Abstract: In the computer data security field, cryptographic hash function processes embodied in a computer system and which are typically keyless, but are highly secure. The processes are based on the type of randomness exhibited by well known table “cue sports” games such as billiards, snooker, and pool played on a billiards table involving the players striking one of a plurality of balls with a cue, the struck ball then hitting other balls, the raised sides of the table, and in some cases one or more balls going into pockets in the corners and/or sides of the table. Computation of the hash value (digest) is the result of providing a model (such as expressed in computer code) of such a game algorithm and using the message as an input to the game algorithm, then executing the game algorithm. A state of the game after one or several “shots” gives the hash digest value of the message.

Abstract: A multi-level single elimination sports tournament with wagering for a field of players divided into groups of generally equal size. Each group competes within itself in a series of play sequences, such as a series of golf holes. Each play sequence comprises at least one competitive play action toward a goal, such as one or more golf strokes toward a hole. The players wager after each play action on their expected results in the current play sequence. Players are eliminated when they can no longer meet a minimum ante on the next play sequence. A round of the tournament is completed when only a single player remains in each group. The survivors are divided into new groups for another round. This continues until a last round that has only one group. A single winner survives, and is awarded most of the pot.

Abstract: The invention is a statistics based fantasy style interactive sports game of a predetermined duration that may be played in a bar or restaurant or over the internet. Each game takes place during a fixed time period (such as one hour), before which players choose a number of athletes from one or more sports that will be playing during that time period. During the course of the hour a player is awarded points for plays completed by selected athletes. At the end of the hour, the game player with the most points wins.

Abstract: A shooting training system includes a display device for displaying visual information on a display area, wherein the display device is embedded with photo sensors for receiving a first user input from a first input device transmitted to and directed to a first location on the display area; and a computing device coupled with the display device, wherein the computing device is configured to instruct the display device to display a shooting-training environment; process the first user input to identify at least the location of the first user input relative to the display area and a timing of the first user input; and display training results based on the location and timing of the first user input.

Abstract: An information storage medium storing a program that generates an image of a virtual space viewed from a virtual camera, an operation object and a non-operation object being disposed in the virtual space.

Abstract: To provide a game device capable of improving operability for a user when a player character of an opponent team holds a moving object in a sport game to be played by a user team and the opponent team. A first marker control unit (72d) controls the position of a marker player character selected from among the player characters of the user team, based on the position of a marking target player character selected from among the player characters of the opponent team and a predetermined position. A second marker control unit (72e) controls the position of the marker player character, based on the position of the marking target player character and the position of a moving object or the position of a player character holding the moving object. The marker control switching unit (72g) switches between the first marker control unit (72d) and the second marker control unit (72e), based on a result of determination as to whether or not a predetermined switching condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A poker-like game played during a live sporting event utilizing cards corresponding to scores, statistics, teams, athletes and various contingencies associated with the sporting event. The game is preferably played during a live sporting event with a sequence of betting events. A player can make a bet during a betting event, as long as said player is still in the game, and as long as said player was not the last player to make a bet. If a player makes a bet, then each of the remaining players must call the bet within a given time or fold. The values of the cards are determined by the outcome of the sporting event, so they are not known with certainty until the betting event terminates. When the betting event terminates, the remaining player with the best hand, as determined by the values of the cards, wins the pot.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for combing multiple actions in single video game, wherein the method includes the steps of (a) providing a single video game, having two or more play actions; (b) selecting a first action of a first game character; (c) selecting a second action of a second game character; and (d) cooperatively playing the first and second action of the video game in responsive to a command of an input device of an electronic device for performing the video game. The first and second actions are embodied as driving and aiming action respectively, so that the aiming action has to incorporate with the turning direction and speed of the driving action for shooting, throwing, or the likes on a target object of the video game, so as to provide multiple players video game to cooperatively play the multiple actions of the video game.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, for determining a user skill level for user interaction with virtual equipment in an interactive computer game. The virtual equipment is capable of being manipulated through user interaction with an associated representation. Automatically adapting a virtual equipment model associated with the virtual equipment to reflect the determined user skill level. The virtual equipment model governs how the virtual equipment behaves in response to user interaction with the representation.

Abstract: An amusement ride system includes: a shooting device adapted to shoot a projectile; an aiming facility operable by a user to aim the shooting device; and a triggering device operable by the user to fire the shooting device. The user rides the vehicle, aims the shooting device, and fires the device to shoot the projectile. A method for a ride includes: providing a shooting device; providing a plurality of projectiles; and aiming and shooting the projectiles utilizing the shooting device.

