Abstract: Gaming systems and methods for customizing game play on a gaming machine with custom media are described herein. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a display, a user input mechanism, an interface configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable electronic device controlled by a player, and a game controller. The game controller is configured to provide a default game play session of a wager-based game, facilitate a data connection between the gaming machine and the portable electronic device through the interface, and receive custom game media and customization settings. The game controller is further configured to store the custom game media and customization settings and to provide a customized game play session of the wager-based game according to the customization settings and the custom game media.

Abstract: The present invention involves methods and devices for controlling many aspects of a player's gaming experience, including game themes presented, game denomination, pay models, content and promotions. Some implementations of the invention provide a casino operator the necessary tools to create subsets of customers, often referred to herein as “communities,” and to control the gaming experiences of players in these communities. In some such implementations, communities may be created and/or modified according to various criteria, some of which may be weighted more heavily than others. Specific marketing messages, promotions, etc., may be provided to attract and retain players having similar characteristics and preferences.

Abstract: Systems and methods for wagering on game outcomes allow a player to wager on game outcomes resulting from linked gaming devices linked to a primary gaming device being played by the player. A primary game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on a primary game and a linked game display shows game plays and outcomes and allows wagering on linked games. Both the primary and linked gaming devices may be the same type of gaming device, or they may be two different types of gaming devices, such as gaming devices for playing slot games, card games, keno, and the like. Further, either or both of the primary and linked games may allow bonus game outcomes resulting in a bonus game having bonus game awards.

Abstract: A gaming system has a central authority connected to a plurality of gaming machines. Player activity is tracked at the gaming machines during regular gaming sessions and during virtual gaming sessions. Such data is transmitted to the central authority for providing player points in a player account file of a central database. Regular gaming sessions occur between player card insertion and player card removal. Virtual gaming sessions may occur prior to player card insertion as well as after player card insertion. For example, a coin-in event prior to player card insertion will establish a virtual session, and credits remaining on the credit meter at a card-out event will establish a virtual gaming session.

Abstract: A slot machine device providing a unique operation, payout scheme, and structure. This slot machine provides optional, unique game play features. These features may include a Notice feature which informs a player if the next cycle will be a win or a loss; a Flush feature allowing a player to discard a losing cycle; and a Do-Over feature, allowing a player to replay a cycle if they do not like the results of the prior cycle. These features may be turned on and off, and the slot machine may be configured to automatically adjust a payout option depending on what features are activated.

Abstract: Time required for exchanging game media for another type of game media can be shortened. A game medium exchange device includes: a display device; an arranging mechanism configured to hold one or more convertible game media and one or more inconvertible game media in such a manner that the convertible game media and the inconvertible game media are arranged in their respective sections of the arranging mechanism; an information acquiring mechanism configured to acquire game medium information including the currency values of the convertible game media and the inconvertible game media arranged in the arranging mechanism; and a control device configured to obtain total amounts of the currency values of the convertible game media and the inconvertible game media acquired by the information acquiring mechanism, and to display these total amounts on the display device in association with the convertible game media and the inconvertible game media.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method provide game operators with effective deployment of word-based games that removes and/or manages much of the volatility associated therewith. In various embodiments, the system includes a remote central host that processes stored game details according to a method, wherein the method includes identifying potential game tickets for generation, evaluating possible ticket outcomes associated with the potential tickets, and establishing a group of acceptable wagers and a group of represented letter combinations, wherein letter combinations can be filtered out based on repeated occurrences.

Abstract: Systems for a gambling hybrid game having a resource management entertainment game are disclosed. In a resource management entertainment game including a terminal, a player acquires and consumes resources to achieve a goal. An entertainment system engine of the gambling hybrid game provides the resource management entertainment game and determines when an interaction with a game element occurs in the game. A game world engine of the gambling hybrid game determines when a gambling event in a gambling game is to be provided based upon the interaction with game element in the resource management entertainment game. The game world engine then requests that a real world engine of the gambling hybrid game resolve the gambling event in the gambling game. The real world engine resolves the gambling event and associated wagers on the outcome of the gambling event.

