Abstract: The gaming machine of the present invention provides a gaming machine that executes the processing of: determining, for each station, a normal game result based on a player card for the station; accepting via each input device an input for a side bet on a normal game in a station other than the station having this input device; determining, when a side bet is placed, a side game result according to the determined normal game result of the station as the side bet target; and offering a first payout based on the normal game result, and a second payout based on the side game result.

Abstract: A method and system for using multi-channel communications to enhance security is described herein. In one embodiment, the method comprises receiving in a first gaming device a set of gaming data stream portions over a plurality of data channels, wherein the gaming data stream portions are received from a second gaming device. The method further comprises combining ones of the set of gaming data stream portions into a gaming data stream.

Abstract: An apparatus for implementing a game having a deterministic component and a non-deterministic component wherein a player uses the game through at least one player interface unit. Each player interface unit generates a player record indicating player-initiated events. A random number generator provides a series of pseudo-random numbers and a rules library stores indexed rules for one or more games. An interface registry stores mapping records where the mapping records are used to associate the player-initiated events to pre-selected rules in the rules library. A control means is coupled to the player interface to receive the output of the player interface unit, coupled to the interface registry, the rules library, and the random number generator.

Abstract: A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.

Abstract: Methods of interacting with a mixed reality are presented. A mobile device captures an image of a real-world object where the image has content information that can be used to control a mixed reality object through an offered command set. The mixed reality object can be real, virtual, or a mixture of both real and virtual.

Abstract: A game system including a plurality of mobile game apparatuses, and a mobile game apparatus that can communicate with another game apparatus that exists within a communicable range by use of a radio communications unit. When a communicated state is established, exchanging conditions for exchanging game data are received and transmitted, and in a case the exchange conditions are coincident with each other, the game data are exchanged.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for enhancing the experience of a user with an application by presenting past usage of the application. An application is executed in a hosted environment in one or more computing devices. Multiple input commands are obtained from a client, and the input commands are provided to the application. A video signal generated by the application is encoded into real-time content, which is sent to the client. Recorded content from a library of recorded content is sent to the client. Each recorded content presents a past usage of the application.

Abstract: A system can invigorate wagering games with dynamic updates to reflect changes in ongoing current events. Current real-life data about at least one of a current event and a public figure are acquired. Game data for a wagering game are updated based, at least in part, on the acquired current real-life data. A plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering game are determined. The updated game data is indicated over a network to the plurality of wagering game machines that host instances of the wagering games.

Abstract: Various metrics as may be deployed in an active, passive, or hybrid validation architecture are disclosed. A computing device configured to monitor network game activity may identify an inconsistency between user game data and a particular game metric governing a particular aspect of the network gaming environment. Upon identification of an inconsistency between game data and a game metric, which may indicative of illicit game play, a validation process (e.g., active, passive, and/or hybrid) may be implemented to further confirm the existence of illicit game. Alternatively, an action to maintain integrity of the gaming community may be executed without further confirmation whereby a purportedly illicit game device may be ejected from the network.

Abstract: Some embodiments of invention provide a method for creating a player made tournament. The method can comprise displaying a tournament creation page including a plurality of variables and at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. Some embodiments further provide receiving the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables. In some embodiments, operational parameters of the player made tournament can substantially comprise the at least one option for each of the plurality of variables received. Some further embodiments provide processing the operational parameters to create a player made tournament, and then displaying the player made tournament on a tournament main page.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In embodiments, the operations can include managing multiple instances of gaming applications associated with a wagering game client device and determining event data from the multiple instances of gaming applications. The operations can further include aggregating the event data into an event repository and determining that a requesting application requests some portion of the event data. The operations can further include opening a communication channel between the event data repository and the requesting application, formatting the requested portion of the event data in a format understandable to the requesting application, and communicating the requested portion of the event data to the requesting application via the communication channel.

Abstract: A slot management system including a download and configuration server-based sub-system and method is disclosed for use with game devices, systems, and methods is provided to enable users to monitor, control, and modify game devices and other related activities. A services discovery system and method is provided for providing dynamic access to gaming resources, services, and other components.

