Amusement devices: games inventions 10/06

20060240885 - Video poker wagering game having multiple hands and player-determined assignment feature: A gaming machine for conducting a video poker wagering game, which includes a player-determined assignment feature, that allows a player to assign cards to a plurality of hands of cards. An assigned card may be used to complete one or more card hands....

20060240886 - Omnipotent opponent: Traditionally, a computer chess program will take the current state of the board (the position of the pieces in play) and using a database of moves, it will select what it feels is the best move. This is how every computer chess program works. The Omnipotent Opponent uses an entirely...

20060240887 - Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia: The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences...

20060240888 - Gaming machine, gaming information authentication loading device and gaming information loading device: A gaming machine comprises a gaming board and a mother board. The gaming board comprises a boot ROM and a card slot. The boot ROM stores therein an authentication program for authenticating a gaming program and a gaming system program stored in a memory card. The card slot receives the...

20060240889 - Method and apparatus for linked play gaming with combined outcomes and shared indicia: The invention includes a system and method for providing linked play via gaming and other devices wherein players may share and combine outcomes or parts thereof. In some embodiments, a casino server registers a group for linked play and a group objective and format are established. The linked play commences...

20060240890 - Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes for a plurality of players: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes for one or more players. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to one or more players (e.g., a player...

20060240891 - Marketing system and method for customer specific promotions: A marketing system and method for customer specific promotions providing a yield management tool for casino resort properties to more effectively manage entertainment related assets and inventories to build new and existing customer business. The system provides a convenient method for consumers to realize promotional incentives proportional to their player...

20060240892 - System and method for facilitating casino team play: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a learn of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one...

20060240893 - System to determine casino offers: A system to determine a product to be offered to a casino player based on player data and on an approximate maximum price for which the product may be sold through a retail channel. Advantageously, a potential increase in a casino's profit due to a product offer can be determined...

20060240894 - Online gaming method integrating information, prizes, and advertising from live events and from specific event centers: A computer-based method for serving an online game linked to concurrent operation of an event center. The online game is designed to generate game elements or characters configured based on characteristics or features of the event center. A schedule is determined for playing the online game, and the scheduled time...

20060234791 - Gaming methods and systems: Disclosed are central determination methods and systems in which pools and sub-pools of outcomes can be distributed among various units of the central determination system. The methods and systems are applicable to Class II and, in some implementations, Class III gaming configurations. The methods and systems disclosed herein can be...

20060234792 - Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container: A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter...

20060234793 - Method and apparatus for outputting a result of a game via a container: A method and apparatus is disclosed that documents and authenticates cap removal data. According to a first aspect of the present invention, the apparatus measures a parameter indicative of the number of times that a cap has been removed by a user. The apparatus also encodes at least the parameter...

20060234794 - Game controller link mechanism joining a user-activated control and an analogue input device: A link mechanism of a game controller connecting a user-activated control to an analogue input device located a distance away. The link mechanism is adapted to provide linear or near linear rotational characteristics between the user-activated control and the analogue input device. The link mechanism can be curved, or curved...

20060234796 - Device and method of termination for open-ended cooperative games: A self-contained apparatus for displaying poker tournament information, the apparatus having an operator-input interface, control circuitry and a display. The operator-input interface is dedicated to receiving input relating to the poker tournament from a human operator. The control circuitry is coupled to receive the input relating to the poker tournament...

20060234795 - System for secure transfer of online privileges: Methods and apparatus for transferring privileges in a computer system. In one implementation, a system for transferring online privileges includes: a game server having a network connection and storing data providing an online game and game environment; a game database connected to said game server, said game database storing data...

20060234797 - Hard drive authentication: 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...

20060229120 - Advertising and shopping contest: An advertising and shopping contest whereby a contestant (1) enters a valid designated character string from an advertisement (10) and a valid designated character string from a sales transaction record (20) into a preset algorithm (40). The preset algorithm (40) processes the information supplied by the contestant (1) and derives...

