Abstract: A communication assistance program is a communication assistance program assisting communication of a user, the communication assistance program causing a computer to perform a step of integrally displaying identification information that can be used for identifying a communication target and a state animation representing a state of the communication target.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and machine-readable storage media to monitor media presentations are disclosed. A disclosed example apparatus includes a locator to compare a location of a mobile device with a set of reference locations at which audio monitoring is to be performed. The disclosed example apparatus further includes an audio receiver to enable a microphone of the mobile device to collect audio for media monitoring when (1) the location of the mobile device corresponds to a first one of the reference locations and (2) a media presentation monitor at the first one of the reference locations indicates a likelihood of media being presented at the first location satisfies a threshold. In some disclosed examples, the audio receiver of the example apparatus is to disable the microphone from collecting audio for media monitoring when the location of the mobile device does not correspond to any of the reference locations.

Abstract: A gaming system including a gaming machine, a host computer, and a computing device of a user connected through a network is provided. The gaming machine may include a storage device that may store user media data corresponding to a player of the gaming machine, the user media data being received from a host computer. The gaming machine may also include a controller that may modify at least one parameter of a wager game being wagered on by the player based on the user media data by inserting at least one of an image, a video, and an audio of the user media data into the at least one parameter. The gaming machine may further include a display that may output the wager game having the at least one parameter modified with the user media data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing processing resources of an online game include executing the online game for one or more users. Each user is provided access to virtual locations in a gaming world of the online game. A compute is assigned for processing gaming interactivity of the one or more users in the gaming world. A number of users accessing a region within a virtual location are determined. When the number of users exceeds a predefined limit for the compute assigned to the users in the region, the region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions and additional compute is assigned for the region so that the compute and the additional compute can process gaming interactivity for the users in each of the sub-regions defined in the gaming world.

Abstract: A system includes a plurality of stationary gaming tables positioned at a plurality of respective locations, a moveable table game device, one or more processors, and a server. Each gaming table includes a table transceiver. The table game device includes a device transceiver that receives data signals including identification data from the table transceivers via a first communication network. The processors determine an identity of the gaming tables based on the identification data, calculate a relative distance between the table game device and each gaming table based on at least one characteristic of a respective data signal, and generate location data indicating a relative location of the gaming device as a function of the calculated relative distances. The server collects the location data via a second communication network and stores the location data for analysis and location tracking.

Abstract: A system obtains game medium information associated with a game medium in a virtual space. When a predetermined event occurs, the system determines a generation condition for an image of the virtual space based on the game medium information. The system generates an image including the game medium based on the generation condition.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing jackpots, including providing jackpot-related forms such as tax forms to jackpot winners, suspending jackpot processing, integrating jackpot processing with other features such as loyalty and financial/wallet features and systems, replenishing jackpot payment pouches, and processing of player tips, such as from jackpot funds, are provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of the systems and methods disclosed herein provide a gaming console and gaming controllers, including hardware and software features included on the hardware. For example, a game balancing system is described that can monitor and track performance data from one or more players of the gaming console. With the performance data, artificial intelligence and machine learning can be used to create one or more models that are applied to determine adjustments to games being played on the gaming console. The adjustments to the games can be implemented specifically to each game, player, or set of players to achieve more balanced gameplay as measured by game outcomes and other factors.

Abstract: A method of and system for handling latency issues encountered in producing real-time entertainment such as games of skill synchronized with live or taped televised events is described herein. There are multiple situations that are dealt with regarding latencies in receiving a television signal with respect to real-time entertainment based on the unfolding games played along with the telecasts. Systemic delays, arbitrarily imposed delays of a broadcast signal and variances in the precise broadcast times of taped television programs have to be equalized so as to provide fair entertainment.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to multi-player casino games are described. An electronic gaming device is provided that allows a live player to compete against a virtual player in a multi-player wager-based game using playing cards derived from the insertion of a physical denomination of currency. The electronic gaming device can be configured to simulate the decision making of a virtual player and associated behaviors of the virtual player during game play. In some instances, the simulated behaviors of the virtual player output at the electronic gaming device can be learned by a live player so that the live player can make better or more advantageous game play decisions. The simulated behaviors of the virtual player can be conveyed to the live player via visual images, such as simulated facial expressions of the virtual player.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for matching users, a computer device, and a storage medium are provided. The method includes: receiving a matching request sent by a first user; searching, in response to the matching request, second users adapted to the first user; selecting a second user of the second users as a target user according to the second link value to create a voice session with the first user; recording behavior data between the first user and the target user in the voice session; and updating a first link value and a second link value of the target user according to the behavior data and the second link value of the target user. The method and apparatus for matching users can greatly reduce cost and improve efficiency.

