Abstract: This disclosure generally relates to systems and methods to provide graphical user interfaces in computer-implemented multiplayer games. The graphical user interface includes a friends panel that is operable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition. The friends panel provides friends information display functionality, social network management functionality, and/or messaging functionality both in the collapsed condition and in the expanded condition. In the collapsed condition, the friends panel may comprise a friends bar that shows a row of friend cards or chiclets associated with respective friends of a host player associated with a displayed game instance, the friends bar being clear of a view of a virtual in-game environment shown in the game display, while the expanded friends panel may comprise a grid of friend cards or chiclets that functionally obscures the in-game environment.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling the use of electronic systems based upon monitored physical activity. The method can be implemented in a computer infrastructure having computer executable code tangibly embodied on a computer readable storage medium having programming instructions. The program instructions are operable to: provision rules associated with a user and at least one of health metrics and physical activity of the user; monitor the at least one health metrics and physical activity of the user over a predetermined time; and manage access to any of a plurality of electronic systems based on the monitored at least one health metrics and physical activity being in compliance or non-compliance with the provisioned rules.

Abstract: A method for introducing an object with a unique identifier in a video game. A request to a server to introduce the object is made. An identity of a user of the video game is sent to the server. The server generates a token paired with the identity, embeds the token in a multimedia file, and sends the multimedia file to the video console. The video console reproduces the multimedia file and shows a message to the user so that the user executes an application in a smartphone. The application activates a reader to obtain the unique identifier of the object and activates a sensor element to be able to extract said token associated with the multimedia file. The smartphone sends the unique identifier of the object and the token to the server. The server pairs the unique identifier of the object with the identity of the user by means of the token and sends the unique identifier of the object to the video console to introduce it in the video game.

Abstract: Techniques for execution of multiple application programs and their variations are disclosed. One or more individual application program components that are determined to be already stored and/or loaded into memory are not loaded into memory again, thereby allowing the associated application program to be executed without unnecessarily reloading the one or more individual application program components into memory. Generally, by keeping track and/or predicting of the application components loaded into memory, it can be determined whether to load or unload a particular application program component. In addition, data that can readily identify the application components that are not already into memory can be provided as differential application data for loading various application programs and their variations to facilitate switching between and/or concurrently running multiple application programs and their variations.

Abstract: A method for generating career progression information for a user participating in one or more activities in a processing device is disclosed. User progress in the activities is tracked. The activities include game activities and non-game activities. Achievement scores for the user based on the game activities and the non-game activities are determined. The achievement scores are aggregated across the game activities and the non-game activities to generate an aggregated career score for the user. Career progression information is generated for the user, based on the aggregated career score.

Abstract: A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. A notification system and method is provided for providing one-way delivery of notifications to clients of a server.

Abstract: An automatic dealing machine comprises a casing configured for storing a chip handling unit for handling chips, and a banknote handling unit for handling banknotes. The chip handling unit includes a chip insertion port through which chips are received from the exterior of the casing, a chip determination portion for determining the kind of each chip, and a chip calculation portion for calculating the number of the chips, of each kind, as determined by the chip determination portion and the total amount of money. A control unit controls the operation of the dealing machine, such that banknotes of an amount of money corresponding to the total amount of the chips calculated by the chip calculation portion are disbursed into the banknote disbursement port when the chips are inserted through the chip insertion port.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a multiplayer game are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes, queuing a player for a multiplayer game, determining that at least one criterion for beginning the multiplayer game has not been met, beginning a queuing game for the queued player, and determining that the criterion has been met. In response to determining that the criterion has been met, the method continues by ending the queuing game for the player, determining a queuing game outcome for the player, and beginning the multiplayer game, wherein the multiplayer game is based, at least in part, on the queuing game outcome.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with determining whether a first condition associated with a first player of a gaming device is satisfied, determining whether a second condition associated with a second player of the gaming device is satisfied, and awarding, in the case that both the first and second conditions are determined to be satisfied, a benefit to the first player.

