Abstract: An amusement device has a display, an audio output, and an input component. The display includes a touchscreen. The input component receives at least one of currency, coins, and credit cards/debit cards. The amusement device also includes a common controller. The common controller is configured to select and play at least one electronic game and to select and retrieve for playing a music data set from a plurality of music data sets. The electronic game and the music data set may optionally be played simultaneously. In certain embodiments, a reward based on one of either the electronic game or selection of the music data set is applied to the respective other of the electronic game and the selection of the music data. In further embodiments, a content of the electronic game is based on the music data set.

Abstract: A hand-held game apparatus and game program allow a user to play a game while going back and forth between a narrow-range map and a broad-range map-game. The player can manipulate a touch panel mounted on a display for displaying the broad-range map. If the player manipulates the touch panel to point to a coordinate position on the broad-range map, thus designating coordinates for a narrow-range map to display, an image of the narrow-range map, which is changed as desired, is displayed. If the player indicates a moving direction on the broad-range map to designate a scroll direction, the displayed broad-range map is moved (scrolled).

Abstract: An operation panel for arranging a character piece is displayed in a display device, and, based on a player instruction, a plurality of character pieces are sequentially arranged to a position which is in the operation panel and designated by the player. The operation panel accordingly generated is displayed together with a game world, a character associated with a character piece selected by the player is caused to appear in the game world, and an action of the character is controlled based on the player instruction. Accordingly, it is possible to provide a new game which allows the player to arrange one or more character images, from among a plurality of character images, in the operation panel area and to select a character to appear in the game world by using the operation panel generated as above.

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

Abstract: A game apparatus detects a path inputted by a player, and moves an object placed in a virtual game space along the path. Moreover, the game apparatus controls the object, which is moving along the path, to perform a predetermined action, and determines a return position when the predetermined action is finished. The return position is a position at which the object having finished the predetermined action returns to the path, and is determined from among positions along the path. The game apparatus resumes the movement of the object along the path after returning the object, having finished the predetermined action, to the return position.

Abstract: A gaming machine displays a bet start instructional image on a dealer used display, displays a bet end instructional image in response to a predetermined lapse of time after receiving a bet start instruction signal from a touch panel, and controls an oscillation motor to cause a playing board to oscillate after receiving a bet end instruction signal from the touch panel.

Abstract: There is provided a game having a number of game pieces, each of which has a game piece level value. The game has a game level value, and players select game pieces such that a total of the game piece level values is less than or equal to the game level value.

Abstract: A guest management method and system for an online multi-player virtual realty environment or social networking site. A network interface receives guest access requests from guest clients and input data from a plurality of remotely-located clients. The input data is operative to control avatars associated with the clients in a modeled virtual reality environment. A memory holds program instructions for determining whether the guest access is associated with a member client. If the guest access request is associated with the member client, then the guest client is allowed to access the virtual reality environment via a guest avatar. The guest avatar's movements in the virtual reality environment are restricted based on a location of a member avatar controlled by the associated member client. For example, the guest avatar may only be permitted to move within an area that is bounded by a perimeter about the member avatar.

Abstract: A software emulator for emulating a handheld video game platform such as GAME BOY®, GAME BOY COLOR® and/or GAME BOY ADVANCE® on a low-capability target platform (e.g., a seat-back display for airline or train use, a personal digital assistant, a cell phone) uses a number of features and optimizations to provide high quality graphics and sound that nearly duplicates the game playing experience on the native platform. Some exemplary features include use of bit BLITing, graphics character reformatting, modeling of a native platform liquid crystal display controller using a sequential state machine, and selective skipping of frame display updates if the game play falls behind what would occur on the native platform.

Abstract: A multiple game jukebox system includes a hard drive that is able to execute video game software designed for execution on a conventional home-based system. The hard drive embodies various partitions including multiple partitions, where each partition represents a video game DVD disk. In communicating with such a hard disk drive device using the existing DVD bus, a particular pattern of disk reads or seeks is utilized to cause the hard drive to serve alternative data on subsequent disk reads (other than what exists on the currently selected disk). A media serving device initially defaults to playing a disk that contains a game selection menu program. The menu permits a user to select one of multiple video games for play.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture may provide for improved health care compliance. Embodiments may comprise, for example, identifying an occurrence of an event associated with the taking of a substance by a patient, determining output information associated with a game, and providing the output information to the patient. Some embodiments may comprise receiving a code associated with a patient, wherein the code includes encoded information that is indicative of an occurrence of an event associated with the taking of a substance by a patient, decoding the code to determine the information, determining whether the occurrence of the event is compliant with a condition associated with the taking of the substance, and providing, in the case that compliance with the condition is determined, one or more rewards to the patient.

