Abstract: A system and method for maintaining player's game state (award credits or game pieces) in a gaming environment is disclosed. In particular, the player may restore the game state from previously played games either from the same game device or from another game device. The invention also provides for award redemption of the award credits (or game pieces) earned by a player during game play.

Abstract: A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Abstract: A game machine comprises shift and display section for shifting and displaying various kinds of symbol marks, the shift and display section having prize winning lines formed thereon, in which a predetermined set of symbol marks stopped and displayed on one of the prize winning lines cause a wining prize to be awarded to a game player, the predetermined set of symbol marks including a plurality of symbol marks neighboring to each other to form a specified symbol mark.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a winner in a bingo game. Players may obtain bingo cards from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that physically prints bingo cards for players in an embodiment where the player appears in person to purchase tickets, or from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that permit players to play bingo in an on-line environment. A game processor maintains a linked list identifying each card in play containing each possible value. Each entry in a linked list includes a pointer to the next element in the linked list. Each bingo card is represented as a bitmap containing an entry corresponding to each square on the bingo card. Each entry in the linked list also identifies the particular square on the bingo card containing the corresponding value, thereby allowing the appropriate entry in the corresponding bitmap to be identified. As each number is drawn, the game processor utilizes the linked list to identify all of the bingo cards in play having the drawn number.

Abstract: A disclosed player tracking unit utilizes a memory arranged to store a plurality of different communication protocols allowing the player tracking unit to communicate with a plurality of different types of gaming machines and a plurality of different types of player tracking servers. The player tracking unit may contain many different types of player tracking peripheral devices such as card readers, key pads, displays, bonus buttons and biometric input mechanisms. The peripheral devices contained in the player tracking unit may be accessible to the master gaming controller on a gaming machine and may be utilized by the master gaming controller for other gaming applications. The player tracking unit may be designed with a standard housing and standard device layout allowing the player tracking unit to fit in many different types of gaming machines with minimal modifications to the gaming machine or the player tracking unit.

Abstract: A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Abstract: Providing game information via character in a game environment comprises monitoring a position of a character in the game environment, providing visual information to the user based on the position of the character in the game environment, the visual information being presented as a modification of the character, and providing audio information to the user based on the position of the character in the game environment, the audio information being presented as statements from another character. A visual information module visually provides game information to the user within the context of the game environment and an audio information module audibly provides game information to the user within the context of the game environment.

Abstract: A game of chance is based on a keno-type game which uses one or more groups of number ranges, such as a HI group of number ranges, a LO group of number ranges and a HI/LO group of number ranges. A player makes a wager on one or more of the groups of number ranges. Each number range in a group has payout odds assigned thereto. After all wagers are made, a predetermined amount of numbers, say twenty, are randomly selected from the pool of numbers, say eighty. The numbers randomly selected are added up to determine a numerical total. The number range in which the numerical total falls is determined and the player is provided an award based on the payout odds for the number range within which the numerical total falls. The number range feature of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a regular game of keno.

Abstract: A method of enabling competitive wagering in a casino game provides a vehicle for a casino to offer payoff amounts for winning wagers in a casino game that are higher than conventional casino game payoff amounts while maintaining a satisfactory casino advantage. With this method, payoff amounts result in non-denominated fractional payouts, which can be processed according to a casino preference. In one embodiment, the non-denominated fractional payouts are accumulated during repeated game play and settled after game play is completed. Alternatively, rules can be established for rounding fractional amounts to a nearest denominated payout, converting the accumulated non-denominated fractional payouts into casino promotional awards, and the like. The methodology can be suited for any game format including casino table games, electronic games, internet casinos, etc.

Abstract: An entertainment system includes a sound presentation trial processing unit for displaying an object relatively moving on at least one track displayed on a display unit, allowing the user to try to acquire the object with a control input, and outputting a sound assigned to the track on which the object is relatively moving when the acquisition of the object with the control input is detected. The sound presentation trial processing unit includes a program activating unit for activating a control input processing unit to perform a processing depending on a control input from a manual controller, and an image sound output processing means for changing the image of the object when the acquisition of the object is detected and outputting a sound according to a predetermined control action.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may comprise a cabinet having a front face with a gaming display positioned adjacent the cabinet front face so that the gaming display is viewable, the gaming display being operable to generate images. A controller is operatively coupled to the gaming display. The controller may have a processor and a memory, and may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager. The controller may further be programmed to cause an image associated with a game to be generated on the gaming display, to determine an outcome of the game represented by the image and to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The controller may be programmed to roll-up the value payout earned by the player in a roll-up time period without regard to the number of credits won.

