Abstract: An image-display game system which can attract players to play a game for a long time can be implemented by presenting helping data of a0 to a63, and b1 to b5 beneficial in the course of a game to friends, and accordingly communications accompanying therewith can be stimulated and activated thereamong, and the game can be effectively utilized as a communications tool. Such image-display game system is structured such that the player' ID data IDn is communicable or exchangeable therein. With the other player's ID received, items beneficial in the course of the game or helping data of 10 to 163, and b1 to b5 is generated based on the ID data, and is presented to the player. As a result, exchanging of the ID data IDn is activated among the players. The items presented based on the ID data IDn are determined by operating the ID data using an equation in FIG. 17, which is based on a predetermined rule or in an operation processing by combining the ID data IDn and a random number R.

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 respectively 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 before the peak, the mark has a first color and the size of the mark is enlarged in a rising process of the ball, and after the peak, the mark has a second color and the size of the mark is reduced in a falling process of the ball. Therefore, the real pleasure of the operation by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

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 a rising process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a first color, and in a falling process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a second color. Therefore, the enjoyment of operations by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

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 to provide an entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: A gaming terminal with one or more input devices in the form of a programmable display switch is provided. The programmable display switch is preferably configured to provide different types of labels, legends, unction indications, instructions and the like depending on the state of the game and/or the type of game being played. In this way, a wide variety of game functions, game themes or types of games can be implemented while reducing the total number of switches on the gaming terminal. In some embodiments, programmable display switches replace some or all functions normally provided by less cost-effective devices such as CRTs or touch screens.

Abstract: A gaming machine offers a first base game to a player, in the nature of a spinning reel game. Three spinning reels spin in accordance with each play of the game. On the occurrence of certain winning combinations, constituting a triggering event, a bonus game is entered. In the bonus game three rows, respectively of two, three, and four playing cards, are arranged face down. A player is required to select one of the rows and then choose one card from that row, seeking to choose a winning card, such as a Joker. The respective odds of winning between three lines of cards are unique integer multiples of each other.

Abstract: A gaming system is described which enables parimutuel wagering with instant payoffs on actual past events. The system, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of wager terminals coupled to a game server. The wagering terminals are multi-function terminals which enable a patron to enter a wager, provide high quality video/audio play-back, and can issue payments for winners. The game server is a computer system configured to manage the entire game system. For example, the server maintains databases, controls and accounts for the transactions with the wagering terminals, controls the flow of data from the video server to the terminals, collates pools from all sources and computes winnings, and provides detailed statistics for the disbursement of funds.

Abstract: A table game provides for realistic simulation of known athletes' performance in the context of a virtual game predicated upon the career statistics of those athletes, uses card carrying along one of their edges, space-proportioned zones representing the percentage of occurrence of each possible outcome of a player's move during that player's career. A random number generator drives a display of a series of individually selectable points or locations that are matched to one of the zones in order to determine the outcome of a virtual move. The game is particularly adapted to the simulation of baseball, cricket, basketball, or golf competitions.

Abstract: An object display method for displaying an object from a direction of a viewpoint in a virtual three-dimensional space of a video game. The viewpoint and an object are arranged in a cylinder, on an inner surface of which a reflection image expressing the environment is provided, in accordance with predetermined rules or player operation. A partial area of the cylinder to be provided with a reflection image to be reflected on the object in accordance with the positions of the viewpoint and the object is judged. The image linked with the determined partial area of the cylinder combined with the image of the object is then displayed. The method may be incorporated into a computer readable program product that is associated with a display, for displaying an object, and a game console.

Abstract: When judging the results of the action of a game character in accordance with the skill of the input technique of a player, operations that are to be input by the player are specified as a task operation, which is displayed on a screen for a prescribed period of time and then erased, whereupon an input operation from the player is received and the results of the action of the game character are judged on the basis of the task operation and the input operation.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc.

Abstract: A computer assisted process useful in managing the task assignments of a pool of casino employees in accordance with the service requests issued by automated gaming machines either indicating the state of machine operation or the patron's request for attention issued at the machine is enabled with intra-casino communication devices. In accordance with the process the employee pool is fractioned by the type of service skill required, i.e., machine service or patron's requirement for attention, and each employee is assigned a uniquely addressed communication device to which the task assignment is communicated and by which the employee indicates task completion. The employee pool is decremented on each task assignment and incremented on each task completion in a first-in, first-out arrangement in each skill group. In the instances of a large casino facility further division into zones can be made with each zone having its own pool assigned.