20060229121 - Aircraft gaming: Aircraft gaming machines, systems, and methods are presented. The gaming machines execute gaming applications and receive power from the aircraft. The gaming systems may include gaming stations interfaced to gaming servers within the aircraft, portable gaming machines capable of downloading gaming applications from gaming servers within the aircraft, gaming displays...

20060229122 - Gaming machine system with shared display of game events: Systems and methods for providing shared display of game events between a gaming machine and a secondary display server. Game events are initially displayed on a primary display of the gaming machine and, on the occurrence of a triggering event during play of the game on the gaming machine, a...

20060229123 - Video poker system and method with player card selection: A method involves a video poker game in which a first set of card representations is displayed at a player station display device. The first set of card representations is organized into a number of card representation subsets comprising at least one card representation in each subset. After the player...

20060229124 - Method and apparatus for enabling a player to select features on a gaming device: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for activating features for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises displaying a plurality of indications of features to a player, receiving an indication of a player selection of at least one feature, and activating the at least...

20060229125 - Method and apparatus for managing features on a gaming device: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for managing features for use on gaming devices is presented, wherein the method comprises determining a measure of performance of a feature, and determining a payment due to a provider of the feature based on the measure of performance of the...

20060229127 - Budget-defined flat rate play contract parameters: According to some embodiments, systems, methods, and/or articles of manufacture are associated with operating a gaming device having a flat rate play session or contract costing a flat rate price. The flat rate play session or contract spans multiple plays on the gaming device over a pre-established duration. In some...

20060229128 - Method and apparatus for bonus round play: Methods and apparatus are provided for enabling a player to take a tour of a secondary game at a game machine. In one embodiment, a method is provided that includes offering to enable entry of a player into a bonus round of a game machine in exchange for a fee,...

20060229126 - Method and apparatus for providing insurance policies for gambling losses: A method according to some embodiments of the present invention provides for a game server to receive policy requirements of a user for a gambling loss insurance policy from a terminal. The game server determines a premium amount based on the policy requirements of the user and transmits information concerning...

20060229129 - System and method for effectuating a push-to-talk service in a multiplayer gaming environment: A system for effectuating a push-to-talk service in a gaming environment includes a network entity within a gaming architecture, where the network entity is capable of operating an electronic game. The system also includes a client capable of interacting with the network entity in the gaming architecture to play an...

20060229130 - System for including customized content in arcade-style game programming system: Methods and systems for inserting customizable content into a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment that has been converted to operate in an arcade-style environment are disclosed. According to the present invention, a computer game designed to operate in a personal computer environment is operated in...

20060223601 - Display device for game machine: A display device for the game machines including display bodies which display symbols and information for dividend has a first display body with a circular edge with display parts provided to a circumferential direction at the display surface classifying and displaying information about game, such as symbols, dividend information and...

20060223602 - Game program, gaming apparatus, and recording medium: To provide a game program, gaming apparatus, recording medium in which it is possible to optionally and easily change a player character's state while executing an action against an enemy character. A gaming apparatus stores specific data for each enemy character and player character state data relating to a player...

20060223603 - Game program, gaming apparatus, and recording medium: To provide a game program, gaming apparatus, recording medium in which smooth action progress is possible, and in which action mode selection is diversified, a strategic action mode is selected, and so on, thereby making it possible to increase player's interest in a game. A gaming apparatus stores an action...

20060223599 - Interactive game system with computer-animated game pieces: An interactive computer game system (10) for one or more players includes a game server (12) that generates a first game piece (19A) controlled by a first player, and a second game piece (19B). The first game piece (19A) has a first adjustable battle parameter that is adjustable by the...

20060223600 - Method of dynamically modifying a computer game: An application is described for facilitating the modification of an underlying computer game by players and developers; the development and testing of game modifications via a publishing infrastructure; the sharing and playing of game modifications and the marketing of available game modifications. Users subscribe to the application or are charge...

20060223609 - Apparatus and method for facilitating play of a gaming device with a plurality of balances: In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving an indication of a wager, determining at least one balance of a gaming device having a plurality of balances, the at least one balance being associated with the wager, and determining an outcome of a...

