In one or more implementations, a system and method are provide that include an interactive gaming environment for providing a scene having a size and scale and in coordination with a figurine. Position sensors are arranged relative to the gaming environment, and circuitry that is configured to interrogate passive sensors are provided with the figurine. A processor that is configured to process information from the sensors computes at least a position and orientation of the figurine. A rendering module renders a virtual representation of the gaming environment, in accordance with the processed information from the sensors. The passive sensors can be provided inside the figurine. The passive sensors can include radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags.

Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.

An automatic counting device (10) for playing cards comprising a body (12) defined by a box-like element internally to which the playing cards to be scored pass through, a compartment or hopper (14) for accommodating the playing cards to be scored organized into a pack (22), a further compartment (16) for receiving and accumulating the scored cards, also organized into a further pack (22), dragging and moving means for dragging and moving the cards from the compartment or hopper (14) to the further compartment (16), and means suitable for identifying the values of the cards in order to process their score, a user interface (18), and connection means (20), if any, for connecting to peripherals or storage systems; the device also being characterized in that it comprises a central unit (30) suitable for receiving the data detected by the means suitable for identifying the values of the cards and for processing them.

A smart puzzle cube having prompting and recording functions includes at least four cubes (101), a central sphere body (4), and at least one conductive connector (8). The cubes (101) and the central sphere body (4) are securely connected by the conductive connector (8) via a mechanical connection, the cubes (101) are structurally connected to each other and rotatable, and puzzle cube layers formed by the cubes (101) rotate in both directions without limit. The conductive connector (8) includes a rotation detection module (10) that detects rotation directions and angles of the puzzle cube layers.

A trampoline game has a trampoline with a trampoline frame and a trampoline bed. The trampoline bed is connected to the trampoline frame by a plurality of springs. A gun has an infrared emitter emitting an infrared signal. A target has one or more infrared receivers capable of receiving a signal from the infrared emitter of the gun. A second gun also has an infrared emitter emitting an infrared signal, and the target is capable of receiving an infrared signal from the second gun. A bounce sensor can be used for sensing user bounces. The bounce sensor outputs data which could be sent to a microprocessor. Defined game parameters may be stored in memory programmed into a microprocessor that receives data.

An identification apparatus includes: a sensor face in which a plurality of sensor electrodes and a ground portion are provided on one and the same plane; wherein: a conductive portion or conductive portions formed in an identification object are configured so that when the identification object is placed on the sensor face, the conductive portion or the conductive portions can electrically connect a corresponding one or corresponding ones of the sensor electrodes with the ground portion; and a change of electrostatic capacitance occurring when the corresponding sensor electrode or electrodes are electrically connected with the ground portion is detected so that an ID of the identification object can be identified. Thus, it is possible to provide an identification apparatus which can be manufactured inexpensively without using expensive devices such as RFIDs and which is improved in terms of the degree of freedom for design.

Methods, systems, and devices are described herein for calibrating displacement of a platform for throwing dice in a dice gaming system. In one aspect, a method may include obtaining a configured platform displacement during a throw of one or more dice by the dice gaming system. The throw of the dice may be associated with at least one dice throw parameter. The method may also include measuring an actual platform displacement during the throw of dice by the dice gaming system, and comparing the configured platform displacement with the measured actual platform displacement to determine a displacement delta. The method may additionally include adjusting at least one dice throw parameter based on the comparison to decrease the displacement delta for future throws of the one or more dice.

A computing system of an electronic puzzle includes a memory, an electronically controlled lock, and a plurality of sensors to generate sensor data. The computing system controls the electronically controlled lock to regulate access to an inner chamber of the electronic puzzle and monitors the sensor data generated by the plurality of sensors. The computing system generates an input password based on the monitored sensor data, compares the input password to a puzzle password stored in the memory, and unlocks the electronically controlled lock to permit access to the inner chamber in response to a determination that the input password matches the puzzle password.

Pinball machines are described. A method includes detecting an event during a game played at least in part over a surface of a playfield in a pinball machine. The playfield has first and second playfield portions. In response to the event, a playfield reducer located between the first and second portions is electronically activated in a manner sufficient to prevent a pinball from traveling between the first and second playfield portions. A pinball machine includes a playfield reducer that is operable to be in and transition between first and second positions during normal gameplay. When the playfield reducer is in the first position, the pinball is capable of rolling into and out of a portion of the playfield surface, and when the playfield reducer is in the second position, the playfield reducer prevents the pinball from accessing or from leaving the portion of the playfield surface.

A gaming system comprises a player terminal, an automated dice unit (ADU), and game-logic circuitry. The ADU automatically shakes at least one die to generate a dice outcome. The game-logic circuitry receives player input from a player selecting one or more dice games, prompts the player to provide a dice control parameter affecting an aspect of a dice roll, converts the dice control parameter into a control data element compatible with the ADU, transmits ADU control data including the control data element to the ADU, causes the ADU to extract the control data element and generate a dice outcome by generating a dynamic force applied to the die based at least partially on the control data element, generates a game outcome for each of the selected dice games based on the dice outcome, and causes an electronic display device of the player terminal to present the game outcomes.