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Amusement devices: games December patent applications/inventions, industry category 12/09

20090325660 - Targeting control in a simulated environment: Targeting control may be facilitated in a simulated environment. In an example embodiment, a method includes acts of monitoring, generating, moving, and firing. A button input and a directional input are monitored. If a press and hold of the button input is detected, a fine aiming mode is generated. If... Agent: Microsoft Corporation

20090325661 - Internet based pictorial game system & method: An Internet based pictorial game allows participants to both contribute and decode pictorial content. The participants' performance, as well as that of artists and their artwork, can be tabulated and presented for community entertainment. Supplemental features can be added according to a desired rule set. Speech recognition can be used... Agent: J. Nicholas Gross, Attorney

20090325662 - Clock hand bonus game: In various embodiments, a clock hand bonus game is provided. Moreover, in various embodiments, a system, method and apparatus is provided for a bonus gaming machine. The bonus gaming machine operates with a face and two clock hands which rotate about the face. The bonus gaming machine operates in conjunction... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325663 - Clock hand bonus game method: In various embodiments, a clock hand bonus game is provided. Moreover, in various embodiments, a system, method and apparatus is provided for a bonus gaming machine. The bonus gaming machine operates with a face and two clock hands which rotate about the face. The bonus gaming machine operates in conjunction... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325665 - Gaming medium and gaming system using gaming medium: A gaming medium includes a wireless tag on a white side thereof, a wireless tag on a black side thereof and a high magnetic permeability member. Each wireless tag stores information to be read magnetically. The high magnetic permeability member is placed between the wireless tags, prevents a magnetic field... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.

20090325666 - Gaming method, gaming system and game controller: A gaming method including: triggering generation of a game outcome for a game of chance, based on use of a communication network service by a user; determining any award to be made to the user for the game outcome; and making the award to the user.... Agent: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

20090325664 - Gaming system and game controller: A game controller for a multiple player terminal game system comprising: a terminal exchange adapted for data communication with a plurality of player terminals whereby players enter game play instructions; a random result generator; a memory module storing two or more sets of game play rules, each for a different... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090325679 - gaming system and method of gaming: Certain examples relate to a gaming system and a method of gaming for playing a reel-type game. A game controller of the gaming system is arranged to select a plurality of symbols from a set of symbols and to control a display to display a plurality of the selected symbols... Agent: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

20090325671 - Community lines game apparatus: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325668 - Community reels game apparatus: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that include a community spin mechanism that, when activated, causes reel displays, at two or more player stations, to spin. Certain embodiments provide for one or more community reels that are utilized to determine an outcome of a... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325672 - Game method using community lines: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325669 - Game method using community reels: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that include a community spin mechanism that, when activated, causes reel displays, at two or more player stations, to spin. Certain embodiments provide for one or more community reels that are utilized to determine an outcome of a... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325677 - Game system: A game system includes a plurality of gaming machines and a server. Each of the gaming machines executes a game independently. When the server receives bet information, the server carries out a lottery for winning a progressive prize as to the gaming machine which transmitted the bet information. If any... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090325680 - Game system: A new gaming environment is provided. A server determines a first predetermined time and a second predetermined time, determines display content based on the second predetermined time which is determined, displays the determined display content on the display, determines a gaming machine to which a bonus is provided from the... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090325673 - Game system including community lines: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that provide a common reel display for multiple players. Various combinations of reel lines, utilized to determine possible wins from symbols across multiple reels, of the reel display, may be available to the players. For example, a first... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325670 - Game system including community reels: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to gaming machines that include a community spin mechanism that, when activated, causes reel displays, at two or more player stations, to spin. Certain embodiments provide for one or more community reels that are utilized to determine an outcome of a... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325674 - Game system, server, gaming machine: A new gaming environment is provided. If a server determines that an execution of a bonus game will be instructed, bonus game execution instruction information is sent to each of slot machines connected to the server. If the slot machine receives the bonus game execution instruction information, the bonus game... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090325676 - Gaming machine providing an insurance payout and a playing method thereof: A slot machine 10 as a gaming machine executes a unit game, after accepting a bet, counts the number of times a unit game is executed, and, in a case where the number of times counted is a predetermined number, determines an insurance payout amount on the basis of an... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090325675 - Gaming system and a method of gaming: A gaming system is disclosed which comprises a symbol selector arranged to select a plurality of symbols for display at a corresponding plurality of display positions, an outcome evaluator arranged to determine whether the selected symbols correspond to a winning symbol combination by evaluating symbols disposed in defined win lines,... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090325682 - Gaming system having composite awards: A gaming system comprises a wager input device and a display for displaying a first randomly selected outcome of a first wagering game. The first randomly selected outcome is selected from a first plurality of possible outcomes. The first plurality of possible outcomes includes a first winning outcome. The gaming... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090325667 - Reel add-on symbols for simultaneously playing two games: A reel-type secondary game is played simultaneously with a conventional reel-type main game on a gaming machine. The secondary game is initiated only after the player meets certain criteria, such as betting additional credits. Once the secondary game is initiated, one or more special symbols are added to the leftmost... Agent: Patent Law Group LLP

