Abstract: A system for providing animation on reel games is disclosed. A gaming machine includes a plurality of reels each having symbols provided on an outer surface of each of the reels. A lighting system is configured to illuminate a selected symbol on at least one reel. A game controller generates a game outcome. A reel control unit determines the timing of illuminating of the selected symbol on the position of the symbol on the reel when it is illuminated.

Abstract: An approach to facilitating metric-based conformance by character units to specified formations is provided. An instance of a game space may be executed. The game space may have character units (including a first group of character units) that are controllable by a user to perform in-space actions. Values for one or more dynamic cohesiveness metrics associated with one or more of the user or character units of the first group may be determined. Responsive to reception of a first action request specifying a formation for the first group and a second action request specifying a first in-space objective for the first group, the first group may attempt to perform the first in-space objective in the instance of the game space with a level of conformance (that is based on the determined values of the dynamic cohesiveness metrics) to the specified formation during the attempted performance of the first in-space objective.

Abstract: Gaming terminals, gaming machines, gaming systems, and methods of reconfiguring a display device are presented herein. A gaming terminal for playing a wagering game is disclosed, which includes an input device configured to receive a wager to play the wagering game, a cabinet, and a display device operatively mounted to the cabinet. The display device has an electronic graphical display screen that is operable to dynamically display information related to the wagering game. The display screen is configured to physically change shape and/or size.

Abstract: Multiple object information, in which first kind of object information indicating information on a first kind of object is associated with second kind of object information indicating information on a second kind of object, is stored in a multiple object information memory. The second kind of object is an object protected against a damage by means of the first kind of object. Multiple objects constructed by the first and second kinds of objects are displayed on a game screen on the basis of the multiple object information stored in the multiple object information memory. A damage cause indicating a cause of the damage that the displayed multiple objects receives is specified. At least the damage, which the second kind of object receives, is specified on the basis of the specified damage cause and a state of the first kind of object in the video game.

Abstract: An example method for managing a plurality of media is provided. The method includes providing a composite media file with a plurality of scenes and a plurality of events; playing a scene of the media on a display with at least one event of the plurality of events positioned over the scene; determining if an event of the at least one event has been selected while the scene is playing; and responsive to the event being selected, taking an action.

Abstract: Table game tournament systems can include player terminal(s), electronic gaming table(s), and/or a remote server. A player terminal can have an outer housing, a controller located therewithin or thereabout, input and output component(s), and a communications interface to an outside gaming network having other functionally similar gaming device(s), gaming table(s), and a remote server. The controller and/or server can facilitate providing tournament information to a player, which information can include whether the player would qualify for the next tournament round, who is the most serious opponent to the player, and/or the chip difference therebetween. A terminal can also facilitate asynchronous and individually paced tournament play, switching between different tournament tables on demand, and play of other non-tournament table games thereat simultaneously with the play of the table game tournament.

Abstract: A ranking method and system for providing a ranking of a game group is disclosed. The method includes creating a game group including a user and at least one member among the user's registered friends who have joined a game service, based on a game group creation request received from a user terminal. The method further comprises calculating a ranking of the user with respect to other members of the created game group based on a ranking inquiry request received from the user terminal, and providing the user terminal with the calculated ranking of the user. The user terminal drives a game service platform associated with a plurality of games and provides the game group creation request information and the ranking inquiry request information through the game service platform.

Abstract: A method for indicating a pre-game environment quality level may include, for example, obtaining a profile associated with a video game, where the profile comprises desirable performance metrics for initiating the video game, performing performance metric measurements in collaboration with a computing device from which the video game is to be played, comparing the performance metric measurements to the desirable performance metrics, determining a discrepancy between the performance metric measurements and the desirable performance metrics, determining a gaming quality level according to the determined discrepancy, and presenting at the computing device a quality indicator based on the determined quality level. The presenting can further include graphically displaying the quality indicator and the discrepancy. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: As a player has played a game sequence or is in the process of playing a game sequence of an online game such as poker, in which the player has either won or lost the hand, the player may elect to view a coaching or advice video, or to listen to an coaching audio recording, geared towards the specific type of hand or game sequence in which the player is involved. Accordingly, the player may learn from the coaching video or coaching audio as the player is playing the hand, in real time, or after the player has played the hand, to improve the player's proficiency in the game.

