Abstract: Enables detection of events using motion capture sensors and potentially other sensors electromagnetic field, temperature, humidity, wind, pressure, elevation, light, sound, or heart rate sensors to confirm and post events, differentiate similar types of motion events to determine the type of equipment or activity or quality of the event, such proficiency. Enables motion capture data and other sensor data to be utilized to curate text, images, video, sound and post the results to social networks, for example in a dedicated feed. Embodiments of the system also may post or filter to social media sites using any other filter besides location and time and the text in the social media posts for example. May use motion or other sensor data to define and event, eliminate false positive events, post true events, and/or correlate the events with social media to confirm the events, or post the events in a particular channel.

Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes (e.g., for a roulette game) for one or more players. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to one or more players (e.g., a player may access the video presentation online). This allows one or more players to purchase a video presentation of (e.g., predetermined) outcomes in a jurisdiction in which gambling is legal yet view the presentation at the player's convenience (e.g., from any jurisdiction and at any time). At least one player who is associated with such a video presentation may subsequently redeem it for a redemption value associated therewith.

Abstract: Supplemental computing devices that provide processing and/or storage resources to game consoles to assist these game consoles in executing a game. In some instances, a game console locally executes a copy of a game using resources of the game console. In addition, however, the game console may couple to a supplemental computing device that includes resources that the game console may also utilize to increase the speed or quality of a user's gaming experience. For instance, the supplemental computing device may couple via a physical connection (e.g., a wired connection) to the game console for processing data associated with the game and providing a result back to the console, and/or for storing game data on behalf of the game console.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors, in which a computing device displays computer game graphics showing a score for a computer game, and in which, one or more of the processors are programmed to: (a) receive the score a player achieves while playing a game; and (b) visually indicate how this score relates to one or multiple pre-defined goals; (c) receive information about the high scores of different players of the game (d) compare the current score of the player, the previous high score of the player and the high scores of the different players; and (e) during the play of the game, visually represent the difference between the current score, the high scores of the different players and the pre-defined goal(s).

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment sets the game background image with surface objects (bricks, coins, item closed box baffles, monsters, and the like) arranged therein in the middle of the tennis court within a virtual space for executing a tennis game containing the motion of hitting the tennis ball according to an operation by the player, and scrolls the surface objects arranged in the game background image. Then, there is provided an effect corresponding to the type of the surface object (benefit object, the hit map switching object, scoring object, or the like) arranged in a position of the game background image, where the tennis ball shot in response to a player-operation has reached.

Abstract: An example of an information processing apparatus is portable and performs predetermined processing in accordance with a user operation. The information processing apparatus includes: a plate-like housing so shaped that a thickness of an upper side surface of the housing is greater than a thickness of a lower side surface of the housing such that the closer to the lower side surface, the thinner the housing; and at least one operation button provided on the upper side surface of the housing.

Abstract: A multi-user video game with communications capabilities allows players to communicate with one another via simulated mail, leaflets and conversations. Different installations of the game on different discrete video game playing platforms may be unique or different depending upon random or other data available at the platform. For example, different installations may have different subsets of characters, different landscapes, or the like. Player characters from one virtual environment or village may visit another virtual environment or village and return home to his or her resident environment or village. Non-player characters may move from one virtual environment or village to another—thereby providing an ever-changing variety of characters. Communications between different game playing platforms can be provided via portable memory devices, portable game playing devices, or conventional communications means such as networks.

