Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, a method is provided that comprises determining a first strategy for play of a game and a second strategy for play of the game, selecting at least one final outcome of the game that cannot result from the first strategy, and increasing a payout ratio associated with the selected at least one final outcome.

Abstract: A game progress program is provided that allows a player to play an interesting secondary game while the main program and associated data are being loaded, without increasing the amount of data to be stored. While the main program and associated data are being loaded into the RAM, the background sound output controller reads the background sound data from the background sound data storage unit and outputs background sounds from the speaker, and the operation sound output controller receives player operations via the first key, second key and fourth key located on the controller, reads out from the operation sound data storage unit the operation sound data associated with each key, and outputs operation sounds from the speaker.

Abstract: A gaming device and method for playing a gaming device which provide awards for any and all symbols appearing within selected portions of a symbol matrix (“What You See Is What You Get” or “WYSIWYG”).

Abstract: A gaming device including a game having a plurality of different award levels. In one embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of ranked components. The gaming device determines and reveals a first and second component to a player. The gaming device improves one of the award levels when the rank of the first component is more favorable than the rank of the second component. In another embodiment, the gaming device displays a plurality of components and a plurality of selections, wherein one of the components is associated with each of the selections. The player picks and reveals a first component associated with one of the selections. The processor picks and reveals a second component associated with another of the selections. The processor improves the award level for the player in the game when the rank of the first component is more favorable than the rank of the second component.

Abstract: Methods of weighting odds in shared bonus events and gaming systems and devices configured for weighting odds in shared bonus events. A number of participations or entries by the same gaming machine or player entity may be obtained for a shared bonus event in association with play of a base or primary game, allowing the odds of winning the shared bonus event to be weighted.

Abstract: An electronic gambling unit for allowing a user to play a main gambling game and a bonus round game, and for dispensing value to the user at the conclusion of the bonus round game, may generally include a display unit capable of generating color images or other display mechanism capable of displaying symbols associated with the main gambling game and the bonus round game. The electronic gambling unit may further include an input device that allows the user to make a plurality of input selections, a currency-accepting mechanism capable of allowing the user to deposit a medium of currency, a value-dispensing mechanism capable of dispensing value to the user, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit, the input device, the currency-accepting mechanism, and the value-dispensing mechanism. The controller may include a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor.

Abstract: A video game apparatus, which generates, based on data obtained by a communication part via a server on a network, game data for causing a game to proceed, includes a control part converting the data obtained from the server on the network into one of a numeric value and a character code string and changing the game data based on the one of the numeric value and the character code string.

Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.

Abstract: A real-time computer vision system tracks the head of a computer user to implement real-time control of games or other applications. The imaging hardware includes a color camera, frame grabber, and processor. The software consists of the low-level image grabbing software and a tracking algorithm. The system tracks objects based on the color, motion and/or shape of the object in the image. A color matching function is used to compute three measures of the target's probable location based on the target color, shape and motion. The method then computes the most probable location of the target using a weighting technique. Once the system is running, a graphical user interface displays the live image from the color camera on the computer screen. The operator can then use the mouse to select a target for tracking. The system will then keep track of the moving target in the scene in real-time.

Abstract: A portable handheld device for collecting and displaying golf round data. The data collected for each stroke includes the location, time and club used and the resulting ball position achieved. Locations on the golf course are determined by radiolocation. Data transfers between the handheld device and external storage are by direct connection or cellular telephone or some other wireless link. Before each drive or approach shot, player performance and course distance information are used to help the player choose the correct club. Putt break prediction is provided before putting strokes. Information that a stroke has been taken and which club was used can be entered manually by the player or sensed automatically from telemetry equipped golf clubs. Golf round data collected is used to produce play souvenirs, records and analyses. Any selected stroke in a round can also be replayed on a graphical display of the handheld device.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A system or method receives digital image sets from a player of a game in which money is wagered and prizes of more than a nominal value may be won. A player may leave the digital image sets he supplied with the system and method for use in the games of other players and that player may win prizes or entries in a contest based on the use of his or her image in other player's games. An advertiser may supply digital image sets corresponding to a promotion for use in a player's game, and the player can win prizes or entries in a contest based on the digital image sets displayed in the player's game.

Abstract: In a game system 1, instruction marks corresponding to sounds constituting part of a music number are displayed on a monitor 3, and a game player plays a game by operating a signal generating device 5 by at least one of a hitting motion and a swinging motion at specified timings based on the displayed instruction marks. The game system 1 is provided with a display means for successively renewably displaying the instruction marks on a display screen of the monitor 3, a signal generator provided in the signal generating device 5 for generating a signal when the signal generating device is operated by the above motion, an evaluating means for evaluating a game result based on a generation timing of the signal, and a sound generating means for outputting at least the background sounds.

Abstract: The present invention is a method for evaluating a player's award in a game wherein one symbol of the gaming device changes into another. In one embodiment, the present invention provides all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof, including winning combinations produced by a wild symbol. In a second step, the game awards all awards for predetermined symbols and combinations thereof produced after the wild symbol has changed one or more non-wild symbols to a wild symbol. This step includes awarding the player for combinations previously awarded in the first step, which may or may not have been the result of the wild symbol.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for simultaneously indicating on each of a plurality of communication terminals, instructions transmitted by each terminal and the identity of the respective terminals that transmitted the instructions. Such a feature can be used to indicate the moves of parties playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators and player identification displays at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. In one embodiment, player identification indicators may be incorporated into a touch tone keypad located on the terminals. The keypad's touch tone keys are modified such that each key has two or more color coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player's move.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for a gaming device having a bonus game that provides a player with a primary set of reel symbols having a primary probability of winning and a secondary set of reel symbols having a secondary probability of winning, where the secondary probability of winning is greater than the primary probability of winning.

Abstract: A video game apparatus produces a image of a player character whose motion is operated by a player and a scene image which changes according to the motion of the player character, and displays the produced player character image and scene image on a display unit. The video game apparatus further produces sound effects according to the motion of the player character. The video game apparatus produces a first scene image subjectively viewed by the player character when the player character is stopped in a movable state, and a second scene image objectively viewing the motion of the player character when the player character is moved, and displays the produced one of the first and second scene images on the display unit. The video game apparatus produces different sound effects depending on which of the first and second scene images is displayed.

Abstract: A golf game employing r.f-tag coded golf balls has a playing area with r.f. antennae located underneath to enable the number of strokes taken by a player to be counted. Separate antennae are provided for the tee area and hole, respectively, and the antennae around the hole are smaller to improve resolution. The antennae are connected to a computer which monitors successive moving and stationary phases of a golf ball to count the number of strokes taken by a player.

Abstract: The present invention enables the player to select a choice from a plurality of choices, wherein one or more choices can trump or beat one or more other choices, and wherein one or more choices do not trump or beat but rather tie one or more other choices. The game randomly generates an outcome from a set of possible outcomes including: a win outcome, a draw outcome and a lose outcome. Based on the player's choice and the generated outcome, the game determines and displays a game choice, which when compared to the player's choice, yields the generated outcome. If positive or neutral outcome is generated, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award.

Abstract: The gaming device provides a number of selections. When the player chooses a selection, the gaming device randomly generates a value and randomly places the value into one of a number of adjacent slots. When the bottom of each slot is covered with values, the game removes the values and provides an award to the player. In one embodiment, the award includes a value from each slot and in a preferred embodiment the award includes the smallest value from the slots. The gaming device subtracts the lowest value from the remaining values and the player chooses another selection. The process continues until one of a plurality of possible endings occurs.