Abstract: Gaming machines and methods for transmitting hidden elements to a portable electronic device are described. The gaming machine includes a cabinet, a display, and a user input mechanism. The gaming machine further includes an interface, wherein the interface is configured to wirelessly communicate with a portable electronic device. The gaming machine includes a game controller. The game controller is configured to provide game play of a wager-based game, including generating gaming information including a hidden element. The game controller is further configured to display at least a portion of the gaming information to the player through the display, wherein the hidden element is not displayed. The game controller is configured to facilitate a data connection between the gaming machine and the portable electronic device through the interface. The game controller is further configured to transmit the hidden element to the portable electronic device.

Abstract: A casino system displaying instant monitoring images includes a correlation table that can be implemented in a casino management system or a casino monitoring system. The correlation table registers the gambling apparatus and the corresponding monitor lens to establish correlation therebetween. Hence the casino management system requires merely to record the number of the gambling apparatus and occurring time and event type of a corresponding special event to issue a signal to request the casino monitoring system to find out the monitor lens corresponding to the gambling apparatus according to the correlation table and send instant monitoring images captured by the monitor lens to the casino management system. Thus management personnel can instantly get the instant monitoring images of the special event and take suitable actions immediately.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer readable recording medium for registering a friend in a game. The method of registering a friend in a game, performed by a game service platform server includes: registering at least a member as a game friend among members who have joined the game managed by the game service platform server, based on friend registration request information received from a user terminal; providing the user terminal with information on the game currently accessed by the member registered as a friend; and providing the user terminal with information needed to execute the game, in response to a receipt of game selection information indicating that the game friend has selected the currently accessed game from the user terminal.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for generating a virtual spatial environment comprising a first contextual for a first object and a second contextual for a second object. A zoom level of the virtual spatial environment is determined as exceeding a zoom threshold. A zoom contextual is generated based on an aggregation of the first contextual and the second contextual due at least to the zoom level exceeding the zoom threshold. A display of the first contextual and the second contextual in the virtual spatial environment is replaced with a display of the zoom contextual.

Abstract: A method for playing interactive games via a portable apparatus is disclosed. The method is applied to a portable apparatus. The method includes: transmitting a location signal; receiving location signals transmitted from other portable apparatuses; receiving a shooting signal; and determining a game status based on the shooting signal.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, and a computer-implemented method for providing game object grouping are discussed herein. For example, a virtual gaming environment is generated on a client system. The virtual gaming environment may include a first game object and a second game object. Responsive to detecting a user selection of the first game object, a game object grouping is generated. The game object grouping may include the first game object and the second game object based on matching criteria that compares a property of the first game object with a property of the second game object. The virtual environment is then updated to provide a visual indication of the game object group.

Abstract: A game apparatus obtains a captured image from a camera, and repeatedly executes a recognition process on the obtained captured image for recognizing a predetermined object included in the captured image. The game apparatus repeatedly generates and displays a synthesized image obtained by synthesizing an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process with a captured image which is a subject of the recognition process. Here, if the recognition process fails, a captured image which is a subject of a recognition process which has succeeded before is synthesized with an image of a virtual object generated by using a process result of the recognition process.

Abstract: A method, device and system are set forth for controlling a video switching device (VSD) configured to display video from multiple video streams at a video display. Where video signals are received which are unrecognized by the VSD a tuner is coupled to the VSD to control the same to extract video primitives adjust the configuration data so that the video stream will be properly displayed at the video display. In another embodiment the tuner may command the VSD to display a diagnostic dashboard for the gaming machine and its components and network connections.

Abstract: A video server is configured to provide streaming video to players of computer games over a computing network. The video server can provided video of different games to different players simultaneously. This is accomplished by rendering several video streams in parallel using a single GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The output of the GPU is provided to graphics processing pipelines that are each associated with a specific client/player and are dynamically allocated as needed. A client qualifier may be used to assure that only clients capable of presenting the streaming video to a player at a minimum level of quality receive the video stream. Video frames provided by the video server optionally include overlays added to the output of the GPU. These overlays can include voice data received from another game player.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game device that has a touch panel, a processor, and a RAM. The processor, from among detected position data output from touch panel, stores in RAM, as the position of the start point, the position indicated by detected position data output by the start of a continuous touch operation. Also, given that the position indicated by detected position data output immediately before the end of the continuous touch operation is determined as the position of the end point, processor identifies, from among plural input instructions each being associated with plural direction ranges extending radially from a common basal point on the contact face of touch panel, an input instruction that is associated with a direction range having a direction from the start point to the end point therewithin, from among plural direction ranges having the start point as a basal point.