Abstract: A fantasy betting application operated on a computerized device for managing a bet relating to statistics of a sporting event. The statistics may relate to a team, position, play, or player. The terms of the bet may be defined relating to a bet amount, bet type, scoring procedure, and duration. The bet may be created by a creator using an interface. A user may view and accept the bet. The user may also make a counteroffer to negotiate the terms of the bet. Users may create and join leagues and private groups. The bet may be confirmed when the creator and the user agree on terms. Funds relating to the bet may be collected and dispersed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are one or more examples of generating a communication directed to a contact of a wagering game player account. In some embodiments, a gaming system can perform operations to determine an identity of an individual located within a given physical location and present, on a display device, a virtual identifier associated with the contact. The individual is indicated as a contact in a wagering game player account. The display device is associated with the wagering game player account. The gaming system can further perform an operation to detect a user input related to the virtual identifier presented on the display device. Further, the gaming system can perform an operation to send a communication to a device associated with the contact in response to detecting the user input.

Abstract: Video game tasks are delegated using a sharing service. A first computing device is configured to execute a game application. The first computing device can receive a request from a first user to delegate play of the game application to a second user so that the second user can attempt to complete a game task on behalf of the first user by controlling the game application from a second computing device that is associated with the second user. Control of the game application can be made available from the second computing device to the first computing device via a sharing session that is created and managed by a sharing service to which the first computing device and the second computing device are connected.

Abstract: The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform a registering process to register in advance in a storage unit attribute information specified by the player, an offering process to offer the game content to the player, a judgment process to compare the attribute information of the game content offered to the specified attribute information, a combining process to combine the game content offered with another game content to create a combined game content, and a recording process to record in the storage unit the combined game content as the game content owned by the player, without recording in the storage unit the game content offered as the game content owned by the player.

Abstract: Systems and methods for facilitating confirmation of completion of a transaction(s) for state synchronization over a non reliable network using signature processing are described. One of the methods includes receiving a read request from a first client, sending a last known signature with a context object to the first client in response to receiving the read request, and receiving an appended signature from the first client with a context object for a transaction at the first client. The appended signature includes the last known signature and an increment by the first client. The operation of receiving the appended signature occurs upon execution of the transaction at the first client. The method further includes updating the last known signature to the appended signature and sending the updated last known signature to the first client to facilitate marking of the transaction as complete resulting in a definitive state synchronization.

Abstract: A computerized management system for corporate, entertainment or sports management by a remote party is disclosed. For instance, in entertainment management the entertainment an event is transmitted for the remote party to remotely analyze the performer or participant. A decision is received via a communications link from a remote computing device associated with the remote party, the decision relating to a reading by an actor, choosing between different scripts, a choice of a participant, editing of a script, angle of a lens for a camera shot, and closeness of a lens for a camera shot, which take of a scene is best, choosing between different endings of a script, total budget for a production, amounts to budget for each of a plurality of line items, amounts to spend in advertising, what markets to focus on for release, or what day to release a film in different markets.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention monitor and dynamically allocate computing resources to game sessions running within a game service. A game service provides a remote gaming environments to which users connect over a wide area network, such as the internet. A game session runs a single instance of a game title. The game session runs the video game code responsible for creating the playing experience for the users. Various characteristics of the game session may be monitored and used to allocate computing resources. Usage of computing resources, such as central processing unit (“CPU”) may be monitored directly. In another embodiment, the number of players connected to the game session is monitored and computing resources are allocated dynamically as the number of players increases or decreases.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authenticating content in wagering game machines are described herein. In one embodiment, the computer-implemented method includes authenticating a first set of wagering game files stored on a storage device of a wagering game machine. The method can also include starting a wagering game on the wagering game machine if the authentication of the first set of wagering game files is successful. The method can also include authenticating, during the wagering game, a second set of wagering game files stored on the storage device of the wagering game machine, wherein the first set of wagering game files and the second set of wagering game files are mutually exclusive. The method can also include stopping the wagering game if the authentication of the second set of wagering game files is not successful.

