Abstract: An electronic accessory for a game machine, adapted to be externally loaded to the game machine into a corresponding connector formed in the game machine body, that includes a housing having slits in a wall thereof for dissipating heat generated by the electronic components of the accessory. To facilitate dissipation of heat within the housing and to the exterior through the slits, a heat radiation frame or assembly is disposed within the housing and includes at least a first heat radiation part disposed between the electronic components and the housing wall. The heat radiation framework of the preferred embodiment is made from a metal material and is generally L-shaped or T-shaped, including a second heat radiation section or part extending generally perpendicular to the first heat radiation part.

Abstract: The process for mounting an integrated circuit (11) on a support (10) comprising a structure (13) of conductors (14) comprises connecting the conductors to respective terminals (12) of the integrated circuit without interposing a part of the support for insulating the conductors of the integrated circuit as in the standard TAB technology. The connection can be made directly by thermocompression or ultrasound, or indirectly through ball bonds. It is only after the connection that the insulation between the conductors and the integrated circuit is applied. The insulating substrate of the TAB support (10) can be attached to the conductors outside the integrated circuit, before or after the connection of the conductors.

Abstract: A lock washer (24) presses balls (21) and pins (23) against a clutch cam (18) with protrusions (19) formed on its front face. A rear end (25a) of a spring holder (25) abuts on the inner edge of the front face of the lock washer (24) while the half of the front end surface of each pin (23) abuts on the rear face of the outer edge of the lock washer (24). Furthermore, the compression spring (26) also abuts on the lock washer (24) with its outer edge approximately aligned with the outer edge of the lock washer (24). Therefore, if a large load is instantaneously applied to a spindle (11) at the end of screw tightening, the outer edge of the lock washer (24) deforms forward. This in turn causes the balls (21) to ride over the protrusions (19) of the clutch face, thus allowing a slight rotation of the internal gear (10c). This clutch operation lessens the impact that occurs at the end of screw tightening, serving to protect the tool mechanism and to reduce the shock to the operator's hand.

Abstract: By enabling exchange of information relating to players, apart from game data, “communication” between the players is increased, and the sense of rivalry and level of interest generated by a game are raised. The communication game system 1 forms a network comprising a plurality of game devices 2a-2d connected mutually by communication media 3. The plurality of game devices 2a-2d respectively comprise a communications system 31 for receiving data transferred over the network and transferring the received data and data generated by the home game device onto the network, and a host system 32 for accessing the received data. By this means, data comprising a game packet, sound packet and video packet can be transmitted by conducting broadcast communications based on the communications system 31 and host system 32 between the plurality of game devices 2a-2d.

Abstract: A player tracking system and method are set forth for tracking the play of a customer playing wagering games at any one of a plurality of gaming venues. The system and method includes a local database for each venue and a central database. In response to reading a player tracking card the player's file at the local database is placed into an open condition to receive updated gaming information. When the player terminates their gaming session, gaming activity data is sent to the player's file at the local database and as network data to the central database as well as other venue local databases to maintain a current record of gaming information throughout the system for the purposes of tracking wagering activity and providing promotions to the player based, at least in part, on that wagering activity.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises a spinning reel display showing a plurality of symbols on each of a plurality of rotatable reels. The reels are rotated and stopped to place the symbols of each reel in visual association with a pay line. A winning combination of displayed symbols triggers a payoff. The distribution of payoff values and probabilities results in a high volatility index, so that the distribution is similar to a state-run lottery.

Abstract: An optical sensor net system for measuring the relational dynamic information of a spheroidal projectile. A support frame for the system may include light emitters that generate divergent non-parallel rays of light. The non-parallel rays of light emitted may be directed to and received by a plurality of light detectors substantially arranged within a single plane. The intersecting non-parallel rays of light may form an asymmetrical optical sensor net that may also capture both golf ball and golf club information as they pass through. The light detectors that receive the rays of light may be spaced apart at preselected locations and distances less than the diameter of a spheroidal object such as a golf ball.

Abstract: A video game complete with player wagering includes a processor and a display controlled by the processor. Said display is a game board in the form of a pyramid having an apex, a base and a plurality of pins displayed on the game board. Also displayed at the base is a plurality of locations each defining an outcome for the game. During play, a character is displayed falling from the apex to the base being directed by contact with the pins. The game payout is dependent upon the base location ultimately occupied by the character. In a preferred embodiment the pins can be programmed as stop pins, lateral shift pins or bonus pins. Upon contact with the character the stop pin will end the game with no payout, the lateral shift pin will move the character to the left or right and the bonus pin will cause a bonus payout.