Abstract: An entertainment device comprises an image receiver operable to receive, from a video camera, images captured therefrom, and display logic for displaying the images captured by the video camera together with one or more selection icons. Each selection icon corresponds to a game object. The entertainment device further comprises an image processor for detecting the presence and position of an augmented reality marker in images received from the camera, a detector for detecting the presence of an augmented reality marker at an image position corresponding to a selection icon for at least a predetermined selection time period, and associating logic, responsive to such a detection, for associating the game object corresponding to the first one of the selection icons with the augmented reality marker, so that the display logic displays the game object so as to move the game object with the detected position of the augmented reality marker.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention a player may change the size of or “scale” first game information which is displayed by one or more video displays of a wagering gaming machine relative to other displayed game information. In a preferred embodiment, the size of primary game information such as the images of playing cards or the like may be changed relative to secondary game information such as pay table, credit, and other information. The player may change the scale of displayed game information via player input, such as to a touch screen which overlays a displayed graphical slider. The size of the game information may change proportional to the distance of player input to the touch screen.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, 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: Human body motion is represented by a skeletal model derived from image data of a user. The model represents joints and bones and has a rigid body portion. The sets of body data are scaled to a predetermined number of sets for a number of periodic units. A body-based coordinate 3-D reference system having a frame of reference defined with respect to a position within the rigid body portion of the skeletal model is generated. The body-based coordinate 3-D reference system is independent of the camera's field of view. The scaled data and representation of relative motion within an orthogonal body-based 3-D reference system decreases the data and simplifies the calculations for determining motion thus enhancing real-time performance for multimedia applications controlled by a user's natural movements.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include detecting characteristics of at least one environmental condition in an external environment that is external to a wagering game machine in a casino (e.g., detect activity that occurs in the casino, detect appearance of people and objects in the casino, detect light and sound events, etc.). The operations can further include generating an animated wagering game effect in a wagering game animation, using the detected characteristics of the environmental condition. The animated wagering game effect can affect one or more wagering game objects within the wagering game animation in a way that emulates the environmental condition.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed for presenting both game content and secondary content on a single display. The gaming system includes: a touch screen game display configured to display content, a gaming controller configured to generate game content, and a secondary controller configured to generate secondary content. The display manager scales at least one of the game content and the secondary content to an altered size, enabling the game content to be rendered with the secondary content on the touch screen game display. The gaming system also includes a coordinate transformation calculation device that receives coordinates from an input on the touch screen game display and accommodates any scaling or shifting performed on at least one of the game content and the secondary content to determine transformed coordinates corresponding to the altered size of the rendered content prior to routing the transformed coordinates to the proper gaming or secondary controller.

Abstract: In various embodiments, methods and systems for game development based on an integrated game development cloud computing platform are provided. Development components that facilitate game development using an integrated game-cloud component are initiated. An input is received to perform a game development task. The game development task is associated with one or more games. The game development task is executed using the integrated game-cloud component. The integrated game-cloud component comprises a game-development-platform development component and a cloud-computing-platform development component combined into an integrated development component supported on the integrated game development cloud computing platform. The game development task can be associated with a first game-platform and a second game-platform of a selected game. The game-platform functions with a cross-platform support component having an integrated core module and an integrated game-platform module.

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 gaming machine includes a control lever that is gripped by a player, a display configured to display an effect image, and a controller programmed to execute a predetermined process. The control lever includes a rotation axis, a reel handle configured to rotate the rotation axis, a rotation sensor configured to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis, and a rotation resistance imparting unit configured to impart resistance to the rotation axis such that the torque increases in accordance with the rotational speed in one direction of the rotation axis. In accordance with the game status of the game, the controller causes the rotation sensor to detect the number of rotation of the rotation axis which is rotated as the reel handle of the control lever is rotated, and changes the content of the effect image displayed on the display in accordance with the detected number of rotation.

Abstract: A gaming machine display (14) includes a game playing arrangement (16) mountable in a cabinet (62) of a gaming machine (10). An electronically controlled display element (50) overlies the game playing arrangement (16) so that, depending on a state of the display element (50), the game playing arrangement (16) is visible through the display element (50).

Abstract: To display a plurality of symbols in a plurality of display regions, upon starting a game, and in a case where trigger symbols are stop displayed in any of the plurality of display regions, to draw for specific display regions where trigger symbols are displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that the symbols are displayed having a predetermined relationship among the symbols in at least game units, and at the same time, to draw for general display regions that have symbols other than the trigger symbol displayed, from a plurality of types of symbols so that arbitrary symbols are independently displayed.

