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: Disclosed herein is an amusement device, the amusement device having: a display device rotatably mounted to a structure, the display device being configured to create a plurality of images via a persistence of vision effect; a device for rotating the display device; a sensor for determining whether an object has hit one of the plurality of images; a microcontroller in operable communication with the sensor and the display device, the microcontroller changing the appearance of at least one of the plurality of images when the sensor determines that an object has hit at least one of the plurality of images.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a chair communicably coupled to a gaming device. The chair includes an audio playback device operable to receive audio playback commands. The audio playback commands may be received from a gaming device physically attached to the chair, a remote gaming device, or from a network interface communicably coupling the chair to a gaming establishment audio system, a player tracking system, or other gaming establishment system. Additionally, the chair may include an audio data storage device. Audio data from the storage device may be played through speakers on the chair, audio output devices on a gaming device, or audio output devices on a peripheral attached to the gaming device such as a top box or signage peripheral.

Abstract: In a computing machine having a processing unit, memory and a display device for playing a video game, the video game comprising at least one or more game characters, the at least one or more game character being controlled by a special purpose computing input device connected to said computer and operable by a game player, the video game further comprising character dialog between or among the at least one or more game characters, the character dialog comprising vignettes of dialog wherein movement from one vignette to another is determined by the game player introducing emotion into the dialog by means of the special purpose computing input device. The special purpose computing input device introduces emotion into the video game during a character dialog or character encounter along an axis of a joystick or other game controller element.

Abstract: A device (A) is described, which is capable of being operated within a network comprising a touch interface (2) which is adapted to detect that a user (3) touches the touch interface (2) and simultaneously touches a touch interface (6) of another device (B) capable of being operated within a network, and a communication unit (1) adapted to communicate with a communication unit (5) of the other device (B) via a communication network established between the device (A) and the other device (B) when detecting that the user touches the touch interface (2) of the device (A) and simultaneously touches the touch interlace (6) of the other device (B).

Abstract: A board game with a timing feature is disclosed. The board game includes a board with several bonus spaces or premium spaces that can change in value and/or availability as a game progresses. The board also includes indicator associated with the bonus or premium spaces that indicate whether the bonus or premium spaces are available and whether their values have changed.

Abstract: Provided is a game system executing a game by performing communication between a plurality of hand-held game apparatuses, each having a display section for displaying an image and an operation section, and a stationary game apparatus. In each of the plurality of hand-held game apparatuses, a plurality of directional signs indicative of operations performed by a player using the operation section is displayed on the display section. Operation data indicative of a content of the operation performed by using the operation section is transmitted to the stationary game apparatus. The stationary game apparatus receives the operation data transmitted from each of the plurality of hand-held game apparatuses. The stationary game apparatus obtains, from sound data storage means storing therein a plurality of pieces of sound data, sound data corresponding to the operation data, and at the same time, outputs a sound based on each piece of the obtained sound data.

Abstract: A Hall-effect system for providing inputs into a processor includes at least one magnet for establishing a magnetic field, a remote sensor unit and a receive station. The magnet is sized and adapted to be worn on a user's finger, while the remote sensor unit is adapted to be worn on a user's thumb. The remote sensor unit includes a Hall-effect sensor that senses changes in the magnetic field due to the motion of the magnet relative to the Hall-effect sensor. The Hall-effect sensor detects the magnetic field changes, and the remote sensor unit generates a sensor output corresponding to the magnetic field changes. The receive station is connected to the processor. The receive station receives the output from the remote sensor unit and converts the sensor output into an input for the processor.

Abstract: Reverberation parameters for one or more positions of interest are derived from graphics data used for displaying a computer-generated environment. For each position of interest for which reverberation parameters are desired, environmental parameters including distances and the hardness of features in a range of interest and at points on cubemap faces are automatically determined from the graphics data. The environmental parameters are stored with the graphics data and associated with each position of interest. Upon rendering of the computer-generated environment, reverberation property set values usable by a reverberation engine are calculated or interpolated between predetermined values according to the environmental parameters.

Abstract: A wireless input device for playing an interactive motion-sensitive game using a wireless-compatible game console in which a virtual play environment is represented through one or more computer-animated visual, aural or tactile effects is provided wherein game play is conducted by moving, shaking, twisting, waving or pointing the input device in a particular manner. The input device can include motion-sensitive circuitry and/or command circuitry for generating control signals and/or an effects generator and associated control circuitry to enable the input device to selectively generate at least one visual, aural or tactile effect comprising sound, lighting or vibration. The input device can include a wireless transceiver for providing two-way wireless communication with the wireless-compatible game console. An optional display screen displays short text messages received through wireless communications with the wireless-compatible game console.