20060223610 - Apparatus and method for facilitating play of a gaming device with a plurality of balances: In accordance with various embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided for receiving an indication of a wager, determining at least one balance of a gaming device having a plurality of balances, the at least one balance being associated with the wager, and determining an outcome of a...

20060223605 - Computer-implemented simulated card game: Various embodiments of methods and apparatus and systems for playing a simulated card game, such as Texas Hold'em Poker, are provided. One embodiment comprises a method for playing a simulated card game. One such method comprises the steps of: displaying a plurality of entries and at least one of a...

20060223611 - Gaming device having a competition bonus scheme: A gaming device wherein the success or failure of a current selection directly affects the player's chances for success in a later selection and the player's chances for obtaining the highest bonus award possible....

20060223604 - Gaming machine, game control method, and their program: A gaming machine for executing a subgame in parallel with a main game, the gaming machine includes: a main game control unit for dealing a plurality of elements and determining the result of the main game in response to the dealt plurality of elements; a dealt element storage unit for...

20060223612 - Methods and apparatus for lottery game play aggregation: According to one embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of a bonus symbol over at least two outcomes. The player may be allowed a bonus if a running count of the occurrences is at least equal to a predetermined number. According to another embodiment, a player may accumulate occurrences of...

20060223606 - Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes to be viewed remotely: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., player may access the video presentation online). This allows...

20060223607 - Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes to be viewed remotely: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., player may access the video presentation online). This allows...

20060223608 - Methods and systems for determining and selling wagering game outcomes to be viewed remotely: In accordance with some embodiments, a plurality of outcomes are generated and used to create a video presentation of representative outcomes. The video presentation is recorded onto a tangible medium (e.g., DVD or CD-ROM) or otherwise provided to a player (e.g., player may access the video presentation online). This allows...

20060223613 - Remote gaming device: A method and system for remote play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters play preferences at a remote wagering terminal. The remote wagering terminal transmits the play preferences to a slot network server that stores the play preferences. Based upon the play preferences, the...

20060223614 - Slot machine game and system with improved jackpot feature: Certain embodiments provide a method and system for awarding a progressive prize. The system includes a bank of gaming machines accepting different bets per play as selected by a player. A random number is selected from a predetermined fixed range of numbers that does not change during play of a...

20060223621 - Method and apparatus for operating lotteries and for generating and processing lottery entries: A system and process for generating, distributing, and processing lottery tickets guaranteed to win a drawing-based prize. Tickets are appropriately priced, and are validated at point of sale by a central server in which the ticket information is stored, Subsequent to each lottery drawing, the winning lottery numbers are compared...

20060223622 - Method and apparatus for operating lotteries and for generating and processing lottery entries: A system and process for generating, distributing, and processing lottery tickets guaranteed to win a drawing-based prize. Tickets are appropriately priced, and are validated at point of sale by a central server in which the ticket information is stored. Subsequent to each lottery drawing, the winning lottery numbers are compared...

20060223623 - Method and apparatus for operating lotteries and for generating and processing lottery entries: A system and process for generating, distributing, and processing lottery tickets guaranteed to win a drawing-based prize. Tickets are appropriately priced, and are validated at point of sale by a central server in which the ticket information is stored. Subsequent to each lottery drawing, the winning lottery numbers are compared...

20060223618 - Products and processes for applying conditions to a lottery entry: Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the...

20060223619 - Products and processes for applying conditions to a lottery entry: Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the...

20060223620 - Products and processes for applying conditions to a lottery entry: Products and processes are disclosed for receiving a lottery record associated with a sale of a lottery ticket. The lottery record includes a plurality of lottery numbers, and a condition for creating at least one entry that includes the lottery numbers in a lottery drawing. It is determined if the...

20060223624 - System and method for conducting and playing a supplemental lottery game: A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group. The group wins...

20060223625 - System and method for conducting and playing a supplemental lottery game: A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group. The group wins...

20060223626 - System and method for conducting and playing a supplemental lottery game: A system and method is provided by which players participating in a primary lottery drawing may elect to participate in a second, or derivative lottery drawing (a “meta-game”). In one embodiment, a meta-game is conducted by first registering a plurality of lottery entries to define a group. The group wins...