Abstract: A hand-held game apparatus and a game program are provided which allow a user to play a game while going back and forth between a narrow-range image and a broad-range image of map. The user can manipulate a touch panel which mounted on a display section for displaying the broad-range image. If the user manipulates the touch panel to point to a coordinate position on the broad-range image, thus designating coordinates for the narrow-range image, a changed narrow-range is displayed. If the user indicates a moving direction on the broad-range image, thus designating a scroll direction, the displayed broad-range image is moved (scrolled).

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect a device; detect a status level corresponding to the device; receive content on the device based on the status level; and display the content on the device based on the status level.

Abstract: A storage means which can be accessed by an authentication apparatus stores content data, a first digest table including primary digest values corresponding to a plurality of data portions constituting the content data, a second digest table including secondary digest values corresponding to a plurality of data portions of the first digest table, and a digital signature generated from the second digest table. In a first reading step, the second digest table and the digital signature are read out from the storage means into a memory of the authentication apparatus. In a first authentication step, the authenticity of the content data is verified using the digital signature read out into the memory and the second digest table read out into the memory.

Abstract: A representational object contains a visual representation of a character and a memory tag comprising a digital memory adapted to be read from when inductively powered. The digital memory contains digital content relating to the character represented visually on the representational object. At least a part of the digital content relates to function of the character in a game carried out by a gaming application and comprises executable code for execution in connection with operation of the gaming application.

Abstract: A portable game system includes two display screens, at least one of which is touch-sensitive. A memory card or other device is selectively connectable to the portable game system via in insertable connection port.

Abstract: An example game system includes a home-console type game device and a terminal device. The terminal device includes a touch panel and an inertia sensor, and wirelessly transmits to the game device operation data including touch panel data and inertia sensor data. The game device receives the operation data from the terminal device, and performs game processes based on the operation data. Moreover, the game device generates first game images and second game images based on the game processes. The first game images are compressed, and the compressed image data is wirelessly transmitted to the terminal device. The second game image is output to, and displayed on, an external display device which is separate from the terminal device. The terminal device receives the compressed image data from the game device, expands the received compressed image data, and displays the first game images on a display section.

Abstract: An advantageous set of external interfaces for home video game platform provide modularity and expandability while maintaining and preserving the proprietary nature of the platform. A disk drive interface provides flexible communications with an internal disk drive. Various serial bus interfaces provide expandability and interconnectability with a variety of internal and external devices including, for example, flash memory, broadband adapters, modems, and various other devices. A 4-port game controller interface provides serial interconnectability with handheld game controllers and various other input/output device. Power supply, digital and analog audio/video connections, and parallel memory expansion connections are also provided.

Abstract: A card game apparatus 12 includes an image sensor 54. The image sensor photographs a design (31: FIG. 2) printed on a card 30. A photographic signal from the image sensor is sampled by a game processor 64, and is further re-sampled to form a photographic pixel data array. A ROM 66 is provided with a database (67A: FIG. 7) which is assigned a comparison data array and a card ID for each entry. By searching the database based on the photographic pixel data array, the processor 64 obtains one card ID and displays card data of the card identified by the card ID on a television monitor.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information. Some gaming dongles may be removably coupled. Some gaming dongles may have two or more portions that may be substantially irreversibly separated, such as by snapping-off one portion from the other.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and images a face image of a player with an inward camera provided between a first LCD and a second LCD according to an instruction from the CPU. The CPU specifies a position of the eyes of the player from the face image, and decides a position of a virtual camera in correspondence to the specified position of the eyes. In a three-dimensional virtual space, a gazing point is fixedly decided, and a game screen is displayed on the first LCD and the second LCD such that the three-dimensional virtual space is fixed with respect to the display surface. If the position of the eyes of the player is in a predetermined position (range) with respect to the display surface, a predetermined letter or the like is represented by a combination of objects, etc. on the game screen.