Abstract: A gaming peripheral for a gaming machine is described. The gaming peripheral can be configured to emulate the functions of a lighting device, such as a candle. The gaming peripheral can be configured to provide enhanced gaming features such as 1) enhanced networking capabilities, 2) enhanced peripheral device monitoring and upgrade capabilities, 3) enhanced player monitoring and security capabilities 4) enhanced gaming function capabilities and 5) enhanced player reward capabilities. The enhanced gaming features can be provided in a non-intrusive manner such that regulated software executed on a gaming machine does not have to be altered.

Abstract: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a plurality of gaming machines and a communications network arranged to facilitate communications to and from the gaming machines. Each gaming machine is arranged to implement a game, and to generate status information indicative of whether the gaming machine is vacant or occupied, and the system is arranged to display availability information derived from the status information indicative of whether at least some of the gaming machines are vacant or occupied. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An adapter interface apparatus has a user input device and an associated video display. The user selects a distinguishable visual image representation for association into an audiovisual presentation, such as where that user is identified. For example, color, size graphics or shape can be used to distinguish users. In one embodiment a digitized image of each user's face is used as the distinguishable representation. Alternatively, the user can create an original image or select one of a predetermined set of visual images as the user's identification for use in the audiovisual presentation. In one embodiment, the adapter interface is coupled to an audiovisual presentation system and a storage card containing User Images. The adapter interface system integrates a selected User Image from the Storage Card into the audiovisual presentation.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable to present a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered, and an audio module. The audio module is operable selectively reduce the information content of a digital audio signal based on available audio resources.

Abstract: Certain examples relate to a gaming system and a method of gaming for playing a reel-type game. A game controller of the gaming system is arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols and to control a display to display a plurality of the selected symbols in rows and columns. A player interface enables a player to select game features, including selecting one or more or all of the reels against which to bet credit. Each time a feature is selected, a sound generator generates a distinctive sound associated with selection of that feature. A “special” game feature may also be selected. In an embodiment, the special game feature is selection of all the reels against which to bet credit. When the special feature is deselected, by a player selecting another game feature, an alert sound is generated to alert the player to the fact that they have deselected the special game feature.

Abstract: A first sound volume calculation unit (251) obtains a length of a straight line connecting a sound emitting object and a sound detection object, and calculates a first sound volume attenuated from a predetermined reference sound volume in accordance with the length. A second volume calculation unit (252), in a case where on the straight line there is an other object that is an obstacle, calculates a second sound volume attenuated from the first sound volume by a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: A gaming machine lets a player who has satisfied a predetermined condition select one dealer image among six dealer images. The gaming machine subsequently displays the selected image in a front display and executes a game. As a bet-accepting period started, the gaming machine accepts the player's operation of giving a tip to the dealer displayed on the front display separately from a bet operation for getting a prize. If the player gives the dealer a tip, the gaming machine generates an individual image corresponding to an image of the dealer who acts according to the player's personal data and a game history, and an individual sound corresponding to the voice of the dealer according to the player's personal data and a game history, and then outputs the generated individual image and individual sound at a predetermined timing.

Abstract: Each note is detected from input sound in units of detection time at specific time intervals. Whether or not the player's input sound coincides with a reference melody set for an egg OB selected for causing a character to be created is determined based on the detected notes, and the character set for the egg OB is created when the input sound has been determined to coincide with the reference melody. Whether or not the input sound coincides with the reference melody is determined based on (1) the distribution of the notes included in the input sound with respect to the passage of time, or (2) the total count of each note included in the input sound.

Abstract: A mobile telephone, including: selector (36) for selecting sound track content and at least one attribute specific to the sound track from a file, a sound playback device (35, 22) for the sound track contained in the selected file, a man/machine interface (40, 42) making it possible to implement a question/answer game application (37) on the telephone. The game application (37) includes a parameter whereof the value defines the subject-matter of the questions; and it includes an implementor for implementing the game application (37) during the playback of each sound track with, for value of the parameter, an attribute of the sound track being played back.

Abstract: Implementations for identifying, capturing, and presenting high-quality photo-representations of acts occurring during play of a game that employs motion tracking input technology are disclosed. As one example, a method is disclosed that includes capturing via an optical interface, a plurality of photographs of a player in a capture volume during play of the electronic game. The method further includes for each captured photograph of the plurality of captured photographs, comparing an event-based scoring parameter to an event depicted by or corresponding to the captured photograph. The method further includes assigning respective scores to the plurality of captured photographs based, at least in part, on the comparison to the even-based scoring parameter. The method further includes associating the captured photographs at an electronic storage media with the respective scores assigned to the captured photographs.

