Abstract: In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system configured for executing an electronic game using physical gadget. The electronic gaming system has a gaming console which runs an electronic game. A physical gadget has a wireless transmitter that transmitting an outcome value. The main console receives the outcome value over wireless communication from the gadget, and advances the flow of the game according to the outcome value. Examples of the physical gadget may be a die, a clock, and a game piece, having a transmitter that transmits to the console an outcome value, e.g., rolling of a die or time from a clock.

Abstract: In a game program for a multiplayer game, when a player character receives damage and the strength level reaches a certain level, the player character goes into an extension state before death, in which the character is weakened but is able to recover. If a friendly player character performs a recovery action within a certain time from the weakened state having been reached, the player character in the weakened state recovers to a normal state. On the other hand, if the player character in the weakened state is attacked by an enemy character, or if the certain time has elapsed, the player character in the weakened state is caused to die and the game is ended.

Abstract: A game apparatus generates control point data for forming a contour of each part of a character, generates a line model of a body being a line polygon model along the body on the basis of the control point data, then generates a line model of a foot being a line polygon model along a contour of one foot, and arranged at the back of the line model of the body Bd in a Z direction, and generates a mask model of the body being a transparent polygon model arranged at the back of the line model of the body in the Z direction and in front of the line model of the foot in the Z direction, and having the contour along the line of the body. Then, when the respective models are depicted with a Z comparison performed after depicting a background, the mask model of the body, the line model of the foot, the line model of the body are depicted in this order.

Abstract: A method, implemented by an electronic gaming machine (EGM), includes providing an electronic display mounted to the cabinet of the EGM and disposed in a normal operational position to portray a wagering game to a user, the display in the normal operational position having an orientation of one of landscape or portrait. The display is moved from the normal operational position to a maintenance position in order to permit access for a technician to components in a space in the cabinet behind the display when the latter is in the normal operational position, the display in the maintenance position having an orientation of the other of landscape or portrait, the display in the maintenance position displaying information to the technician.

Abstract: The game device comprises a detection unit, an acquisition unit, a generation unit and a display unit. The detection unit detects the position of a user in real space. The acquisition unit determines clarity that is correlated with the detected position of the user. The generation unit generates an image that expresses a state of an object placed in virtual space that is drawn with the clarity determined for the object. The display unit displays the image generated by the generation unit on a screen.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes curved panel edges that may be illuminated. The panel edges have compound curves. A tool and method for forming compound curved edge shapes is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that record data in a videogame, such as a user's character and performance in the videogame, and generate a book, e-book, or comic book based on the recorded data. A narrative data structure generated from the recorded data may include pregenerated text and images, and may provide for insertion of the recorded data into the narrative data structure. The recorded data may be converted into natural-language text for insertion into the narrative data structure. In some embodiments, the system may record screenshots of the videogame and insert the screenshots into the narrative data structure as illustrations. The narrative data structure may be provided to a location for printing as a book or other publication or may be electronically formatted and provided as an e-book.

Abstract: Methods and Systems for improving play of a bonus game on a gaming machine and improving security within a gaming establishment are described. The systems include a gaming machine, which includes an input device that receives an input from a user. The gaming machine further includes a first display device that displays a primary game upon receiving the input, and a second display device including a multilayer display that displays a secondary game. The multilayer display includes a foreground screen and a background screen, with at least a portion of the foreground screen or the background screen being curved and the foreground screen or the background screen displays an image of a wheel. The gaming machine further includes a controller configured to execute the primary and secondary games. The secondary game is played after playing the primary game.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can determine different objects and/or portions within a wagering game video image and split the wagering game video image into multiple video streams containing different parts of the wagering game video image. The operations can then present the multiple video streams on multiple displays. The multiple displays can show the different parts of the wagering game video image appearing as separate and distinct video images. In some embodiments, some of the multiple displays can be placed in front of other displays. The operations can generate transparent masks that allow images to be seen through a display.

Abstract: An embodiment of a gaming machine has a primary game display operable to display the outcome of a game, and a secondary display overlaying the primary game display. The secondary display may have a stand alone transmissive LCD display and at least one backlight assembly, the backlight assembly spaced apart from the transmissive LCD display and located between the transmissive LCD display and the primary game display. With the backlight assembly spaced apart from the transmissive LCD display, the backlight assembly may be removed from or inserted into the gaming machine. This permits different games to be installed in the gaming machine during manufacture or as a retrofit.