Abstract: A game system is provided that can control power-feeding of a power-feeding device according to playing of a game. In a game system that executes an arcade game and that is provided with a power-feeding device that feeds a personal terminal device, it is determined whether or not the arcade game is being executed, and the power-feeding function of the power-feeding device is controlled on the basis of the result of that determination.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided, which determine whether the abnormal account performs an abnormal trade with at least one account, assign an abnormality score to the abnormal account according to whether the abnormal account performs the abnormal trade, and control the abnormal account with a control level corresponding to a predetermined reference score when the abnormality score assigned to the abnormal account is higher than or equal to the predetermined reference score.

Abstract: A card used in a card game includes a code including at least two sets of code elements printed in UV-luminous ink on a surface of the card, the sets of code elements provided on one side of the surface of the card along a reading direction of a code reader.

Abstract: Buffering an interactive digital content item includes downloading the interactive digital content item, and beginning execution of the interactive digital content item with a buffer after enough of the interactive digital content item is downloaded to fill the buffer and before the interactive digital content item is completely downloaded. The size of the buffer is dynamically set as a function of one or more experience parameters.

Abstract: Provided in embodiments of the present invention is an access mechanism that provides access to a plurality of internal portions of a gaming device through a plurality of securing mechanisms. In one embodiment, a gaming device includes first and second internal cabinet portions, a first interface device, a second interface device, and an actuator unit. The first and second interface devices secure access to the first and second internal cabinet portions, respectively. The actuator unit is structured to allow access to the first secured cabinet portion in response to a first valid key being applied to the first interface device and to allow access to the second secured cabinet portion in response to a second valid key being applied to the second interface device.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a gaming system and method providing one or more indications associated with a player-selected winning symbol combination for a play of a Pachisuro-style slot game. The gaming system includes a plurality of reels, each of which includes a plurality of symbols, and a separate stop input device associated with each reel. While each reel is spinning, the gaming system enables the player to activate the associated stop input device to cause the gaming system to stop that reel from spinning. For a play of the game, the gaming system enables a player to select a desired winning symbol combination. The gaming system spins the reels and, while the reels are spinning, indicates when the player should activate the stop input devices to cause the gaming system to stop the reels such that a probability of the desired winning symbol combination being displayed is maximized.

Abstract: A game processing server apparatus providing a game service to a plurality of terminal devices connected with each other via a network, includes a game data generation unit that generates game data in the game service; a player information storing unit that stores player information including registration date data indicating a date when the player operating the terminal device is registered in the game service; and a group allocation unit that determines a player group to which the player belongs based on the registration date data of the player, wherein the game data generation unit generates game data for training, which is different from normal game data, to the player who belongs to the player group.

Abstract: System and methods are provided for effecting user experience in an electronic game environment through use of virtual currency or vCoins. In a multi-level game, the systems and methods include memory for storing information on game play, the information including input received from the user, information relating to levels within the multi-level game and game display information for output to the user. A processor is coupled to the memory for generating game play information, preferably including game play with virtual money. The virtual money is acquired through game play or cash purchase. The virtual money is convertible into a non-cash good comprising advancement to another level within the game.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to receive a signal that enables execution of instructions forming a memory clear process, wherein the instructions are included in an operating system of a wagering game machine. Additional activities may include executing the instructions by at least one processor to clear at least a portion of nonvolatile memory in the wagering game machine and initializing the operating system to enable receiving a wager from a player in association with a wagering game to be played on the wagering game machine. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of reels with a plurality of symbols on each of the reels. At least one and preferably a plurality of the symbols on the primary reels are designated as tracking or back symbols. A tracking symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to flag the outcome of the current and all tracking spins in a memory storage device. A back symbol is a symbol that, when generated on a reel, causes the gaming device to retrieve the flagged outcomes of each flagged spin and to re-display the outcomes in a sequential manner and to provide the awards associated with the outcomes to the player. An additional embodiment of the invention automatically flags all spins of the gaming device for retrieval and display upon the generation of a back or bonus symbol. The gaming device determines if an award is associated with one or more of the symbols generated on the reels and provides any determined award to the player.

Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides and tracks bonus event eligibility points accumulated by players playing the gaming devices in the gaming system. Upon a triggering of a bonus event, the gaming system generates, for each bonus event eligibility point accumulated for each player, a random number from a predefined range of numbers. The gaming system determines which one of the accumulated bonus event eligibility points is the designated bonus event eligibility point, such as by determining which bonus event eligibility point is associated with the highest valued random number generated. The gaming system then enables the player that accumulated the designated bonus event eligibility point to participate in the bonus event. In the bonus event, one or more awards are provided to the player that accumulated the designated bonus event eligibility point.

Abstract: The methods and systems disclosed herein include a gaming platform that may support massively-multiplayer online computer games, with elements of social networking, in which players may use mobile devices in order to verify their location and claim a measure of control over the location. Players may function like game pieces in association with other members on a team and participate in competitions to capture and defend real-world territory as part of the gaming experience. The gaming platform and associated entities may share revenue and other incentives with entities associated with the locations controlled by the players on the game platform.

Abstract: When a common game condition is established, at least one of the following games is run: a first common game in which a participating gaming terminal is able to win a bonus type more than once and a payout based on a unit payout amount corresponding to the bonus type that the gaming terminal wins is awarded to the gaming terminal; a second common game in which a participating gaming terminal is able to win a bonus type more than once and a payout based on the number of winnings is awarded to the gaming terminal; and a third common game in which one of the participating gaming terminals is able to win one of the predetermined bonus types and a payout is awarded to the gaming terminal which wins said one of the bonus types.

Abstract: A mobile gaming device may be a player's own personal tablet, smartphone, PDA, etc., with an application program installed via the internet for carrying out a remote gaming session. All gaming functions are carried out by a stationary gaming terminal communicating with the mobile device, such as by using WiFi or other wireless protocol. The mobile device operates as a user interface. While the player is playing one game on the mobile device, the venue's system recommends other games to the player via the player's tablet either based on the player's past gaming history, if the player used a player tracking card, or based on real time game play, if the player is anonymous. Upon the player selecting a different game, the system automatically transfers communications to a different gaming terminal and transfers the player's credits. The gaming terminals may be gaming machines, where each gaming machine carries out a different game.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to relieve time and effort required for manipulated input. The game program according to the present invention causes a computer to perform, an offering process to offer the game content to the user; a recording process to record an offered game content offered in the offering process, as an owned game content owned by the user; a reception process to receive a prearranged registration of a specified game content specified by an input from a user; a judgment process, when an offer game content is offered to a user in the offering process after the reception process, to compare the offered game content to the specified game content prearranged for registration, to judge whether or not the offered game content is to be made an owned game content of the user; and an update process to update a record of the owned game content owned by the user based on a judgment result in the judgment process.

Abstract: A method for logging into a user gaming account may include connecting with a host game console and receiving a login code at a game controller from the host game console. The login code may be encrypted with a combination key and sent to the host game console. Consequently, user gaming account data may be provided to the host game console. Additionally, a method for receiving user gaming account data may include connecting to a game controller and connecting to a game server. A login code for a gaming account login may be received from the game server and the login code may be sent to the game controller. Next, an encrypted login code that has been encrypted with a combination key may be received from the game controller, and subsequently sent to the game server. Accordingly, user gaming account data may be received from the game controller.