20090325681 - Wagering game with enhanced wager-per-line feature: A gaming machine for conducting a wagering game by a player includes a display, a credit indicator and a controller. The display is for displaying a wagering-game outcome having a plurality of symbols arranged in an array. The array includes a plurality of paylines for indicating symbol combinations in the... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090325678 - Wagering system with expanding wild feature dictated by direction indicator: A gaming system for conducting a wagering game includes a display and a controller. The display displays a randomly selected outcome of the wagering game including a plurality of reels with symbols forming an array. The symbols include a directional wild symbol having a direction indicator. The controller is coupled... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090325683 - Methods employing action buttons: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325684 - Systems employing action buttons: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325686 - Distributed side wagering methods and systems: Various techniques are disclosed for facilitating side wagering activities conducted at a casino which includes a casino gaming network. In at least one embodiment, the gaming network includes a plurality of gaming devices, including a first gaming device. A side wager request may be received for placing a first side... Agent: Weaver Austin Villeneuve & Sampson LLP - Igt Attn: Igt

20090325685 - Using currency in online fantasy sports games: Techniques are provide for linking actions in an online fantasy sports game to a currency balance associated with a user of the game. The techniques adjust the balance by a first quantity in response to a sports player action, where the first quantity is based upon the player action, and... Agent: Yahoo C/o Mofo Palo Alto

20090325687 - Clock hand bonus game system: In various embodiments, a clock hand bonus game is provided. Moreover, in various embodiments, a system, method and apparatus is provided for a bonus gaming machine. The bonus gaming machine operates with a face and two clock hands which rotate about the face. The bonus gaming machine operates in conjunction... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325688 - Method and system for determining a progressive multiplier: Disclosed herein are methods, devices, and systems for determining a progressive multiplier in a bonus game associated with a networked game of chance played over a communication network. The progressive multiplier may be determined over the course of one or more rounds of the bonus game and may be awarded... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20090325689 - Progressive jackpot communication techniques: A gaming system (10) includes gaming machine groups (GR 1-GR 16) arranged to receive input data and to generate output progressive jackpot data relating to two or more progressive jackpots. A central database (26) stores the input data relating to the progressive jackpots. A monitoring computer (40) includes a local... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090325690 - Roaming saved game: Various systems and methods are disclosed for a roaming saved game function allowing for location independent access to saved game data. In various embodiments, users may upload saved games when they sign in to an online gaming service, and download them later from another console, PC or other device so... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090325691 - Gaming machine having multi-touch sensing device: A gaming system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a primary display that displays a randomly selected outcome. The gaming system includes a multi-touch input system having a multi-touch sensing device, a memory, and a local controller. The multi-touch sensing device includes an array of input sensors that... Agent: Daniel J. Burnham, Esq. Nixon Peabody, LLP.

20090325692 - Gaming machine with movable display screen: A method, implemented by an electronic gaming machine (EGM), includes providing an electronic display mounted to the cabinet of the EGM and disposed in a normal operational position to portray a wagering game to a user, the display in the normal operational position having an orientation of one of landscape... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090325693 - Methods for playing computer games without a display: A method for playing computer games whereas before the game starts, visual percept is present and the player learns the rules and options that the game provides, and during the game the screen is blank, i.e., no visual stimuli are presented. Players' actions are based on other modalities except vision.... Agent: Dr Ron Samuel

20090325695 - Action button apparatus: The claimed embodiments contemplate methods, systems and apparatuses directed to an active display button. In various embodiments, an active display button may generally be a button containing one or more elements that move when the button is engaged. By example, and not limitation, these elements may include one or more... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325697 - Game program, game apparatus, and game control method: In the game program, playing teams in a competition game played by a CPU are determined by operation of a controller of the player through an playing team determining unit. An opening demonstration video of the competition game between the playing teams determined by the playing team determining unit is... Agent: GlobalIPCounselors, LLP

20090325698 - Game system and game information storage medium used for same: A game system includes a housing to be held by a player. The housing incorporates an XY-axis acceleration sensor to detect an acceleration in a X-axis direction and a Y-axis direction and a Z-axis contact switch to detect an acceleration in a Z-axis direction. The sensor and switch detect at... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090325694 - Macroscopic quantum effects for computer games: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates providing a realistic simulation within a gaming environment. A gaming environment can enable at least one user to interact with a computer game in order to produce visual feedback in which the computer game includes a simulation that... Agent: Microsoft Corporation

20090325696 - Pictorial game system & method: A pictorial game allows participants to both contribute and decode pictorial content. The participants' performance, as well as that of artists and their artwork, can be tabulated and presented for community entertainment. Different modes can be used for presenting the images in different platforms, including on standalone platforms, gaming sites,... Agent: J. Nicholas Gross, Attorney

20090325699 - Interfacing with virtual reality: Included are embodiments for implementing virtual reality. More specifically, one embodiment of a virtual reality method includes interfacing with host game logic, the host game logic configured to provide an interactive video game interface and receiving display data from the host game logic, and provide the display data to a... Agent: Thomas, Kayden, Horstemeyer & Risley, LLP

20090325700 - Engine sound synthesizer, motor vehicle and game machine employing the engine sound synthesizer, engine sound synthesizing method, and recording medium containing computer program for engine sound synthesis: An engine sound synthesizer includes an engine sound storing section, and a synthetic engine sound data generating section which generates synthetic engine sound data on the basis of engine sound data stored in the engine sound storing section. The engine sound storing section stores therein plural groups of plural entities... Agent: Yamaha Hatsudoki Kabushiki Kaisha C/o Keating & Bennett, LLP

20090325701 - Gaming system: The invention concerns a gaming system comprising a gaming platform (101) adapted to run a computer game in which an avatar is associated with a player of the game; a memory (104) arranged to store one or more attributes associated with said avatar, said attributes affecting at least the appearance... Agent: Vedder Price PC

