Abstract: A method of delivering cards from a card housing unit during a card game including automatically detecting, using one or more processors, at least one of a card being held within an opening in the card housing unit for a period of time longer than a predetermined period of time or an attempt to manually draw a card from the opening after the card game ends, and based on the automatic detection, controlling, using one or more processors, operation of a lock member to restrict movement of the card relative to the opening in the card housing unit.

Abstract: There is described a method and apparatus for monitoring the play at a gaming table. The disclosed embodiment comprises a dealing shoe adapted to output signals when cards are dealt, and an input device operable by means of sensors and/or by the dealer to output signals indicating the occurrence of events during game play such as the arrival and departure of players from the table, the placing of the first bet for each game, and the resolution of the wagers to end the game. Output signals are received and stored in a memory with an associated timestamp, and analysis of the signals and their respective timestamps enables the apparatus to determine the number of players present for each game, and to calculate the number of games played, and the duration of each game.

Abstract: A card shooter apparatus including a card shooter unit including a card housing which contains a plurality of cards and an opening, a card reading unit that reads the number of the card pulled out from the card shooter, a control unit having a processing function to determine win or lose of the card game based on information about the number of the cards sequentially read by the card reading unit, and a display unit which indicates a result determined by the control unit, wherein the card shooter unit, the card reading unit and the control unit are integrated and are able to be set on the game table, and the display unit includes a first display unit which is provided on an upper part of the housing and a second display unit which is provided on a side part of the housing.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing an image of letter tiles such as letter tiles used in a game play, and comparing one or more configurations of the letter tiles in the captured image to one or more words that are stored in a memory associated with the imager that captured the image. A signal may be issued to upon a match or mismatch of one or more of the words configured by letter tiles in the captured image to one or more of the words stored in the memory.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a hand/eye coordination game is provided. The game includes a game case, a color-coded and numbered game board, an automatic sorting tray, removable marble trays, a reset button, a game timer, color-coded marbles, a time recording pad, and a deck of two-sided playing cards, where each card has a number on one side and a color on the other side.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for revealing a winner. The current embodiments are in the field of toys and games and reveal a winner in play battle or sport. Specifically the device utilizes at least one sensing mechanism for revealing a winner. More specifically a device for revealing a winner can be Balloon Toys such as Balloon Swords. It uses sensing mechanisms to determine the moment a winner has won and then triggers a mechanism in the non-winners device to destroy itself. A device for revealing a winner may include a bladder fill able with fluid, a way to hold the bladder, a mechanism to detect a win event, a mechanism to notify the loser's equipment of the win event, and a mechanism to burst the bladder of the loser's battle/sport equipment based on their loss.

Abstract: A game system in which game sessions may be recorded and saved as game records. A previously recorded game session may be selected and replayed, and players may step into and assume control of respective game characters during the replay. When a player steps into and takes control of game a character during replay of a game session, a new timeline is spawned from the original timeline, and a new game record corresponding to the new timeline is generated and stored. Players that were involved in a previously recorded game session that is being replayed may be manually or automatically notified that the game session is being replayed. The notification may occur upon initiation of the replay and/or when a new timeline is spawned. Notified players may view the game session without participating, or may take control their respective characters to participate.

Abstract: A game system in which game sessions involving one or more players may be recorded and saved as game records. A previously recorded game session may be selected and replayed. However, in addition to providing a static replay of the game session, the game system may allow one or more players to step into and assume control of respective game characters at any point during the replay of the game session. When a player steps into and takes control of game a character during the playback, a new timeline is spawned from the original timeline with potentially different outcomes, and a new game record corresponding to the new timeline is generated and stored.

Abstract: A game system in which game sessions involving player(s) may be recorded and saved as game records. A player or other entity may offer or market the game records to other players via one or more channels such as websites. The game records may be offered in exchange for virtual or real currency, or for free. Player profiles for the player(s) that recorded the original game session may be provided with the game records. A player that obtains a game record may replay the recorded game session to watch the game play, or alternatively may choose to participate in the replay by assuming control of a character in the game to play with the original player's character as simulated according to the player's profile. If a player steps into a game session being replayed, a new universe/timeline may be spawned and saved as a new game record.

Abstract: Techniques for enabling members to learn about and interact with their social network via games are described. According to various embodiments, it is determined that a content item or entity associated with an online social network service is relevant to a member of the online social network service. An online game including a game question and a correct game answer is generated based on the content item or entity. The game question is then displayed to the member, and a member response to the displayed game question is received. Thereafter, a game result is displayed, and the member is enabled to interact with the content item or entity.

