Abstract: An amusement game and method that utilize an image sensing device to track and determine the position of a plurality of game objects on a playfield. The amusement game includes an image sensing device, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, that is positioned to view the playfield of the amusement game and track the movement of a plurality of game objects along the playfield. During game play, the control unit may control the movement of one or more of the game objects along the playfield. The control unit receives a series of sequential image scans from the image sensing device and determines the position and movement of the game objects along the playfield. Based upon the detected position of the game objects under computer control, the control unit modifies the control parameters of the game object during game play.

Abstract: An amusement game and method that tracks the movement of a game object utilizing an image sensing device that communicates with a control unit for the amusement game. The amusement game includes an image sensing device, such as a CCD or CMOS camera, that is positioned to view the playfield of the amusement game and track the movement of a game object along the playfield. The control unit receives a series of sequential image scans from the image sensing device and determines the position of the game object along the playfield. Based upon the detected position of the game object, the control unit modifies the operation of the game or awards player points.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a game of skill to provide awards or prizes to players of the game when the player has been successful in completing the game task. The game of skill is operated at a current skill level and the game monitors a rule parameter, such as a winning percentage or payout percentage, as the game is played. If the rule parameter exceeds a maximum limit, the difficulty level of the game is adjusted. Likewise, if the rule parameter is below a minimum limit, the difficulty level of the game is decreased. At each and every difficulty level, the player is able to succeed in winning the game of skill.

Abstract: A computer controlled toy car racing game that can be played by a plurality of players. If less than a maximum number of players is present at the beginning of a race, a computer controller operates the remaining race cars such that each race includes all of the race cars. The racing game includes numerous sensors positioned above the racing course that relay control commands to each of the race cars. If a race car is computer controlled or computer assisted, the control commands are created by the computer controller. If the race car is controlled by a player, the control commands include information from a throttle and steering wheel used by the player. Upon completion of a race, the computer controller controls each of the race cars to bring the race cars back to a point on the race course near the start/finish line.

Abstract: A computer controlled toy car racing game that can be played by a plurality of players. If less than a maximum number of players is present at the beginning of a race, a computer controller operates the remaining race cars such that each race includes all of the race cars. The racing game includes numerous sensors positioned above the racing course that relay control commands to each of the race cars. If a race car is computer controlled or computer assisted, the control commands are created by the computer controller. If the race car is controlled by a player, the control commands include information from a throttle and steering wheel used by the player. Upon completion of a race, the computer controller controls each of the race cars to bring the race cars back to a point on the race course near the start/finish line.