Abstract: A wagering device video display system for displaying a presentation on a plurality of display devices. A plurality of gaming devices and video displays are provided. Each video display may be controlled by a video display controller that is adapted to communicate with other video display controllers. When a multi-screen presentation is requested by a gaming device or a game device controller, the video display controllers coordinate among themselves to determine when the presentation will be displayed. Various bonus presentations or attractive presentations may be displayed on a plurality of video screens.

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 gaming system compatible with patron-controlled portable electronic devices, such as smart phones or tablet computers, is described. Electronic gaming machines (EGMs) within the gaming system can be configured to allow play of wager-based games and interact with portable electronic devices. The EGMs can be configured with one or more of mechanisms that enable a user to establish and then determine a status of a communication session between a portable electronic device and the EGM. In addition, the EGMs can be configured with one or more mechanisms that enable a user to determine a status of a transaction or application involving a portable electronic device.

Abstract: When a certain user is playing a game by operating a terminal device while viewing a terminal game image displayed on an LCD of the terminal device, another user can operate a controller while viewing a monitor game image displayed on a monitor, and can acquire, remove, move, or halt an object other than a player object by moving a cursor displayed on a monitor game image.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a system configured to manage virtual content within a virtual space based on information associated with objects. The information associated with the objects may be updated responsive to detecting the objects at various real world physical geographic locations. The system may be configured to enhance a user's gaming experience by enabling location based unlocking of the virtual content in the virtual space. In some implementations, the locations may be locations such as but not limited to locations within theme parks, movie theaters, restaurants, and/or stores, for example. A user may be able to transport objects to one or more geographic locations where object identification devices detect the objects. Virtual content may be unlocked responsive to the detection of objects by the object identification devices.

Abstract: An online game providing method being performed by an online game providing server, the online game providing server being coupled at least one game client through a network and providing an online game based on a virtual character and an item being applied to the virtual character to the at least one game client. The present invention propose to an online game providing method that supports a change for an item appearance to the item being applied to a virtual character according to user's needs to variously decorate the item appearance being worn by the virtual character and to differentiate his or her own virtual character with other virtual characters through unique decoration in a virtual space.

Abstract: An online multiplayer game may have 2.5D user-drawn objects as a central commodity. Users may build compound objects and present them for review by other users, and can receive rewards based on the reviews. A limited amount of energy may be required for object crafting activities, and the energy may be replenished gradually over time. Other resources may be required as well. Players may gain experience points for crafting different classes of objects, and certain classes of objects may require a predetermined experience level to attempt.

Abstract: Systems and methods for communicating information between user devices and physical objects which are separate from the user devices. The physical objects may store information related to one or more online games associated with the physical objects. The user devices may obtain the information stored by the physical objects via light communication. The user devices may use the obtained information in order to effectuate presentation of a virtual character and/or virtual object in an online game corresponding to the information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for time-segmented multimedia game playing and authoring to create promotional videos and games, for creating games that provide brand advertising, and for gathering player data and analytics are described.

Abstract: Systems and methods employing rule based techniques for handling virtual entity manifestation into gameplay modes in accordance with gameplay restrictions of the individual gameplay modes. The system may comprise a host server including one or more processors configured to execute computer program modules. The computer program modules may comprise a game module configured to execute an instance of the online game and to facilitate participation in one or more gameplay modes, a rule module configured to maintain rules corresponding to the restrictions for manifesting virtual entities into the individual gameplay modes, a creation module configured to create manifests including information corresponding to the rules for each gameplay mode, a determination module configured to determine which rules to apply to the virtual entities, and an application module configured to apply the rules according to the determinations.

Abstract: Techniques to interact with an application via messaging are described. An apparatus may comprise an application support component and a communication component. The application support component may be operative to generate an image representing a state of an application and to update the state of the application according to a text command. The communication component may be operative to transmit the image to a client device via a messaging system as an image attachment to a first message and to receive a second message from the client device via the messaging system, the second message comprising the text command. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A target region detector detects a target region in a display of a first device. A communicator receives positional information of an object, transmitted from the first device. An image generator generates an image including an object, in the detected target region, of the received positional information, and displays the image on an image display. In response to a predetermined selection operation on an object displayed on the image display, the controller generates selection information of the object, and then transmits the selection information to the first device via the communicator.