Abstract: A gaming system and method which is configured to, among other things, display a user created entry relating to a wager on an e-sports contest in a wager feed through the user interface of other users, and enable any of the other users to enter into the wager by selecting the entry.

Abstract: Methods and systems of managing a fantasy sports league, and more particularly, a fantasy sports league that can utilize initial and current team values associated with each real sports team for determining which teams are allowed on a participant's roster and for determining each participant's accumulated points total during a league season.

Abstract: A server device and the like that can make a whole game and SNS more active by promoting the movement of players between groups to enhance the mobility of game participants. A server device comprises: a controller configured to enable a first player belonging to a first group to transfer to a second group based on an operation by a second player belonging to the second group, wherein the controller is configured to associate compensation for the transfer with the transfer of the first player. The controller is configured to perform payment and receipt of compensation for the transfer between at least two out of the first player, the first group, and the second group when the first player transfers from the first group to the second group.

Abstract: An approach is provided for trading card platform. The approach involves, for example, initiating a reading of a machine readable code from a trading card to determine a card identifier. The approach also involves querying for one or more attribute data records associated with the trading card based on the card identifier. The approach further involves computing a value metric based on the one or more attribute data records and presenting a user interface displaying a digital representation of the trading card, the one or more sponsorship data records, the value metric, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: An integrated active control system includes gaming devices, a server, and a network connecting the server and gaming devices. The gaming devices include gaming terminals and gaming tables. The integrated active control system aggregates gaming transaction information from the gaming devices and determines, for example, the effectiveness of the gaming establishment's floor configuration. Based on this effectiveness determination, at least one of the gaming devices are instructed to change their configuration. Staffing information may also be considered and reconfigured. The integrated active control system further monitors and configures gaming chips. The gaming chips are programmable, and may store monetary chip value and chip identification information. The programmable gaming chips are monitored for tracking the wagers made with the chips as well as for detecting their location.

Abstract: An improved gaming system and method enabling the creation and management of multiple concurrent games with limited numbers of players and/or gameplay stations. The gaming system includes at least a gaming server and a plurality of gameplay stations, the gaming server aggregating players and creating games in response to receiving a gameplay request and evaluating whether or not to begin a new game based on conditions of the gaming system, including a maximum number of allowed games, a failure rate of gameplay requests, a usage ratio and a number of gameplay stations currently participating in active games.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using re-playable in-game operations to reach particular user game states in an online gaming platform are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may: manage user inventories for users of the online gaming platform; receive a request, from the first user, for activation of the replay asset by the first user; and execute the set of in-game operations automatically such that a first current user game state for the first user is advanced to a first subsequent user game state for the first user within the online gaming platform, responsive to the activation of the replay asset as requested by the first user.

Abstract: A moral insights platform includes a network interface configured to communicate via a network, at least one processor, and a non-transitory machine-readable storage medium that stores operational instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the at least one processor to perform operations that include: generating, utilizing machine learning, an AI moral insight model based on training data, wherein the training data includes reviewed media content and moral score data associated with at least one moral index; receiving, via the network, new media content from a media source; generating, utilizing the AI moral insight model, predicted moral score data associated with the new media content corresponding to the at least one moral index; and sending, via the network, the predicted moral score data to the media source.

Abstract: A gaming system and method that offers different sporting event wagering interfaces for different users based on each user's respective expertise with placing wagers on outcomes of sporting events.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a system that allows a user to control the audio of a headset from a game controller. Audio controls are displayed on a screen of the game controller. In addition to the game controller, the disclosed system may comprise an app, on a device external from the game controller, that is also able to display the audio controls. The audio controls may be updated via the game controller or the app while the game controller and headset are being used.

