Abstract: Provided is a game control method carried out by a game control device connected to communication terminals used by users who play a game. The device has a storage unit for storing group information indicative of a group consisting of users and game piece information indicative of game pieces constituting one item. The method includes giving a game piece to each user in accordance with a user operation to his/her communication terminal; storing obtained game piece information indicative of the game piece given to each user in the storage unit; determining whether all of the game pieces necessary to constitute the one item indicated by the game piece information are given to users constituting a group indicated by the group information based on the obtained game piece information; and giving a reward to users constituting the group if it is determined that all of the game pieces are given.

Abstract: A system is provided by which objects with RFID tags can communicate with a surface containing exciting and sensing antennas so as to actuate optical emission from those objects. That light emission can then be used for fine position and orientation sensing by an array of cameras placed around the surface.

Abstract: A baseplate assembly, used with releasably coupleable playing pieces, includes a baseplate operably coupled to an image generating device. The baseplate includes a display region, having playing pieces coupling elements, and means for transmitting images generated by the image generating device to the display region. An image generating and playing-piece-interacting assembly includes a receptor operably coupled to an image generating device, having a display screen for generated images, including integrated visual and optically encoded message images, a playing piece at a location relative to the display screen having an optical display message sensor, and a messaging transponder. The optical display message sensor receives the generated images and generates a first signal at least partially based upon the optically encoded message image. The messaging transponder receives the first signal and generates and sends the receptor a second signal at least partially based thereon.

Abstract: An educational device comprising a game board demarcated with a plurality of positions, each position having associated with it and actuator, actuation of which causes the communication device to provide instruction to the player as to what the player is supposed to do. A player can activate a random number generator to determine how many positions to move. Once instruction has been received, the player utilizes game pieces on the game board to execute the instruction. By going through this process, any player can learn a particular skill or gain particular knowledge that can be applied in life.

Abstract: The robotic activity system described herein provides for efficient communications between the robotic device and the board without the establishment of a wired or radio-frequency connection. In particular, through the simulation of touch events by the robotic device on the touch display of the board using capacitive elements on the robotic device, information/data may be communicated from the robotic device to the board, including the location of the robotic device relative to the touch display, the orientation of the robotic device relative to the touch display, status information of the robotic device (e.g., battery level, motor voltages, or wheel speed), and/or other similar pieces of information. Since this information is communicated using the conductive elements, a dedicated data connection, including separate radios and/or interfaces, is not needed. This communicated information may be used for conducting an interactive game involving the robotic device and the board or another activity.

Abstract: A video poker game comprising: providing each player with an individual flashboard, each flashboard having an equal number of spaces, each space defined by a column label and a space number, wherein the space number is randomly selected from a predefined number range for each column; providing a plurality of bingo balls, wherein each bingo ball has markings associated with one of the plurality of spaces; randomly selecting a first group of bingo balls; displaying to each player the markings associated with each selected bingo ball of the first group of bingo balls; marking each square associated with each of the first group of bingo balls on each individual flashboard; and determining any winning flashboard.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus includes a display unit and has a display support structure that extends substantially vertically from a horizontal support base. The display unit includes a flat-panel display screen having a width (W) and a height (H) wherein W/His at least 16/10. The display unit is rotatable about a horizontal axis located in a plane substantially parallel to the display screen wherein, a player's angle of viewing the display unit may be adjusted by vertical translation of the display unit on the display support structure, over a vertical range of motion, and by rotation of the display unit about the horizontal axis. A front face of the display structure presents, in a region proximate to the vertical range of motion, a concave side of a curved surface.

Abstract: A gaming system for conducting a multi-player wagering game includes a multi-touch table surface that is touched by a handheld electronic wager input device (EWID) carried by a player for placing wagers on a wagering game displayed on the multi-touch table surface. Each EWID carried by a player has an associated unique identification code, which is linked to the respective player's account. Players indicate an amount to be wagered by touching the EWID to designated wager amount areas, then place the wager by touching the EWID to a designated wagering area. Because each EWID is uniquely associable with distinct player accounts, the gaming system can support any number of players placing wagers. The funds remain safe in the player account and no funds are stored on the EWID. Only the identification code is detected, which is compared with the associated player account before allowing that player to place wagers.