Abstract: A game apparatus displaying on a screen moves to be made by the player in time with reproduction of a piece of music is provided. In the game apparatus, a reproduction part reproduces music stored in a storage. The music to be reproduced is divided into multiple segments of the same length of time and an image is associated with each of the multiple segments, presenting moves to be made by the player while that segment is reproduced. Multiple regions are provided on the screen. The display part displays an image stored in the storage and associated with a segment i+j?1 among the multiple segments in a region j among the multiple regions on the screen while a segment i among the multiple segments is reproduced by the reproduction part.

Abstract: A computer system and a controlling method are provided. The computer system includes a container and a display unit. The container has an opening through which a real article enters the container. The display unit displays a frame. The controlling method of the computer system includes the following steps. A first fictitious role corresponding to the real article is obtained. A space characteristic of the real article corresponding to the container is obtained. A first displaying characteristic of the real article corresponding to the frame is obtained according to the first fictitious role and the space characteristic. A first fictitious object is displayed on the frame according to the first displaying characteristic.

Abstract: A gaming system which maintains a count of the consecutive plays of a game. The system produces a same player stimuli for a designated quantity of the consecutive plays, and the system produces a different player stimuli for one or more of the plays which occur after the designated quantity is reached.

Abstract: A network browser and toolbar objects are described herein. The network browser has a main display area that can display content. The toolbar objects can be on a toolbar that is a part of the network browser. The toolbar objects indicate information associated with wagering games. The network browser and the toolbar objects can receive and display content. Specifically, the toolbar objects can process and present wagering games using wagering game play elements (e.g., icons, graphics, etc.) on the toolbar. The toolbar can also have controls, configurations and settings associated with the toolbar, which the toolbar can communicate to a wagering game provider to determine game results. The toolbar can use the controls, configurations, and settings to affect the presentation of wagering game information on the toolbar, to control the presentation of game results using the wagering game play elements, etc.

Abstract: A vehicle chase game includes a first game object and a second game object. A second game object scans for a projected spot on an overhead surface. The second game object detects the projected spot on the overhead surface and gathers location information based on the detected projected spot. The second game object generates a position of a first game object based on the location information. The second game object transfers the position of the first game object to the chase game application program. The chase game application program selects a behavior based on the position of the first game object, where a goal of the behavior is to drive the second game object to intercept the first game object. The chase game application program sends instructions to the second game object's mechanical and electrical systems to execute the selected behaviors.

Abstract: A game apparatus calculates a reference direction of each boat by combining a velocity vector and a front direction vector of each boat at a predetermined rate. Next, the game apparatus calculates an average direction by performing weighted averaging of the calculated reference direction of each boat in accordance with a distance from the front boat. Then, the game apparatus calculates the imaging direction of the virtual camera based on the calculated average direction.

Abstract: A game device (2) executes a video game in which a hammer image (52) displayed on a display device (4) is moved based on an operational signal. The hammer image (52) corresponds to a controller (3), and the operational signal indicates acceleration detected by an acceleration sensor (21) embedded in the controller (3). Additionally, the game device (2) includes an operation-target object control section (32). The operation-target object control section (32) displays an enlarged hammer image (52?) instead of the hammer image (52) when at least either of the acceleration indicated by the operational signal or moving speed of the controller (3) computed based on the acceleration falls within a predetermined range.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a card stack reader, a card thereof, a card case, a method for manufacturing the card, a game machine using the same, and a computer-readable storage medium on which a game program is recorded. The card stack reader comprises an imaging unit which reads an image from a peripheral side portion of a stack of cards, each card having a read code along a peripheral side edge thereof, the read code identifying the card, and a code recognizing unit which recognizes the read code of each card from the image read by the imaging unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing objects on a stereoscopic display. The location of the object on the stereoscopic display is determined and the visual distance of the object from the stereoscopic display is determined. The apparatus and method determines if the visual distance of the object exceeds a threshold value and the appearance of the object is transitioned from (e.g., gradually faded out from) the display if the visual distance exceeds the threshold value. In this manner, the object is properly transitioned on the display so that it does not distract the viewer or appear unnatural.

Abstract: A self-orientating hand held game unit includes a display screen, a game piece illustrated on the screen, and a touch sensitive system to detect the movement of a finger across the screen and operate the game piece to launch a projectile toward a target on the screen.

