, the first degree of influence based on the first social gaming data.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a method for community game development and community management of game lifecycle that includes at least the following steps: offering, by a specifically programmed virtual gaming platform, a personalized computer interface to each of at least 1,000 users of an virtual game community managed by the specifically programmed virtual gaming platform; where the at least one first computer interface is configured to allow each of the at least 1,000 users to create a game idea; receiving, a plurality of game ideas; receiving game idea votes on each game idea of the plurality of game ideas; automatically ranking the plurality of game ideas based, at least in part, on the game idea votes; and automatically selecting at least one winning game idea to be developed by the virtual game community based, at least in part, on the ranking the plurality of game ideas.

Abstract: After a game has been started, game content drawing processing, game content placing processing, and point granting and character removing processing are repeatedly executed. Thus, the obtaining of a character by each player, the placement of the obtained character in an area, and the obtaining of points and the removal of the character from the area according to an elapsed time from the placement of the character in the area are repeatedly executed. When conditions to terminate the game hold, a result of the game is decided according to the number of points obtained by each player. Accordingly, more competitive game elements are realized in a game that uses multiple areas.

Abstract: Methods, computer-readable media, and computing devices are described herein for restoring gameplay by replaying past inputs. During gameplay, capture logic captures participant inputs that were received to change states of game objects. The capture logic stores the captured information in an electronic record of period(s) of the gameplay. After the period(s) of gameplay, replay logic receives a request to initiate subsequent gameplay beginning from a point in time from a period of past gameplay. The replay logic causes the subsequent gameplay to begin from the point at least in part by loading saved state information and replaying the captured participant inputs.

Abstract: A multi-section locking baton includes a manually actuatable release rod extending axially through outer, middle and inner tubes for unlocking first and second cam joints between the tubes. The release rod includes a tip having three sections, including an outermost or distal section that increases in diameter as measured in a direction moving away from the distal end of the tip; an intermediate section that is the widest section of the tip and that has a plurality of relief openings formed in as outer surface; and a proximal section that tapers from the intermediate section to a narrower diameter at the proximal tip end where it is secured onto the release rod. A portion of the release rod tip is located in one of the cams when the baton is in the extended condition. The baton also includes bushings on the inner diameters of the outer and middle tubes, and wear rings on the outer diameters of the middle and inner tubes.

Abstract: A torsion damping device (10) equipped with first torsion damping system that comprise a radial phase washer (38) and two guide washers (20A, 20B) and elastic members (36); the damping device being equipped with second torsion 5 damping system that have two pendulum flyweights (54A, 54B) that are mounted oscillatingly on a support element (56) that is rotationally integral with the phase washer (38); wherein the support element (56) is offset axially with respect to the guide washers (20A, 20B) in such a way that the two pendulum flyweights (54A, 54B) are offset axially on the same side with respect to the two guide washers (20A, 20B).

Abstract: A gear coupling includes first and second inner cylinders, first and second outer cylinders, and first and second closing plates interposed between the first and second inner cylinders and closing inner end faces of the first and second outer cylinders. In the first closing plate, one or a plurality of through-holes communicating with a device outer side of the first closing plate from a first grease chamber surrounded by the first inner cylinder, the first outer cylinder, and the first closing plate are formed. In the second closing plate, one or a plurality of through-holes communicating with a device outer side of the second closing plate from a second grease chamber surrounded by the second inner cylinder, the second outer cylinder, and the second closing plate are formed. Plugging members closing the through-holes are fitted to the through-holes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an attraction (100) for amusement rides, such as a fairground attraction or an amusement park attraction. The attraction comprises two towers (101), each provided with a drivable arm (102) which is mounted rotatably on the tower. The attraction is provided with a number of gondolas (104), each with a number of seats (105), wherein each gondola is connected to the arms. According to the invention the attraction comprises at least one carrier arm (103) which extends between the arms (102) and each gondola (104) is connected to the carrier arm for rotation about at least one rotation axis (R1, R2) extending substantially transversely of the carrier arm.

Abstract: A system for shielding a rider's back from a ride surface. The system includes a slide ride having an entrance and an exit and configured such that the riders back slides substantially parallel along a. slide ride surface when the rider slides from the entrance towards the exit. The system includes a plurality of shielding devices disposed relative to the slide ride such that the rider may put on one of the plurality of shielding devices prior to sliding on the slide ride, each of the plurality of shielding devices configured to be worn by the rider such that the shielding device covers the rider's back, and adapted to slide upon the slide ride surface to shield the rider's back from the slide ride surface when the rider slides from the entrance to the exit.

Abstract: A stand arrangement for a golf club having a club head and club shaft may include a plunger rod movably secured within the club shaft and displaceable between a retracted position entirely within the club shaft and an extended position. In the extended position, at least a portion of the plunger rod extends from a channel in the club shaft to an exterior of the golf club. The stand arrangement may further include an actuation sleeve extending around a periphery of the club shaft and a connecting member extending through a wall of the club shaft and coupling the actuation sleeve with the plunger rod. The actuation sleeve may be selectively actuatable to secure the plunger rod in both the retracted position and the extended position.

