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.

Abstract: Aligning the contents of document objects on an electronic document page. Organizing a page of document objects so textual content is aligned to natural eye scanning patterns promotes readership and usability. When a user creates a new island of text, the new text can be snapped into alignment with an existing island of text. Invisible guidelines that emanate from textual features in a document object can page. In response to placing a content insertion point (“IP”) on an electronic page with an existing document object, the IP can be automatically aligned to the content of the existing document object. A page with several arbitrarily positioned document objects can be automatically rearranged so that the contents of the document objects are each aligned to one another.

Abstract: In a game system, a first game screen obtained by a first virtual camera taking an operation target object in a first direction is displayed on a first display section, and a second game screen obtained by a second virtual camera taking the operation target object in a second direction substantially opposite to the first direction is displayed on a second display section different from the first display section. The operation target object is controlled to move in a predetermined direction in a virtual space in accordance with an input direction detected based on input to an operation section. At a predetermined timing based on game processing, a direction in which the first virtual camera is set as seen from the operation target object and a direction in which the second virtual camera is set as seen from the operation target object are switched therebetween.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to raise a player's interest in an operation of a mission screen in a social game. A server device configured to be connected over a network to a user terminal, the server device configured to control a game that progresses as a player accomplishes given missions, the server device includes: a screen data generation unit configured to generate data of a mission screen in response to a request from the user terminal operated by the player, the mission screen having displayed thereon a plurality of mission progress buttons for causing the missions to progress; and a response process unit configured to perform a process of causing a predetermined event to occur in response to an input from the player through any of the plurality of mission progress buttons.

Abstract: A gaming machine for conducting wagering games comprises a plurality of reels, each reel having one or more reel symbols with a colored background and one or more reel symbols with a white background. The gaming machine may include a progressive game having multiple progressive jackpots that are awarded based on patterns formed by the reel symbols with the colored background in the outcomes of the wagering game. In some embodiments, a video display device is provided for overlaying a video image on the reels. The video image operates as a colored placeholder to hold any partial patterns that were formed by the reel symbols having the colored background for multiple plays of the wagering game. Reel symbols having the colored background appearing in subsequent outcomes of the wagering game may then be used to complete one or more patterns.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling movement of a digital object displayed on a screen provide a virtual dynamic direction control pad based on zone detection and touch stroke direction to control customized animated character motion. A player wishing to move the digital object can use a stylus or other touch to indicate a first point on the screen. When the player first touches the stylus to the screen, the system analyzes the touch and divides the screen into multiple zones around the first point indicated by the player. To move the object, the player moves the stylus to a second point on the screen. Movement of the stylus to a second point within one of these zones causes the digital object to perform a predetermined action. Each zone has a predetermined associated action. Direct control of character motion by the game player is enhanced.

Abstract: A game system uses play-pieces, such as figurines, cards, and maps, each having multiple, machine-readable indicia. A hand-held reader for the indicia communicates with a computer, such as a tablet or smart phone. Players select which indicia to read with the reader, thereby identifying specific figurines, locations, commands, and the like by direct reference to the play-pieces themselves. Certain parameters associated with specific play-pieces are stored in a database of the computer, and may change over time, whether from progress in the game, or from updates made available online.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for team battle matching in a computer game is provided. The method includes obtaining registration information and player number information for teams to participate in a team battle having two battle camps and creating a plurality of matching queues. The method also includes allocating teams having equal number of players to a same matching queue based on the player number information and selecting one team from a matching queue allocated with one or more teams having the maximum number of players. Further, the method includes determining whether a total number of players in the selected team is equal to a preset number and allocating the team to a battle camp when the total number of players of the selected team is equal to the preset number.

Abstract: A method includes establishing a Near Field Communication (NFC) between a wagering game machine and a mobile device, without a manual configuration and a manual intervention. The method includes receiving, into the wagering game machine, player identification data from the mobile device through the Near Field Communication. The method includes authenticating the player identification data, wherein the authenticating is at least part of a player login into a wagering game account.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming machine and/or entertainment machine, in particular in the form of slot machines and/or gambling machines operable by coins and/or by monetary equivalents, having a plurality of screens for the presentation of information, in particular of game contents and/or of game information, which are directed toward a machine operating position, and having a control device for the control of the screens and/or for the control of game procedures. It is proposed to arrange a plurality of screens staggered behind one another and overlapping one another so that the viewing window onto at least one screen remains behind the actual screen surface of the screen with respect to format and/or size in order to accommodate a maximum number of screens in a compact arrangement, on the one hand, and in order not to be restricted to the desired field of view with respect to the formats of the screens to be used.