20090325702 - Information processing apparatus, information storing medium and program thereof, and operating device for game machine: An information processing apparatus includes a controller (1), and a game machine (2) to which the controller (1) is connected, and from at least one of a plurality of switches provided on the controller (1), a digital output or an analog output is obtained in accordance with an operating state... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090325703 - Orientation calculation apparatus, storage medium having orientation calculation program stored therein, game apparatus, and storage medium having game program stored therein: A game apparatus obtains data from an input device including at least a gyroscope and an acceleration sensor, and calculates an orientation of the input device. The game apparatus includes orientation calculation means and correction means. The orientation calculation means calculates a first orientation of the input device in accordance... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090325705 - Dynamic selection of sensor sensitivity in a game input system: Sensor parameters in a remote game peripheral are dynamically. The remote game peripheral may contain one or more sensors that measure the motion of the remote game peripheral via at least one sensor. This information is communicated to a game server. The game server then determines if the sensor sensitivity... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090325704 - Dynamic selection of voice quality over a wireless system: Various systems, methods, and computer readable instructions are disclosed herein for dynamically allocating fixed bandwidth over a wireless link between a video game console and a wireless peripheral device. In an embodiment, the voice sample rate in a wireless microphone may be dynamically adjusted to free up bandwidth that can... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090325706 - Live hosting toolset: Tools available to a live host for interacting with player of a live broadcast game show. One tool set receives performance data associated with the featured player and the other players, displays to the live host the performance data associated with the featured player and the other players, and allows... Agent: Vierra Magen/microsoft Corporation

20090325707 - Video game processing device, video game processing method and video game processing program: A video game processing device for controlling progress of a video game includes a storage unit for storing a map-related data including a map information indicating a predetermined area and a status information of a non-player character, a communication establishing unit for establishing communication connection for carrying out data communication... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20090325710 - Dynamic selection of sensitivity of tilt functionality: Disclosed is a gaming system having a processing device and a remote input device that is operationally coupled to the processing device. The remote input device may include a motion sensor. The resolution of the motion sensor may be set dynamically from the game software, such that both gross and... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090325709 - Game clan matchmaking: Various systems, methods, and computer readable instructions are disclosed herein for a video game clan matchmaking service. In an embodiment, a matchmaking service calculates the weighted skill level of all participating members of a clan, along with the preferences of that clan, to find a well-matched clan. The matchmaking service... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090325714 - Gaming machine triggering system events: A system, method and apparatus is provided for a system in which a gaming machine triggers system events. The gaming machine may send messages to a server. The server may then process messages, and may send messages back to the gaming machine. Additionally, the server may send messages to other... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325716 - Method and apparatus for online gaming on terminals: A method and apparatus for enabling a player to participate in a live online game via a landbased gaming terminal. A game manager is playing the game while being captured for example by a video camera. A player participates in the game through using the landbased gaming terminal, which presents... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20090325715 - Methods for gaming machine triggering system events: A system, method and apparatus is provided for a system in which a gaming machine triggers system events. The gaming machine may send messages to a server. The server may then process messages, and may send messages back to the gaming machine. Additionally, the server may send messages to other... Agent: Tips/bally C/o Intellevate LLC

20090325712 - Player character matchmaking with distributed peer-to-peer functionality: Video game players may become matched with other players for the purposes of communication and/or playing together for the mutual benefit of each in an arrangement that uses a distributed network for implementing peer-to-peer connectivity in combination with a matchmaking server. When a player enters a new level in the... Agent: Microsoft Corporation

20090325711 - Scheduled programmatic game content: Scheduled programmatic multiplayer game content in a console service is provided. A plurality of multiplayer game events is scheduled. Each event has a fixed start time and fixed end time. Requests from users to participate in event are received and a determination is made as to whether users electing to... Agent: Vierra Magen/microsoft Corporation

20090325713 - System and method for presenting prioritized advertising data in a picture in picture display window during execution of video trick play command data: A computer readable medium is disclosed containing computer executable instructions that when executed by a computer perform a method, the method including but not limited to receiving trick play command data at an end user device; receiving a advertising data at the end user device; correlating the advertising data with... Agent: At&t Legal Department - Roebuck Attn: Patent Docketing

20090325717 - Video game controller holder: A video game controller holder for storing the controller when not being used is provided with a customizable appearance to a user's preference. The holder includes a cradle body with a controller support surface that contoured to compliment the controller permitting the controller to be placed on the support surface.... Agent: Maxey Law Offices, PLLC

20090325708 - Biometric broadband gaming system and method: The present invention is a biometric broadband gaming system and method that comprises a verification system, a broadband gaming system and a transactional system. The verification system operations include receiving a biometric input to ensure that a user is a registered player. The broadband gaming system operations include providing a... Agent: KerrIPGroup, LLC Michael A. Kerr

20090318206 - Two-player game of skill where each player tries to be the first to press following a visual signal: A two-player game where each player tries to be the first to press an actuator following a visual signal which randomly appears for a random amount of time, and the player who is the first to press while the visual signal is visible scores a point, and the first player... Agent: William G. Wardlow

20090318205 - Two-player game of skill where each player tries to press while the other player is pressing: A two-Player game comprising the steps of first determining whether or not a Player is Pressing his or her Actuator, and if so, changing the state of the Indicator(s) to show the first Player is Pressing. Second determining whether or not the opposing Player presses while the first Player is... Agent: William G. Wardlow

20090318207 - Game machine: A medal as the first game medium and a ball as the second game medium are supplied to a play field section based on the player's operation, a basic game is executed in association with the operation of the medal, and while a dividend depending on the game result of... Agent: Darby & Darby P.C.