Abstract: A game system includes at least one game device, a control section that is communicably connected to the game device, and a projection section that includes at least one projection device that projects a projection image onto a projection target object. The control section performs a control process that controls the game device and a projection control process that controls projection of the projection image. The projection section projects a game image generated by the game device and a created image created by the control section onto the projection target object as the projection image.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user-motion game, comprising: one or more motion sensors that capture motion of a user to yield user motion data; a processor configured to process the motion data to compare said user motion data with demonstration motion data, and to compute a user score; and a transmitter configured to wirelessly communicate with a video display device to display a video signal corresponding to said demonstration motion data.

Abstract: A gameplay apparatus including at least one wearable component and at least one game sign. The at least one game sign is configured to be detachably attached to the wearable component, and the wearable component with detachably attached game sign can be worn during gameplay. The at least one game sign may include an image and/or text that may be related to the actions to be taken during gameplay.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for detecting position of a part of the body of a user. A wearable emitter unit (16) is worn by the user, the emitter unit being worn by at a location adjacent the part of a body of the user. A radio signal propagated from the emitter unit (16) is received by a receiving unit (14), at antennae (52). Differences in times of arrival of the radio signal at ones of four different pairs of the antennae (52) are determined and, from the detected differences, the three-dimensional position of the emitter unit, and thus the part of the body of the user, is determined.

Abstract: An entertainment system has a first recording device that records digital images, a server that receives the images from the first device, wherein the second device, based on data from another source, enhances the images from the first device for display.

Abstract: Described is a gaming client computerized system for enabling an automatic aiming of a game weapon, the gaming client computerized system comprising a central processing unit, a network interface for connecting to a gaming server computerized system via a network; and a memory, the memory storing: a user interface module for receiving a weapon aiming information from a game player; a weapon aiming direction identification module for determining a plurality of aiming directions for the game weapon based on the received a weapon aiming information; a priority calculation module for calculating a priority value for each of the determined plurality of aiming directions for the game weapon based on location of one or more targets within the game; and a weapon aiming direction selection module for selecting one of the plurality of the determined aiming directions for the game weapon based on the calculated priority values.

Abstract: A control method performed by a computer including a storage module and configured to control progress of a game played by a user registered in an application, includes storing, in the storage module, identification information of each of a plurality of users in association with registration information indicating whether the user is registered in the application, retrieving a game progress request including identification information of a first user from a first terminal device of the first user, determining whether or not the first user is registered in the application, transmitting display data for displaying a game screen used in the game to the first terminal device when the first user is registered in the application, and transmitting display data for displaying a registration screen for registering the first user in the application to the first terminal device, when the first user is not registered in the application.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to a multimode gaming server that can run in game mode and video encode mode. Aspects of the invention can monitor demand for different computing projects in a data center and change the gaming servers into different modes to meet the demand. The arrangement of gaming servers in the different modes can be established to balance heat generation evenly throughout a data center.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for optimizing allocation of client devices, such as gaming devices, to different available data centers and servers, such as gaming servers, within a data center. The allocation maintains a satisfactory user experience while balancing costs and resource usage. Embodiments of the invention match a client to a data center and server based on a set of criteria related to the client device, user of the client device, game or application the user desires to play, available data centers for supporting the client device, and conditions of the network between the client device and data center. An allocation algorithm may be used to determine resource-efficient allocation. In one embodiment, a bidding process is employed wherein a client and data center are matched based on bids received from data centers. In one embodiment, allocation is periodically evaluated to determine if reassignment to another data center is needed.

Abstract: Track based play systems are described which comprise a set of physical play pieces and an associated computer game. In an embodiment, a user may arrange some or all of the play pieces in the set to form a path. The computer game is arranged to infer a virtual model of the path defined by the user-created arrangement of the play pieces. The inference may be based on data communicated by one or more the play pieces to the game or based on data from a local sensing device such as a camera which views the relative positions of the play pieces. Having inferred the path, the game constrains a virtual or physical object to the path within the game play and renders a graphical user interface showing at least a portion of the path.

Abstract: Methods of interacting with a story in a virtual world through manipulation of physical play pieces are described. An interactive software experience presents an interactive story to a user where the direction (and/or progression) of the story depends on user actions with physical play pieces. In an embodiment these actions are sensed by the physical play pieces themselves and sensed input data is communicated to the interactive software experience from the play pieces. The interactive story comprises one or more branching points at which there are a number of possible outcomes and one of the possible outcomes is selected at a branching point based on the sensed input data. The interactive story is presented to the user, for example using sounds and/or images.