Abstract: A game system includes a housing to be held by a player. The housing incorporates an XY-axis acceleration sensor to detect an acceleration in a X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis contact switch to detect an acceleration in a Z-axis direction. The sensor and switch detect at least one of an amount (e.g. tilt amount, movement amount, impact amount or the like) and a direction (e.g. tilt direction, movement direction, impact direction or the like) of a change applied to the housing. A simulation program provides simulation such that a state of a game space is changed related to at least one of the amount and direction of the change applied to the housing.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for using a third-party recommendation in a game system includes: receiving, at a recommendation engine and from a game system, current game context data provided in real time during a game in which at least one user participates; selecting, by the recommendation engine, at least one of multiple predefined actions based on at least the current game context data; and providing a response to the game system that identifies the selected at least one action for performance.

Abstract: An example game system includes a game apparatus, an operating device, and a hand-held device. The game apparatus receives first operation data from the operating device and second operation data from the hand-held device, and performs a predetermined game control process. Furthermore, the game apparatus generates a first game image of a virtual game space representing a result of the game control process, based on a first virtual camera, and the game apparatus also generates a second game image based on a second virtual camera. The first game image is outputted to a first display device provided independently of the hand-held device. The second game image is outputted to a second display device of the hand-held device. Moreover, the game apparatus performs as the game control process a process for controlling a position of the second virtual camera based on the first operation data and an attitude of the second virtual camera based on the second operation data.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to interactive advertising and more specifically to computer games allowing advertisers to market their products, prize giveaways, coupons and the like using a game of chance in an interactive manner. To play the game, a gamer may use for example a mobile device's image capturing means for scanning at least one coded advertising image within a coded frame for which an interactive game application animates a dynamic array of game frames and randomly selects a game frame from the dynamic array for display. The randomly selected game frame may comprise of multimedia content for vouchers, prizes, giveaways, that may be redeemed for cash or other prizes.

Abstract: A configurable modular communication device is composed of an information delivery module and an information input module that are matable to each other. The information delivery module is a single base unit that can work with a touchscreen keypad or a number of modular keypad or other information input attachments. The information input module enables a user to change the look of the modular communication device according to personal taste and enhances its functionality to fit the exact occasion and mode of use. The information delivery module acts on its own as the navigation key and provides on its display screen menu (including an on-screen touch sensing keypad) user access to all functionality including telephone, PDA (personal digital assistant), camera, clock, GPS, and MP3 music player. User-controlled navigation takes place on or in the vicinity of the display screen, whether by hard or soft key actuation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming machine including gaming terminals having high payout rate without increasing loss on the management side. When a result of a base game associated with a payout is obtained, the gaming machine determines whether at least a competing game condition associated with the payout is satisfied or not and, when it is determined that the competing game condition is satisfied, sets neighboring gaming terminals as opponents. When the opponent participates in a competing game, a competing game for winning a payout by competing against the opponent is run. According to a result of the competing game, at least a part of the payout is given to the winner of the competing game, and no payout is given to the loser of the competing game.

Abstract: Gaming machines having video depictions of one or more mechanical reels on a curved display are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the gaming machine includes a liquid crystal display having an opening in which the curved transparent material extends through the opening of the opening of the liquid crystal display.

Abstract: An image sensing system includes: a light emitting device; a pixel configured to capture an optical signal and to convert the optical signal into an analog image signal; an analog circuit configured to selectively filter the analog image signal; an analog-to-digital converting circuit configured to convert the analog image signal to a digital image signal; a digital circuit configured to receive the digital image signal and to switch the light emitting device on and off; wherein the digital image signal includes a dark image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is off; wherein the digital image signal includes an effective image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is configured to filter the analog image signal; and wherein the digital image signal includes a punctured image frame if the optical signal is captured when the light emitting device is on and the analog circuit is not configured to filter the analog i

Abstract: Providing a location-based online game for a plurality of mobile devices, including: assigning a force field around a player corresponding to each mobile device of the plurality of mobile devices, wherein a radius of the force field is proportional to a score or experience point of the player in the online game; determining a location of said each mobile device; calculating colliding forces among the plurality of mobile devices and virtual environment created in the online game; and providing a forum to enable a battle among the plurality of mobile devices and the virtual environment which are calculated as being in the colliding forces.

Abstract: A method includes receiving, from a content provider, content for processing and information identifying at least one of advertisements or promotional material to include with the content. The method also includes processing the content into a number of different formats, inserting the advertisements or promotional material into the processed content. The method further includes providing an indication to the content provider that the content has been processed and receiving, from the content provider, an approval or disapproval of the processed content.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for conducting a video conference. A location of one or more sets of eyes in an image may be determined. The relative location of an image capture device and/or a portion of a display device may be adjusted based on the determined location.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer-readable storage medium for guiding a player to the completion of a task during game play. The player selects a control device in a graphical user interface device generated by a processor. In response to the selection, a hint is provided to the user in the graphical user interface that presents a game board to a player. The player may use the hint to accomplish the task.