Abstract: An information processing device for reproducing content data is provided. The information processing device includes a reproducing unit for reproducing content data; a sound image localization processing unit for sound image localization processing the content data to be reproduced by the reproducing unit so that a sound image by the content data localizes at an arbitrary localization position; and a control unit for moving the localization position of the sound image in response to change in reproduction state of the content data by the reproducing unit.

Abstract: A computerized wagering game system includes a gaming module comprising gaming code which is operable when executed on to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. The system is coupled to at least one external sign assembly via a sign server, the external sign comprising one or more speakers. The wagering game system provides a volume control interface operable to allow a user of the wagering game system to control the volume of the one or more speakers comprising a part of the external sign assembly via the sign server.

Abstract: An overlap identifying unit (205) obtains respective directions of the sound emitting objects with respect to the hearing position and identifies each one of sound emitting objects whose directions overlap. A sound volume estimation unit (206) estimates respective sound volumes of sounds as heard at the hearing position, emitted from the sound emitting objects that the overlap identification unit identified as overlapping. A sound emission control unit (207) cancels the sound emission of either one of the identified sound emitting objects identified, in a case where a difference between sound volumes obtained from those respective sound volumes estimated by the sound volume estimation unit (206) is at a predetermined level or greater. A sound source (208) reproduces sound effects or the like of the predetermined volumes. A game sound output unit (209) suitably outputs the game sound reproduced from the sound source (208).

Abstract: Sound control circuit comprising a game port, installed on a digital audiovisual reproduction system managed by an operating system, characterized in that the game port in the sound control circuit is used to create an access to the configuration of the audiovisual reproduction system and/or additional management functions for the audiovisual reproduction system.

Abstract: A multiplayer participation type gaming system, comprising: a plurality of gaming machines arranged on a predetermined play area; and a sound insulating wall disposed between adjacent gaming machines among the gaming machines, each of the gaming machines carries out the processing of: performing an arithmetic operation, in response to a play of the player, on a value indicative of the game result, and storing after updating the play history data stored in the memory by using the result of the arithmetic operation; comparing the updated play history data with the predetermined threshold value data; generating, when it is determined that the play history data exceeds the threshold value data, sound data based on the play history data by using the plurality of voice generating original data stored in the memory; and outputting a sound from the speaker based on the sound data thus generated.

Abstract: A game apparatus repeatedly calculates a gravity center position based on load values detected by respective load sensors of a load controller. The game apparatus sequentially reproduces each of measures of a musical piece by reproducing a next measure when the gravity center position moves beyond a reference line. In this case, the game apparatus changes a reproduction sound volume in accordance with the gravity center position and a speed at which the gravity center moves.

Abstract: A gaming machine executes a second game based on game results of a first game. The second game is a game that awards a prize corresponding to an option a player selects from a plurality of options. In the second game, based on speech input by the player, the gaming machine identifies a language to be used by the player. Then, the gaming machine provides the player with information based on a game history for the second game. Then, the gaming machine expresses the information based on the game history in the identified language to be used by the player.

Abstract: The present invention provides novel methods and devices for providing audio to players of a gaming machine and to nearby players. According to preferred implementations, sounds intended for a person currently using a gaming machine are distinguished from second sounds intended for persons who are not currently using the gaming machine. The former sounds are directed to the player of the gaming machine by one or more methods and/or devices. For example, the gaming machine may include a device for producing ultrasonic waves (e.g., in a beam) that produce the first sounds via interaction with a medium, a sound dome, a speaker array, or other devices for producing directional sound. The sound may be directed to a predetermined area near the gaming machine. Alternatively, the sound may be directed to an area at or near where the player is detected to be, where the player's player tracking card is detected to be, etc.

Abstract: Provided are systems and methods for execution by a processor of an electronic gaming device to provide in-game interactive advertising. One example method includes placing an advertisment within an electronic game environment configured for execution by the electronic gaming device, detecting when a player reaches the advertisement, notifying the player of an option to bookmark the advertisement, receiving a selected option from the player and storing the selected option in a bookmark record. Another method additionally includes communicating a bookmark in the bookmark record corresponding to the selected option to the player upon the player leaving the electronic game environment and listing an in-game reward for choosing to follow the bookmark.