Abstract: A first wireless device including a communication module and a processor. The communication module is configured to detect a wireless signal from a target device. The processor is configured to determine a radial proximity of the first wireless devices to the target device based on a strength of the wireless signal. The processor is configured to execute a program. The program allows a user of the first wireless device to play a game with a second wireless device executing the program. The program is configured to generate a pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device. The processor is configured to alter the pictorial representation of the game on the first wireless device and the second wireless device based on the radial proximity of the first wireless device to the target device.

Abstract: A wagering game system and its operations are described herein. In some embodiments, the operations can include detecting an indication to initiate a lighting presentation on a wagering game machine of a bank of wagering game machines. The operations can also include determining a position offset associated with the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on a position of the wagering game machine within the bank of wagering game machines relative to a reference wagering game machine of the bank of wagering game machines. The operations can further include determining a position-based time delay for initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine based, at least in part, on the position offset associated with the wagering game machine, and initiating the lighting presentation on the wagering game machine after the position-based time delay associated with the wagering game machine.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a gaming system including a central controller, a central display which includes a plurality of display segments and a plurality player stations. The display segments are configured to each separately display one of a plurality of games, to co-act to display a plurality of games, or to co-act to display one game. Each player station is configured to enable a player to play one or more of the games displayed by the display segments. The gaming system enables a plurality of players to play a group game on the central display, a plurality of players to simultaneously play multiple group games on the central display, and a plurality of players to each simultaneously play multiple individual games on the central display.

Abstract: A secure and modular architecture for monitoring and controlling clusters of pay entertainment and gaming devices. The architecture allows flexible and secure use of state-of-the-art multimedia and Internet technologies to attract the younger player generation used to flashy and networked games. Cash or cash-less entertainment and gaming devices are supported.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method, apparatus and computer readable medium are provided for facilitating play of a game utilizing an encoded player number and a decoding key for decoding the encoded player number.

Abstract: A system, apparatus, and method for preserving game state data for an asynchronous persistent group bonus game may have a plurality of gaming machines associated with the asynchronous persistent group bonus game and at least one network server having at least one processor and at least one non-volatile memory. The processor may be configured to determine whether a bonus game session is triggered on any of the plurality of gaming machines; and if the bonus game session is triggered, display live game monitor activities, and periodically save the persistent bonus game state and other data on the at least one non-volatile memory.

Abstract: The gaming system and method disclosed herein provides a plurality of players with an opportunity to win a plurality of progressive awards maintained by the gaming system. The gaming system accumulates a quantity of progressive event points for each player playing at one of the gaming machines in the gaming system. In one embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points for a designated player to determine which one or more of the progressive awards the designated player wins. In another embodiment, the gaming system uses an accumulated quantity of progressive event points to determine the designated player's probability of winning one or more of the progressive awards. Accordingly, the gaming system provides a point-based system in which either a progressive award to win or a probability of winning a progressive award is determined based on the quantities of progressive event points accumulated by the players.

Abstract: Conventional game consoles have a preference to connect to the Internet, which facilitates audio communications by gamers. However, when conventional game consoles are connected over a local area network, they somehow inhibit audio communications. A game communications exchange is coupled to game consoles and audio gear sets of gamers to facilitate audio communications by creating a common channel and distribute audio information from the common channel.

Abstract: A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.

Abstract: An asynchronous persistent group bonus game system, method and apparatus may have a plurality of gaming machines including a first processor and a bonus server having a second processor. The first processor may be configured to: determine when a bonus game session event is triggered, transmit a bonus game session request to the second processor, and receive an end session notification from the second processor. The second processor may be configured to execute and maintain the always-on asynchronous persistent group bonus game, receive a bonus game session request from at least one of the plurality of gaming machines, instantiate a bonus game session inside the continuous asynchronous persistent group bonus game for the at least one gaming machine, determine when an end session trigger has been triggered for the bonus game session, and transmit an end session notification to the at least one gaming machine if it is determined that the end session condition has been triggered.