Abstract: A ticket management system (10) for a gaming system is disclosed. The ticket management system comprises at least one gaming machine (12) and is arranged to allocate tickets (22) to at least one gaming machine (12) in accordance with at least one allocation criterion (36). An award is provided to a player of a gaming machine (12) when a ticket allocated to the gaming machine corresponds to a winning outcome.

Abstract: Gaming devices may generate outcomes to be sold in printed form. Representations of the outcomes, corresponding payouts, and other information are printed on sheets of paper. Multiple printed outcomes are assembled into books, wrapped, and sold to consumers. Consumers may purchase the books and browse through the printed outcomes at their leisure. When finished with a book, a consumer may submit a portion of the book to the casino that sold the outcomes. The casino may then pay the player based on the payouts associated with the outcomes in the book.

Abstract: A method of managing a card game through player terminals allows players to play a virtual card game. To perform the method, an electronic game table is provided and includes a plurality of player terminals. A computing unit of the electronic game table manages a virtual deck and a dealer profile. To begin the game, a monetary ante is received from at least one active terminal. Three initial cards are dealt to each of the active terminals and the dealer profile. Active terminals may submit a playing bet request to continue playing or submit a fold request. Then, each of the active terminals and the dealer profile are allocated two additional cards. The corresponding player hand for each active terminal is compared to the dealer hand for the dealer profile. If a corresponding player hand ranks higher than the dealer hand, a monetary payout is awarded to the winning terminal.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods and gaming units for conducting a multi-player wagering game in which at least one of the players may win the occurrence of the wagering game by matching a game-winning pattern of game indicia on one or more game arrays having unique combinations of game indicia based on matching the game indicia on the game arrays to game indicia randomly selected for the occurrence of the wagering game. Each player matching a game-winning pattern may receive game-winning award, and may receive a game-winning award for each game array on which a game-winning pattern is matched. The method and gaming unit may further include an alternate outcome display wherein an outcome of a second wagering game may be displayed that corresponds to the outcome for the player on the one or more game arrays for the occurrence of the multi-player wagering game.

Abstract: An exposed poker game enhances traditional poker games and variants thereof to increase player skill and learning curves. Exposed poker reveals or exposes a player's inoperative cards before they are discarded to permit other players to view such cards. Exposed poker may be implemented at a gaming table or via one or more electronic devices. During game play, each player is required to allow their inoperative cards to be exposed. Exposure of inoperative cards may occur for various predefined periods of time. Thereafter, inoperative cards are discarded.

Abstract: A banking system operates responsive to data read from data bearing records. The system includes an automated banking machine comprising a card reader. The card reader includes a movable read head that can read card data along a magnetic stripe of a card that was inserted long-edge first. The card reader includes a card entry gate. The gate is opened for a card that is determined to be properly oriented for data reading. The card reader can encrypt card data, including account data. The card data is usable by the machine to authorize a user to carry out a financial transfer involving the account.

Abstract: A method including: receiving multiple pieces of notice information; receiving detection information indicating whether or not the user is present around a speaker, notifying the user of content of first notice information in the multiple pieces of notice information by using the speaker, in a case that it is determined based on the detection information that the user is present around the speaker, and notifying the user of content of second notice information different from the first notice information, by using the speaker in a case that it is determined that the user is present around the speaker when the notification of the first notice information by using the speaker is complete.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for converting a control track designed for use with a number and/or type of haptic output devices to be used with other numbers and/or types of haptic output devices. For example, a computing device may convert the control track into another control track that can be applied to other types and/or numbers of haptic output devices. The converted control track may be compatible for use with a smartphone or other system that includes a different number and/or type of haptic feedback devices than the system for which the haptic track was originally designed. In this manner, the user of the smartphone or other system may experience haptic feedback using a device that is different from another haptic feedback system for which the control track was originally designed for use. The conversion may occur locally at the smartphone or other system and/or remotely at another device.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method monitor a device within a zone. A head may wirelessly communicate with an emitter and a hub. The device may be secured to the head. The emitter may transmit a signal to define the zone, and the head may receive the signal to detect the presence of the device and the head within the zone. A first alarm may be triggered upon removal of the head and the device from the zone. A second alarm may be triggered upon removal of the head and the device from the zone for a time that exceeds a threshold of time. A key may insert into the hub to deactivate the second alarm.