Abstract: A game system with an identification function. A fingerprint sensor reads fingerprint information of a game player and outputs the fingerprint information to a processor through first and second BLUETOOTH modules. The processor compares the received fingerprint information with play information, which is obtained from a database of a cloud game system through a wireless network module. If the fingerprint information is stored in the database, the game console finds and displays games played by the game player, the schedule of the games, and operation options of the games. If the fingerprint information is not stored in the database, the game console stores the fingerprint information, the games played by the game player, and the operation options of the games in the database through the wireless network module. A gaming method having identification function is also disclosed.

Abstract: “A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include obtaining data provided from a first application. In some examples, the first application is a wagering game application presented on a wagering game machine. The operations can also include determining a subscription level associated with a second application. The subscription level indicates access to the data from the first application. Further, the operations can also include, providing a service to the second application. In some examples, the service is one of a plurality of tiers of services that correspond to the subscription level. In some examples, the service has one of a plurality of degrees of access to the data from the first application according to the subscription level.

Abstract: Methods and corresponding systems are provided for accessing services on a gaming device which, in certain embodiments, include the step(s) of receiving at least one item of identity verification data from a user of a gaming device; enabling at least one service, such as a wager-type game, on the gaming device based on a match between the at least one item of identity verification data received and at least one item of identity verification data obtained previously; displaying an interface screen comprising graphic objects associated with the wager-type game and at least one selectable element for the user to submit a gaming command and a wagering command during game play; obtaining at least one item of user change data from a user during game play; and prompting the user for identity verification data when a user change is suspected based on the at least one item of user change data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conducting a promotion and for distributing promotions to potential users provide a merchant or promotion organizer flexibility in the way they conduct the promotion as well as an ability to change one or more aspects of the promotion during the operation of the promotion. One or more outcomes are generated by a controller and provided to a user. In addition, one or more codes which allow the outcomes to be revealed or unlocked are generated by the controller and provided to an intermediary. In exchange for completing or satisfying a qualifying action or criteria, the user may receive a code from the intermediary. The user can then unlock an outcome to reveal a prize, benefit, symbol, value, etc., associated with the unlocked outcome. The user may provide a redemption request to either the controller or the intermediary based on the unlocked outcome to receive a benefit or prize associated with the unlocked outcome.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods configured to retain game state information during the course of game play of multiple individual games to deliver a gaming experience in addition to the game play and/or any outcome associated with the individual games and/or game sessions. Player interest can be enhanced through the requirement that multiple games be played to get to a final outcome of the game experience. Each ticket/entry can represent one step along the way (or some other ratio) of the game experience. Combining online experiences with a progression through the gaming experience with stored state information across sessions allows a game management system to track and manage the player until the game experience is complete and can include, for example, requiring a predetermined number of plays. Further the game management system can permit dynamically establishing criteria for players during any game experience.

Abstract: A gaming system including an offer and acceptance game including a series of offer component accumulations. One or more accumulated offer components are associated with one or more award values which form different offers for acceptance or rejection. One or more of such offer component accumulations are also associated with an elimination of one or more of any previously accumulated offer components. Such a configuration provides that when deciding whether to accept an offer (including the currently accumulated, non-eliminated offer components) or reject the offer and accumulate additional offer components, a player weighs the risks of eliminating one or more previously accumulated offer components.

Abstract: The present invention provides a closed-loop system that allows the operator of video gaming machines or other systems to define promotional events for the particular machines or systems, monitor the activity of the particular machines or systems, and grant awards. More specifically, the promotional events may include scheduling information, winning criteria and awards. During the period of time that the promotional event is active, the activity of the machine or system is monitored to determine if the winning criteria has been satisfied. If the winning criteria are satisfied, information pertaining to event is recorded. The present invention is applicable to a variety of embodiments including video poker machines, black jack machines or other gaming and gambling machines, as well as other systems that include a display mechanism and an activity that can be monitored.

Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.