Abstract: The APPARATUSES, METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AN ONLINE GAME MANAGER (“OGM”) transform user social graph and online behavioral pattern data inputs via OGM components into optimized server computational load reports. In one embodiment, the OGM may process a user server migration request for a user by obtaining user social graph data identifying co-users, and social activity pattern data associated with the user and the co-users. The OGM may also obtain server load indices of servers associated with the co-users, and server load analysis rules. By analyzing the server load indices using the server load analysis rules, the OGM may identify a subset of the servers as non-overloaded transfer candidate servers. The OGM may calculate transfer candidate server scores for the non-overloaded transfer candidate servers using the user social graph data and the social activity pattern data.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game apparatus and an operating device. The game apparatus acquires operation data from the operating device. Moreover, the game apparatus executes an application and outputs an image generated by the execution of the application to either the operating device or a predetermined display device different from the operating device, or both. When a predetermined operation is performed on the operating device during the execution of the application, a predetermined operation image is displayed on a display unit of the operating device. In a state where the operation image is displayed on the display unit, the game apparatus determines whether or not a control instruction has been provided to control the predetermined display device, on the basis of the operation data. When the control instruction is determined to have been provided, the predetermined display device is controlled in accordance with the control instruction.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention disclose an apparatus, a method, and a computer program product for coordinating sensations of sound and gas flow based on audio signals. An apparatus comprises a controller circuit which is in communication with a gas blowing unit and a speaker. The controller circuit is operatively connected to an audio source of an entertainment device, and is configured to a) receive an audio input, b) amplify a portion of a peak that is above a pre-determined threshold, and c) send a signal that activates the gas blowing unit. A method and computer program product where a computer receives an audio input. The computer determines that the amplitude of a portion of the audio input exceeds a pre-determined threshold. In response, the computer amplifies the determined amplitude, and sets the speed for a fan based on the audio input.

Abstract: A first area and a second area are set in a virtual space. Then, based on first configuration information for configuring a first state of a game world, a first object to be placed in the first area is generated. In addition, a second object to be placed in the second area is generated based on second configuration information for configuring a second state different from the first state at a predetermined position in the virtual space to which the first configuration information is applied.

Abstract: Techniques for three-dimensional garment simulation using parallel computing are presented herein. An access module can be configured to access a three-dimensional garment model of a garment. The garment model can include garment points that represent a surface of the garment. A processor, having a plurality of cores, can be configured by a garment simulation module to calculate one or more exerted forces on a subset of garment points. Additionally, the garment simulation module can generate cross pairs and apportion the generated cross pairs among the plurality of cores. Moreover, the garment simulation module can determine, using the plurality of vector execution units in parallel based on an organized data layout, whether boundaries of the first subgroup of cross pairs are overlapping based on the one or more exerted forces. Subsequently, the garment simulation module can calculate one or more simulated forces acting on the garment points based on the determination.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments disclosed herein, there are provided systems, apparatuses, and methods for implementing an interactive visual advertisement service as described herein. For example, in one embodiment, such means may include means for transmitting a message for display on an electronic visual display device in which the message includes a requested action to be performed by a user; means for receiving a sequence of electronic images of a performed action having been performed by the user subsequent to transmitting the message for display; means for evaluating the sequence of electronic images of the performed action by the user to determine whether the performed action by the user substantially matches the requested action of the message; and means for transmitting a notification for display on the electronic visual display device when the performed action by the user substantially matches the requested action of the message.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes a cabinet having a main video display mounted on a front side of the cabinet. The gaming machine also includes at least one more additional video display mounted on the front side of the cabinet either above or below the game video display. The player controls include a separate player control touch screen mounted on a ledge projecting forwardly from the front side of the gaming machine cabinet, and facing upward to present reconfigurable player touch controls for the gaming machine. These controls may be reconfigured within a game or to change the game presentation on the machine in response to player commands or gaming network conditions.

Abstract: To provide a game presenting system having a plurality of game systems for each executing a process of a game in which a plurality of users participate, and a game presenting machine for presenting a situation of the game executed by the game system, wherein the game presenting machine obtains a motion image related to the game executed by each of the plurality of game systems, and produces a game presenting screen image showing, as a list, at least some of the plurality of motion images obtained.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU sets a weapon to be transmittable according to an instruction by a player. More specifically, a seed is generated from a weapon, and transmittable seed data corresponding to the generated seed is stored in a memory for saved data. When a game apparatus is carried in a sleep state by a player, it makes a communication with another game apparatus to thereby transmit and receive the transmittable seed data with the other game apparatus. Accordingly, the transmittable and receivable seed data, that is, the seeds are exchanged. During the game, the received two seeds are fused to thereby generate a weapon.