Abstract: An apparatus, a system and a method monitor a device within a zone. A head may wirelessly communicate with an emitter and a hub. The head may connect and/or disconnect power to a battery of the device according to a charge of the battery. The head may monitor an attachment of the head to the device and/or a connection of a cable to the head and/or a port of the device. The emitter may transmit a signal to define the zone and/or the head may receive the signal. A distance between the head and the emitter may be determined using a received signal strength indication and/or a time of flight measurement of the signal from the emitter to the head. The distance may indicate whether the head is positioned within the zone or outside of the zone. An alarm may be triggered if the head is positioned outside of the zone.

Abstract: A merchandise security device configured for use with an electronic key for locking and/or unlocking a lock mechanism is provided. The merchandise security device may include a housing operably coupled with a cable, wherein the cable is configured to be extended and retracted relative to the housing and to at least partially surround an item of merchandise. The security device may also include a lock mechanism configured to releasably secure the cable relative to the housing for locking the cable about the item of merchandise. In addition, the lock mechanism is configured to receive electrical power for unlocking the lock mechanism so that the housing and the cable may be removed from the item of merchandise.

Abstract: A selective intrusion detection system includes a Doppler transceiver configured and adapted to receive Doppler return signals indicative of moving targets present in a surveillance space. A processor is operatively connected to the Doppler transceiver to convert Doppler return signals into spectrograms and to determine whether any given spectrogram is indicative of presence of a human or another moving target, like a domestic pet. An alarm is operatively connected to the processor, wherein the processor and alarm are configured to provide an alert in the event the processor determines any given spectrogram is indicative of a human, and to forego providing an alert in the event the processor determines any given spectrogram is indicative of another moving target only.

Abstract: An archival video system uses profile images as a background for an image and delta images to indicate the difference between a current image and a profile image. An image may be segmented into multiple sectors, with each sector compared to a profile sector. The resulting image may be constructed using references to previously stored sectors from different images.

Abstract: Vision based system and method for detecting a breach of security in a monitored area. One or more sequences of events are stored in the system. Each sequence of events includes a different combination of events and an order in which the events have occurred. An action is associated with each sequence of events such as triggering an alarm, generating an audible sound, calling 911 etc. when the events detected by the system match a given sequence the action associated with that sequence is performed. The system receives an image stream of the area and detects the events occurring in the images including the detection of a human body, its size and location within the monitored area. The system may be activated at all time without requiring people in the monitored area to change their normal behavior.

Abstract: A security device and method receives gas pressure signals from a pair of gas pressure sensors, one set at the inside and the other at the outside of a door or a window. Gas pressure values for the signals (of the indoor and outdoor environments) are obtained and a camera, working in the same location as the pair of sensors, is controlled to capture photos or videos when it is determined that the gas pressure values of both sensors have changed and magnitude of the changes are both within a preset gas pressure range. Photos and videos are captured by the camera and transmitted to at least one validated contact according to preset contact information.

Abstract: A lamp tube and a lamp fixture with sensing capability are disclosed. The lamp tube with sensing capability includes a lamp tube body, and the lamp tube body includes a power converting unit, an LED strip and a sensing unit. The power converting unit is for receiving AC power and outputting DC power for driving the LED strip and the sensing unit. The sensing unit will timely output a fire alarm signal to notify the firemen and the people nearby when a fire occurs. The shape of the lamp tube with sensing capability is the same as a normal lamp tube, so both of them can be installed in the same lamp fixture. One normal lamp tube is replaced by the lamp tube with sensing capability to include a fire sensing function. The safety is enhanced and the installation is convenient.

Abstract: A flame detector, may be aligned to cover a region to be monitored near a body water. The flame detector has at least one radiation sensor and a downstream evaluation unit. The at least one radiation sensor is sensitive to light in the spectrum of open fire. The evaluation unit outputs a fire alarm in the event of fluctuations or flicker frequencies characteristic of open fire being detected. A linear polarizing filter positioned upstream of the radiation sensor(s) has a polarization plane rotated about a main receiving direction to largely suppress the horizontal component of the received light, based on the knowledge that light reflected from water surfaces is predominantly horizontally polarized. If characteristic flicker frequencies and a significant degree of polarization are simultaneously detected in the received light, the detector identifies sunlight reflected off bodies of water and modulated by the swell, and a false alarm output is inhibited.