20090318208 - Electronic basketball game: An electronic basketball skill monitoring and developing system and method, particularly suited for children and young adults that would make solo and group participation more interesting and enjoyable and includes an electronic basketball game system using a basketball having a controller including a registration subsystem, an indicator subsystem, and a... Agent: Patent Law Offices Of Michael E. Woods

20090318209 - System for online debate with entertainment and complex problem-solving purpose: A computer-implemented method, apparatus and system for facilitating problem-solving of a client entity's real-life problem via an interactive game apparatus for game play by human users in a distributed computing environment, the game apparatus comprising a database of topics for selection by users for online chat or debate in real... Agent: Vesna N. Rafaty C/o Rafaty Law Group, PLLC

20090318210 - Poker game playing method: The present invention provides a poker game playing method wherein multiple five-card hands from once previously shuffled 52-card poker deck can be played without increasing probabilities against a casino, while maintaining maximum entertainment value, and with immediate certainty of winning or losing. The method of the present invention maximizes entertainment... Agent: John J. Martinez Md. Jd.

20090318213 - Configuration for multiplier game: A process is provided. The process provides, with a ticket printer, a plurality of lottery tickets such that each lottery ticket indicates a first lottery game and a second lottery game. The process also provides a first lottery game match prize category in the first lottery game such that a... Agent: Patent Ingenuity, PC

20090318212 - Lottery game multiplier: A process provides a lottery game. The process provides a prize category in the lottery game such that a player having a winning lottery ticket wins a prize associated with the prize category. In addition, the process provides a first multiplier category and a second multiplier category such that: (i)... Agent: Patent Ingenuity, PC

20090318211 - Lottery system and method using a settlement data: Provided are a lottery system and method based on the sequence number of payment. The system and method discount a payment amount of a prize winner by an amount that is computed by aggregating certain rates of sales of non-winners by means of giving a sequence number of amount payment... Agent: Wolf Greenfield & Sacks, P.C.

20090318216 - Game system, server, gaming machine: A new gaming environment is provided. When a start button is pressed or a payout process is executed, difference value information is sent to a server. When the server receives the difference value information, it is determined whether or not the winning probability of bonus is changed in the gaming... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090318217 - Gaming device with durational game elements: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device with durational game elements. The durational game elements can change default settings in the game environment of the gaming device for a specified duration. The duration can be based on a period of time, a number of wins or... Agent: Marger Johnson & Mccollom, P.C.

20090318215 - Gaming device with unlockable features: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a gaming device with unlockable features. The unlockable features can change default settings in the game environment of the gaming device and provide game mode changes, vanity features, and external features to the player. The unlockable game environment features can be different... Agent: Marger Johnson & Mccollom, P.C.

20090318214 - Singular wagering apparatus for gaming device: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to single button wagering on a gaming device. A one-touch button on the gaming device is used both to place a wager and to initiate a gaming session. The wager can be a pre-set amount or an amount that is determined based the... Agent: Marger Johnson & Mccollom, P.C.

20090318218 - Wagering game with bonus game having enhanced player-selection features: A system and method for conducting a wagering game includes a feature having a plurality of selectable elements associated with respective outcomes. The feature further includes a path having a plurality of spaces. The plurality of spaces is associated with respective special rules. Each respective special rule is capable of... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090318219 - Systems and methods for peer-to-peer gaming: A system and method for peer-to-peer gaming is described. One embodiment includes a system for peer-to-peer gaming, the system comprising an at least one gaming client, wherein the at least one gaming client is configured to accept a selection of an at least one gaming option from a player, and... Agent: Cooley Godward Kronish LLP Attn: Patent Group

20090318220 - Devices, systems, and methods for accessing a line of credit associated with a player wagering account: A method of dynamically adjusting a player's line of credit associated with a wagering activity includes the acts of establishing a line of credit for a player and monitoring at least one factor associated with a player's wagering activity. The method further includes the acts of calculating a credit factor... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090318221 - Secure transfer of online privileges including non-financial options: A method of transferring online privileges, comprising: receiving a request for a payment including one or more non-financial items; debiting the one or more non-financial items from a second account; and crediting the one or more non-financial items to a first account, wherein the first account and the second account... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20090318222 - Gaming machine allowing player to select dealer and control method thereof: A gaming machine of the present invention displays a dealer image selected from a plurality of types of dealer images to a display, and offers a profit (e.g. a game support advantageous for the player) in accordance with the dealer image to a station where an additional BET has been... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090318223 - Arrangement for audio or video enhancement during video game sequences: An arrangement is provided which enhances video or audio effects, or both, in response to a notable event that occurs in video game to make the game experience for players more dramatic. Data about action events occurring in the video game may be used to determine if an action event... Agent: Microsoft Corporation

20090318224 - Entertainment device and method: An entertainment device comprises a display generator arranged to generate for display a representation of an on-line virtual environment corresponding to a first instance of a plurality of substantially similar on-line virtual environments and to generate for display within the representation of the on-line virtual environment an avatar controlled by... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

20090318225 - Music production apparatus and method of producing music by combining plural music elements: A music production apparatus includes a melody data storage operative to store music data for a plurality of melody elements forming music, a condition storage operative to store a condition for combining melody elements and a condition related to an attribute applicable when playing the melody element, an element selector... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

20090318227 - Game controller case and sound output control method: A game controller case includes a holding section and a contact section that are formed integrally, the holding section removably holding a game controller that includes an acceleration sensor and a communication section that transmits an acceleration detected by the acceleration sensor to a game device main body. A player... Agent: Oliff & Berridge, PLC