Abstract: A target speed profile for a specified racer is computed at various points along a track. The calculation is based on the real world physics of the racing environment and incorporates physical characteristics of the track, including curvature, undulation, and/or camber. A lateral acceleration component is developed to limit the realistic maximum speed a racer may obtain at any given point along the track. Furthermore, differences in realistic maximum speeds at different points along the track can overwhelm a racer's braking capability. As such, braking capacity adjustments can be applied to decrease the maximum speed in the target speed profile, so that the overall target speed profile is more realistic and attainable.

Abstract: A distributed computer system is provided for collecting player information. Further, a scoring system is provided that rates a player based on one or more elements of the collected information. Players may be rated with respect to a number of characteristics. Responsive to a determined rating or score, action may be taken by the distributed system with regard to the player. For instance, the player may be provided a complimentary offer, provided an award, and invitation to come to a gambling location, presented an advertisement, or other action may be performed involving the player. Further, the distributed computer system may permit a player to manage their frequent player accounts and receive complimentary offers based on a set of criteria specified by the player.

Abstract: Described herein are processes and devices that integrate social contact identifiers into wagering games. One of the devices described is a social contact identifier integrator. The social contact identifier integrator can display one or more elements of a wagering game, such as graphics that are part of, or connected to, the wagering game. A player of the wagering game can have a social network account that has one or more related social network accounts, such as friends or acquaintances. The social contact identifier integrator selects a social contact identifier from one of the related social network accounts and integrates the social contact identifier into the wagering game. The social contact identifier integrator can also determine and assign rewards to the player or to the related social network account whose social contact identifier appeared in the wagering game.

Abstract: In an overturn determination process, it is determined that a race kart that is a player object is to be overturned if the race kart is changed into a predetermined pose. In an overturn process, the race kart is forcedly overturned and spun only during a first predetermined time period T1 by experiencing external forces that causes an overturn, and the race kart is rotated by inertia only during a second predetermined time period T2 without experiencing the external forces. Then, a process is performed for bringing the direction of the player kart's height close to the normal vector of the ground and bringing the traveling direction of the race kart close to the pre-overturn traveling direction, whereby the race kart is recovered to a state capable of running again. While the race kart is overturned, an operation control process is not performed, and an operation input from the controller is not accepted.

Abstract: During a slot machine game, game effects are also displayed on a liquid crystal panel 39d provided in a reel display window unit 39, and thus the liquid crystal panel 39d serves as a new machine component for performing game effects. Therefore, new effects for the game can be performed on the liquid crystal panel 39d, which facilitates maintaining the novelty of game effects. Furthermore, the diffusion sheet 39f and the light guiding plate 39g are formed with openings 5a, 6a and 7a and openings 5b, 6b and 7b respectively for allowing the symbols variably displayed on the reels to be observed. As a result, there are decreased obstacles, interposed, in such a way as to prevent the light from passing through, between the transparent acryl plate 39a and the reels 2-4 on which the light is variably displayed. Therefore, the visibility of the symbols variably displayed on the reels 2-4 is increased.

Abstract: A display system includes a cabinet, a transparent dashboard and a lighting system. The dashboard is fabricated to have at least two refractive indices such that when light from the lighting system is projected therethrough, a unique lighting effect is created.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for managing objects on a stereoscopic display. The location of the object on the stereoscopic display is determined and the visual distance of the object from the stereoscopic display is determined. The apparatus and method determines if the visual distance of the object exceeds a threshold value and the appearance of the object is transitioned from (e.g., gradually faded out from) the display if the visual distance exceeds the threshold value. In this manner, the object is properly transitioned on the display so that it does not distract the viewer or appear unnatural.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game device (20) that has a touch panel (25), a processor (28), and a RAM (31). The processor (28), from among detected position data output from touch panel (25), stores in RAM (31), 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 (28) 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 (25), an input instruction that is associated with a direction range having a direction from the start point to the end point there within, from among plural direction ranges having the start point as a basal point.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: an image display device for displaying a two-dimensional image and a stereoscopic image display unit that covers a part of the display surface and causes a game player to recognize a part of the two-dimensional image at the covered part as a stereoscopic image and to recognize a part of the two-dimensional image at another part as a planar image. The image display unit can compose a first functional film, arranged on a front side of the display surface allowing light from the display surface to pass therethrough and a second functional film arranged on a front side of the first functional film and has a characteristic of reflecting the light from the display surface, which passes through the first functional film, and allowing the light reflected on the first functional film to pass through the second functional film.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer programs for determining the location in a field of play of a game controller are provided. A ball section is attached to the game controller to locate the controller using visual information. The method obtains an image of the field of play where the game controller is present, and then finds pixels in the image associated with the ball section. The method further establishes an area encompassing the found pixels and determines a geometric shape based on the area associated with the ball. The location of the controller is calculated based on the geometric shape, with the center of the geometric shape indicating the horizontal and vertical location of the controller, and the size of the geometric shape determining the depth of the controller within the field of play. The location is stored in memory, which is used to drive an action by the computer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for displaying multiple visual images from a single source at a gaming machine are disclosed. A reversible display device at the gaming machine presents multiple visual images from a display cell or other core display component. Virtual curtains alternate between blocking and permitting the display of visual images at various surfaces of the reversible display device. For a display cell or similar component needing a separate illumination source, illumination components alternate on and off in coordinated fashion with the virtual curtains, and are arranged to reflect light through the display cell in one direction to display one visual image at one surface and then in an opposite direction to display another visual image at the opposite surface. Lenses, mirrors and other optical devices redirect or alter a visual image from a surface such that it is not viewed directly from the display device itself.