Abstract: Image-based fire detection methods are provided which include analyzing a field of view based on a plurality of images, determining if changes occur, and analyzing whether any such changes are due to smoke-like material. Changes due to large objects are ruled out, and drift in the scene or shaking of the image collection device is accounted for by the method. The methods employ representing images of the field of view with quantifiable values and comparing to thresholds established for each event, and activating an alarm if changes due to smoke-like material are detected. The fire detection methods may also include monitoring a field of view for changes, and only performing the analysis on the images if changes are detected. The monitoring and validating stages of the methods include collecting images at different sampling rates for different amounts of information.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, biometric data and environmental data are obtained from sensors. Corporate information system (CIS) information is retrieved for a worker, with the CIS information including a schedule of tasks assigned to the worker. A task currently being performed by the worker is determined based on the schedule of tasks. Weights are assigned to the biometric data and the environmental data. The weights vary between data from different sensors, with the weights assigned based on the task currently being performed by the worker. A current safety score is assigned for the worker based on the calculation of a formula, with the formula using the assigned weights as coefficients to variables, with the variables being values obtained from the biometric data and the environmental data. The current safety score is compared to a safety threshold, and if the threshold is violated, an alert is generated to the worker.

Abstract: An alert system composed of a Bluetooth device that is installed in a baby car seat and is paired/connected to one or more smartphones or tablets using a monitoring application developed for this purpose, which receives the signal communicated from the device installed in the baby car seat and stays connected within a 15 feet range. The application immediately produces a vibrating sound alert, and displays a notification message as soon as the smartphone crosses the 15 feet boundary range.

Abstract: Devices and methods of using a personal emergency reporting system device is described. The personal emergency reporting system (PERS) device wakes up based on timing, manual activation or an accelerometer in the PERS device detecting an abnormal condition. The PERS device measures the orientation and correlate and sends statistics to a console. The PERS device determines whether a predetermined threshold has been met to determine whether a fall event has occurred or whether to enter a more active monitoring state. The PERS device also determines whether it is appropriate to transmit an alarm to a central monitoring station via the console and transmits the alarm if desired.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system and methods for monitoring a person or animal remotely. The monitored person may be an elderly person, disabled person, or other person who may experience some difficulty or risks in living alone, or an animal. The system and methods use sensors that may be worn by the person or animal or attached to objects in the person's or animal's location to monitor the status of the person or animal and the objects. In response to certain information detected by the sensors, the system or methods may provide for notifying other individuals, including the person's family, friends or emergency response personnel or caretaker, that the person or animal needs assistance.

Abstract: A hospital bed is configured to monitor data from a second patient support based on the one or more alarms set by the user. The hospital bed detects whether an alarm triggering event occurred based on the monitored data. In response to a determination that the alarm triggering event occurred, the hospital bed will provide a signal indicative of the alarm triggering event to a nurse call system.

Abstract: A moisture detection apparatus can include a soft printed circuit board, a power supply, a processing unit, and a bendable body. The soft printed circuit board can include at least one capacitor. The power supply can be arranged to apply a voltage across the at least one capacitor. The processing unit can have one or more processors configured to detect a capacitance across the at least one capacitor and emit a moisture detection signal in response to a change the capacitance across the at least one capacitor. The soft printed circuit board is embedded in the bendable body. A kit can be comprised of the moisture detection and at least one bag assembly. Another kit can be comprised of the moisture detection and a receiving unit configured to receive the moisture detection signal.