Abstract: A golf putter with repositionable shaft comprising a head, where the head is composed of a top surface, a striking face, a back face, a first end and a second end: three receiving holes along the top surface of the head, where the receiving holes include a threaded inner surface, and a bottom protrusion positioned horizontally within the receiving hole; a pair of plugs threaded into two of the receiving holes; a shaft fitted into one of the receiving holes, where the shaft repositions with the pair of plugs to fill each receiving hole; and a fitting at a bottom end of the shaft, where the fitting includes an insert with a bottom groove, where the bottom groove receives the bottom protrusion to lock the shaft into place within one of the receiving holes.

Abstract: A system and method to re-grip golf clubs includes a series of systematically weighted golf club grips used to achieve a desired swing weight of a golf club. A series of interchangeable weighted tubular fitting grips having a sequence of systematically varying predetermined weights can be removably mounted on a golf club, as desired, to provide the desired swing weight. The tubular fitting grips each have a void through a length of one side of a tubular outer wall allowing each grip to be interchangeably mounted on the golf club.

Abstract: A putter-type golf club head having a face insert comprising a metal sheet and a urethane backing is disclosed herein. The metal sheet, which makes contact with a golf ball during use, includes a plurality of oval-shaped holes extending through the entire thickness of the sheet and having a specific size and spacing, and the urethane backing has a hardness that optimizes performance of the face insert, and thus the putter.

Abstract: A golf ball has a core, an envelope layer, an intermediate layer and a cover whose respective surface hardnesses have been set so as to satisfy certain specific relationships. In addition, the respective initial velocities measured for the core, a sphere composed of the core peripherally covered by the envelope layer (envelope layer-encased sphere), a sphere composed of the core peripherally covered by the envelope layer and the intermediate layer (intermediate layer-encased sphere), and the ball itself have been set so as to satisfy certain specific relationships. This golf ball is able to exhibit an excellent flight performance not only when struck by mid head-speed golfers, but even when struck by low head-speed golfers, in addition to which it also has a good feel at impact and an excellent durability to repeated impact.

Abstract: A golf ball including a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a thermoset rubber composition, the shell layer having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. A thermoplastic outer core layer is formed about the shell layer. An optional inner cover layer is formed about the outer core layer, the inner cover including an ionomeric material. An outer cover layer is formed over the core or option inner cover layer, the outer cover including a polyurea or a polyurethane and having a second hardness less than the optional inner cover layer. The hollow center has a diameter of about 0.15 to 1.1 inches. The shell layer has a surface hardness greater than its inner surface hardness by about 3 to 25 Shore C to define a hardness gradient, and the thermoplastic outer core layer has a second hardness gradient.

Abstract: A hollow golf ball includes a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a first thermoplastic composition, the shell layer having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. An outer core layer is formed about the shell layer and includes a thermoset rubber composition. An inner cover layer is formed about the outer core layer and includes an ionomeric material. An outer cover layer is formed about the inner cover layer. The outer cover includes a polyurea or a polyurethane and has a hardness less than the inner cover layer. The hollow center has a diameter of about 0.15 to 1.1 inches, the shell layer has a surface hardness greater than an inner surface hardness by about 0 to 5 Shore C to define a first hardness gradient, and the thermoset outer core layer has a second hardness gradient.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a spherical inner core shell layer formed from a thermoplastic composition. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. A thermoplastic outer core layer is formed around the shell layer. An ionomeric inner cover layer and a urethane or urea outer cover layer are formed over the hollow core. The outer cover has a hardness less than the inner cover. The hollow center has a diameter of about 0.15 to 1.1 inches, the shell layer has a surface hardness greater than an inner surface hardness by about 0 to 5 Shore C to define a hardness gradient, and the thermoplastic outer core layer also has a hardness gradient.

Abstract: A golf ball includes a thermoset spherical inner core shell layer having an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center; a thermoset outer core layer formed about the shell layer; and an inner and outer cover layer formed about the outer core layer. The inner cover includes an ionomeric material and the outer cover layer includes a polyurea or a polyurethane having a hardness less than the inner cover layer. The hollow center has a diameter of about 0.51 to 1.1 inches, the shell layer has a surface hardness greater than an inner surface hardness by about 3 to 25 Shore C to define a first hardness gradient, and the outer core layer has a second hardness gradient different from the first.

Abstract: A golf ball including a hollow core formed from a spherical inner core shell layer including a stiff thermoplastic composition. The shell layer has an outer surface, an inner surface, and an inner diameter to define a hollow center. Ann outer core layer is disposed about the shell layer and includes a thermoset material. An inner cover layer is disposed about the outer core layer and includes an ionomeric material having a first hardness. An outer cover layer is disposed about the inner cover layer and includes a polyurethane having a second hardness different from the first. The hollow center has a diameter of 0.15 to 1.1 inches, the thermoplastic inner core shell layer has a hardness of 85 Shore C or greater, and the stiff thermoplastic composition has a melt volume flow rate of about 5.0 cm3/10 min or less at 230° C./2.16 kg.