Abstract: A method of processing touch-image data includes calculating a plurality of motion vectors using a plurality of low-resolution touch-image data frames, aligning sensing data corresponding to an object detected in the low-resolution touch-image data frames using the motion vectors to generate an overlapped touch-image data frame, generating high-resolution data corresponding to the detected object using the overlapped touch-image data frame and detecting the touch position and generating touch position data of the detected object using the high-resolution touch position data corresponding to the detected object.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and system is described. A plurality of individuals who have participated in an electronic game are identified. A social networking group associated with participation in the electronic game is identified. The plurality of individuals is associated with the social networking group.

Abstract: Enhanced methodology and apparatus for use in a multi-player video game for generating a array of user selectable options for choosing real or computer generated users to play with and/or compete against. For example, in a simulated multiple driver racing game application, the user of a computing device is presented with an option for selecting any of various “ghost data” packages for downloading over a communication network such as the Internet. For example, the user may be presented with the option of selecting one of an array of ghost data packages to race against such as the top five buddies of the user with highest scores, five buddies with scores similar to a user's own score, and teams/groups of various varieties.

Abstract: A bonus event for Blackjack card games is provided. The bonus event has two or more designated bonus element, such as card hands. If one of the bonus elements is achieved as the result of play of a first Blackjack game, the bonus event is triggered. A bonus award is paid to the player if the player receives remaining required bonus elements as a result of the play of additional Blackjack games during the bonus period. The game is preferably played against a dealer at a video Blackjack machine and offers the player the opportunity for awards for each Blackjack game win and one or more additional bonus awards.

Abstract: A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a light application device configured to apply visible light representing visual information which enables recognition of information related to games on a reel band, The or each of one or more reels has a mirror layer which reflects the visible light from the light application device. The light application device is disposed in an area outside the window frame of the display window so that the visible light is applied to the reel, on the side of the reel band, and is used as a front light device that emits visible light which is not representing the visual information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling vehicles within video games are described herein. A video game such as a vehicle-based combat game may have vehicles (such as airplanes) operating in a simulated three dimensional space. Users may partially control the direction of these vehicles using two-dimensional input devices by inputting a new direction for the vehicle to point and optionally a speed with which to pursue the new direction. Alternatively, a user may wish to engage in continuous banked turning of their vehicle to realistically simulate aspects of vehicle-to-vehicle combat. Rotation of the vehicle from its current direction to its new direction is controlled by an artificial intellect, which operates various control equipment of the vehicle to realistically simulate the path of the vehicle, based on whether a user has input a desired destination or a desired turn direction.

Abstract: An example game system includes a controller device, and a game process section for performing a game process based on an operation on the controller device. The controller device includes a plurality of direction input sections, a sensor section for obtaining a physical quantity used for calculating an attitude of the controller device, and a display section for displaying a game image. The game process section first calculates the attitude of the controller device based on the physical quantity obtained by the sensor section. Then, the game process section controls an attitude of a virtual camera in a virtual space based on the attitude of the controller device, and controls a position of the virtual camera based on an input on the direction input section. A game image to be displayed on the display section is generated based on the position and the attitude of the virtual camera.

Abstract: An improved method of and system for participating in SMS-TV contests enables a user to utilize one or more applications to perform desired operations such as using the user interface to efficiently make selections to respond to a question in a contest, downloading SMS short codes, promoting contests within the application, storing a history of SMS-TV programs, enabling an alternate phone number to be submitted, utilizing user identification tags, disconnecting the application to receive an incoming call, verification, contacting a server to send an SMS message on the device's behalf and other operations. Some of the aforementioned operations are performed by the user specifically while others are automatically performed by a server to provide the user with the best service possible.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some examples, the operations can include receiving emotive light presentation data from a variety of emotive light control sources and determining presentation priorities for the emotive light presentation data. The operations can further include controlling the emotive light presentation data, from the variety of emotive light control sources, based on prioritization of the presentation priorities. In some embodiments, the operations can include controlling priorities based on locations of emotive lighting devices on a wagering game machine. In other embodiments, the operations can include assigning priorities based on wagering game types and other classifications. In yet other embodiments, the operations can utilize priority values to determine lighting prominence, which in conjunction with transparency values, can generate blended, or composite lighting effects.

