Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held portable device capable of tracking and incorporating valuable golf performance statistics to allow a player to identify weaknesses in game play. The present invention includes a hand-held device for storing and processing golf scores. The device has a logic device for processing executable commands and is in electrical communication with a memory, an input device, and an output device. The memory includes an interface module configured to generate prompts for player identification and performance data. The prompts are displayed on the output device. The performance data reflects golf scores and other areas of objective performance on the golf course. As the performance data is entered it is stored in a memory in association with a player identification. The memory further includes a statistic module configured to generate performance statistics based on the performance data.

Abstract: A cumulative point value and a comparative point value are set for the player character and the enemy character. After execution of a player character action, the cumulative point value is updated on the basis of a set point value previously correlated with the executed action. After execution of an enemy character action, the comparative point value of the enemy character is updated on the basis of a reference point value previously correlated with the enemy character having executed the action. Upon completing the update of the cumulative point value, it is compared to the comparative point value. If the cumulative point value is smaller, a manual input for the player character is received. An action is set accordingly, and the set action is executed. If the comparative point value is smaller, an action for the enemy character is set on the basis of an artificial intelligence algorithm for the enemy character and executed.

Abstract: A game system, a game data distribution machine, a game machine, and computer-usable information that make it possible to increase the efficiency of the compression and transfer of images that are otherwise difficult to compress efficiently. Distribution data that comprises image identification data 122 for determining whether or not an image is a special image is transmitted from a game data distribution machine 100 and, if the distribution data indicates that this is a request for the display of a special image, special image data 242 that has been stored previously in a storage section 240 is read out, and the special image that is provided instead of a real-time game image is displayed by an image display section 220.

Abstract: The maze game consists of a plurality of horizontal segments and a plurality of vertical segments that define a two-dimensional array of m×m squares or spaces where the size m is selectable by the user. In each potential segment location the present invention randomly locates: (1) a solid wall corresponding to a portion of the maze walls; (2) an opening creating a passage way through the maze; (3) special feature; or (4) the refuge, of which there is precisely one per maze. At the beginning of the game, the maze is invisible to all players. As the players move through the initially invisible maze, the maze walls adjacent each player's position become visible in a manner dictated by a particular vision setting selected at the beginning of the game. The goal of one player, who may be represented in the game as a cat, is to catch the other player, which may be represented in the game as a mouse, by occupying the mouse's location, i.e., by landing on the mouse.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for freeing shared resources that remain allocated to a particular resource allocating process after the resource allocating process has terminated The invention is useful in a computer system where shared hardware is accessed via a shared hardware driver layer The shared hardware driver layer interfaces with either a shared API layer or a nonshared API layer. Processes wishing to access the shared hardware access the hardware through either the shared or nonshared API layer. To release resources and destroy objects in either the shared API layer or the shared hardware driver layer, the present invention uses a helper process that cleans up after termination of the resource allocation process. The helper process first calls, cleanup function in the shared API layer to release resources and destroy objects in the shared API layer and associated hardware driver.

Abstract: A memory of a video game apparatus stores durability data and discipline degree data of weapon items and armor items possessed by a player character. When the player character makes an attack using an equipped weapon item in response to an operation inputted by a player, the durability of the corresponding weapon item is reduced. On the other hand, when the player character receives a damage greater than a preset magnitude due to an attack from an enemy character, the durability of an equipped armor item is reduced. When the durability of the weapon or armor item becomes “0”, the weapon or armor item is changed to a preset different item according to the discipline degree of the former item at that time. Instead of the discipline data, change probability may be used for determining a new item which replaces the former item.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.

Abstract: A game machine, an image processing method for use therewith, and a recording medium, which impart a tense atmosphere to a conventional linked puzzle game and dynamic changes in the screen of the game. A character which can be moved by a player is set within a screen. In a case where the character is smashed between a dropping block and a block surrounding the character, the game is terminated, thereby providing a sense of tension to the player. Further, a game screen is scrolled to the direction of which the character moves in association with movement of the character, thereby posing a dynamic change in the screen. In a case where the block that has dropped passes by a position adjacent another block of the same type, the blocks are integrated into a single block, thereby preventing further dropping of the block that has dropped. Thus, the dropping block can be stopped immediately above the character, thereby enhancing the sense of tension of the game to a much greater extent.

Abstract: A tutorial method for teaching the scoring of open-ended questions holistically includes displaying a student response to a scorer and permitting the scorer to access a rubric containing the rules for scoring that response. The scorer can choose a display form from a handwritten form and a typed text form that retains and originally present errors. Following the scorer's having entered a score, a model score is displayed so that a scoring efficacy may be determined. Annotations prepared by expert scorers may be accessed to enhance the learning process. In addition, a running correlation between the model and entered scores is calculated and displayed for the scorer over a tutorial session that includes attempts at scoring different responses. The system includes a processor, a workstation, and software for performing the above-described method.

Abstract: A system and method for performing integrated lottery ticket and merchandise transactions using a point-of-sale terminal that generates a single sales receipt containing all pertinent lottery ticket and merchandise transaction information The lottery tickets generated include fractional value and “quick-pick” lottery tickets. A group of point-of-sale terminals are connected to a POS controller which communicates with a lottery data processing system. An encrypted authentication code also printed on the sales receipt allows the lottery player to verify all lottery ticket transaction information, as needed. In at least one embodiment, a method is provided for performing a lottery ticket transaction at a point-of-sale terminal.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.