Abstract: A method for use in relation to a performance includes receiving a selection of a reference video segment, capturing a performance with a camera, generating a new video segment that is representative of the reference video segment having a portion thereof that is replaced with at least a portion of the captured performance, and displaying the new video segment on a display. Another method includes displaying a representation of a new video segment in the online community and providing feedback relating to the captured performance. And another method includes comparing one or more aspects of a performance with corresponding aspects of a reference performance, and providing an indication of how closely the performance matches the reference performance. A storage medium stores a computer program adapted to cause a processor based system to execute the steps of any one or more of these methods.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to choreograph an audio presentation among a plurality of wagering game machines, the wagering game machines initially being configured by respective users to play audio at respective user-selected volumes. A shared game is triggered among the plurality of wagering game machines and during the shared game, the plurality of wagering game machines are adjusted to play audio at a specified common volume instead of the respective user-selected volumes. At or after a conclusion of the shared game, the plurality of wagering game machines are adjusted to play audio at the respective previously-configured user-selected volumes.

Abstract: A programmable interactive device in which a microprocessor is coupled to memory and two speech synthesis processor. The device is connected through a wireless communication system to a remote server to receive scripts and corresponding digital data provided by third party content providers and other users. Software is executed to select digital data and the script based on received identification data and status data from an adjacent device. A code of instructions is executed on the microprocessor to activate a speech synthesizer to convert digital data into audio data, which is output through a speaker. Also, an interactive environment for a pair of talking devices is provided.

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming system is disclosed including at least one community display and a plurality of personal media terminals. The at least one community display is adapted to display a community event thereon. The plurality of personal media terminals has a player positioning device and a plurality of speakers. At least two of the plurality of speakers are positioned to provide frontal audio to the player positioning device and at least two of the plurality of speakers are positioned to provide rear audio to the player positioning device. The plurality of speakers is positioned so as to provide a 360-degree sound field relative to the player positioning device. The 360-degree sound field for each of the plurality of personal media terminals differs based on the location of the personal media terminal in relation to the community display.

Abstract: A method for providing an audio game, apparatus and computer-readable recording medium with program therefor are provided. The game apparatus is disclosed having a touch screen for generating player selected music and its music related tracks on which a number of index marks are arranged in a predetermined pattern in relation to the music and a timeline is moved in a predetermined direction until it overlaps with the arranged index marks, and when a positional value is received corresponding to the index marks from the touch screen by the player's performance a preset performance sound that corresponds to its index mark is produced.

Abstract: The present invention provides in one embodiment a computerized wagering game system has a gaming module comprising a processor and gaming code which is operable when executed on the processor to conduct a wagering game on which monetary value can be wagered. A virtual radio audio module is operable to play one of a plurality of audio programs selected by a wagering game player. The selected audio program is presented to simulate a radio such that playing of the selected audio program may start from a point other than the beginning of the audio track.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include methods for providing a simulated disc jockey experience in a video game. Embodiments are provided for playing video games on portable electronic devices such as mobile phones and/or portable music players and on conventional video game clients, such as video game consoles, personal computers, and/or handheld video game devices.

Abstract: An improved gaming device with a secure interface has been developed. The invention includes an electronic gaming device with internal components, software and data, an external communication interface in communication with the electronic gaming device and an output device of the electronic gaming device in communication with the external communication interface. The output device communicates with external communication interface through a secure interface that does not allow external communications to directly access the internal components, software and data of the electronic gaming device.

Abstract: A calculating unit (201) arranges a three-dimensional spatial body containing a listening point within a virtual space in a voice processor (200). The three-dimensional spatial body is constituted by a group of predetermined unit figures. The calculating unit (201) acquires a distribution of a region and an amount of overlap between a region occupied by the three-dimensional spatial body and a region occupied by predetermined objects. A modifying unit (202) modifies reflected sounds of sounds by the predetermined objects based on the distribution of the region of overlap and the amount of overlap acquired by the calculating unit (201). An outputting unit (203) outputs the reflected sounds modified by the modifying unit (202).

Abstract: Enhanced audio communications is provided in an interactive environment, such as a gaming environment, having multiple participants. An input audio signal, such as a speech signal, that is originated by one of the multiple participants is received. In addition, one or more instructions that correspond to the input audio signal are received. Based on the one or more instructions, an output audio signal is generated from the input audio signal. The output audio signal is designated for transmission to one or more of the participants.

Abstract: A game apparatus determines whether or not a predetermined first condition is fulfilled. When the first condition is fulfilled, the game apparatus causes the second speaker to generate a sound and moves an object in a virtual game space. When a predetermined second condition regarding a position of the object is fulfilled as a result of the object being moved by the moving control means, the game apparatus causes the first speaker to generate a sound. The game apparatus causes a display device to display the game space.