Abstract: A virtual world controller receives an identifier of a detected interaction by a user within another world, separate from a particular virtual world environment accessible by the user, from a device that detects and reports user interactions within the other world. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular trigger tag name assigned to the identifier of the detected interaction from among a plurality of separate detectable user interactions in a trigger tag database. The virtual world controller identifies at least one particular asset class from among a plurality of asset classes specified with the particular trigger tag name within a particular trigger asset coupling from among at least one trigger asset coupling in a trigger asset coupling database. The virtual world controller accesses at least one particular asset assigned to the at least one particular asset class in an asset class database.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the gaming system, gaming device, and gaming method disclosed herein utilizes a single display device to display at least one event indicator which conveys information that is otherwise displayed over a plurality of display devices. In one embodiment, the gaming system employs a multiple layered display device, wherein at least one layer of the display device displays the play of the primary game and at least one layer of the display device displays one or more event indicators. Such event indicators indicate information regarding the play of a secondary game displayed on a secondary display device. Such a configuration alleviates the player from having to frequently look up at the secondary display to determine information regarding the play of the secondary game and then look back down to the primary display to view the play of the primary game.

Abstract: A setting unit sets a position of a viewpoint arranged in a virtual space, and a direction of a visual line extending from the viewpoint. A moving unit moves a player character in the virtual space according to an operation by a player. A generating unit generates an image representing the way the virtual space is viewed from the viewpoint toward the direction of the visual line. A display unit displays the generated image on a screen. Moreover, the setting unit sets a position of the viewpoint so that a relative position of the viewpoint to an object is fixed, sets a position of a target point included in a surface of a predetermined shape fixed relatively to the object at random, and sets a direction of the visual line so that an intersection point between the surface and the visual line gradually comes closer to the target point.

Abstract: Natural three-dimensional (xw,yw,zw,tw) gesture player interaction with a two-dimensional game application rendered on a two or three dimensional display includes mapping acquired (xw,yw,zw,tw) gesture data to virtual game-world (xv,yv,zv,tv) coordinates or vice versa, and scaling if needed. The game application is caused to render at least one image on the display responsive to the mapped and scaled (xw,yw,zw) data, where the display and game interaction is rendered from the player's perception viewpoint. The (xw,yw,zw) data preferably is acquired using spaced-apart two-dimensional cameras coupled to software to reduce the acquired images to a relatively small number of landmark points, from which player gestures may be recognized. The invention may be implemented in a handheld device such as a smart phone or tablet, which device may include a gyroscope and/or accelerometer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a game system using LEDs in a controller 20. In a game system of the present invention, an image pickup apparatus captures the controller. The controller includes multiple input units for making an operation input to advance a game, and multiple LEDs for indicating a controller number set for the controller in a game application executed. A game apparatus accepts an operation input provided to the controller and reflects the operation input in the processing of a game application, acquires a captured image from the image pickup apparatus, acquires the position of the controller in the captured image based on the position of the LED in the captured image and reflects the acquired position information in the processing of the game application, and generates an image signal showing the result of application processing performed based on the operation input and acquired position information.

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

Abstract: An input processing device comprises a display screen and a pointing device for inputting corresponding 2-dimensional coordinates on the display screen. A 3-dimensional space is displayed on the display screen and the 2-dimensional coordinates inputted from the pointing device are detected. Next, shift amounts, per unit of time, of the detected 2-dimensional coordinates are calculated based on a predetermined calculation start condition. And the calculated shift amounts are converted to 3-dimensional coordinate shift amounts in the 3-dimensional space.