Abstract: A sports training system for monitoring and comparing a golfer's swing to a desired norm or standard at the point of impact of a golf ball, so as to thereby detect deviation (e.g., hook or slice) from such desired norm or standard. The system of this invention is capable of permitting the golfer to refine his swing by display of the relative position of the club face and ball at point of impact, club angle at impact and the club speed at impact. Thus, the golfer is able to adjust one or more of these variables at a time and detennine the likely result or effect upon the other(s).

Abstract: Electronic gaming machines, such as slot machines or video poker machines are interconnected by a computer network. The behavior of each machine is controlled by configuring selected parameters such as game speed, payback percentage, or game appearance. As the machines are played, any of the selected parameters may be changed responsive to commands issued over the network. The commands are issued in response to predetermined changes in variables such as rate of play, player status, and the time of the day, week, or month. The payback percentage may be changed by implementing a new pay table at the selected machine or machines or by implementing a bonus period during which a percentage of all money played on the selected machines accrues in a bonus pool. During the bonus period, the selected machines are eligible for bonus awards that may be random or related to jackpots paid based on the pay tables in the selected machines.

Abstract: A system and method for administering a composition problem in a language, such as English, to an examinee. The examinee is provided with textual items such as brief essays needing correction. The examinee selects a predetermined segment of the text and moves it to an editing window where the examinee may change the segment using standard word processing techniques. The segment may be deleted or modified and then replaced in the text. The examinee continues this process by selecting other predetermined text segments. When the examinee has finished selecting and editing all the segments that the examinee wishes to change, the examinee continues to the next textual item by, for example, pressing a “next” indicator. When all the textual items have been edited, scoring is performed by comparing the examinee's solutions to acceptable solutions stored in a database.

Abstract: Iridium electrodes of very small diameter such as 35 microns are formed from larger-diameter commercially available iridium wire by an electrolytic etching process. A saturated solution of sodium chloride in a preferred etching solution. The electrodes are formed with sharp conical tips which can be rounded or blunted if desired by additional etching. Platinum lead wire is welded to the electrode shank, and the electrode is coated with an insulating varnish which is ablated at the electrode tip to expose a conductive surface.

Abstract: A shooting video game machine comprising a mock gun having a trigger, a monitor which presents flying characters and characters other than flying characters to form a game playing display while causing a bullet to travel in a predetermined direction in synchronization of the pulling of the trigger, and a controller module comprising a game controller and a graphic controller. The graphic controller comprises a graphic processor, a character control block, a bullet control block, a hit determining block, and a proximity determining block. The hit determining block determines whether the bullet hits each of the characters, and the proximity determining block determines whether the bullet hits the proximity area of each flying character, when the hit determining block determines that the bullet hits none of the characters. When the hit determining block determines that the bullet hits a character, a strike display is presented.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a game unit controller for controlling a game unit in a manner that simulates the feel of a bicycle, scooter, motorcycle, all-terrain vehicle, snowmobile, jet ski, or the like. The game unit controller includes a base with a clamp coupled thereto for securing the base to a peripheral edge of a table. Also included is a pivoting unit movably coupled to the base for generating control signals upon movement thereof. A handlebar assembly is coupled to the pivoting unit for being gripped by a user and moving the pivoting unit, thereby effecting the generation of the control signals which in turn control the associated game unit.

Abstract: The game system comprises an image display device; an operation input device issuing a signal corresponding to an operation of a player; a mode select device for selecting one mode between a breeding mode in which a breeding game is prepared and a competition mode in which a competition game is prepared; a breeding game control device for controlling a progress of the breeding game, and a competition game control device.

Abstract: A training device (FIGS. 1 and 2) for a person performing a physical activity wherein the proper performance thereof is related to the proper movement by the person (10). The device comprises a movement sensor (40), a trigger event sensor (50) for sensing the occurrence of a specific physical trigger event, a processor (60), an electronic memory (70), and a protective enclosure (95). The movement sensor (40) provides movement signal values to the processor (60), which is able to store these movement signal values in the memory (70). The trigger event sensor (50) provides trigger event signal values to the processor (60), such trigger event signal values corresponding to the occurrence of the specific physical trigger event near the device (FIGS. 1 and 2). The processor (60) is able to store the trigger event signal values in the memory (70), and evaluate the trigger event signal values (FIGS. 4A-4D, and 90) to determine if the specific trigger event has occurred.

Abstract: A linked progressive gaming system and method of operation is disclosed that is capable of accepting wagers in different currencies and different denominations of the same currency and allowing players in diverse locations to play for common progressive prizes. The system periodically computes each current prize value using the data acquired from each gaming device, and displays the values at each location where participating gaming devices are located, in the currency used at each particular location. Multiple prizes may be supported simultaneously. Each gaming device may be linked to one or more prizes. Progressive prize award events may be triggered by random events associated with play based on wagers made on gaming devices or by the central system based on prize criteria exceeding a boundary limit. A Free Play apparatus is disclosed that allows non-progressive gaming devices, as well as other traditional games, to participate in progressive play.