Abstract: A cribbage board having illuminating peg holes includes a discrete upper piece and a discrete lower piece. The top side of the upper piece includes a playing surface which is defined by a plurality of holes arranged as a first track and a second track, with each track including a continuous series of holes. The bottom side of the upper piece includes a plurality of distinct hollow channels, each running underneath a separate track of holes. In the hollow channels are a plurality of colored LEDs which illuminate when provided with electrical power. The LEDs are configured to illuminate underneath the first track of holes in a distinct color from the LEDs disposed underneath the second track of holes, so as to enable the different tracks of holes to be readily distinguished in a dark environment.

Abstract: Execution of a software product in an electronic device providing a war strategy game provides a rendering of a map including a landing area and enemy territory, a first set of selectable graphical objects including selectable troop transportation units, detection of a selection of a troop transportation unit and deployment point on the landing area; and execution of a rendering of the selected troop transportation unit to a free space on the landing area in proximity of the deployment point. A troop is moved from the selected troop transportation unit along a route towards the enemy territory. A second set of selectable graphical objects including flash fire devices is rendered. Selection of a flash fire device and fire point in the enemy territory is detected. Operation of the flash fire device on the fire point is executed and the troop is moved towards the fire point.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a display device and a processor coupled to the display device. The processor is configured to cause the display device to display a game using a first frame. The processor is also configured to divide the first frame into a plurality of second frames during play of the game in the first frame, cause the display device to display the plurality of second frames, and enable continued play of the game separately within each second frame. In addition, the processor is configured to merge the plurality of second frames into the first frame, cause the display device to display the first frame, and enable continued play of the game within the first frame.

Abstract: A wagering game system includes a peripheral device with a peripheral device display and at least one processor configured to execute at least one application to display information on the peripheral device display. The system also includes a wagering game terminal with a terminal display configured to display a wagering game and a player-accessible interface configured to allow a player to communicatively couple the peripheral device to the wagering game terminal. The at least one application includes a wagering game application relating to the wagering game displayed on the terminal display of the wagering game terminal, and the at least one processor of the peripheral device executes the wagering application to display, on the peripheral device display, wagering game information relating to the wagering game.

Abstract: An eraser is usable in a display system having a display surface. The eraser includes one or more optical detection elements for determining the coordinates of the eraser relative to the display surface.

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 gaming machine, such as a video slot or video poker machine, may be configured to request a thin client game from a game server for presentation within a thin client. The outcome of the thin client game is determined by the game server. The gaming machine is also configured to execute a thick client game determined by the gaming machine. Indications of the outcomes of the thin and thick client games may be provided to a data collection device.

Abstract: Described herein are a gaming system, method, computer server, and computer program product that utilise a first gaming table and a predefined number of tokens. The gaming table includes a number of cells that correspond to the number of tokens and each token has an associated value. The tokens are stored in the cells of the gaming table, with one token in each cell, until all of the cells are populated. The gaming system, method, and computer program product of the present disclosure compute a score for a player by utilising the values associated with the tokens.

Abstract: A service window may be provided to a gaming machine, such as a video slot machine, video poker machine, or similar electronic device. The service window may include an option to request an available game for download. A request for the game may be received via the service window and the game may be provided to the gaming machine.

Abstract: A gaming table including a plurality of illumination devices mounted therein and a controller configured for receiving a selection of a preset game layout configuration from one or more preset game layout configurations stored in memory and actuating the illumination of a portion of the plurality of illumination devices corresponding with the selected preset game layout configuration.

Abstract: A light-emitting toy assembly including a field generator that includes a first transmitting coil configured to inductively transmit energy and an object. The object includes a body, at least a part of which is translucent, at least one receiving coil configured to inductively receive energy from the first transmitting coil, and a lighting element having at least one light emitting diode that is configured to receive a current from a corresponding one of the at least one receiving coils. At least one of the first transmitting coil and the object is movable with respect to the other of the first transmitting coil and the object. A change in a rotational orientation of at least one of the first transmitting coil and the object alters a lighting state of the lighting element.

Abstract: A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As a result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object.

Abstract: A method, system and an interactive device for interaction with the electric field of touch-sensitive electronic display of a computing device is provided.

Abstract: A board game incorporating binary conversions to entertain and educate players, comprising a multi-tiered playing field, a plurality of counters, of control pads, and playing cards. The playing field comprises a plurality of rooms, doors, roof hatches, and lights. Players enter the values from the playing cards into the control pads. The control pads electronically communicate with the counters to display the binary conversions. Based on the binary conversions, the lights on the playing field indicate which doors and roof hatches are opened or closed allowing players to navigate through the playing field. The winning player wins by being the first player to exit the playing field. It is contemplated that the board game can extend to computer games, video games, smart phone and tablet applications, theme parks or other similar gaming opportunities wherein players can compete to navigate through and be the first to exit the playing field.