Abstract: An alert system for use with a infant car seat that includes: a car seat alert device, where the alert device includes a means to attach the alert device to a car seat, a belt extending from the means to attach and an activation button on the alert device; software residing on a user's smartphone, where the software links the user's smartphone to the alert device; and instructions within the software activating an alert on the smartphone, if the smartphone is moved greater than a predetermined distance from the car seat. The car seat device may also be linked to a vehicle's computer system, where the car seat device sends a secondary alert to the vehicle's computer system. The secondary alert activates a horn or light system of the vehicle. The alert system may further include a central monitoring system remotely connected to the user's smartphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alarm system for vehicles to alert distracted parents, guardians, and custodians that their child is present in the locked car. The alarm system has sensors, speakers, and display units. The sensors are weight sensors, which detect the weight of the baby. Sensors are fitted in the back seat of the vehicle. Whenever the child is left in the locked car, the same time sensors will start sending signals to the alarm system. The alarm system has two features for alerting caretakers. First, it alerts caretaker by saying the words “please check back seat.” Secondly, it shows signs of car seat in the side view mirror, dash display, and on the steering column. All the parts of the alarm system are connected with the help of wires with each other.

Abstract: Embodiments of a tracking device featuring a housing, which preferably is closed, waterproof, perhaps made from a synthetic material, and free of pressure switches or other man-machine interface, unless rudimentary at best, are disclosed. Typically, the tracking device comprises attachment means for its attachment to the object, which are suited to the object type. At best, its external shape is adapted to that of the object in such a way that the tracking device hardly vibrates or rattles during transport of the object. By virtue of its shape or by virtue of its attachment means, it is suitable for durable attachment to its object. Ideally, a tracking device measures only a few centimeters, or is even smaller. It should be suitable for being hidden in the object or for being separable therefrom only with difficulty. For such reasons alone, tracking devices differ from mobile telephones and the like.

Abstract: A method for a terminal to perform reminding includes outputting first reminding information according to a first event alarm of an event flow alarm clock at a first reminding time of the first event alarm. The event flow alarm clock contains at least two event alarms. The method further includes, when there exists a second event alarm having a second reminding time later than the first reminding time, outputting second reminding information according to the second event alarm at the second reminding time.

Abstract: An alarm protection device having multiple features to monitor, call for help, and provide sound with flashing lights with combination code and LED display. A portable home alarm system is housed in a small compacted design. This device can be used in any room of your home offering many features of operation. It starts by a push button on switch which allows setting up its activation by the user in how the owner wants the device to work for them in their home. The device has a combination setting which can be disarmed by the operator. The device can display on the LED screen your name and location by address and help. With its loud siren of sound it should attract others even if they are not in your house. This Home invasion—Medical Alert—Theft Deterrent is strong enough to be thrown outside and with its heavy front tip that forces the device to land on its tip to compress the pin activation to alert neighbors by demanding outside attention.

Abstract: An emergency safety and monitoring system. The emergency safety and monitoring system includes a wearable device, such as a bracelet or a key ring, having an actuatable button that sends a command activating an audiovisual recording mechanism that can capture audiovisual data on an electronic device. The command also causes a GPS receiver to record location information about the electronic device. After a predetermined amount of time, the captured audiovisual data and location information is communicated to a remote server, emergency personal, or preselected individuals. In one embodiment, the command causes the electronic device to send an emergency message, such as an SMS text message.

Abstract: A radio transmitter used to transmit an activation signal for radio tags held by individuals or the like provides multi-dimensional polarization to an activation signal so as to allow more consistent range detection of an individual with a tag having a single axis of sensitivity. Circular or spherical polarization can be obtained using the system which may include an antenna design permitting decoupling of antennas necessary for the polarization, a quadrature locking system simplifying proper phase control of the necessary signals and a system for tuning the same.

Abstract: A motion sensor has at least two tiers of monitored volumes that are offset from each other. Electromagnetic radiation, such as infrared light, is directed from the monitored volumes onto at least two sets of detector elements having separate outputs on a pyroelectric substrate of an infrared detector. As a warm object, such as a human or an animal, moves through the monitored volumes, the warmth from the object causes the voltage on the outputs of the infrared detector to change. The resultant waveforms are compared and if the two waveforms have a phase relationship corresponding to a critical phase angle that is based on the pitch of the monitored volumes and the offset between the tiers of monitored volumes, an animal-immune motion indication is generated.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize a smart control hub and a relatively “dumb” remote control device that receives display information from the control hub. The remote control communicates simplified commands that are interpreted by the control hub, and translated into commands that are transmitted by the control hub to devices being controlled. Various display pages, or menus of options, may be fed to the remote control and displayed and/or updated on the remote control. A user can navigate the various pages to control various devices using a limited number of buttons and/or a limited reconfigurable input surface. The pages may be updated, for example, to reflect current state information for devices, e.g. on/off, percent power, etc., or to change available commands, e.g. alternating between “on” and “off”, “pause” and “play”, etc.