Abstract: A control unit mainly includes game condition judging means, moving period determining means for determining a moving period T0 of a ball object, first operation response period determining means for determining a first operation response period T1 of a bat object, which begins at a first operation response start opportunity St1 preceding a pitching end opportunity E0 of the moving period T0, second operation response period determining means for determining a second operation response period T2 of the bat object, which begins at a second operation response start opportunity St2 succeeding the first operation response start opportunity St1, operation input opportunity receiving means for receiving a operation input opportunity HP of a controller, and operation opportunity response judging means for judging whether the operation input opportunity HP is included in either the first operation response period T1 or the second operation response period T2.

Abstract: A user can move the position of a pan flute in a horizontal direction on a screen by sliding a touch position in the horizontal direction on the screen while touching a touch panel with a stick. Moreover, when the user blows on a microphone hole, a musical sound of a pitch corresponding to a pipe of the pan flute which is displayed in an overlapping manner with a valid position display image at this time is outputted via a sound hole.

Abstract: A hand-held game apparatus and a game program allow a user to play a game while going back and forth between a narrow-range map and a broad-range map. The player can manipulate a touch panel mounted on a display for displaying the broad-range map. If the player manipulates the touch panel to point to a coordinate position on the broad-range map, thus designating coordinates for a narrow-range map to display, an image of the narrow-range map, which is changed as desired, is displayed. If the player indicates a moving direction on the broad-range map, to designate a scroll direction, the displayed broad-range map is moved (scrolled).

Abstract: A universal method and system for downloading game software to ROM based legacy gaming machines, activating selected games and providing new services. The method includes a ROM emulator for replacing the game program image and an NVRAM emulator for swapping the game context and critical meters accordingly. The method includes detection of the state of the current game activity such as to activate a new game only at an authorized time, when no player is playing a game or is carded-in for example. The system includes emulation of the original peripherals fitted to the legacy gaming machine such as to offer extended functionality and services. The universal method and system therefore prolongs the useful life of legacy machines which otherwise would be prematurely retired.

Abstract: A wagering gaming device which includes at least one converter program. The gaming device processor, which operates on a particular platform, can use the converter program to read and use programs otherwise incompatible with such platform, such as platform independent programs. This type of gaming device enables developers to develop code on platforms which are different in type from the gaming device platform, and the gaming device processor can read and use this code to operate the gaming device.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a camera, and with this camera, images in a plurality of poses decided in advance are imaged. From the imaged image in the plurality of poses, an image of a game character in each pose is created. In a battle game and a match-up game, the image in the pose corresponding to a motion according to an operation by a player is read, and by utilizing the read image in the pose, a character is displayed on a battle screen and a match-up screen.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a device that can receive a parental control signal that designates undesired content, determine when a restricted user is interacting with a gaming software application, and modify a presentation of the gaming software application to remove the undesired content when the restricted user is interacting with the gaming software application. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Described is a player activated game system, particularly adapted for playing instant lottery type games, that includes a game device having a computer containing at least one game, an electronic display and a card interface adapted to receive a game card having data that represents a particular game outcome such that connection of the card to the interface can result the game being played by the device with the particular outcome displayed on the display.

Abstract: A gaming system includes a hard disk drive for storing applications and other data. The hard disk drive has multiple regions for storing different types of data. Each application executed on the gaming system has an associated storage area on the hard disk drive. A console application executing on the gaming system prevents a particular application from accessing data in an area of the hard disk drive that is not associated with the particular application. The gaming system also maintains a list of recently used nicknames to simplify entry of nicknames by a user of the gaming system.

Abstract: A game apparatus detects a path inputted by a player, and moves an object placed in a virtual game space along the path. Moreover, the game apparatus controls the object, which is moving along the path, to perform a predetermined action, and determines a return position when the predetermined action is finished. The return position is a position at which the object having finished the predetermined action returns to the path, and is determined from among positions along the path. The game apparatus resumes the movement of the object along the path after returning the object, having finished the predetermined action, to the return position.