20090318226 - Method and system for utilizing a gaming instrument controller: Methods and systems for utilizing a gaming instrument controller are described. In one embodiment, a musical interaction recording of a song may be accessed. The musical interaction recording may include a backing audible portion of the song and a user reproduction indication associated with the song. The user reproduction indication... Agent: Clise, Billion & Cyr

20090318228 - Apparatus and method of interaction with a data processor: A method of interaction with a data processor such as a games machine comprises the steps of capturing a wide angle image of an environment, obtaining image features from the wide angle image, and then interpreting these image features as inputs to software running on the games machine. The step... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

20090318229 - Capacitive touchpad and toy incorporating the same: Capacitive touchpad assemblies, toys including capacitive touchpad assemblies and integral card readers, and methods for detecting contact with a capacitive touch surface are provided. A capacitive touch surface may have a capacity that varies depending on whether it is being contacted by an object such as a human finger. A... Agent: Charles H. Devoe Kolisch Hartwell, P.C.

20090318230 - Game system, server, gaming machine: A new gaming environment is provided. When the start button of a gaming machine is pressed, start information is sent to a server. When the server receives the start information, it is determined whether or not the winning probability of bonus is changed in the gaming machine which sends the... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090318235 - Game system, game terminal therefor, and server device therefor: The present invention provides a game system 100, a game terminal 10, and a server device 40. Game system 100 allows players to play a game in a unit of a group constituting one game terminal 10 that has been selected as a parent node and game terminals 10 that... Agent: Winston & Strawn LLP Patent Department

20090318233 - Game system, server, gaming machine: A new gaming environment is provided. A server obtains a payout rate from each of gaming machines, determines winning probability of bonus in each of the gaming machines based on the obtained payout rate, and sends the determined winning probability of bonus to each gaming machine. Also, a gaming machine... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090318236 - Gaming system: A gaming system is disclosed which includes a plurality of gaming devices, each gaming device being arranged to implement a game. The gaming system includes a communications network arranged to connect the gaming devices in networked relationship, and a parameter repository arranged to store gaming device parameters. The gaming system... Agent: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

20090318232 - Method and system for controlling load in a communication network: The invention discloses a method and system for controlling load in a communication network having one or more communication devices. The method includes monitoring at least one communication resource parameters in the communication network. Further, the method includes changing difficulty level within a gaming application when one of the at... Agent: Motorola, Inc.

20090318231 - Method and system for networked bingo: Methods and systems for facilitating networked bingo matches are presented. Bingo cards may be generated by distributing symbols from a set of symbols into grid positions on each card. One or more patterns of marked positions on a bingo card may be pre-defined. An example embodiment includes the ability for... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20090318234 - Method of conducting a trade of virtual items in a virtual world: Conducting a trade of virtual items between a first virtual character and a second virtual character in a virtual environment is provided. Displaying a trade icon within the virtual environment such that a first user controlling the first virtual character can interact with the trade icon to initiate the trade.... Agent: Pearne & Gordon LLP

20090318237 - Methodology of co-interference reduction through cable separation and shielding within a gaming machine: According to one aspect of the present invention, a gaming machine for conducting a wagering game comprises a gaming cabinet having a first member and a second member. The first member is located physically separate from the second member. The gaming machine further comprises a plurality of high-voltage wires generally... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090312080 - Automatic transformation of inventory items in a virtual universe: An approach that automatically transforms an inventory item of an avatar that is online in a virtual universe without requiring manual changes is described. In one embodiment, there is an avatar locator component configured to locate an avatar that is online in the virtual universe. An inventory item transforming component... Agent: Hoffman Warnick LLC

20090312081 - Entertainment system and method of operation thereof: An entertainment system (1) comprises a gaming server (2), a player station (3) operable by a player to display a simulation of a multi-stage accumulator game having a boxing theme, and a communication network (4) providing communication between the gaming server (2) and the player station (3). The gaming server... Agent: Mcdonnell Boehnen Hulbert & Berghoff LLP

20090312082 - Bingo game apparatus with variable payout capability: A Bingo game apparatus with variable payout capability has a server apparatus, a random number generator and multiple player terminals. The server apparatus runs a Bingo game program with variable payout capability. The Bingo game program with variable payout capability comprises acts of: setting up and buying Bingo cards, accumulating... Agent: Patenttm.us

20090312084 - Gaming machine, playing method and gaming system which change plural games which are different in the amount of maximum bet: The gaming machine includes: a plurality of gaming terminals each having an input device through which an input from outside is inputted; a payout memory which stores a payout rate of each of the base games, for a predetermined winning; and a bonus payout memory which accumulatively stores a part... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.

20090312087 - Gaming system and method of gaming: A game controller of a gaming device comprises a sequence module arranged to implement a plurality of draws in a game. A matching module is provided for matching a set of drawn symbols against a set of selected symbols for each of the plurality of draws such that each drawn... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090312088 - Gaming system and method of gaming: A method of gaming comprises matching drawn symbols in a drawn symbol set against individual symbol elements of a symbol string, according to a match rule. An award is determined dependent on the number of confirmed matches.... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090312086 - Gaming system having dynamic symbol generation: A method of playing a wagering game comprises displaying on at least one display a first plurality of symbols located in an evaluation location, and repeatedly generating a plurality of replacement symbols at a symbol generation point on the at least one display. The method further comprises causing the plurality... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090312083 - Push-button with integrated or adjacent moveable outcome indicator: A push-button assembly for a gaming terminal implementing a wagering game is provided. The push-button assembly has a push-button actuated by a touch from a player of the wagering game. An outcome indicator indicates a randomly selected outcome in response to the push-button being actuated.... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090312089 - Slot machine and playing method thereof: A slot machine according to the present invention stores in a memory, BET information including the number of BETs placed in a previous game. In a next game, the slot machine accepts input operation made to an input device and in accordance with the input operation from the input device,... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.