Abstract: A first control apparatus receives a device control log of a second control apparatus, and stores a shared log that results from adding the received device control log of the second control apparatus to a device control log of the first control apparatus. Upon acquiring a control request from a user to control the device, the first control apparatus determines based on the shared log whether the device is ready for control. If the device is determined to be ready, the first control apparatus transmits to the device a control command responsive to the acquired control request.

Abstract: A system for automated operation of a vehicle includes a controller and a regulated-lane-detector. The controller is operable to determine a vehicle-status that indicates if the vehicle complies with regulations to legally travel in a regulated-lane of a roadway. The regulated-lane-detector is in communication with the controller and operable to determine when a regulated-lane is present on a roadway. The system selects a travel-lane for the vehicle to travel upon based on the vehicle-status.

Abstract: In an exemplary method, a mobile device provides mobile device attribute data to a traffic monitoring subsystem, receives traffic condition data generated by the traffic monitoring subsystem based at least in part on the mobile device attribute data, and presents, by way of a user interface displayed on a display screen of the mobile device, the traffic condition data for consideration by a user of the mobile device. In certain embodiments, the presented traffic condition data includes at least one of an indication of a number of mobile devices that provided attribute data used by the traffic monitoring subsystem to generate the traffic condition data and an indication of a confidence factor for the traffic condition data.

Abstract: A global positioning system including a processor configured to determine a route of travel based upon satellite data that identify a current location of the global positioning system and traffic data obtained from a traffic flow control system, and a display configured to display the current position and a determined route of travel.

Abstract: A driving assistance method executed by a driving assistance device including a tri-axial accelerometer, an information presentation controller, and an information presentation section.

Abstract: For a new road set in a region where an existing road is not present in map data, a road associated information setting unit 13 determines and sets road associated information to be applied to a road link of a new road on the basis of movement history data relating to a plurality of moving bodies stored in a movement history storage unit 14. Accordingly, the road associated information on the new road is automatically set on the basis of the movement history data relating to the plurality of moving bodies, and hence a worker is no longer required to execute on-site investigation or manually generate road associated information.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments illustrate methods and systems for determining an effect of a weather condition on a transportation network. The method includes receiving one or more parameters of the weather condition in a geographical area for a predetermined time-period. The method further includes determining a delay from a scheduled time of arrival of one or more vehicles, associated with the transportation network, at a location from one or more locations, in the transportation network, in the geographical area for the predetermined time-period. Thereafter, a sensitivity of the one or more locations to the weather condition of the geographical area is determined by correlating the delay with the one or more parameters of the weather condition. Further, the sensitivity of the one or more locations is displayed, through a user interface, as a first layer overlaid on a map of the geographical area.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on computer storage media, for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) flight planning. One of the methods includes receiving a location for an aerial survey to be conducted by a UAV. One or more images depicting the location are obtained, and a geofence boundary to limit flight of the UAV is determined. A survey area is determined, and a flight data package is created for transmission that includes information describing a flight plan. After the flight plan is conducted, flight log data and sensor data are received. The flight log data and sensor data are processed, and at least a portion of the processed sensor data is displayed.

Abstract: Modern farming is currently being done by powerful ground equipment or aircraft that weigh several tons and treat uniformly tens of hectares per hour. Automated farming can use small, agile, lightweight, energy-efficient automated robotic equipment that flies to do the same job, even able to farm on a plant-by-plant basis, allowing for new ways of farming. A hybrid airship-drone has both passive lift provided by a gas balloon and active lift provided by propellers. A hybrid airship-drone may be cheaper, more stable in flight, and require less maintenance than other aerial vehicles such as quadrocopters. However, hybrid airship-drones may also be larger in size and have more inertia that needs to be overcome for starting, stopping and turning.