Abstract: [Problem] To provide an effective terminal device devised so as to enable a player to gain enhanced enjoyment from a game.

Abstract: Fantasy sports information may be integrated with video content of games or sporting events. An example technique includes determining one or more athletes on a roster of a fantasy sports team of a user, receiving video content of a game or sporting event, and identifying at least one athlete of interest that is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user depicted in the video content of the game or sporting event. The video content may then be displayed along with a visual indicator associated with the at least one athlete of interest to indicate that the athlete of interest is on the roster of the fantasy sports team of the user. The visual indicator may comprise a name, symbol, logo or other identifier of an entity, such as a sponsor of the game or sporting event.

Abstract: The various embodiments herein disclose a computer readable gaming application comprising the steps of choosing an avatar or a self-image to create a player profile. The player logs into the gaming application through the created profile. The logging is achieved through a mobile or a computing device. The player selects a private or public table for playing the game and performs a swiping action to rotate an animated bottle over an animated table through a touch-sensitive sensitive screen of the mobile device. The method further comprises selecting an action to be performed by a user opted after rotating the animated bottle and selecting a live chat option to communicate with at-least one user in the game.

Abstract: The present disclosure is a method of dynamic creation of games, the method comprising the steps of receiving keyword(s) from a user, performing a search operation comprising of the keyword(s) to generate a set of search result(s), selecting at least one search result and dynamically creating said game from the said search result.

Abstract: A system, a machine-readable storage medium storing instructions, and a computer-implemented method are described herein for a System Tuner for defining an in-game event requiring accumulation of a pre-defined set of virtual objects in a virtual game (or online game) prior to termination of the in-game event. The System Tuner determines a head-start subset from the pre-defined set of virtual objects for a target player account based on a difference between a reference player skill level for the virtual game and a player skill level of the target player account. The System Tuner determines, based on the player skill level of the target player account and a pre-defined duration of the in-game event, a drop rate for virtual objects remaining in the pre-defined set of virtual objects. The System Tuner sends the head-start subset and the drop rate to a client device associated with the target player account.

Abstract: When a game operation image is displayed on a touch panel of a portable terminal, the size of a game display screen and the operation image are small and therefore the progress of a game becomes difficult. Even in the case of a terminal having only a touch panel of a limited size, an operation image having a size that affects the progress of a game as little as possible is displayed on the touch panel by superimposing the operation image on a game display screen at a position that affects the progress of the game as little as possible.

Abstract: A computer implemented method and system is described for controlling multiple identities. The system comprises at least one user device operable to communicate with at least one server of the system via a communication link, the server having at least one processor and at least one memory connected to at least one datastore storing a plurality of user identities, the method comprising detecting a trigger event associated with a second user identifier, the trigger event providing a second user identifier different to a first user identifier, associating the second user identifier with said first user identifier, and providing for at least one game associated with the first user identifier and the second user identifier a common set of game data.

Abstract: Apparel is disclosed that can be worn to assist an interactive game in tracking the movement of the wearer. More particularly, the apparel may include one or more tracking marks formed of designs, patterns, or reflective materials that can be easily tracked by an interactive game employing one or more cameras or other detectors for detecting a change in position of an object. The apparel may take the form of, for example, hats, shirts, jackets, pants, gloves, and shoes. By providing tracking marks on apparel, rather than using a special-purpose device that must be separately worn, a player may enjoy a more natural feel when playing the interactive game. Further, the player need not don any special equipment to play the game. Instead, a user can wear the apparel for everyday purposes, and then simply begin playing the game wearing the apparel without having to put on any additional equipment.

Abstract: A video game includes a peripheral device that senses the presence and identity of toy objects near or on the peripheral. Each of the toy objects includes an identification device such as an RFID tag. Each of the toys is also associated with a corresponding game character or object. The peripheral device provides lighting effects based on characteristics of the game character or aspects of the game play sequence thereby enhancing the user's gameplay experience.

Abstract: A wind tunnel may comprise: a flight chamber; a plurality of diffusers; a plurality of expanding corners, wherein the plurality of expanding corners comprises a first expanding corner and a second expanding corner; and a return, the return configured to have disposed therein a fan operatively coupled with a motor.

Abstract: An Euler disc comprises a metal disc body having a maximum radius, an upper surface, a lower surface, a circular polished rounded edge joining the upper surface and the lower surface, and a maximum thickness. The upper surface is formed so that the cross-sectional area of the disc body that is above a horizontal bisector line and outside of a vertical quarter line drawn at one half of the maximum radius is less than 75% of the cross-sectional area of the disc body that is below the horizontal bisector line and outside of the vertical quarter line.