Abstract: A display apparatus and a method thereof. The display apparatus includes a display with variable transparency, a sensor which senses a location of at least one of a person and an object, and a controller which determines proximity of the at least one of the person and the object to the display based on a result of the sensing by the sensor, and adjusts the transparency of the display differently according to a result of the determining. Accordingly, a user can easily recognize contents displayed on the display screen having high transparency in the display apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method are configured to provide a videogame to one or more players. The videogame may involve a series of different sets of content within which players perform activities. A group of players may be associated with the content sets. The players may include virtual players controlled by artificial intelligence and one or more real world players. Players may progress through the videogame by moving from content sets to content sets, performing objectives in the various content sets, and interacting with the players within those content sets.

Abstract: External notifications related to virtual spaces, such as virtual game spaces may be provided to users. The notifications may provide an indication of events that have occurred in the virtual game spaces, offers of virtual goods, and/or other information related to the virtual game spaces. External notifications may be sent, for example, via email, text message, instant message (external from the virtual space), and/or through other external communication media. This may provide centralized and/or coordinated distribution of notifications for a plurality of different virtual game spaces.

Abstract: An example game system includes a home-console type game device and a terminal device. The terminal device includes a touch panel and an inertia sensor, and wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including touch panel data and inertia sensor data. The game device receives the operation data from the terminal device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device generates first game images and second game images based on the game processes. The first game images are compressed, and the compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the terminal device. The second game image is output to, and displayed on, an external display device which is separate from the terminal device. The terminal device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the received compressed image data, and displays the first game images on a display section.

Abstract: A method, implemented as computer code being executed by one or more processors in which a computing device displays computer game graphics for a casual game showing a gameboard with multiple game elements that are removed when matched or switched, such as in a match-3, clicker or switcher game; and in which a processor enables the game to be accessed through a social network through which friends can request help in completing game levels and send game-related gifts to one another; and in which a processor draws the game elements as brightly colored candies.

Abstract: A method of controlling the movement of a virtual camera whose image plane provides a cut-out from a captured image of a scene is disclosed. The method comprises: defining a set of first pixel positions forming the boundary of the cut-out of the captured image; defining a set of second pixel positions for the boundary of the captured image; calculating a virtual camera rotation matrix to be applied to the first pixel positions, the virtual camera rotation matrix representative of the difference in at least one of the yaw and pitch of the image plane of the virtual camera and the image plane of the captured image of the scene, wherein the virtual camera rotation matrix is limited such that when one of the set of first pixel positions is transformed using the virtual camera rotation matrix, the transformed first pixel position is located within the boundary of the captured image.

Abstract: A system for allowing a virtual object to interact with other virtual objects across different spaces within an augmented reality (AR) environment and to transition between the different spaces is described. An AR environment may include a plurality of spaces, each comprising a bounded area or volume within the AR environment. In one example, an AR environment may be associated with a three-dimensional world space and a two-dimensional object space corresponding with a page of a book within the AR environment. A virtual object within the AR environment may be assigned to the object space and transition from the two-dimensional object space to the three-dimensional world space upon the detection of a space transition event. In some cases, a dual representation of the virtual object may be used to detect interactions between the virtual object and other virtual objects in both the world space and the object space.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a social networking game that enables a game server to prioritize application to user messages. A return on investment (ROI) can be computed for each potential application to user message and the application to user messages can be delivered in an order based on the computed ROI for each message. The ROI for each message can be computed based on factors such as the value of a message's recipient and/or the importance of the message. The value of a message's recipient can be based on factors such as the amount of money that recipient has spent on the game, how many friends the recipient has, how many invitations the recipient has sent to other potential players, and any other factors that are probative as to the value of the recipient to the commercial success of the game.