Abstract: A gaming system and method of playing a gaming device by a user. The method includes inserting a voucher having a voucher value into the gaming device and accessing a database having voucher data associated with the voucher. The voucher value is verified. The user is queried for a credit value of a base wagering denomination. Calculations of full game credits and partial game credits are performed based upon the voucher value and the credit value. The full game credits, the partial game credits, and the voucher value are displayed on a game display. The method allows partial or all credits to be played at any time. The method provides for recording of game events to a database. The method also allows for the user to change the base wagering denomination during game play.

Abstract: Open architecture communication systems and methods are provided that allow flexible data transmission between gaming machines and other devices and nodes within a gaming machine network. The gaming machine and other devices employ a communication interface that sends and receives data via a common communication protocol and via common communication hardware. The communication interface and common communication protocol allow data transfer between gaming machines and other network nodes such as gaming service servers, despite the presence of different proprietary gaming machine functions and proprietary communication protocols and despite the presence of various proprietary hardware and proprietary communication protocols relied on by the servers.

Abstract: The Electronic RPM Yo-Yo will contain electronics for purposes of measuring typical yo-yo game play including the speed and RPMs, the duration of the spin of the yo-yo and it will also calculate overall score based upon a combination of the speed and duration. It may also calculate the scale speed in miles per hour and the distance which the yo-yo would have traveled had it been rolling along a flat plane. The electronics will save high scores for each of the result categories. The high scores can be recalled. The electronics will include a sound transducer to provide audio signals that will alert a player when his current play has exceeded a high score. Results of game play will be conveyed using LCD read-out, a bar graph comprised of colored LEDs or heard audibly via a speaker and electronic speech. Results can also be transmitted to similar yo-yo's via IR (infrared) or IF radio frequency technology.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a winner in a bingo game. Players may obtain bingo cards from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that physically prints bingo cards for players in an embodiment where the player appears in person to purchase tickets, or from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that permit players to play bingo in an on-line environment. A game processor maintains a linked list identifying each card in play containing each possible value. Each entry in a linked list includes a pointer to the next element in the linked list. Each bingo card is represented as a bitmap containing an entry corresponding to each square on the bingo card. Each entry in the linked list also identifies the particular square on the bingo card containing the corresponding value, thereby allowing the appropriate entry in the corresponding bitmap to be identified. As each number is drawn, the game processor utilizes the linked list to identify all of the bingo cards in play having the drawn number.

Abstract: A background-sound switching method and apparatus is provided for switching of background-music data. A partitioning code represents an end position of a phrase of background sounds outputted through a speaker. A switching instruction device outputs a switching-instruction signal which causes switching from the background-sound data being outputted to a D/A converter to other background-sound data. Following output of the switching-instruction signal, a data-number controller stores in RAM a data number which defines a next background-sound data to be outputted to the D/A converter. A code detector detects the partitioning code of the background-sound data being outputted. At each time the partitioning code is detected, a switching controller determines whether or not the data number is stored in the RAM and, if the data number is stored in the RAM, the background-sound data being outputted is switched to the other background-sound data defined by the data number.

Abstract: A golf simulator has a flooring system comprising a tee area, a green area, a green-side area and a ball feed system adjacent the flooring system. From measurements taken when the ball is hit, the computer control system computes the next shot position of the ball after it is hit and the corresponding location on the flooring system. A ball feed system collects the ball into a ball feed chute and moves the ball toward a return gutter. When the ball contacts a gutter sensor, the sensor signals a gutter door to open, corresponding to a feed tube. The ball is sent down the return gutter and drops, at the position where the gutter door opened, into a feeding tube and a ball lifting mechanism positions a ball at the appropriate location on the flooring system. This process continues until a player finishes the hole. Accordingly, a player need not touch the golf ball, except when under penalty, more similar to an actual round of golf.

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: An enhanced system and method for carrying out online transactions and auctions using a “shopping games” mechanism module is disclosed. The shopping games system provides for a mechanism scheme allowing “game moves” as well as bidding and message exchanging moves. The participants of the system may engage in game play in conjunction with an auction process, wherein the game play affects the auction process to provide a entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: After a batter hits a ball, the height of the ball moving on a trajectory passing through present movement positions is judged. For example, future movement positions positioned on a time axis ahead of the present movement positions are indicated on the ground by elliptical marks. The peak of the height becomes a boundary, and in the rising process of the ball, the mark is displayed in, for example, a star shape and blue, and in the falling process of the ball, the mark is displayed in, for example, an elliptical shape and red. Therefore, enjoyment of operations by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.