Abstract: A doll body including: a head portion; a trunk portion; and plural limbs having a joint portion, wherein each of the limbs has a length adjustment portion that adjusts a length of the limb. The length adjustment portion is formed of divided halves that are divided one limb and the other limb, and the length adjustment portion is constructed by inserting an axial body provided in the one limb into a long hole that is formed in the other limb and that extends in a longitudinal direction of the other limb. In addition, the length adjustment portion is formed of divided halves that are divided one limb and the other limb, and the length adjustment portion is constructed by inserting a rod body provided in an end face of the one limb into a hole which is formed in an end face of the other limb.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling physical toys using a physics engine are described. In an embodiment, a physics engine within an interactive software experience is used to model the motion of a virtual object in a virtual environment. The output of this modelling is then imposed on a physical toy which corresponds to the virtual object such that the motion of the physical toy in the real world more closely matches the motion of the virtual object in the virtual environment. In various examples, the modelling is imposed through control signals which are generated based on output of the physics engine and used to control actuators within the physical toy to change the motion of at least a part of the toy.

Abstract: Mobile agents automatically manipulate components such as blocks on a working surface, to perform operations such as construction of generalized structures. The working surface and/or the components can have machine-readable codes to assist the agents in maintaining current knowledge of their respective locations. Agents identify components by type and location, and can move components according to directions; such directions can be provided by a user, or can be based on a pre-programmed directive, or can be determined dynamically based on current conditions or in response to actions of other agents. Agents may cooperate with one another. Agents can also respond to changes in the environment, alterations in works in progress, and/or other conditions, and may be configured to exhibit responses simulating emotional reactions. Different mobile agents can be associated with different character traits, which may be configured to change based on environmental conditions and/or the behavior of other mobile agents.

Abstract: A toy is controlled by a smart device with wireless communication network connection capability, a display screen and programmed to generate optical control signals transmitted through the screen. The toy includes a main body, a control circuit, a holder configured to receive and releasably hold the smart device, and an optical signal receiver supported facing the display screen of the smart device in the holder and operably connected with the control circuit. The control circuit responds to optical control signals transmitted through the screen and detected by the optical signal receiver to control at least one operation of the toy.

Abstract: A manually-driven hand-navigable wheel toy comprising a handle with a fork portion comprises at least two prongs that rests on a wheel and which enables and guides the wheel's motion during the operation. The at least two prongs straddle the wheel rim with the fork portion being in contact with the outer portion of the wheel rim during operation. The wheel is set in motion via, for example, a forward push of the wheel through the handle and is kept steadily moving toward a desired direction by steering the wheel with the aid of the at least two prongs of the fork portion of the handle. The wheel toy further comprises lights such as blinking LED lights located along various sections of the toy.

Abstract: A toy construction kit is disclosed. The construction kit comprising a plurality of flexible construction pieces, each of said flexible construction pieces comprising bendable rod made up of a metal wire with a plastic surrounding the metal wire. The plastic wire is flexible, said plastic surrounding said metal wire forming an elongated structure. Disks are spaced along the length of rod.

Abstract: A modular construction system that is adapted to create structures and comprises a link, a first beam, and a second beam. The first beam includes sides and ends, wherein the sides of the first beam each include an engagement slot adapted to receive the link and maintain engagement therewith through a friction fit. Furthermore, the ends of the first beam each include a cross-slot adapted to receive the link and maintain engagement therewith through a friction fit. The second beam including sides and ends, wherein the sides of the second beam each include an engagement slot adapted to receive the link and maintain engagement therewith through a friction fit. In addition, the ends of the second beam each include a cross-slot adapted to receive the link and maintain engagement therewith through a friction fit such that the link connects the first beam with the second beam.

Abstract: An interactive play set is described which comprises one or more active physical play pieces. In an embodiment, each active physical play piece receives data from one or more other play pieces in the play set and uses this data to generate proximity data. The proximity data describes distances between two or more play pieces from which it receives data to three or more proximity levels. The proximity data is then transmitted to an interactive entertainment experience (such as a game) which reflects changes in proximity level. For example, the changes may be visible in a graphical user interface or another play piece or audible to a user.

Abstract: A system configured to separate a cleavage reaction mixture comprising phenol, cyclohexanone, an amine salt, cyclohexylbenzene, and water, capable of producing high-purity phenol and cyclohexanone from cyclohexylbenzene hydroperoxide cleavage reaction mixture at high energy efficiency.