20090312085 - Slot machine systems, methods, and apparatus: Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine eye-strain reduction are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for slot machine back lighting are further provided. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for a slot machine back lighting effect are also disclosed. Systems, methods and/or apparatus for reel line lights are disclosed. Systems, methods and/or... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090312091 - Gaming machine having a plurality of terminals and playing method thereof: A gaming machine of the present invention is configured to include: terminal devices each of which executes a base game with a game value being bet and awards a prize according to a predetermined winning; routes each formed by continuously disposing route light emitters from a corresponding terminal device out... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20090312092 - Gaming method, gaming system and game controller: A gaming method comprising the steps of: nominating using a player's communication device a set of items; providing set data defining the set of items to a game controller via a communication network; selecting by the game controller a subset of a given subset size based on the set data... Agent: Hanley, Flight & Zimmerman, LLC

20090312093 - Method and apparatus for authenticating data relating to usage of a gaming device: Methods and apparatus for managing and authenticating usage of features of gaming devices is presented. The methods include tracking and/or accumulating usage data relating to gaming device features, determining an authentication code based on the usage data, outputting the authentication code to an operator for transmission to an interested party,... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20090312090 - Online banking through a gaming console: Online banking using a gaming console may provide added security due to the hardened nature of gaming consoles. Additionally, console specific credentials may be used to verify that a user or console is authorized to access a requested financial account. The console specific credentials may be hardcoded in one or... Agent: Banner & Witcoff, Ltd Attorneys For Client Number 007131

20090312094 - Methods and apparatus for secured transaction logging: Methods and apparatus for secured transaction logging are disclosed. A transaction log file containing information on print jobs such as voucher and coupon printing may be created and securely stored in a printer and/or routing device, printed by the printer and/or securely uploaded to a host system for verification and... Agent: Weaver Austin Villeneuve & Sampson LLP - Igt Attn: Igt

20090312095 - Wagering game with simulated mechanical reels: A gaming machine for playing a wagering game includes a housing having a display region, a curved transparent layer located in the display region, and a video display. The video display is located behind the transparent layer for projecting moving images onto the transparent layer. The images including a plurality... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090312097 - Game machine, game machine control method, and information storage medium: To provide a game machine capable of reducing a sense of discomfort which the user feels due to unmatched image display timing and image-related sound output timing. An image reproduction unit (highlight scene image reproduction control unit (72)) reproduces an image. An image-related sound reproduction unit (comment sound reproduction control... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20090312098 - Handheld game console: A game console includes a console main body and at least one game controlling device for inputting commands to the console main body. The at least one game controlling device is configured for selectively operating in an assembled mode where the at least one game controlling device is mechanically and... Agent: PCe Industry, Inc. Att. Steven Reiss

20090312096 - Personalizing entertainment experiences based on user profiles: A method and wireless device (102) dynamically adapt a physical entertainment experience for a user of an entertainment system. At least one communication device (106) associated with an entertainment device (120) is situated in close proximity to the entertainment device (120). At least one user profile (114) is wirelessly transmitted... Agent: Fleit, Gibbons, Gutman, Bongini & Bianco P.l.

20090312099 - Video game including effects for providing different first person experiences of the same video game world and a storage medium storing software for the video game: In a video game, various effects are used to convey the experience of a game world of different kinds of game characters and game objects. For example, if a game character is a dog, a visual effect may be used to convey a dog's red-green color blindness. If a game... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090312100 - Face simulation in networking: A system allows you to do things on the internet in a way you might do them in the real world. This system allows modifying your look on the internet, but only by an amount that changes your look like you could change it in the real world, e.g, with... Agent: Scott C Harris

20090312101 - Controller lighting activation by proximity and motion: Mechanisms for controlling lighting activation by taking into account proximity and motion data are disclosed. Controllers can have cosmetic and/or functional lighting that can be controlled by proximity detectors and/or motion detectors, and such lighting can vary in color, intensity, and/or pattern. Proximity detectors can use capacitance, lighting, and/or sound... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090312102 - Strum processing for music video game on handheld device: A handheld video game system provides a music video game including a guitar simulation. Operation of the handheld video game system is designed to simulate, to a certain extent, the playing of a real guitar. The handheld video game system typically includes a touch sensitive screen, whereby certain actuation and... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20090312103 - Interactive live sports game watching system and game watching device therefor: An interactive live sports game watching system includes a game web server internally built a plurality of game-related web pages showing user-accessible game information, and at least one remote game watching device linked with the game web server for receiving live sports games telecasting and entering the game-related pages to... Agent: Muncy, Geissler, Olds & Lowe, PLLC

20090312105 - Method and system for encoded information processing: Methods and system for encoded information processing are described. In one embodiment, an encoded pattern may be optically detected from source media. Gaming data and associated synchronization data may be decoded from the encoded pattern. The gaming data may be synchronized for use during gaming based on the synchronization data.... Agent: Polsinelli Shughart PC

20090312104 - Method and system for self-service manufacture and sale of customized virtual goods: A computer program product is provided. The computer program product includes a computer useable medium having a computer readable program. The computer readable program when executed on a computer causes the computer to receive first customization request data and second customization request data for a virtual object to be purchased... Agent: Patent Ingenuity, PC