Abstract: A device, method, and system for developing, managing, acquiring and playing electronic board games. Game developers may illustratively access one or more electronic game board, game piece templates and/or other game development application software from a game server to design and develop electronic board games. Such electronic board games may then be acquired by game players in the form of full, limited and/or modifiable versions. A game service module of the game server makes a number of electronic board game related services available to game players for managing, playing and acquiring electronic board game collections and/or for enhancing or facilitating electronic board game playing.

Abstract: An intelligent game system and apparatus comprises one or more sensors, a controller, a projector, one or more game pieces and one or more foldable three-dimensional terrain pieces. The game board and terrain pieces comprise one or more sensors each having an identifier for sensing when a game piece or terrain piece is located on the game board and/or terrain piece. The sensors obtain object information from the game pieces and/or terrain pieces and transfer the object information to a controller. The sensors of the terrain pieces transfer the object information to the sensor of the terrain piece below them until the bottom terrain piece transfer the object information to a game board sensor. The controller is thereby able to track properties of the game and/or terrain pieces, such as position, and adjust the gameplay accordingly.

Abstract: A system for determining information regarding at least one object, comprising: a sensor sensitive to capacitive coupling; at least one object adapted to create a capacitive coupling with the sensor when at least one signal is input to the sensor; a detector adapted to measure at least one output signal of said sensor associated with the at least one object, wherein the output signal associated with the at least one object is an object information code.

Abstract: An electronic game device including a first sensor section hingedly connected to a second sensor section. One or more proximity sensors and one or more output devices are operatively connected to the sensor sections by circuitry. The first sensor section and the second sensor section each include a sensor space such that placement of an object in the sensor space of the associated sensor section may actuate the one or more proximity sensors of that sensor section. The circuitry is configured to determine whether the proximity sensors are actuated and to emit an output signal. Hinges allow the game device to be folded from a linear game orientation, to a multi-dimensional game orientation, and to a bi-linear game orientation.

Abstract: A triple smart game system is provided. The triple smart game system includes a game pad in which a layout is implemented on a game table around which a dealer and players are located, the layout including a card arrangement zone required to play a triple game, a game logo, a game description phrase, seat-based betting zones, and a seat number area. A win number entry device is installed on a chips tray side of the table and manipulated by the dealer so as to process play result information of a triple game after each player has completed betting on one or more sides of the seat-based betting zone and the dealer has thrown cards. A lighting device is embedded and installed under the seat-based betting zone and configured to light a winning side of the seat-based betting zone.

Abstract: Described is a picture game which utilized bingo-style game cards having images depicted thereon. As random images and photos are selected and displayed, matching images on the game cards are identified until one or more players hold a game card having a pre-established pattern marked. During the display of images and photos, messages, including advertisements or trivia questions, may be displayed as well. In another version, the game may also be used to facilitate memory exercises.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided having a plurality of playing positions, with each playing position having both a human readable and a machine readable indicia identifying the playing position. The gaming system also includes playing pieces, which also have both human and machine readable indicia. The gaming system uses a smart phone with an optical scanner to facilitate interaction with the gaming surface and pieces.

Abstract: A craps game is disclosed that combines traditional craps wagers with a set of wagers having longer odds, and thus higher payouts, which are determined based upon the matching of a predefined set of numbers a specified number of times with the roll of the dice prior to the occurrence of a terminating event. In one form, the set of numbers is a single number. In a further form, at least one wager includes a specified number which matches the predefined number which makes up a single member set.

Abstract: A board game is described in which players take on the role of actors who compete to get to an award show where their talents will be recognized. Along the way, they may encounter various situations that help or interfere with their successful attainment of their goal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for providing a gaming apparatus. The gaming apparatus includes a primary display area, a wager data device, a secondary display area, and a controller. The wager data device receives wager data indicative of a wager submitted by a player. Results of the base game are displayed on the primary display area. Credits earned in the base game are converted to points in the secondary game. Results of the secondary game are displayed on the secondary display area while the base game is being played, in relation to predetermined point levels for each round of the secondary game. Based on the achieved point levels and the predetermined point levels for each round of the secondary game, it is determined whether to advance the player or to end the secondary game.