Abstract: A method for navigating through a gaming world, including capturing a plurality of snapshots generated from instances of a video game; generating for display a timeline of a first user playing the video game, wherein the timeline includes snapshot images of at least one user progressing through the video game displayed in relation to a currently rendered image displayed in association with the first user; generating for display in the timeline thumbnails including first snapshot images associated with the first user, wherein the first snapshots shows past progress of the first user in comparison to the currently rendered image; and generating for display in the timeline second thumbnails including second snapshot images associated with a second user, wherein the second snapshot images shows progress of the second user at a point in the video game after the currently rendered image.

Abstract: A method for communication. The method including displaying game play of a first user playing a gaming application on a display. The method including broadcasting an SSID from a first device over a wireless local area network. The method including pairing the first device and a second device associated with a second user over the wireless local area network. The method including streaming a user interface including information related to the first game play from the first device to the second device. The user interface is streamed concurrent with the game play of the first user, and is configured to complement game play of the first user.

Abstract: Provided herein are systems methods and devices. Systems disclosed herein include a processor circuit and a memory including machine-readable instructions. When executed by the processor circuit, the machine-readable instructions cause the processor circuit to: provide a lottery game ticket that includes data corresponding to a primary game, receive a registration of the lottery game ticket corresponding to a chance game that includes an outcome that is based on an external event, determine, based on an outcome of the external event, a chance game characteristic to be applied to an entry for the chance game that corresponds to the lottery game ticket, and use the chance game characteristic to determine whether to provide a chance game award to a user.

Abstract: Systems and methods that utilize service order identifiers to track the location of anonymous players whom have placed service orders.

Abstract: Systems and methods for assessing performance of a player or a team comprising a plurality of players are described. An example method includes receiving a pass distribution matrix corresponding to a number of completed passes within a field of play for one or more players of the plurality of players, selecting a particular player from the one or more players, and generating a spine for the team. In an example, generating the spine for the team includes producing a visual representation of the field of play that illustrates a position of the particular player and at least one other player within the field of play, and automatically varying, on the visual representation, a thickness of each of a plurality of connecting lines between the particular player and the at least one other player based on the number of completed passes for the particular player.

Abstract: A method for initiating a virtual currency exchange includes a merchant computing device a) receiving a message including a user account identifier, payment credential data, and a request for an amount of virtual currency to be delivered; b) transmitting a message delivering the requested amount of virtual currency; and c) receiving a user assignment message that assigns to the merchant an amount of assigned virtual currency from the delivered virtual currency. Steps a, b, and c are performed while the merchant computing device is in a first physical location. The method also includes, subsequent to steps a, b, and c, connecting to a payment network while the merchant computing device is at a second physical location and transmitting, to a virtual currency payment system via the payment network, an assignment completion message including the user account identifier, a merchant account identifier associated with the merchant, and the assigned virtual currency.

Abstract: A touchless gaming system includes one or more gaming stations, a registration device at each gaming station, and a game processor, as well as a personal electronic device used by each participant in a game offered by the touchless gaming system. The touchless gaming system enables an individual to participate in a live game (e.g., within a casino, etc.) while socially distancing the participants and eliminating the need for physical contact with objects that could infections agents. Touchless gaming methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems in which a plurality of plays is offered on a plurality of games, wherein the math model of a first game differs from the math model of a second game and wherein the player may specify at least one of the first and second games to receive additional plays and/or additional wagering.

Abstract: In the case where a maximum number of valid objects that is a number equal to or less than a maximum number of designation objects is decreased from a first number that is equal to or greater than 2 to a second number that is equal to or greater than 1, the second number of the valid objects is maintained, and the valid objects, the number of which is a number by which the second number is exceeded, are changed to invalid objects. An individual parameter that is changed in accordance with game play is associated with each object. In the case where designation of a designation object is cancelled, the individual parameter thereof is set to an initial value. In the case where change to a valid object is made after change to an invalid object, the individual parameter immediately before being changed to the invalid object is maintained.

Abstract: Some implementations may involve providing a slot game in which the game outcome presentation may involve displaying a prize-on frame in one or more display symbol locations. In some examples, the display symbol locations in which a prize-on frame may be displayed are predetermined display symbol locations, such as locations of one or more particular slot reels. Each of the prize-on frames may be displayed around a display symbol that is selected to be displayed in the display symbol location corresponding to a prize-on frame. If a display symbol corresponding to a prize-on frame is part of a winning combination, a prize indicated on the prize-on frame may be awarded. The prize may, for example, be a particular credit value that is indicated on the prize-on frame, the current value of a particular jackpot that is indicated on the prize-on frame, etc.