Abstract: Embodiments relate generally to electrical/electronic hardware, computer software, wired and wireless network communications, portable, wearable, and stationary media devices. RF transceivers and/or audio system in each media device may be used to wirelessly communicate between media devices and allow configuration and other data to be wirelessly transmitted from one media device to another media device. The proximity detection system may be configured to detect a presence of a user or multiple users and upon detecting presence, access content on a user device, and record the content while also playing back the content on the media device. One or more user devices in proximity of the media device post detection may wirelessly communicate with the media device and the media device may orchestrate handling of content from those devices or from a wirelessly accessible location such as the Cloud or Internet.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides an information system, including a plurality of information processing apparatuses, each information processing apparatus capable of communicating data with one another within a prescribed range, and a server capable of communicating data with each information processing apparatus.

Abstract: A server arrangement for controlling a video game viewable by game participants at a plurality of respective terminals. The server arrangement has a game engine to output graphical scenes collectively representing a virtual world with game characters, each graphical scene describing a portion of the virtual world. The server arrangement also has a shared-rendering engine for associating game participants with respective graphical scenes and for performing a shared-rendering operation on the graphical scenes to generate respective moving-image data streams, the shared-rendering operation being common for the game participants that are associated by the shared-rendering engine with the same graphical scene.

Abstract: A sports videogame such as a baseball videogame allows a user to control the release time of a pitch in order to control the timing of a break on the pitched ball. Other implementations of a baseball videogame allow a user to put extra spin on a pitched ball to thereby create a greater break on the pitch or allow the user to play in a hero mode which enables the user to control a videogame character in a series of specific game play scenarios designed to allow the user to immediately control the videogame character to perform unique skills. Game play may also be customized by allowing the user to incorporate user-created images into screens of game play and/or allow the user to incorporate recorded audio messages into game play.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for detecting fraud in a social gaming environment is disclosed herein. For example, game events generated responsive to a player playing a game executing on a client device are received. The game events may then be used to build a player profile for the player. The player profile may characterize the game actions performed by the player. The player profile is then compared with a golden profile. The golden profile may specify an expected gaming behavior. Based on the comparison between the player profile and the expected gaming behavior specified by the golden profile, a player account associated with the player may be marked as suspicious.

Abstract: A game control server apparatus includes an enemy character providing unit that provides a normal enemy character and a strong enemy character in a game; and a game management control unit that repeats for a first period, a normal step of providing the normal enemy character to appear in the game, a determining step of determining whether an appearance condition of the strong enemy character is satisfied, and a strong step of providing the strong enemy character when the appearance condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Systems and methods receive digital images from online sources. The digital images are analyzed and various objects are recognized within the digital images. The recognized objects may be faces of persons appearing in the digital images. A subset of the digital images is selected according to selection rules applied to the recognized objects. The selected recognized objects are incorporated into a wagering game. For example, the recognized objects may be incorporated onto symbols of wagering game.

Abstract: Computer-implemented systems and methods are disclosed for providing social games. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method comprises receiving a selection from a user to activate the social game. The method also includes receiving, with at least one processor, the previously recorded content for the social game. In accordance with the present disclosure, the method also includes playing back, in response to the selection, the previously recorded content to the user and recording the user's interaction with the previously recorded content while playing back the previously recorded content.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are described for conducting a secondary game at a gaming device. In various embodiments, a player may acquire equity in the secondary game in such forms as a location of a game character, a number of symbols aggregated, a degree of completion of a puzzle, or a defensive provision. Certain symbols or outcomes in a primary game, however, may cause the player to lose equity in the secondary game.

Abstract: A cable management hub for use in providing an interface between one or more pieces of audio-visual presentation equipment and a laptop. The cable management hub comprises a first portion that includes one or more cables that mate with respective cables from the laptop. The cable management hub further includes one or more buttons, each of which is configured to generate an electrical signal when pressed by a user that indicates a desire by the user to transfer control of the audio-visual presentation equipment from a previous user, if one exists, to the user that pressed the button. If no one had control, then the user that presses the button would gain control of the audio-visual equipment. The cable management hub further includes one or more illuminated indicators configured to illuminate in a manner indicative of a received status condition signal.