Abstract: An image generation device and an information storage medium that make it possible to increase the virtual realism and dramatic effect of a shooting, game in an efficient manner. A plurality of objects such as target objects are set within an object space, and a hit check is performed on shots from 1P and 2P players and the target objects. First and second viewpoints for the 1P and 2P players are controlled and images as seen from those first and second viewpoints are output to first and second display screens, respectively. Although the viewpoints of the 1P and 2P players are the same in the prior art, they can be made different in this game. The first and second viewpoints move along first and second movement paths, and the first and second viewpoints are controlled in such a manner that the first and second movement paths diverge when a given circumstance occurs.

Abstract: A method for operating a group of gaming machines interconnected by a network to play both primary and secondary games from the machines. Each of the gaming machines has a primary game associated with it. Play is allowed to occur on the gaming machines while a triggering event is detected. In a preferred embodiment, the triggering event is detected by monitoring an operating parameter of the gaming machines over the network, such as total coins played. A predetermined criterion or threshold is set for the operating parameter and, if the operating parameter meets the predetermined criterion, a triggering event signal is sent through the network. Upon the occurrence of the triggering event, a secondary game is initiated from a selected one of the gaming machines whereby the secondary game is common to the group of gaming machines.

Abstract: A game system comprises: a display device 3; an input device for outputting a signal according to a player's operation; and a control device 10 for advancing a fishing game utilizing a contrivance such as a lure in a virtual fishing spot with reference to an output of the input device 4, and displaying an image according to the progress on a screen of the display device 3. In this game system, a lure operation is guided to the player through the screen of the display device 3 by means of the control device 10. The guided operation is compared with the lure operation caused by the player via the input device 4, and the player's lure operation is evaluated. This evaluation is notified to the player, and the progress in fishing game is changed according to the evaluation. In this manner, a game system capable of continuously stimulating the player by eliminating a monotonous aspect in work for catching a fish is provided.

Abstract: A self-reconfiguring name service that distributes workload among the available servers in a system. A Service Monitor for each host system of a site periodically broadcasts information about available servers. The broadcast message also indicates the workload of the host. Each name service (DNS) has an associated process called a Name Binder Modifier that receives the broadcast messages from the Service Monitors. Periodically, each Name Binder Modifier reviews the information it has received from various Service Monitors and updates zones that are used by the DNS to perform load balancing. The Service Monitor and the Name Binding Modifier have associated configuration files.

Abstract: A gaming machine controlled by a processor in response to a wager, comprises a basic game and a bonus feature. The basic game includes a plurality of basic game outcomes. The plurality of basic game outcomes include a start-bonus outcome. The bonus feature is triggered by the start-bonus outcome and indicated on a visual display. The bonus feature includes a selection stage succeeded by a bonus stage. In the selection stage, the visual display initially depicts an assemblage of selectable elements that conceal a unified image. The elements are successively selected by the player and/or processor to generate bonus-opportunity outcomes until an element is selected that produces a stop-selection outcome. The elements associated with each bonus-opportunity outcome are removed from the assemblage to reveal those portions of the unified image concealed by those elements. In response to the stop-selection outcome, the bonus feature proceeds to the bonus stage.

Abstract: The game scene reproducing machine includes a reproducing unit for reproducing a game scene of a game machine having an instruction unit for instructing output of the game scene while a game is being executed, and outputting game scene reproducing information is outputted, which includes game history information having timing information of output instruction, and control information and manipulation information of the game and a receiving unit for receiving the game scene reproducing information, wherein image data of the game scene that has been reproduced in accordance with the game history information, is outputted. The game scene reproducing system includes the game scene reproducing machine, the game machine or machines and a communication network in which the reproducing machine and the game machine or machines are connected.

Abstract: A ball game is provided, wherein the place to which the ball is moved can be input and designated according to the most suitable timing while balancing the movement of displayed players and the ease of the operation by the user. A button operation by the user can be accepted before the fielder receives the ball and, in the case that there is a button operation, the location corresponding to the operated button is judged. Then, the motion of the catching and the throwing of the ball by the fielder is judged so as to use the motion in order to process the motion before the fielder catches the ball. Finally, the display is shifted to the movement of the throwing the ball in the direction of the designated location.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a network of interconnected processors comprising a plurality of signal processors for digitally processing input signals in real time to generate output signals and one or more control processors, each control processor controlling the operation of a plurality of signal processors. The processing apparatus automatically schedules control tasks in a plurality of time slices, where more than one control processor is provided for coordination between control processors, a wired-OR configuration connection can be provided to synchronise the beginning and/or end of the time slices. A control processor can change an address field of microcode instructions of a signal processor for implementing a multiplexer function. A control delay list can be provided for scheduling control task delays.