Abstract: One aspect of the disclosure relates to using FLASH symbols to define a travel grid formed by travel nodes in an online FLASH-based game. A FLASH symbol may be used that when instantiated defines a corresponding travel node that together with other travel nodes form a travel grid. The travel grid limits travel during gameplay by constraining travel from a travel node to its neighbor travel nodes. FLASH symbol properties may be leveraged to describe a travel node such as its location in the game space, neighbor travel nodes, and other information related to the travel node. In order to facilitate traversal of the travel grid formed by travel nodes, intelligence or other logic may configure a processor to obtain symbol properties of instantiated FLASH symbols that define travel nodes in order to dynamically make decisions during gameplay that determine next destinations to which travel is permitted.

Abstract: Electronic gaming machines having mechanical or electro-mechanical wheel devices are described herein. The gaming machines include a cabinet, a display coupled to the cabinet, and a wheel coupled to the cabinet. The wheel includes a plurality of wheel segments positioned axially about a center point of the wheel. The plurality of wheel segments may be configured to rotate about the center point and to transform an appearance of the wheel. The wheel further includes an indicator configured to indicate an indicated wheel segment. The indicator may be configured to rotate about the center point.

Abstract: An example image processing method for rendering an object arranged in a virtual space, the method being implemented by a computer executing: acquiring a captured image of a subject captured by an imaging device; determining an imaging direction of a virtual camera arranged in the virtual space, such that the imaging direction is changed in conjunction with motion of the imaging device; specifying, in information for performing predetermined image processing on the captured image, a particular piece of information determined according to the imaging direction of the virtual camera determined in the determining; an image processing of performing the predetermined image processing on the captured image acquired in the acquiring, by using the piece of information specified in the specifying; and causing a display device to display the captured image subjected to the predetermined image processing in the image processing.

Abstract: A server according to an embodiment provides online games that send game screens more suitably for the throughput of a user terminal. In accordance with one aspect, the server can execute a game program including: a game progress module for progressing a game; a generation module for generating, at first time intervals, frame information containing a plurality of drawing commands to be executed on a terminal device to render one frame of a game screen in accordance with progression of the game; a determination module for determining whether to send the generated frame information to the terminal device; a compression module for compressing the generated frame information; a sending module for sending to the terminal device the compressed frame information to be sent; and a request module for requesting drawing execution time information from the terminal device at second time intervals.

Abstract: Rendering processing is performed such that a distribution screen is rendered in rendering processing of a subsequent stage by referring to a Depth map generated by rendering processing of a preceding stage. A moving image distribution server selects the Depth map for coding determination during execution of rendering processing of the subsequent stage for a first screen, and determines for each set block whether to perform inter-frame coding by referring to a Depth map generated for a second screen rendered before the first screen. After rendering processing of the subsequent stage has ended for the first screen, the server performs coding in accordance with the determination result and sends the coded moving image data to an external device. The determination result is sent to the external device before generation of the coded moving image data of the first screen is completed.

Abstract: System and method for additional amusement, entertaining and surprising visual or audible reward provided upon completing the reconstructing of a two-dimensional or three-dimensional jigsaw puzzle. The puzzle pieces include conductive pads connected by a conductor such as a wire, a metallic strip or a conductive paint, so that upon assembling the puzzle, the pads are in contact to form a continuous conductive path. The frame or the puzzle pieces include a battery (or an AC adapter) and a visual or audible signaling device operating upon sensing the continuity of the conductive path. Each of the puzzle pieces may include three or more conductive pads, allowing for the forming two or more isolated or connected distinct conductive paths. The conductive path can further affect a time measurement and its related display for timing the puzzle solving.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer readable storage to implement a slot machine game. Different wheels can spin simultaneously and paylines can bridge across different wheels to form combinations. Wheels can share intersecting symbols, wherein when one wheel spins it takes the intersecting symbol with that wheel, and when the other wheel that shares the intersecting symbol spins it takes the intersecting symbol with that wheel.

Abstract: An entertainment device comprises a display generator arranged to generate for display a representation of an on-line virtual environment, that on-line virtual environment being able to host interactions between a user of the entertainment device and other users of one or more remote entertainment devices, a network communications arrangement operable to receive data representative of the actions of the other users within the on-line virtual environment and to receive data indicative of any supplementary data files interoperable with the on-line virtual environment that are associated with one or more remote entertainment devices of one or more of the other users, a data file searcher operable to search the entertainment device for any supplementary data files indicated by the received data, a data file acquisition arrangement operable to acquire, from a networked device, a copy of a supplementary data file indicated by the received data that was not found on the entertainment device, and a data file integrat