Abstract: Various embodiments that may generally relate to one or more competitions. Such competitions may include a plurality of rounds. A round may include a player attempting to choose a winner of an event on which a round is based. A surviving player after a number of rounds may be a winner of a competition. Various apparatus and methods are described.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems are provided for generating an interactive non-player character (NPC) scene for a computer game environment of a video game. Changes are detected in relation to a script associated with the interactive NPC scene. For each NPC, a set of NPC data associated with the interactions said each NPC has within the script is generated corresponding to the changes. The generated set of NPC data is processed with an NPC rig associated with said each NPC to generate an NPC asset. A camera solver is applied to a region of the computer game environment associated with the script for determining locations of NPC assets and one or more cameras within said region in relation to said interactive NPC scene. Data representative of said each NPC asset and said determined NPC asset and camera locations for use by a game development engine for generating said interactive NPC scene.

Abstract: A gamified application is provided for users to feed animated virtual characters with images of real-world food items. The images fed to the virtual characters are to be uploaded to a data store in a cloud environment, for use in training a custom machine learning model. A server in the cloud environment receives a photo of a food item fed to a virtual character in an augmented reality environment in the gamified application executing on a user device, invokes the custom machine learning model to generate classification information for the photo, sends the classification information to the user device for verification by a user, and stores the verified information to the data store used for periodically training the machine learning model. Over time, the data store would include a large volume of food images with label data verified by a large number of users.

Abstract: This disclosure provides a pari-mutuel wagering system that includes a first wagering facility communicably coupled with a network and operable to receive a bet on a wagering event hosted by a second wagering facility. The first wagering facility is further operable to transmit the bet to the second wagering facility via the network. The system further includes a clearinghouse communicably coupled with the network and operable to capture audit information associated with the bet from the network.

Abstract: Provided are a message output apparatus, a learning apparatus, a message output method, a learning method, and a program that allow a user to feel as if communication is being performed. An input section inputs, to a learned machine learning model that has been learned using learning data that includes learning input data including a plurality of consecutive frames of learning images and teaching data including a message associated with the learning input data, target input data including at least a plurality of consecutive frames of target images. A message identification section identifies a message according to output produced when the target input data is input to the machine learning model. A message output section outputs the identified message.

Abstract: A game is provided in which playing characters controlled by players battle each other in a three dimensional virtual space so as to obtain battle points. The obtained battle points are collected as total values, with the total values being ranked. A player belongs to one group of a plurality of groups set in the game program. The playing characters are divided into specific teams based on input from each player, with each specific team being in the group to which the player belongs. The teams, including two or more playing characters comprising the team, of different groups battle in the three dimensional virtual space. The battle points obtained by the respective playing characters in the battle are totalized for every team, and the teams are ranked based on the team points.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for incorporating a wagering activity into an electronic commerce transaction. The system preferably includes a host device in communication with at least a user device and a merchant device via the Internet. If the merchant does not offer the wagering activity, the user may shop for items offered by the merchant via the host's website. When an item is selected by the user, the item is placed in the host's shopping cart (i.e., the host's virtual shopping cart on the merchant's website). If the user decides to participate in a wagering activity, user payment information is used to transfer funds (e.g., a wagering amount) to the host. If the user wins, host payment information is provided to the merchant and used to purchase the item from the merchant. The item is then provided (shipped) to the user.

Abstract: A system having a radio-frequency-identification (RFID) tag reader and a camera to map playing cards to RFID tag values. Each card is inserted into a sleeve that has an RFID tag. During or after insertion of a card into a sleeve, the camera captures an image of the card and the RFID reader captures an RFID tag value for the sleeve. The identity of the card is then determined from the captured image and mapped to the RFID tag value. This mapping information is generated for each card-sleeve pair in a card deck and utilized to track the movement of the cards during game play. The RFID tag value of each card-sleeve pair in the card deck is captured before and after a player draws a card from the deck. The missing RFID tag values are compared to the mapping information to identify which cards where drawn by the player.