Abstract: A method for incentivizing donations using virtual currencies includes determining that a user associated with a game and determining a location of the user. A charity provider is then identified that is both associated with the game and within a predetermined distance of the location. A donation incentivization message is then sent to the user that includes an identification of the charity provider. A plurality of redemption codes are also sent to the charity provider. A first redemption code of the plurality of redemption codes that is associated with the user and a donation from the user to the charity provider is received. The first redemption code is then used to credit a user account that is associated with the user with a virtual currency amount that is determined using the donation.

Abstract: Players input their messages in their video game apparatuses and the messages are once collected at a server apparatus, thereafter they are distributed to all video game apparatuses from the game server apparatus. In a display screen of each video game apparatus, a chat window is displayed in order to display messages exchanged between the players on a game screen including a field and characters of the game. The chat window is sequentially enlarged up to a preset maximum number of lines when a new message is received from the game server apparatus. The chat window is sequentially reduced to the preset minimum number of lines when a predetermined time passes without any reception of new message or when the player performs a specific operation.

Abstract: The Fair-Ordering Service delivers action messages to the server as soon as it is feasible. Because action messages from different players exhibit different reaction times with respect to an update message, the Fair-Ordering Service executed at the server dynamically enforces a sufficient waiting period on each action message to guarantee the fair processing of all action messages. The Fair-Ordering Service takes into consideration delayed and out-of-order action messages. When action messages corresponding to multiple update messages are interleaved, the Fair-Ordering Service matches the action message to the appropriate update message by maintaining a window of update messages and using the reaction times for an action message for each of the update messages in the window. This enables state changes at the game server to be performed with fairness to all the players. The Fair-Ordering Service is based on a framework that uses a proxy architecture.

Abstract: In some implementations, a local gaming machine is in communication with a remote gaming machine over a data network. A player input requesting a game application is received at the local gaming machine. The requested game application may be located at the remote gamine machine. It is determined whether the requested game application is available for execution on the remote gaming machine. In some instances, determining availability of the requested game application includes determining compliance with interface specifications, licensing specifications and/or jurisdictional specifications. When the requested game application is available for execution, an instance of the requested game application is reserved on the remote gaming machine. When the instance is executed on the remote gaming machine, output data is sent to the local gaming machine over the data network. In some instances, one or more game parameters can be captured from the received output data.

Abstract: A user profile for an online gaming service is created. The user profile contains user gaming information received from a first location. The user profile is stored in a database, and the user is permitted to access the user profile from a second location.

Abstract: Methods and gaming units for conducting a wagering game and an associated progressive jackpot in a gaming network having a plurality of operatively coupled gaming units are described. A progressive jackpot award amount may be determined in part based on the amount of the player's wager for the occurrence of the wagering game in relation to a maximum wager amount that may be made on one of the gaming units in the gaming network. The progressive jackpot pool may include a main pool and a reserve pool. Portions of players' wagers being added to the progressive jackpot pool may be apportioned between the main pool and the reserve pool based on calculation performed at the gaming network, with the apportionment being at least partially determined by the amount in the main pool.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game comprises receiving one or more configuration inputs to create at least one wagering game configuration. The at least one wagering game configuration comprises at least one base game and at least one portal game. The at least one base game is operable in response to receipt of a primary wager, the primary wager being within a range of allowable wagers. The range includes minimum and maximum allowable wagers. The at least one portal game having a set of eligibility criteria. The method further comprises creating a plurality of wager categories based upon the set of eligibility criteria and a size of the primary wager, activating participation in the at least one portal game if the set of eligibility criteria is satisfied, and metering the entire primary wager to a single wager category.

Abstract: A method of updating virtual worlds based on interactions between real-world items is disclosed. An interaction between a first real-world item and a second real-world item is detected. The first real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a first player of a computer-implemented game and the second real-world item is a real-world item that is associated with a second player of the computer-implemented game. A virtual world of the computer-implemented game is updated based on the detection of the interaction.