Abstract: A game playing device having a housing with a card holding member, the card holding member being configured to receive a plurality of cards; a plurality of switches located on a surface of the housing each of the plurality of switches being capable of being illuminated; and a controller for selectively illuminating each of the plurality of switches, the illumination of at least one of the plurality of switches indicating a turn for playing the game playing device.

Abstract: Disclosed are two-player games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including one or more shared feature games. Each player has a respective base game, game board and a token movable on his game board in response to his base game outcomes. Certain combinations of token positions on the two game boards may trigger play of one or more feature games shared by the players.

Abstract: A wagering game is played with symbol indicia having an order or rank. A player places a first wager to play in an underlying game. The player receives at least or exactly two indicia which are positioned among three possible orientations by the player. There is one indicia each, in any of three indicia positions defining a player's hand. The player places the two indicia, leaving one indicia position unfilled. A third indicia is provided to the player in the unfilled indicia position. The first wager is resolved at least in part based on whether the third indicia forms a sequence of order or ranks among the three indicia provided to the player. There may be a similar dealer hand against which the player hand is compared. Playing cards are preferred indicia.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a predetermined number of move numbers for one or more players or users of a game or application may be determined, e.g., using an indicator. For example, a first group of move numbers for a first player and a second group of move numbers for a second player may be determined. The players use the pre-established move numbers to advance according to the rules of the application or game. Move numbers within a group may be sequenced or non-sequenced. Move numbers may be replaced at each player's turn or when all or a subset of move numbers of a group are used. Move numbers may be established by any type of indicator such as dice, dominos, or a random number generator. In some embodiments, move numbers may be traded in. Move numbers may or may not be visible at predetermined times to one or more players.

Abstract: An interactive game board system includes a game board, a plurality of capacitive sensors embedded in the game board, a microprocessor with input channels for the capacitive sensors, computer memory means, software instructions and data for directing an interactive game, one or more playing pieces with electrically an conductive portion, and power supply means. An interactive game board system includes interdigitated sensors. An interactive game board system includes capacitive sensors operating in dynamic sensing mode. An interactive game board system includes means for identifying individual game pieces.

Abstract: In accordance with one implementation disclosed in the present application, an electronically integrated board game includes a game board having an overlapping region that is configured to cover a touch screen of an electronic device. The game board also includes a touch input interface configured to route a touch input from a play area of the game board to the touch screen of the electronic device through the overlapping region. The game board can also include an opening configured to expose the touch screen of the electronic device. The overlapping region can surround an opening of the game board, where the opening is configured to expose the touch screen of the electronic device.

Abstract: Disclosed are two-player games, gaming machines, gaming systems and methods including one or more shared feature games. Each player has a respective base game, game board and a token movable on his game board in response to his base game outcomes. Certain combinations of token positions on the two game boards may trigger play of one or more feature games shared by the players.

Abstract: A board game incorporating binary conversions to entertain and educate players, comprising a multi-tiered playing field, a plurality of counters, of control pads, and playing cards. The playing field comprises a plurality of rooms, doors, roof hatches, and lights. Players enter the values from the playing cards into the control pads. The control pads electronically communicate with the counters to display the binary conversions. Based on the binary conversions, the lights on the playing field indicate which doors and roof hatches are opened or closed allowing players to navigate through the playing field. The winning player wins by being the first player to exit the playing field. It is contemplated that the board game can extend to computer games, video games, theme parks or other similar gaming opportunities wherein players can compete to navigate through and be the first to exit the playing field.

Abstract: Musical pitch board games are described. One embodiment includes a game having a game board with a first rectangular path of colored musical notation spaces including a start space, a plurality of groups of musical notation spaces, each group having a different color, one or more rest spaces, at least one pair of repeat bars, and a winner space. The game board can also have a second rectangular path of colored musical notation spaces, the second rectangular path having fewer spaces between the start space and the winner space than the first rectangular path. The game can also include a plurality of playing pieces, a plurality of song word question cards and a note remote device. Players can advance on the game board by successfully choosing the correct pitch of a song lyric word as recorded by the original record artist of the song.

Abstract: An object for transmitting information to a user includes an information detection device for detecting and receiving an information signal, a touch detector for transmitting a touch detection signal upon detection of the user touching the object, and an electronic switch for electronically coupling the information detection device to a tactile stimulation unit upon receipt of the touch detection signal such that information signal is transmitted from the information detection device to a part of the user touching the object via the tactile stimulation unit. In this way, the object is suitable for transmitting information only to the user touching the object, and this information is hidden from and not transmitted to other users.