Abstract: Example systems and methods relate to a multi-player video game in which multiple players each supply inputs to a respective input device to control a corresponding game character in a scrolling-type game world displayed on a display screen. A first predetermined input supplied by one of the players to the respective input device protects the one player's game character from harm in the game world and the protected game character moves based on the scrolling/non-scrolling state of the game world in accordance with the movement of one or more unprotected characters. The protecting of the one player's game character is stopped in response to one or more protecting stopping conditions, whereby the game character is again controllable by the one player in response to inputs to the respective input device.

Abstract: A video game includes: (i) a graphic user interface that presents a user a simulation of real-life events; (ii) a content database containing a collection of actual photos and videos of real-life events; (iii) a simulation engine that, presents a plurality of possible actions to the user, receives a selection of at least one of the actions from the user, identifies at least one photo or video in the database that is associated with the user-selected action, and presents the user with a result in response to the selection, wherein the result includes the identified photo or video; (iv) a content update module that receives updated photo or video content from one or more content distributors, creates an association element for the updated content and an available action in the game, and includes the updated content and association element in the content database; and (v) a scoring module.

Abstract: A gaming system for use with a media player and one or more output devices, where the media player is configured to receive user signals, to read and execute information from a game medium, and to present portions of the information on the one or more output devices. The gaming system includes a remote unit operable by one or more users, including a controller, and a transmitter coupled to the controller. The remote unit also includes a plurality of buttons coupled to the controller, including a first button, and a second button. The controller is configured to cause the transmitter to transmit a first user signal upon actuation of the first button, and a second user signal upon actuation of the second button. The gaming system also includes a game medium having information readable by the media player that, when executed, causes the media player to produce a game having a plurality of scenes.

Abstract: A computer graphics display system such as a video game system provides virtual camera 3-D viewpoint panning control based on a pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a virtual camera panning control region, the system automatically pans the virtual camera toward the pointer. When the pointer is displayed within a different region, panning is deactivated and the user can freely move the cursor (e.g., to control the direction a weapon is pointed) without panning the virtual camera viewpoint. Flexible viewpoint control and other animated features are provided based on a pointing device such as a handheld video game optical pointing control. Useful applications include but are not limited to first person shooter type video games.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are used to simultaneously display a virtual dealer and a dynamic visual background image in connection with a multi-player video platform simulating and effecting play of a casino table card game. The dealer imagery is in the foreground and the background is behind the dealer. The background is either a live video feed from the casino, live feed from another location or event or pre-recorded image sequences. The various videos are keyed or masked and layered together using known video production technology.

Abstract: A method of acoustically rendering a virtual environment is described. The method includes receiving a subset of polygons derived for an acoustic display from a set of polygons generated for a graphical display. Acoustic reflections are determined from a sound source that bounce off of polygons in the subset of polygons to a listener position in the virtual environment. It is determined whether a polygon in the subset of polygons causes an occlusion of the sound source at the listener position, and a play list of sounds is generated based on the reflections and occlusions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining and tracking advertising campaigns across a channel video game network are disclosed. The system allows advertisements to be dynamically activated in video games. Advertisements are tracked to determine user impressions and user exposure to the advertisement. In the system, an impression area is defined relative an advertisements in the game. Methods for redefining the impression area or for accounting for the existence of obstructions that distort the view of the advertisement are also provided.

Abstract: To apply a certain change to a displayed image while controlling a position and direction of a character and a virtual camera. In changing a direction of a character card without changing its position, when the direction changes slowly a direction of a character changes according to change direction of the character card, and a visual point of a virtual camera moves circularly according to the change direction of the character. When the direction of the character card is changed fast only the visual point moves circularly and the direction of the character does not change.

Abstract: An information storage medium storing a program that generates an image of a virtual space viewed from a virtual camera, an operation object and a non-operation object being disposed in the virtual space.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for providing a wager-based game that may include a primary display unit, a secondary display unit, a value input device and a first controller is described. The secondary display unit may include a viewing window, a first object coupled to a movable member, a second object and a semi-transparent mirror. The viewing window, the semi-transparent mirror, the first object and the second object may be positioned, such that an image of one of the first object or the second object is transmitted through the mirror and an image of one of the first object or the second object is reflected by the mirror such that one image appears transposed on the other image when viewed through the viewing window. Via the movable member, a position of the first object may be changed.