Abstract: The present invention conducts, monitors, and regulates the sporting-event that takes place over an extended geographic area, during an extended time period, with intermediate event-based stages occurring before arriving at the finish line. The sporting competition will require the participants to demonstrate a multitude of skills with each participant having to complete a task or tasks at each intermediate stage in the competition prior to proceeding to the next stage, and ultimately, to finish the race. To finish, a contestant, or team of contestants, must have accomplished a task or set of tasks at each intermediate stage for each of the designated segments along the course route of the contest. In that way, the present invention will conduct an endurance race that is more akin to marathon foot race with intermediate event-based stages, as opposed to a modern fishing competition.

Abstract: A system for allowing a user to remotely access a game includes: a game console; a remote console client configured to receive a game control signal; and a remote console server. The remote console server includes an audio and video encoder configured to receive an audio output and a video output from the game console and to convert the audio output and the video output to a network packet. The remote console server also includes: a game controller emulation unit and a network interface configured to send and receive the network packet. The game controller emulation unit is configured to receive a game controller signal from the game console and to send the game controller signal to the remote console client and to receive a game controller input from the remote console client and send the game controller input to the game console.

Abstract: Individual participants in a multi-participant collaborative computing application may be sent intermittent updates of actions taken by other participants. These updates need not be sent to a participant's device until the participant has interacted with a specified object in the application. The participant's device may then be sent an update including object interactions of the other participants occurring since the participant's previous object interaction. The update may be used to periodically inform the participant of the actions taken by the other participants during the period between the participant's interactions.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that accumulate a presence history of an entity within a persistent virtual environment by repeated gathering of virtual presence information. The virtual presence information includes an entity identification value and a sampling time value. Once the virtual presence information is collected, the technology performs a general least-squares-fit to a set of basis functions on a portion of the presence history to create a coefficient vector. The coefficient vector represents a temporal profile consistent with the presence history and includes coefficients responsive to the general least-squares-fit. Once the coefficient vector is created, the technology characterizes the entity responsive to its coefficient vector and presents the characterization of the entity.

Abstract: Items may be transferred between participants in a multi-participant gaming application through an item sharing object. The item sharing object may be activated by a participant during game play. After activating the item sharing object, a state of the item sharing object may be determined. If the state indicates that a prior participant has left behind an item that is available, then the left behind item may be presented to the current participant activating the object. Alternatively, if no items are available, the processing device may present the current participant with a quest, the completion of which may result in the current participant leaving behind an item for a subsequent participant activating the item sharing object.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a scenario-based load testing apparatus and method. The scenario-based load testing apparatus includes a packet analysis unit, a scenario creation unit, and a load generation unit. The packet analysis unit creates a virtual map and game grammar by capturing and analyzing packets sent between a server and a client. The scenario creation unit creates a scenario of a virtual user on the virtual map. The load generation unit generates a load by creating packet data corresponding to the virtual user in compliance with the game grammar and the scenario.

Abstract: A method of linking virtual items to real-world items is disclosed. A real-world item is associated with a virtual item of a virtual world of a computer-implemented game. A location-based action involving the real-world item is reflected in the virtual world of the computer implemented game.

Abstract: A system for downloading real-time interaction data and a method thereof are provided. The system includes a real-time interaction data management server farm, a network equipment, a carousel server, and at least one terminal device. The real-time interaction data management server farm processes real-time interaction data and manages a plurality of real-time data packages thereof. The network equipment provides a unidirectional broadcast network and a bidirectional mobile network as media for transmitting the real-time data packages. The carousel server receives the real-time data packages and transmits the real-time data packages in a carousel delivery method, a single-pass delivery method or a carousel and single-pass delivery method through the unidirectional broadcast network. The terminal device receives the real-time data packages through the unidirectional broadcast network or requests and receives the real-time data packages through the bidirectional mobile network.

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

Abstract: Open architecture communication systems and methods are provided that allow flexible data transmission between gaming machines and other devices and nodes within a gaming machine network. The gaming machine and other devices employ a communication interface that sends and receives data via a common communication protocol and via common communication hardware. The communication interface and common communication protocol allow data transfer between gaming machines and other network nodes such as gaming service servers, despite the presence of different proprietary gaming machine functions and proprietary communication protocols and despite the presence of various proprietary hardware and proprietary communication protocols relied on by the servers.