Abstract: Data defining an avatar is received over a network. A sprite sheet comprising a plurality of sprites is created, using the data defining the avatar. Each sprite includes a partial rendering of the respective avatar and at least one run-time parameter including a sprite attribute. A plurality of requests are received, over the network, for the avatar from a plurality of user applications. The data defining the avatar and the sprite sheet are transmitted, over the network, to each of the requesting user applications, enabling each respective user application to display the sprites in the sprite sheet and to set the run-time parameter associated with each of the sprites in the sprite sheet such that each respective sprite is thereby customized to the application.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes a game process. When a player character encounters an enemy character in a game world, a battle screen is displayed on a monitor. On the battle screen, an input pattern is displayed, and background music (BGM) is output from a speaker. A player determines an operation timing based on the input pattern and the BGM (drum part). If there is a high level of coincidence between the operation timing by the player and a timing of the music pattern, damage which the player character applies to the enemy character and experienced obtained by the player character increases.

Abstract: Sound output units (201A, 201B) output sounds, respectively. A detection unit (202) detects existence/absence of depression performed by a player on each of a plurality of operation targets to be operated. A sound volume changing unit (203) changes the volume ratio of a sound to be output from each of the sound output units (201A, 201B) based on an operation target whose depression has been detected among the plurality of operation targets. For example, the sound volume changing unit (203) relatively increases the volume of a sound to be output from a sound output unit among the sound output units (201A, 201B) which is far from the operation target whose depression has been detected.

Abstract: A game system is composed by connecting a game apparatus with a monitor and a percussion type controller. A game player beats a first beating operation surface or a second beating operation surface to input an operation signal from the controller to the game apparatus. In the game apparatus, in response to the operation signal, a player character in a virtual world displayed on the monitor is moved in a left or a right direction. Furthermore, when a sound, input by clapping and so on in the vicinity of a microphone of the controller, is present, the game apparatus generates a shock wave from a position of the player character. By the shock wave, a predetermined change occurs, such as returning an enemy character to its initial position, gathering fairies in a form of block, and so forth.

Abstract: A framework is disclosed for associating visual elements of a computer game with musical scores of a computer game. In one embodiment, a visual element is moved in a virtual environment of the computer game, in response to user input. Playback of a musical score may be altered based on movement of the visual element. A visual effect in the scene may also be generated, based on the altered playback of the musical score.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the invention, a sound engine may determine a final sound at a listener location by emulating sound waves within a three-dimensional scene. The sound engine may emulate sound waves by issuing rays from a location of a sound event and tracing the rays through the three-dimensional scene. The rays may intersect objects within the three-dimensional scene which have sound modification factors. The sound modification factors and other factors (e.g., distance traveled by the ray, angle of intersection with the object, etc.) may be applied to the sound event to determine a final sound which is heard by the listener.

Abstract: Partitioned artificial intelligence (AI) for networked gaming. An exemplary system splits the AI into a computationally lightweight server-side component and a computationally intensive client-side component to harness the aggregate computational power of numerous gaming clients. Aggregating resources of many, even thousands of client machines enhances game realism in a manner that would be prohibitively expensive on the central server. The system is tolerant of latency between server and clients. Deterministic and stateless client-side components enable rapid handoff, preemptive migration, and replication of the client-side AI to address problems of client failure and game exploitation. The partitioned AI can support tactical gaming navigation, a challenging task to offload because of sensitivity to latency. The tactical navigation AI calculates influence fields partitioned into server-side and client-side components by means of a Taylor-series approximation.

Abstract: One or more gaming machines are associated with a musical instrument. The musical instrument has a housing and one or more elements for generating sound. The musical instrument may comprise a piano having keys located at one end and housing a plurality of strings. Each gaming machine is configured to display gaming information via a display. In one embodiment, each gaming machine has a housing which is housed at least partially within the housing of the musical instrument. The gaming machines may comprise terminals or stations associated with a roulette wheel for presenting a roulette game.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and in the game apparatus, letters are displayed as visual support for a sound generated by a message generating object. When a game message is displayed, a distance between the message generating object and a player object is calculated. Then, a form of the letters to be displayed on a billboard is changed depending upon the calculated distance. The form to be changed is, for example, transparency and a size of the letters. Thus, a game image in which the form of the letters is changed depending upon the distance between the player object and the message generating object is displayed.

Abstract: To output sounds generated by multiple objects disposed in a virtual space in as easy a manner as possible while giving live feelings, a storage unit (202) of a game machine (201) stores information on objects of a first type and a second type which move in the virtual space. A basic sound acquiring unit (203) acquires basic sound information corresponding to the total number of the objects. An imitation sound acquiring unit (204) acquires imitation sound information imitating a sound generated by an object of the first type from its position in the virtual space. A mixing output unit (205) mixes and outputs the basic sound information and the imitation sound information. An input receiving unit (206) receives an instruction input from the user.