Abstract: An improved mechanical linkage may be used in devices such as a non-powered PC gaming steering wheel controller. In one embodiment, the linkage is part of a steering wheel assembly. The assembly provides a steering wheel shaft having a flange extending radially from the shaft. A first coil spring and a second coil spring are attached to the flange to return the flange and the steering wheel shaft to a neutral position. The coil springs typically are mounted between a base of the steering wheel assembly and the flange portion of the shaft. The flange is sized to facilitate rotation of the steering wheel shaft without causing the coil springs to bend about the shaft. The coil spring preferably has an elongate portion that is offset from the centerline of the coil spring. This offset distance preferably allows the shaft to rotate to at least 120° in the clockwise or counterclockwise direction from its neutral position without causing the elongate portion of the spring to bend.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game machine and a memory medium. The game machine is connected with a controller to be operated by a player and a display device for displaying game images. The memory medium generates player object image data and influencing object image data, as well as generates message data. The message data is a message to teach the player how to operate the controller. A player object and an influencing object are displayed on the display device. Also, the display device displays a message of how to operate the controller.

Abstract: A game machine for providing a game, the regularity of which cannot be easily recognized be the player, by making use of a chaotic random number produced by a random number generating means.

Abstract: A computer game simulates the playing of an athletic game such as a baseball game to its conclusion. In particular, the game simulates the sequential game play events and determines the outcomes of the events in accordance with historical or simulated data representative of the game playing characteristics of each team member under selected circumstances. The progress of the game is tracked in accordance with the outcomes through completion of the events to determine the winner of the athletic game and the score thereof.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM is previously memorized with player object data, basic shadow object data and light object data. A direction in which a shadow is thrown is determined according to the player object data and the light object data, to thereby determine a length of each leg of the player object. Based on the length of the leg and the height of the light, a length of the shadow is determined. Based on the height of each leg, a depth of the shadow is determined. A shape of a displaying shadow object is determined from a state of a ground object to which the shadow is thrown.

Abstract: During a game, options to be responded by a player character are offered to a player. Personality point values in consideration of human personalities are assigned to the options, respectively. The personality point value corresponding to a response made by the player to every offer of the options is accumulated so as to obtain an accumulated personality point value for each of the human personalities. A personality of the player is classified based on the accumulated personality point values for the respective human personalities. The speech contents of a counterpart character, the fighting contents with the counterpart character or the behavioral environments of the player character are changed depending on the classified personality of the player.

Abstract: During a game, options are offered to a player per scene. Point values are assigned to the options for updating favorable impression point values each representing a player's degree of favorable impression toward corresponding one of counterpart characters subjected to personality compatibility analysis. Every time the player chooses one of the options, the corresponding favorable impression point value is updated by the assigned point value. In response to a given command input from the player, one of the counterpart characters having the highest favorable impression point value is selected and offered to the player.

Abstract: Provided is an audio or image processing system capable of realizing virtual cooking such that a child may comprehensively enjoy and learn cooking in general while following the cooking steps. The audio or image processing system to be used for playing a game of virtual cooking comprises a plurality of input devices for respectively conducting different forms of virtual cooking, and an audio or image processing device for performing audio or image processing corresponding to the respective input devices based on data input therefrom and outputting the result thereof to an output playback device.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes an external ROM. This external ROM has a sound memory area memorized with sound sequence data. The sound sequence data includes a plurality of block sequences for each of three status of “move”, “fight” and “stop” of a player object. A CPU detects a status of the player object according to a mode flag, and read to a RAM a block sequence in compliance with the status detected. It is possible to output a series of game melodies in a manner matched to the status of the player object by the repetition of using the plurality of block sequences.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for performing timed basketball drills includes one or more ball return units, a basketball goal assembly, a timer/counter, and one or more remote transmitters. The timer/counter senses, processes, stores, and displays the number of balls thrown at and returned from the one or more ball return untis and/or the number of successful shots to the basketball goal assembly. The remote transmitter provides an encoded signal to the timer/counter from either the one or more ball return units or the basketball goal assembly.

Abstract: A coinless video game system includes a plurality of electronic video game terminals, a game server corresponding to each player terminal, and a central control network for administering and controlling games and player accounts. A player initially establishes a player account in the central control network and receives a player I.D. card bearing the player's account number and other relevant information. Players use these I.D. cards to establish sessions at a player terminal. The server provides a random number to each player terminal at predefined intervals to determine wins and loses for each game selected by a player. Waged amounts are then debited or credited to a player's account in the central control network. Players may redeem any account balance from a cashier associated with the central control network. Additionally the central controller keeps track of all player activity information.

Abstract: A scalable hub divided into a plurality of internal hubs. Each internal hub is connected to a subsequent internal hub in a loop topology. The connection point for each internal hub to the interhub loop is a port which either bypasses that internal hub, isolating the disconnected internal hub, or connects that internal hub to the interhub loop, such that data flows between that internal hub and the interhub loop. In addition the preferred embodiment provides graceful degradation when an internal hub connected to the interhub loop fails.