Abstract: In a game apparatus, a trajectory WP on which a waist W of a player character moves and an elliptic trajectory ArP on which an ankle Par of the player character moves are set. When the player character moves in a game space, the waist moves on the trajectory WP and the ankle moves on the elliptic trajectory ArP in accordance with a movement amount of the player character. In this case, while the ankle makes one round on the elliptic trajectory ArP, the waist makes two shuttle movements on the trajectory WP. Thus, motion images in accordance with the movements of legs and feet are not required to be previously prepared and a variety of motions of the legs and feet of the player character can be realized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable storage device for a game machine to mount games, which includes a portable storage device and a main game machine. The main game machine and the portable storage device are provided with mutual coupling connector interfaces. The connector interface of the portable storage device is further configured with an encoding and decoding unit, which enables processing and transmitting of game files within the portable storage device to the main game machine, after which an execution unit of the main game machine executes the game files and produces an operable user interface, thereby effectively increasing memory capacity of the main game machine. In accordance with such means, the game files of the portable storage device can be mounted on the user interface.

Abstract: A game pad controller for connection to a portable phone has an outer casing and a game control unit within the casing. The front of the casing has a seat for locating the portable phone and at least one keypad adjacent the seat for user engagement to control a game. The seat has a channel for slidably receiving an adapter, which is either attached to the rear face of the phone or to a holder for the phone. A releasable latching mechanism at the inner end of the channel releasably secures the adapter in the channel. The adapter may be a dimpled hub device. The arrangement allows the game pad controller to be used with any type of portable phone.

Abstract: A video game system and method is described in which map scenes and battle scenes are used. A player character may move through the map scene, and upon encountering enemies to battle, an encounter area may be generated and displayed to show the user which enemies will be included in the subsequent battle scene, and which enemies will not be initially included in the battle scene.

Abstract: A data drive for interfacing with an electronic device through a memory card reader is described. The memory card reader accepts a memory card, which stores data having a first format. The data drive includes a storage device for storing data having a second format, a connector that emulates the memory card's connections, an interface unit between the storage device and the connector, and a controller for controlling data transfers between the storage device and the interface unit. The interface unit converts data between the first and second formats. The data drive attaches to the memory card reader through the connector and transfers data between the storage device and the external device through the memory card reader. The storage device can be a hard disk drive, permitting a relatively inexpensive and large capacity storage area to be used to transfer data through the memory card reader.

Abstract: Interactively associating user-defined descriptions with objects. At least two users create descriptions based on provided objects. The users analyze the descriptions to determine whether the users were provided with the same or different objects. If all the users are correct in their determinations, associations between the created descriptions and the corresponding objects are adjusted. In some embodiments, the users interact via a two-player game where the input is obfuscated and the output is optionally obfuscated. For example, the users each provide a search query responsive to receipt of a search intention. If a single search intention was provided and all the users make the correct determination, the search queries are associated with the search intention.

Abstract: The junket loyalty system (JLS) and method for operation disclosed herein are adapted for effectively operating and managing a junket business.

Abstract: Acceleration data which is output from an acceleration sensor is obtained. A rotation motion of an input device around a predetermined direction as a rotation axis is determined by comparing a start point in a two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the first acceleration data obtained in a predetermined period, and an end point in the two-dimensional coordinate system which is represented by the last acceleration data obtained in the predetermined period. Coordinate axes of the two-dimensional coordinate system are defined based on components of the two axial directions of the acceleration data, and an origin of the two-dimensional coordinate system represents a value of the acceleration data in the state where no acceleration including the acceleration of gravity acts upon the acceleration sensor. Motion data including at least the determined rotation motion is output.

Abstract: A portable game system includes two display screens, at least one of which is touch-sensitive. A memory card or other device is selectively connectable to the portable game system via in insertable connection port.

Abstract: A game console determines if a hard disk drive is authorized for use with the game console by analyzing an encrypted certificate. The encrypted certificate is stored in memory of the drive. Upon detection of the drive, the game console receives the encrypted certificate and decrypts it. The certificate contains parameters relating to the drive, such as the drives serial number, model number, memory capacity of the drive, and a trademark indicative of the drive's authenticity, for example. The game console also receives these parameters from the drive in unencrypted form. The parameters extracted from the encrypted certificate are compared with the parameters read from the hard disk drive's memory. If the parameters match, the drive is determined to be authentic. The certificate is encrypted with the private key of a public-private key pair and decrypted with the corresponding public key in accordance with well known public-key cryptographic techniques.