20090312106 - Computer-readable storage medium and game apparatus: When a music performance game starts, the user selects a part to be assigned to himself/herself. When the selection of the assigned part is completed, an ensemble starts. When the ensemble starts, the user can participate in the ensemble by performing an input operation corresponding to the assigned part. During... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090305756 - Generating custom creatures: A computer-implemented method of growing and incubating custom creatures in a computer game, including: obtaining genetic properties; combining the genetic properties in combinations of attributes, skills, and appearances; incubating a creature with role-specific properties using the combined genetic properties; and displaying an egg object of the incubated creature on a... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20090305757 - Game device, game device control method, and information storage medium: A game device executes a sport game. When a second team keeps the moving object, a first control unit controls the position of a player character belonging to a first team, based on both of either the position of a player character keeping the moving object or the position of... Agent: Sughrue Mion, PLLC

20090305758 - Game apparatus and program: The player can switch the operation object, which is usually the normal character, to a non-player character that can be the temporary character in the battle by switching operation. With such switching operation, the player performs the battle with the enemy character using the temporary character as the operation object.... Agent: Greenblum & Bernstein, P.L.C

20090305759 - Game apparatus, game data delivery system and storage medium: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes game processing of a virtual game. The game program and the game data are read from an optical disk into a main memory of the game apparatus. During execution of the game processing, a single-search hitting count obtained in a... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090305760 - Portable electronic game machine: Disclosed is a portable electronic game machine comprising: a chassis which can be in a basic configuration where each of a front plane, left plane, right plane, flat plane, bottom plane and rear plane is composed of a same number of blocks in vertical and horizontal directions and the chassis... Agent: Staas & Halsey LLP

20090305761 - Blackjack game for electronic gaming devices: A method of playing a wagering blackjack-type card game on an electronic device wherein the object of the game is to play and win or at least tie both of two player hands against a single dealer hand. Preferably four cards are dealt to each player who has placed a... Agent: Precedent Gaming, Inc.

20090305762 - Bingo game apparatus with variable payout capability: A Bingo game apparatus with variable payout capability has a server apparatus and multiple player terminals. The server apparatus runs a Bingo game program with variable payout capability. The Bingo game program with variable payout capability has acts of: accepting to be selected pay rules, accepting to be bought Bingo... Agent: Hershkovitz & Associates, LLC

20090305771 - Gaming device having a primary game scheme involving a symbol generator and secondary award wheels: A gaming device with a primary game scheme including one or more symbol generators and a plurality of wheels where each wheel is associated with a different one of the symbol generators. When one or more of the symbol generators generates at least one predetermined symbol, the gaming device activates... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090305769 - Gaming machine and method with award-enhancing symbols: A gaming machine comprising a game controller that enhances a prize won from a game outcome when a first special symbol occurs in the game outcome. The appearance of the first special symbol in the game outcome causes the game controller to further enhance the game prize if a second... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090305763 - Gaming machine having a plurality of terminals and playing method thereof: A gaming machine includes: a plurality of gaming terminals, a shared display, and a plurality of routs. Each of the gaming terminals has first light emitting portions which provide an effect to a game. Further, each of the gaming terminal runs a base game and a special game configured to... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20090305764 - Gaming machine having a plurality of terminals and playing method thereof: A gaming machine of the present invention includes: a plurality of gaming terminals each of which has a first light emitting portion, and which runs a base game and a special game configured to award a special payout; and a shared display. When the special game is run, an emission... Agent: Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton LLP

20090305768 - Gaming machine with a hold symbol function: A gaming machine and associated method. Symbols are selected and presented on a display in a first random selection process. Each symbol is selected independently of each other symbol and the plurality of symbols are separated into at least three distinct groups of symbols, each group containing at least two... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090305767 - Mechanical-based control of video reels in a game machine: In some example embodiments, a method includes executing a wagering game that generates instructions for control of a number of mechanical reels. The method also includes converting the instructions for controlling the number of mechanical reels into identifiers of video sequences stored in machine-readable media. The video sequences comprising a... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner/wms Gaming

20090305770 - Player information delivery: A console is described, having display means, and game control means arranged to control images displayed on the display means, the game control means being arranged to play a game in which one or more symbols are randomly selected as a combination of symbols and displayed on the display means.... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090305765 - Providing and redeeming partial wagering game outcomes: Described are methods, computer readable media and systems related to wagering games, and in particular those that concern providing and redeeming partial game outcomes. A method according to an embodiment includes receiving a completion request from a player who is operating a gaming device to complete at least one partial... Agent: Walker Digital Management, LLC

20090305766 - System and method for gaming: A method of gaming comprises providing a jackpot game in addition to a main game, the jackpot game being displayed independently of the main game. Play of the jackpot game affects at least one of the awarding of a jackpot prize and value of a jackpot prize pool from which... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090305772 - Game-based apparatus, system, and method for lifestyle goal achievement: An apparatus, system, and method are disclosed in which players achieve various lifestyle goals through interactive game-playing. A plurality of game elements is provided, wherein information regarding an activity in pursuit of a lifestyle improvement goal is displayed on a surface of each game element. A game framework is provided,... Agent: Kunzler & Mckenzie

20090305773 - Gaming device multilateration location: Apparatus, systems, and methods may operate to enable determining the location of a wagering game machine in relation to a plurality of transmission or reception apparatus using a multilateration process. In some embodiments, the orientation of the machine may also be determined.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner/wms Gaming

20090305775 - Gaming machine and game play method: In a game conducted in this invention, a player makes bets with respect to numbers which will appear on 3 dice. If the player wins the bet, he/she can earn a payout in accordance with the bet. Once the player makes a bet with respect to the numbers which will... Agent: Ndq&m Watchstone LLP