Abstract: To simulate group play, player-controlled characters may be grouped prior to entry into a set of asynchronous videogame content. Then separate instances of the set of asynchronous videogame content may be provided to players associated with individual ones of the grouped player-controlled characters. In the separate instance provided to a given player, secondary instances of the player-controlled characters other than the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player may be controlled automatically to accompany the player-controlled character being controlled by the given player.

Abstract: Systems, methods, apparatuses, and computer program products are disclosed for providing analytics including participant statistical data or game status data. In one embodiment, a method is provided for transmitting participant data relating to one or more participants that are available in a fantasy game, the fantasy game is at least partially related to a players performance in a sporting event; receiving a selected participant data indication from at least one user, the selected participant data indication provides selection of at least one participant from the participant data; generating a participant data update for one or more participants based on the selected participant data indication; the participant data is defined by a time period comprising an event and is calculated based on blink data transmitted from a location tag mounted to the participant; and transmitting the participant data update, the participant data update is viewable via a user interface.

Abstract: A system, machine-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for matching players of a game is provided. A game networking system receives a request to play a game against a second player outside of a social network of the first player. The game networking system sends the request to a second client device of the second player. The game networking system receives, from the second client device, an acceptance of the request to play the game. The game networking system generates a match associated with the game in response to the acceptance. The game networking system provides a communication channel between the first player and the second player in response to the match.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a video capturing device and video capturing method thereof. The video capturing method includes the steps of: capturing a video history displayed on a display device under the control of a game console; storing the captured video history as a video history file; passing through a game server to read a game information stored in a data reading device; and naming and categorizing the video history file based on the game information.

Abstract: A game control server apparatus includes an enhancement screen display processing unit that displays an enhancement screen for enhancing a game medium that appears in a game and that is provided with a predetermined parameter value, the enhancement screen including a predetermined number “N” (“N” is an integer that is two or more) of selection areas and an enhancement management unit that accepts a selection of a predetermined number n (n is an integer, where n<N) of the selection areas among the selection areas of the enhancement screen, wherein the predetermined number “N” of the selection areas include a selection area associated with a parameter data component for varying a parameter value of the game medium and there is further a case that the predetermined number “N” of the selection areas include a selection area associated with a stopper for terminating the selection of the selection areas.

Abstract: Examples of the present disclosure may provide a method, device or computer storage medium. The method may include: determining whether a registered first client terminal device and a registered second client terminal device are located at a same scene; sending information of the second client terminal device to the first client terminal device if the first client terminal device and the second client terminal device are located at the same scene, so that the first client terminal device displays the information of the second client terminal device in a visual list of the first client terminal device; and sending information of the first client terminal device to the second client terminal device, so that the second client terminal device displays the information of the first client terminal device in a visual list of the second client terminal device.

Abstract: A game control device according to the present invention includes: a correlator configured to correlate a plurality of objects with each of a plurality of users including a first user and a second user; a setter configured to set a plurality of object groups including more than one object selected from the plurality of objects correlated with each of the plurality of users for each of the plurality of users; an associator configured to associate each of the plurality of object groups set by the setter, with a group type; an executor configured to execute a battle game between an object group of the first user and an object group of the second user; a determiner configured to determine a group type of the object group of the second user before the battle game is executed; and a selector configured to select an object group of the first user from the plurality of object groups set for the first user, the object group of the first user applied to the battle game, the object group of the first user associated wit

Abstract: Provided are a computer device, a storage medium, and a method of controlling the computer device, which enable a player character to perform various actions according to the user's intention. A game program causes a CPU of a game device to function as a game space generating section and a PC control section. The PCU control section causes the CPU to function as a movement control section and a stance control section. The stance control section increases the variation in the player character's stance changed from a reference stance, with an increase in the operation amount of a second operation unit, and decreases the variation in the player character's stance changed from the reference stance, with a decrease in the operation amount of the second operation unit.

Abstract: A web content sharing method, and a web content providing apparatus and a receiving terminal for web content sharing. In the web content sharing method according to an exemplary embodiment, the web content providing apparatus separates a plurality of web content items from a web page, disperses and moves the separated web content to each of the receiving terminals, and synchronizes the dispersed and moved web content between the receiving terminals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game providing device that generates image information including a plurality of objects that are capable of being selected by the player; sets a processing method of each of the objects; receives a selection of an object or a plurality of objects from among the objects; and performs the processing method set for the selected object.

Abstract: A method of tracking a target includes receiving an observed depth image of the target from a source and obtaining a posed model of the target. The model is rasterized into a synthesized depth image, and the pose of the model is adjusted based, at least in part, on differences between the observed depth image and the synthesized depth image.