Abstract: There is an interactive video game having a lotterized aspect incorporated therein. In addition to the traditional interactive video game, instant and future win opportunities are presented to the player throughout the game. The game and win opportunities are played with a plurality of virtual currencies, the virtual currencies comprising credits for purchasing virtual goods in the game play instance, tokens applicable within the game play instance for participating in the real world lottery, and gifts representative of virtual goods exchangeable between players.

Abstract: A system includes multiple processing devices. Each processing device is configured to receive first and second status flags from first and second neighboring processing devices, respectively. Each status flag identifies whether one or more of the processing devices are ready for operation. Each processing device is also configured to determine that all processing devices are ready for operation using the status flags. Each processing device is further configured to wait for a specified amount of time before entering operation. The specified amount of time is selected so that the processing devices are substantially synchronized. The processing devices could be coupled together in a ring configuration, the first neighboring processing device could include a right neighboring processing device in the ring configuration, and the second neighboring processing device could include a left neighboring processing device in the ring configuration.

Abstract: Various card devices and methods involving card devices are described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A gaming system, gaming device, and method which provide a display of one or more missed awards based on one or more numbers generated by a random number generator (“RNG”) for possible use in determining a randomly generated outcome for a play of a game, but which are not used to determine any outcome for the play of the game. The unused or unemployed RNG numbers: (a) may be the numbers generated by the RNG before the numbers which are actually used or employed for that play of the game (i.e., the employed numbers); (b) may be the numbers generated by the RNG after the numbers which are used or employed for that play of the game; or (c) if no plays of the game are occurring, the numbers unused numbers generated by the RNG at one or more points in time.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and method that uses digital signature technology to authenticate the contents of one or more manifests located on a storage device. Each manifest contains a list of file records, where each record contains the name of a file stored on the storage device, and a SHA1 hash value derived from the contents of the file. At boot time, the gaming machine first authenticates the contents of the manifest and then verifies the contents of the files using the SHA1 value stored in the manifest. Files are verified using the SHA1, as they are needed, during the boot up of the operating system and throughout normal operation. This method reduces the boot time of the gaming machine and eliminates the need to check digital signatures for each individual file or over the entire contents of a non-secure media.

Abstract: A personal play system and process are used provide alternative prize structures to lottery players at random or based on player characteristics. An authorized player accesses their user account in the system and creates a personalized game document. The personalized game document is scanned by a retail terminal's electronic scanner. The information is communicated to the lottery system's host computer which logs the information and verifies that the transaction can be completed by printing a personalized lottery ticket at the retailer terminal. Alternative prize structures can be selected from single price point game prizes or multiple price point game prizes and can be optionally presented to the players for their selection according to various criteria, including loyalty-level rewards or other unlock criteria based on a player identifiable information, as well as up-sell options, suggestive-sell options, and mystery prizes. Also, bonus number play and SurePlay options may be selected.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include receiving, at a wagering game server, a request from a mobile device to play a wagering game via a selected wagering game machine among a plurality of wagering game machines on the wagering game network. The operations can also include associating the mobile device with the selected wagering game machine, wherein the associating allows receipt of input for the wagering game from the mobile device. The operations can also include receiving, via the wagering game network, commands resulting from inputs accepted by the mobile device. The operations can also include determining a result of the wagering game.

Abstract: There is provided a system and method for determining a gender and age of a player of a game. There is a method comprising capturing an image of at least one player, and determining the gender and age of the player based on the image. In this manner, the game may be customized to be more relevant or attractive to the player's gender and/or age group.

Abstract: A gaming system including a number of host devices each coupled to one or more gaming machines, wherein content provided by the host device is output on the gaming machine. To output the content provided by the remote host, a host-controlled process that is authenticated by the gaming machine and executed in a secure memory location such that it is isolated from other processes executing on the gaming machine may be utilized. The host-controlled processes may be decoupled from the process used to execute the game of chance played on the gaming machine such that the content output by the host-controlled process doesn't alter the play of game of chance.