20090305776 - Portal for wagering games: Apparatus, systems, architectures, and methods provide instrumentality to control adjustment of a feature of a wagering game and/or a feature of another wagering game to match a fixed parameter of the combination of the wagering games correlated to a relationship between a parameter of each of the wagering games.... Agent: Schwegman, Lundberg & Woessner/wms Gaming

20090305774 - User created content and quests: A computer-implemented method of providing an environment for a crafting player to craft a role-playing content and/or quests in a computer game, the method including: obtaining tokens that represent in-game assets; placing the tokens to craft the role-playing content and/or quests; inviting other players to participate in the role-playing content... Agent: Procopio, Cory, Hargreaves & Savitch LLP

20090305777 - Progressive wagering game with funding distribution feature: The present invention is a method and a gaming system for operating a progressive game that is accessible at a plurality of gaming machines. The progressive game has a plurality of progressive jackpots. The method and system involve collecting wager-input data at the plurality of gaming machines that corresponds to... Agent: Nixon Peabody LLP

20090305778 - Installed game software sharing via peer-to-peer network: Updating a run-time version of a game stored on a first location includes causing a first swarm member to store an first version, with first game pieces, on the first location; maintaining a second game version with second pieces, some of which are missing from the first pieces; receiving, from... Agent: Occhiuti Rohlicek & Tsao, LLP

20090305781 - Gaming console with transparent sprites: The present invention provides a gaming console 40 having display means 41, and game control means 100 arranged to control images displayed on the display means 41. The game control means 100 are arranged to play a game wherein a plurality of symbols 43 are randomly selected and displayed on... Agent: Mcandrews Held & Malloy, Ltd

20090305779 - Gaming system having a dice-based game with a plurality of wager areas: A gaming system and method involving a dice game. The gaming system displays a plurality of wager areas. Each wager area is associated with a wager area value. The gaming system indicates a plurality of different reward ratios associated with the wager areas. One or more of the wager areas... Agent: K&l Gates LLP

20090305780 - Gaming system obtaining time-of-day data from a plurality of terminals and providing games matching customer preferences at respective times-of-day: A gaming system 10, composed of a server 11 and a plurality of gaming terminals 13, submits selection information including a game type to be executed in a gaming terminal 13 and a picture type, selected by a player in the gaming terminal 13, and operational information indicating operational status... Agent: Oblon, Spivak, Mcclelland Maier & Neustadt, L.L.P.

20090305782 - Double render processing for handheld video game device: Methods and systems for alternating rendering of information of a common display for a video game are provided by identifying certain data relating to a scene as belonging to a first layer and identifying other certain data relating to a scene as belonging to a second layer. Rendered information of... Agent: Christie, Parker & Hale, LLP

20090305783 - Game console: An example portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a first display screen, and a cover body incorporating a second display screen. The main body is hingedly connected to the cover body along adjacent forward and rearward edges, respectively, such that the cover body is movable between closed... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.

20090305784 - Multi-player audio game playable on internet: An audio game system and method playable with a website server having an online connection on a network such as the Internet to a plurality of computers for respective participants employs a website enabled to receive from each participant's computer a music file entry selected in response to a game... Agent: Leighton K. Chong Patent Attorney

20090305785 - Gesture controlled game screen navigation: A game controller, such as a microphone controller, incorporates motion sensors that are configured to detect gestures performed by a user of the game controller. The gestures can be used to navigate and perform actions in a graphic user interface that a game console employs to provide a consistent user... Agent: Woodcock Washburn LLP (microsoft Corporation)

20090305786 - Infrared light bar and game device using same: An exemplary infrared light bar includes at least one light source for emitting infrared light, an elongated infrared light guide member, and a reflecting layer. The infrared light guide member includes at least one light incident surface for receiving the infrared light and a longitudinal side surface consisting of a... Agent: PCe Industry, Inc. Att. Steven Reiss

20090305787 - Game control program, game control method, and game device: A highly amusing game apparatus is achieved. A game apparatus controls a game where a character operated by a user and an opponent character play ball to compete against each other by hitting a ball. When the user instructs the hitting of the ball by pressing a button of a... Agent: Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP

20090305790 - Methods and apparatuses of game appliance execution and rendering service: The present invention presents methods and apparatuses of game appliance execution and rendering service wherein a game appliance system can start a game appliance for a client system and said client system can send input to the game appliance system via a network to control game play of the game... Agent: Yang Lu

20090305789 - Mobile phone game interface: Systems, apparatus and methods for enabling a mobile station to control a virtual world being executed on a console system are described. The method can include establishing a communication link between the mobile station and a console system, identifying user interface characteristics of the mobile station, and providing a game... Agent: Townsend And Townsend And Crew, LLP

20090305788 - Modifying electronic games based on previous game play: Techniques are disclosed herein for hosting an electronic game over a network during a first scheduled time slot and then, during a later timeslot, hosting a rerun of the game in a way that provides a fresh user experience. The rerun is not simply a replaying of the game, but... Agent: Vierra Magen/microsoft Corporation

20090305791 - Game machine: Comprising a means for reading data from a first recording medium mounted on a mounting unit of the game machine by a first player, reading data from a second recording medium mounted by a second player, and determining them both to be a team when a recording medium-specific ID other... Agent: Wenderoth, Lind & Ponack, L.L.P.

20090305792 - Game console and memory card: An example portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a first display screen, and a cover body incorporating a second display screen. The main body is hingedly connected to the cover body along adjacent forward and rearward edges, respectively, such that the cover body is movable between closed... Agent: Nixon & Vanderhye, P.C.