Abstract: A game apparatus executes game processing on the basis of microphone input information input through a microphone. The CPU of the game apparatus executes an imaging step for imaging a user with a camera, a detection determining step for determining whether or not a user is detected on the basis of image data indicating the image obtained by imaging through the imaging step, and a performing step for performing the game processing on the basis of the microphone input information when the detection determining step determines that the user is detected.

Abstract: A game apparatus generates a game image for display on a display screen. A size and a shape of an attack input supplied to the game apparatus is determined and one or more characteristics of an attacked game character is changed based on one or both of the size and shape of the supplied attack input.

Abstract: This document discusses, among other things, systems and methods for managing security for network-based gaming. A method and system download and install an image of wagering game content on a wagering game machine, wherein the wagering game machine is capable of receiving a wager input from a player. The image is validated and may be transformed to a virtual storage device, such that it appears to be a physical storage device. The files may be accessed and validated in a similar manner as if they were stored on a physical storage device. In some cases, the same image format for content in an image is the same as if the content was stored on a physical storage device.

Abstract: An image processing system includes a fixed-type game machine and a hand-held type game machine. To the hand-held type game machine, an imaging cartridge is attached, and therefore, when an operator photographs a face image of a desired object, for example, face image data corresponding thereto is produced. In addition, by operating an operating switch of the hand-held type game machine, the operator can input feature data representing a feature of the object. The hand-held type game machine transmits the face image data and the feature data to the fixed-type game machine. The fixed-type game machine deforms provisional three-dimensional character data selected by the operator based on the feature data, and attaches the face image data to the deformed provisional three-dimensional feature data so as to compose an image. A composed image is displayed on an image display device by an animation based on the feature data.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an entertainment system, in particular to a role-play video game for one, or two or more players where game software accesses a machine readable media to obtain a set of preselected media clips. These media clips may be scenes from a movie, a television show or a theatre play. The game then serves the chosen media clip to a display device, and plays the audio track assigned to the media clip on a sound generating device. The sound generating device can be engaged or disabled at will. Multiple categories and sub-categories are used by the game software for sorting the media clips. These categories are represented by plurality multi-layered menus that are used to isolate the most desirable media clip for a user. Before a role play begins, a counter gives a user a chance to prepare emotionally and mentally for the ensuing role play. A user may view the subtitles during a role play session for assistance with the same.

Abstract: Some embodiments are associated with gaming dongles. Some gaming dongles may store value that is utilized to play a video game and/or to participate in a video game tournament. Some gaming dongles may determine and/or store gaming signatures, biometric information, and/or Global Positioning System (GPS) information. Some gaming dongles may be removably coupled. Some gaming dongles may have two or more portions that may be substantially irreversibly separated, such as by snapping-off one portion from the other.

Abstract: A gaming machine includes: an information reading unit that reads object information from a reading object provided with a storage medium in which the object information is stored, the reading object being mountable on the gaming machine; a game processing unit that performs game processing to provide to a player a game in a plurality of game states including a base game state and a bonus game state in which a grater advantage is provided to the player than in the base game state; and a display unit that displays an effect related to the game, wherein the game processing unit controls a frequency of occurrence of the effect to be displayed on the display unit during the game based on the object information read from the reading object by the information reading unit.

Abstract: A segmented memory control system is disclosed. Specifically, multiple memory locations, including removable memory locations, are part of a gaming device. The memory locations are prioritized and data, including new data on removable memory units, with a higher priority is used by the gaming device at run time.

Abstract: An item can be added to an avatar associated with a user of a video game console. The item is represented by a data entry that is written to a manifest, which contains data fields storing a type and a name of the item. Items can be applied to or “worn” by an avatar by setting a flag in the corresponding data entry in the manifest. Items can be obtained from a number of sources, including, for example, disc based games and a server connected to the video game console. Further, items can be obtained as a reward for attaining achievements in a game.