Abstract: Tools and techniques for acquiring key roles and their relationships from a video independent of metadata, such as cast lists and scripts, are described herein. These techniques include discovering key roles and their relationships by treating a video (e.g., a movie, television program, music video, and personal video, etc.) as a community. For instance, a video is segmented into a hierarchical structure that includes levels for scenes, shots, and key frames. In some implementations, the techniques include performing face detection and grouping on the detected key frames. In some implementations, the techniques include exploiting the key roles and their correlations in this video to discover a community. The discovered community provides for a wide variety of applications, including the automatic generation of visual summaries or video posters including acquired key roles.

Abstract: An information apparatus is provided. The information processing apparatus includes a viewpoint position measurement unit configured to measure a position of a viewpoint of an operator, an operation position measurement unit configured to measure a position of an operation unit operated by the operator, and a determination unit configured to determine a position and an orientation of a cursor to be displayed based on the position of the viewpoint and the position of the operation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine that is capable of realizing an attractive payout rate for a player. The gaming machine is adapted to suggest that a state advantageous to a player be established, by shielding a symbol that is scrolled and then displaying a shade of a specific character. In this manner, the player can play a game with a sense of expectation. After the shading has been released, a specific symbol is displayed, thereby establishing the state advantageous to the player. Therefore, the player can realize that the routine migrates to the state advantageous to the player.

Abstract: The method of compressing and decompressing an executable program, can be executed by a microprocessor or interpreted by an interpreter of an integrated circuit device: instructions are reformatted into the format of an initial set of instructions of said program for obtaining instructions in the format of an intermediate set of instructions; repetition templates in the program are determined and, for each repetition template, a pair is defined, formed of said repetition template and of an instruction in the format of a set of instructions; intermediate instructions are replaced by compressed instructions and the links of the compressed program are modified; the compressed program is stored in a memory of the device; and the compressed program is decompressed and the initial instructions are executed by said microprocessor or interpreted by said interpreter. The invention applies, in particular, to the integrated circuits of embedded devices.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer programs are presented for presenting Graphical User Interfaces (GUIs) in an online game. In one method, a player becomes a “regular” visitor of a friend when the player visits the friend a predetermined amount of times within a certain period (e.g., three times within the last seven days). When a player becomes a regular visitor, the player may obtain items (e.g., pepper) that are not obtainable in any other way. As long as a player is a regular visitor, the player may continue visiting the friend to continue obtaining the special items. However, if the player falls below the threshold of visits required within the period, the status of regular visitor is lost by the player, and the player may regain the regular status by meeting the requirement again.

Abstract: A method is provided for enabling a portal game on a wagering game device, the method including the acts of using a processor operatively associated with the wagering game device to conduct a wagering game on the wagering game device in accord with a first math model and using a portal game controller, which may be the processor operatively associated with the wagering game device or a separate controller operatively associated with both the portal game and the wagering game device, to overlay a portal game over the wagering game, the portal game having a second math model that is mathematically independent from the first math model of the wagering game.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, at a host gaming server, notifications of account logins from a number of wagering game machines from at least one wagering game establishment. The method includes receiving, at the host gaming server, messages from multiple messaging sources that comprise at least one of a social networking website, a microblogging website, and at least some of the number of wagering game machines, wherein the messages comprise messages related to activity at the at least one wagering game establishment that include game play at the number of wagering game machines and messages related to activity external to the at least one wagering game establishment. The method includes aggregating, by the host gaming server, the messages from the multiple messaging sources. The method includes filtering, by the host gaming server, the messages for each of the account logins to create filtered messages.