20060223616 - Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination...

20060223617 - Systems and methods wherein a lottery number combination is associated with a limited number of occurrences: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate lottery ticket transactions. A request to purchase a lottery ticket is received, the lottery ticket being associated with a lottery number combination, such as a limited number of lottery tickets or a limited number of players. An indication that the lottery number combination...

20060223615 - Wagering game having a ramping bonus feature: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game includes a wager-input device for receiving a wager from a player to play a wagering game having a basic game and a standard bonus game. In response to the wager being at least as large as a threshold amount, a hidden trigger...

20060223627 - Gaming machine: The present invention provides a gaming machine comprising: variable display means for variably displaying plural symbols in plural rows; internal winning combination determination means for determining an internal winning combination for each game; stop operation means which enables a player to perform a stop operation for stopping the variable display...

20060223628 - Methods and systems for documenting a player's experience in a casino environment: A method and system is provided wherein events experienced by a player is documented and the documentation of an event is stored in association with an indication of the event. One example of an event experienced by a player is an outcome obtained by a player on a gaming device....

20060223629 - System and method for communicating game session information: According to one or more embodiments of the present invention, a contract is established for a session comprising two or more plays of at least one gaming device. Information about the game play session, such as outcomes generated at the at least one gaming device, is communicated to a player...

20060223630 - Systems and methods for facilitating play using reversed payout tables: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for facilitating play of a gaming device is presented, in which the method comprises enabling a reverse payout mode of play of the gaming device and displaying an indication that play of the gaming device is to be provided in accordance...

20060223631 - Systems and methods for facilitating play using reversed payout tables: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for facilitating play of a gaming device is presented, in which the method comprises enabling a reverse payout mode of play of the gaming device and displaying an indication that play of the gaming device is to be provided in accordance...

20060223632 - Systems and methods for facilitating play using reversed payout tables: In accordance with one or more embodiments, a method for facilitating play of a gaming device is presented, in which the method comprises enabling a reverse payout mode of play of the gaming device and displaying an indication that play of the gaming device is to be provided in accordance...

20060223633 - Gaming program, gaming machine, and record medium: A gaming program, a gaming machine, and a record medium for making it possible to suppress the loss of the interest in a game and enhance the game presence are provided. The gaming machine selects a character action mode based on an operation signal and a plurality of pieces of...

20060223634 - Game controller connection system and method of selectively connecting a game controller with a plurality of different video gaming systems: A game controller, according to the present invention, interacts with a plurality of different game processors including different gaming applications utilizing a communication link. The game controller includes a plurality of user-manipulable input devices, and at least one signal processor to receive and process signals associated with manipulations of the...

20060223635 - method and apparatus for an on-screen/off-screen first person gaming experience: An interactive apparatus is described comprising a multiple portable gaming systems interconnected with a wireless communications link. Each gaming system comprises a visual display, a user interface, a communications link, a computer system and gaming software. The gaming system can display the real-time real-world images captured by a video camera...

20060223636 - Remote gaming device: A method and system for remote play of a gaming device, such as a slot machine. A player enters play preferences at a remote wagering terminal. The remote wagering terminal transmits the play preferences to a slot network server that stores the play preferences. Based upon the play preferences, the...

20060223638 - Game chip: The present invention relates to the technology of recognizing and reading each game chip although game chips are stacked. The present invention is a game chip storing data readable by a reader/writer having an antenna which emits an electromagnetic wave and available in a stack of game chips, and includes:...

20060223639 - Game chip: The present invention relates to the technology of recognizing and reading each game chip although game chips are stacked. The present invention is a game chip storing data readable by a reader/writer having an antenna which emits an electromagnetic wave and available in a stack of game chips, and includes:...

20060223637 - Video game system combining gaming simulation with remote robot control and remote robot feedback: An interactive apparatus is described comprising a portable gaming system and a mobile toy vehicle connected by a wireless communications link. The mobile toy vehicle has a drive system, a video camera, a communications link, a computer system, and vehicle control software. The gaming system comprises a visual display, a...