Abstract: A method, system, computer readable media and cloud systems are provided. In one example a method includes generating a virtual reality (VR) environment to be rendered for a head mounted display (HMD) of an HMD player during a session. The HMD player is provided with an HMD view that is controlled by movement of a character in the VR environment by the HMD player. The method includes providing a spectator view into the VR environment. The spectator view is associated with a viewing spot directed into the VR environment. Then, automatically moving said viewing spot of the spectator view to other viewing spots that follow the character in the VR environment. Moving the viewing spot of the spectator view has a delay in movement to follow the HMD view, and said delay in movement does not delay time progress for the session.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, obtaining portions of video content from a video game from video game server(s) associated with a video game provider, selecting a first portion of video content from the portions of the video content, and providing the first portion to device(s) associated with viewer(s). Each device presents the first portion of the video content. Further embodiments include obtaining popularity information from the device(s) according to feedback based on presenting the first portion of the video content to the device(s), determining that the popularity information satisfies a popularity threshold associated with the video content, determining a subject matter corresponding to the first portion of the video content, and identifying a second portion of the video content from the video game to be recorded according to the subject matter. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A non-transitory computer-readable medium including a video game processing program for causing a server to perform functions to control progress of a video game using a virtual space corresponding to map information of a real space and positional information of a user terminal of a user is provided. The functions include: an arranging function configured to arrange objects in the virtual space, at least one attribute of a plurality of attributes being associated with each of the objects; a specifying function configured to specify an object that satisfies a predetermined positional condition with respect to the positional information of the user terminal; and an updating function configured to update information regarding the user based on an attribute of the specified object.

Abstract: A method of incentivizing location-based actions by groups is disclosed. A group of users of a game networking system is notified that an incentive reward is to be provided based on a number of members of the group performing a location-based action transgressing a threshold. The incentive reward is provided based on the number of members of the group performing the location-based action transgressing the threshold.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing processing resources of an online game include executing the online game for one or more users. Each user is provided access to virtual locations in a gaming world of the online game. A compute is assigned for processing gaming interactivity of the one or more users in the gaming world. A number of users accessing a region within a virtual location are determined. When the number of users exceeds a predefined limit for the compute assigned to the users in the region, the region is divided into a plurality of sub-regions and additional compute is assigned for the region so that the compute and the additional compute can process gaming interactivity for the users in each of the sub-regions defined in the gaming world.

Abstract: A game management system that retrieves a delay time of each of a plurality of user devices playing a game; stores the delay times retrieved from each of the plurality of user devices; and transmits an instruction to synchronize game progress to each of the user devices, the instruction including an offset time determined based on a maximum value of the stored delay times.

Abstract: Graphical style modification may be implemented using machine learning. A color accommodation module receives an image frame from a host system and generates a color-adapted version of the image frame. A Graphical Style Modification module generates a style adapted video stream by applying a style adapted from a target image frame to each image frame in a buffered video stream.

Abstract: A method for establishing communication between a portable electronic device and an electronic gaming machine within a gaming environment includes receiving wireless signal data transmitted from the portable electronic device, determining a wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine based on the wireless signal data, and based on a determination that the wireless signal strength relative to the electronic gaming machine has increased, exceeded a predetermined threshold level, and leveled off for an amount of time exceeding a time threshold after becoming stronger, initiating a wireless communication link between the electronic gaming machine and the portable electronic device.

Abstract: Operation of an NC device can be restricted during the time until processing requested by a transmitting side is completed by a receiving side. An information processing device communicatively connected to a controller of an industrial machine including a processing request transmission unit that transmits a processing request to the controller; a processing completion notification management unit that detects a processing completion notification, transmitted from the controller, which notifies of completion of processing according to the processing request; and an operation restriction control unit that restricts processing request operation of the controller for a next operation until the processing completion notification is detected by the processing completion notification management unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods to support different player types in a franchise game based on ownership of unique digital articles are disclosed. Exemplary implementations may execute an instance of a franchise game, the different player types including a first player type and a second player type providing access to different utilities; receive and perform in-game action instructions from players having different player types, wherein different in-game action instructions fall within different sets of utilities; receive exchange instructions from a particular player having the first player type to obtain a particular affiliation-specific unique digital article; modify the player account for the particular player such that the particular player no longer has the first player type but rather the second player type; receive and perform a particular in-game action instruction from the particular player by virtue of the particular player having the second player type; and/or other steps.

Abstract: A system obtains game medium information associated with a game medium in a virtual space. When a predetermined event occurs, the system determines a generation condition for an image of the virtual space based on the game medium information. The system generates an image including the game medium based on the generation condition.