Abstract: A method for use with content includes analyzing a sequence of frames of the content, determining whether an area exists in a scene depicted by the sequence of frames where additional content such as advertising can be inserted without obstructing activity in the scene, for any such area, determining an amount of time that the area is available when the sequence of frames is being played, and for any such area, determining a size of the area. A storage medium storing a computer program for causing a processor based system to execute these steps and an apparatus for use with content are also disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to allow a game player to quickly and easily give a command to a game character. In the present program, an object moving on a first path is displayed on an image display unit. When an instruction section is then slid in contact with the image display unit, the slide distance of the instruction section is calculated. An action pattern of a character with respect to an object is then set in accordance with the slide distance. A determination region is set in accordance with the action pattern. A positional relation between the object and the determination region is then determined, and the object moving on a second path is displayed on the image display unit.

Abstract: An information processing device has a long-term registration system and a long-term signature system. The long-term registration system receives original data, sets attribute information with respect to the acquired original data, and associates the acquired original data with the set attribute information. The long-term signature system acquires long-term signature data obtained by performing a long-term signature on the associated original data and attribute information.

Abstract: Various techniques are described for controlling a wager-based game played at a gaming system. In one embodiment the gaming system may include a gesture input interface device operable to detect movements gestures associated with one or more persons, and a gesture interpretation component operable to identify selected movements or gestures detected by the gesture input interface device. In one embodiment, the gesture interpretation component may also be operable to generate gesture interpretation information relating to interpretation of the selected movements or gestures. In one embodiment, the gaming system may be operable to automatically detect a gesture by a player participating in a game session at the gaming system; interpret the gesture with respect to a set of criteria; generate gesture interpretation information relating to the interpretation of the gesture; and advance a state of the game session using at least a portion of the gesture interpretation information.

Abstract: A slot game is provided. A display device displays a plurality of reels. During the slot game the reels are spun and an outcome of the game is randomly determined. The outcome of the game is displayed on the display device in a grid comprised of a plurality of symbol positions in a predetermined arrangement. One of the symbols from a corresponding reel are displayed at each symbol position. The spinning reels are visible in the grid during play of the game. The controller awards the player an award as a function of the wager, the outcome of the game and a predetermined paytable. A first one of the reels contains a stack of adjacent, similar symbols. The stack of adjacent similar symbols are displayed with a first single graphic overlay.

Abstract: A request for authorization for use of one or more peripheral devices of a wager gaming machine may be transmitted to another device (e.g., a central server) via a network. The request may, for example, include a machine-specific identifier and a peripheral identifier. The request may be sent from the wager gaming machine or from another device. The request may be sent automatically in response to certain conditions, e.g., when a peripheral device has been replaced and/or when the wager gaming machine initializes. The central server may determine (inter alia) whether the peripheral is approved for use in the registered jurisdiction and then send the appropriate authorization (or denial). Software (e.g., driver software) may accompany an authorization.

Abstract: A system and method of rendering in real time a virtual object onto a viewfinder display, the method comprising determining one or more scene properties of a scene on a viewfinder display of a device, receiving a virtual object for insertion into the scene, determining a location for placing the virtual object within the scene, determining a first appearance of the virtual object based on the one or more scene properties, and inserting the virtual object with the first appearance into the scene depicted on the viewfinder display of the device based on the location.

Abstract: When a music performance game starts, the user selects a part to be assigned to himself/herself. When the selection of the assigned part is completed, an ensemble starts. When the ensemble starts, the user can participate in the ensemble by performing an input operation corresponding to the assigned part. During the ensemble, history data representing the user's musical performances in chronological order is generated and stored in an external main memory. When the ensemble ends, the user can play again, changing assigned parts. At this time, as for the part currently selected by the user, the instrument is played based on the user's input, while the history data representing the user's current musical performances in chronological order is generated. Of the other parts, as for the parts that the user has selected earlier, the instruments are played automatically based on the history data.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a controller to obtain a user input that was inputted into a first accessory operably coupled with the computing device where the first accessory provides a user interface for user interaction with a video game, determine a language of an intended recipient of the user input based on an identity of the intended recipient, access a multi-lingual library comprising a plurality of words associated with the video game, match the user input to one or more words of the plurality of words of the multi-lingual library to generate a translated message in the determined language of the intended recipient, and provide the translated message to a second accessory for presentation to the intended recipient in real-time. Additional embodiments are disclosed.