Abstract: Essential oil distillation systems and methods for purifying an essential oil from plant material are shown and described. Each of the example essential oil distillation systems includes a material chamber configured to receive plant material and a solvent, a combination of the plant material and the solvent forming an essential oil, contaminant, and solvent mixture; a temperature regulating sleeve configured to be cooled to decrease a temperature of the mixture and freeze one or more contaminants in the mixture; at least one filter configured to filter the one or more contaminants from the mixture to separate a solvent and essential oil solution from the one or more contaminants; and a recovery chamber fluidly coupled to a downstream end of the material chamber, the recovery chamber configured to receive the solvent and essential oil solution.

Abstract: A device and a method are for treatment of an amino acid salt solution that is contaminated with carbon dioxide and is an absorbent for carbon dioxide from a flue gas of a combustion, and includes a reaction process, a following filtration process and a following dissolution process. In the reaction process, carbon dioxide is introduced into the amino acid salt solution, and the amino acid salt solution is cooled. In this case crystalline carbonate and crystalline amino acid precipitate out. In the filtration process, the crystalline carbonate and the crystalline amino acid are filtered off. In the dissolution process the crystalline carbonate and the crystalline amino acid are dissolved in a solvent and a treated amino acid salt solution is thereby recovered.

Abstract: An extraction apparatus comprises an extraction vessel configured to remove an extracted material from a source material in contact with a process fluid to form a mixture. The apparatus further comprises a separation chamber and a process fluid circulation conduit, the conduit comprising a separation portion configured to receive the mixture and permit a portion of the extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber. The apparatus further comprises a temperature regulator configured to permit re-circulation of a temperature regulation fluid and regulate the temperature of the process fluid.

Abstract: A counter-current liquid-liquid extraction column (1) adapted for the flow of two or more liquids (2) therein is disclosed. The column comprises within one common vessel (3): a first inlet (41) for a first liquid feed stream (51), a second inlet (42) for a second liquid feed stream (52), a first outlet (61) for a product stream (71), a second outlet (62) for a byproduct stream (72), a mixing section (8) comprising an agitation means (9), a static section (10) comprising a packing (11), optionally a collector (12) and/or distributor (13), characterized in that within the common vessel (3) are only one mixing section (8) and only either one or two static sections (10). The invention further relates to a process for using said column. The present invention further relates also to the use of the column or process in removing aromatic compounds from organic streams, in treating an oil stream of a refinery, or in a liquid-liquid extraction process.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon emulsion treatment system includes a treatment tank having a gas vent for operating the treatment tank near atmospheric pressure. The treatment tank separates water and oil in the emulsion for discharge to separate water and oil tanks respectively. According to a preferred embodiment, the treatment tank and the oil tank are supported on a common frame including an integral secondary containment structure providing secondary containment to both the treatment tank and the oil tank. The treatment tank is supported at greater elevation than the oil tank to allow the flow of oil from the treatment tank to the oil tank primarily under force of gravity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that deterioration of the flow state of a coal/kerosene slurry while preventing the damage caused by overloading to thereby achieve excellent solid-liquid separation performance. In a solid-liquid separation supplying a dehydrated coal/kerosene slurry to a decanter-type centrifugal separator to separate the coal/kerosene slurry into a solid fraction and a liquid fraction, an opening degree target value is determined on the basis of the difference between a target value and an actually measured value of a torque that acts on a screw conveyor of the decanter-type centrifugal separator, and the opening degree of a flow volume control valve, which is arranged in the middle of a supply line for supplying the coal/kerosene slurry into the decanter-type centrifugal separator, is adjusted to the opening degree target value.

Abstract: Pleated filtration media, media packs, filter elements, and methods for filtering fluid are provided which contain three dimensional flutes in the media surface, the flutes configured to improve filter performance. In certain embodiments the flutes have defined peaks that reduce masking between adjacent pleats, the flutes have ridges along their length to modify flute cross sectional geometry, and/or the flutes provide for volume asymmetry across the media.

Abstract: A filter cartridge is provided for filtering particulates in fluid and gas streams. The filter cartridge has a filter element for filtering the streams and a helical wrap to give stability to the pleats in response to radially outward flow. The wrap has an outer layer for attaching to the filter element and an inner layer for strength and resisting pressure drops across the filter element.

Abstract: A method of assembling a sand screen assembly includes the steps of providing inner and outer shrouds having radial protrusions, such as ribs, louvers, splines, etc., that are radially unaligned during a first assembly step thereby providing clearance for positioning of a filter layer between the shrouds. The outer or inner shroud is then rotated until the protrusions are aligned and the clearance between the shrouds and filter layer is eliminated to provide a tight fit between the layers.