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

Abstract: A network game system and a client game device increase the attraction and strengthening of friendships between players. The network game system includes game devices, each of which includes a unit that reads out a player ID from an external storage medium, and a server terminal that is communicably connected to the game devices through a network. Presentation process information is used for performing a game presentation associated with a game presentation ID at the time of performing a game and is stored in a managing section. The game presentation ID is set to be used in the external storage medium based on the player ID and is stored in the managing section in association with the player ID. When a predetermined condition is satisfied, information on the use permission setting of the game presentation ID that is stored in the managing section is updated.

Abstract: An online game includes a mechanic for combining visual display parameters of virtual objects including virtual animals. In some embodiments features of a first virtual object and a second virtual object are combined to generate a third virtual object, where these features may include a base color and optional pattern markings with a corresponding pattern color. Additional game aspects may include generating multiple candidates for the third virtual object and selecting or identifying the third virtual object from the multiple candidates. Additional game aspects may also include options for enhancing the likelihood of successfully generating a third virtual object. Parameterized color values for a specific virtual object may be substituted into source artwork to generate a variety of distinctive displays.

Abstract: In various embodiments, secondary players may participate in games originally played by primary players. Secondary players may make bets and receive winnings based on such games. Secondary players may participate in games from the past. Secondary players may participate in games from locations that are remote to the locations in which the games were first played.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a multimedia data stream at a device and sending data of a first channel of the multimedia data stream to a display device to generate a presentation of available video games. The method includes receiving user input selecting a first video game of the available video games and sending an identification of the device and a channel indicator corresponding to an encrypted second channel having video game data associated with the first video game to a content provider. The method includes receiving a decryption key for the encrypted second channel in response to verification of the identification of the device. The method also includes decrypting the encrypted second channel, beginning storage of the video game data in response to detecting a starting byte of the video game data, and ending storage of the video game data when the starting byte is redetected.

Abstract: A gaming system that provides game play in exchange for monetary input per game played is disclosed. The gaming system includes a game server and a plurality of gaming units connected to the game server over a network. The game server stores one or more games in electronic form. The gaming units are at least partially connected to the game server using a wireless network. The gaming system enables one or more games to be downloaded over the network from the game server to one or more gaming units.

Abstract: Methods for low-friction synchronous interaction in multiplayer online games are presented. In one method, a social grid with relationship information is accessed, and a first and a second game boards are executed for a first and a second user, respectively. The first and second boards are managed by the first and the second users, respectively, the social grid including a social link between the first and second users. An assistance request, generated in the second game board, is presented in the first game board. Upon detection of an acceptance of the request by the first user, an animation is generated in the second game board presenting an image sequence appearing as a first-user action in the second game board that completes at least one task associated with the request for assistance, where the action occurs without the first user accessing the second game board.

Abstract: Among other disclosed subject matter, a computer program product is tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium and includes instructions that when executed by a processor perform a method for allocating assets. The method includes assigning each of multiple operation sectors defined by a software program to respective ones of multiple load groups, each load group grouping at least one operation sector for loading assets of the operation sector into memory. The method includes assigning all assets from the multiple operation sectors into respective ones of multiple clusters based on associations between the respective assets and the multiple operation sectors. The method includes generating and storing a memory layout that assigns one of multiple memory locations to each of the multiple clusters for at least one of the multiple load groups.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and techniques for adjustment of game parameters based on users' performance are described. During play of a game a user's performance is monitored. It is then determined if the player's performance is within a desired range of performance, and game parameters are adjusted if the user's performance is outside the desired range. In a multi-player game, parameters can be adjusted differently for each of the players to make the overall game play more competitive.

Abstract: A wireless gaming method and wireless gaming-enabled mobile terminal are provided for enabling a number of players to participate simultaneously in a game using their mobile terminals. A wireless gaming method of the present invention includes inviting, if a multi-player gaming mode for a game is activated, at least one counterpart terminal on a short range wireless communication network by transmitting a multi-player gaming mode request message; synchronizing, if an acknowledge message is received in response to the multi-player gaming mode request message, game data with the counterpart terminal transmitted the acknowledge message; and generating a game screen with an image taken by the camera as a background image after the game is synchronized; and starting the game with the game screen.