Abstract: A sudoku-style game for use by a human player includes a game board surface presented to the player which has a plurality of P×Q sub-matrices of cells, each of the cells being divided into a first section and a second section, each section of each cell having sufficient space to contain a visually perceivable indicator, wherein P represents the number of rows in each sub-matrix, and Q represents the number of columns in each sub-matrix, a master matrix having the plurality of P×Q sub-matrices coupled one P×Q sub-matrix to another P×Q sub-matrix to form a desired game board shape, a solution to the game being the completion of the master matrix by the player so that no indicator is repeated more than a respective instructed number of times in each row and column.

Abstract: An object tracking system comprising one or more objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the object. As a result, during the course of operation, the location and identification of the objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the objects on the game board. The processing device is able to disregard incomplete or corrupt data from the visual markers due to the visual marker being blocked from view or otherwise corrupted and thereby still correctly identify and locate the objects.

Abstract: A travel game-board activity kit is provided. The activity kit includes a plurality of dry-erase marking instruments, a plurality of magnetic game pieces, and a plurality of pages having game-board images printed thereon. The plurality of pages includes one or more magnetic sections, and a surface configured to accept markings from the plurality of dry-erase marking instruments and to allow erasure of the markings. The surface of the plurality of pages that accepts dry-erase markings may also include one or more dry-erase sections configured to aid players in tracking game progress, such as on a dry-erase scoreboard. The activity kit may also include a storage container attached to the plurality of pages, which holds the dry-erase marking instruments and/or the magnetic game pieces. In some embodiments, the activity kit includes an electronic component coupled to the plurality of pages for providing desired information, lights, and/or sounds usable for play.

Abstract: A game table having a multiplayer interactive display/input device which enables multiple players to simultaneously play primary or base wagering games and/or secondary or bonus games using the display/input device. The display/input device enables multiple players to simultaneously interact with the game table and the various games using the same display/input device. The game table enables multiple players to manipulate displayed objects (such as virtual cards or other game symbols) displayed by the display/input device at the same time. This enables the display/input device to simultaneously display the same game to multiple players in an integrated seamless manner without the need for multiple different sets of display devices and input devices for each of the players.

Abstract: The Tactile Sudoku Game Display for the Blind has 4 control buttons used by the blind game player to manually direct the attached computer to change the current game square up and down and left and right. The Game Display has 27 electromechanically raised and lowered dots similar to Braille dots arranged in 3 squares each with 9 dots arranged in 3 rows and 3 columns. The raised dots in the Game Display's lower-right square communicate the current status of 1 of the 81 Sudoku game squares to the blind game player by touch. And 1 raised dot in each of the Game Display's other 2 squares communicates the column number and row number of the current game square to the blind game player by touch. The game author's given starting game squares have only 1 of the 9 dots raised; and, the blind game player touches and depresses all but 1 of the 9 dots in each remaining game square to complete the game.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for inter-connectable multi-track media-based cards. There is provided a card for media playback, the card comprising a media output, a memory storing at least one of a plurality of media tracks of a media, a communications interface inter-connectable with one or more additional cards storing other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks of the media, and a media processor. The media processor is configured to detect, via the communications interface, any of the one or more additional cards connected to the communications interface to determine connected cards, and cause a playback of at least one of the plurality of media tracks in the memory in combination with at least one of the other media tracks of the plurality of media tracks on the connected cards. This enables concurrent playback of multi-track media-based trading cards, providing entertainment and collectible value for users.

Abstract: An automatic tile-based game machine includes a table. The table is provided with a shuffle mechanism, four conveying mechanisms, four stack mechanisms, four lift mechanisms and a central lift mechanism. The four conveying mechanisms the four stack mechanisms and the four lift mechanisms are disposed on four sides of the table. The central lift mechanism is disposed at the center of the table. The present invention has a simple configuration and the tiles can be shuffled quickly. Only one set of the tiles is required.

Abstract: A light source, a convex mirror and an optical sensor are disposed within a housing which is transparent to the range of wavelengths from the light source and of a low distortion scratch-resistant material. A game board is used with retro-reflective elements, such as moveable playing markers or game tokens, cards or regions affixed to and integrated into the game board. A data store stores the locations of the reflective elements and other game-related data, such as data needed to measure a player's score or position in a game or data to provide guided play. The convex mirror is disposed inside the housing such that light reflects from the light source, off the convex mirror, through the housing, and onto the game board.