Abstract: A method of forming a computer game that is arranged to move an object along a path in a virtual environment of the computer game, wherein the method comprises steps of: (a) performing a plurality of object movement simulations for an object, wherein each simulation comprises moving that object with a respective speed along a path with a respective curvature in the virtual environment to determine whether that object can successfully travel along that path at that speed; (b) using the simulations to determine a relationship between curvature and a corresponding speed with which the object can successfully travel along a path with that curvature; and (c) storing data indicating the relationship as a part of the computer game.

Abstract: Methods and systems for deceiving other characters in a video game are disclosed. A video game may include a simulated environment in which player and computer controlled characters can monitor each other's positions using radar, e.g., an acoustic radar that detects noise (such as the firing of various weapons) associated with other characters. A character may fire a decoy bullet, which creates noise at the location of impact rather than the location of firing. A character may temporarily jam another character's radar so that the other character's radar does not display character locations. A first character may mimic an enemy character so that the first character appears as a friend to enemy characters on each enemy characters' radar. A special weapon may make all visible characters visually appear as enemies to a first character, thereby confusing the first character. Another special weapon may create a duplicate image of a character, thereby confusing others.

Abstract: Provided is an input device for a billiard game comprising: a simulative ball provided as an object to be shot by a player; a link portion having a ball axis on which the simulative ball is mounted; a support portion for movably supporting the link portion; and a sensor for outputting a signal that corresponds to an operation of the link portion, wherein at least either one of rotational motion of the simulative ball around an axle of a ball axis and linear motion of the simulative ball in a predetermined range along an axial direction of the ball axis is permitted.

Abstract: A display device 12 covered by a touch panel 13 displays a game space on a display screen. Position coordinates (tx, ty) obtained when the touch panel 13 is touch-operated are detected at a predetermined periodic cycle. At least one of a movement speed (V) and a movement direction (?) is calculated as a movement parameter for a second object based on current position coordinates (tx, ty) and position coordinates (tpx, tpy) having been detected in an immediately preceding time. A new movement parameter (V and ?) is determined using movement parameters having been previously determined (Vp and ?p) and the newly calculated movement parameter (V and ?). When the first object and the second object satisfy a predetermined positional relationship therebetween, the second object is moved and display-controlled based on the updated movement parameter.

Abstract: A system that wirelessly integrates actual golf equipment with a computer and the internet to allow players remotely located from one another to play a competitive simulated game of golf. An individual player may opt to play solo or practice to improve basic golfing techniques. The system includes smart golf clubs, a golf ball receptacle and a golf club motion sensing device, all containing circuits and contact or motion sensors coupled with signal processing and radio frequency transmitter circuitry, thereby wirelessly communicate game performance information to a remote receiver-computer. The computer displays player information and visually simulates and controls a golf game between two players, via the internet, having similar equipment and remotely located from each other. Standard golf clubs may be retrofitted with the sensors and associated circuitry to convert such clubs into “smart clubs” for use with the system.

Abstract: A squad versus squad shooter video game receives input from one or more players via their respective use of controllers in communication with one or more console-based video game systems. The input from each controller is interpreted as a command to a squad in a competition against one or more other squads that are respectively commanded by one or more players via their respective use of controllers. Each squad includes a plurality of characters. Each player is assigned to one of the squads. Actions of each character in the video game are a function of commands given to that character by one of the players. Players can join or exit their assigned squad during game play.

Abstract: A communication game system controlling a development of a game by establishing communication between plural terminal apparatuses and displaying shared information at the terminal apparatuses is provided, the system enabling easy recognition of a communication state of a communication established between the terminal apparatuses. The system includes plural game apparatuses that are adapted to establish communication. The game apparatus includes a display unit, an operation unit, and a processing unit for conducting self-controlled character display control and other character display control. The self-controlled character display control includes displaying on the display unit a self-controlled character that is controlled by an operation of the operation unit of the game apparatus. The other character display control includes receiving information pertaining to another character that is controlled by another game apparatus, and displaying the other character on the display unit.

Abstract: A fantasy sports game provides for a league of fantasy teams, each managed and owned by a fantasy game contestant. A contestant selects a set of games for a game day from a screen of such sets, pays an entry fee in points, and then drafts players from the teams playing in his selected set of games, subject to a salary cap for his team. As the games are being played and also after the games have been completed, the contestants playing against each other are ranked according to how well their players did that day, and the winning constant is awarded points for the win.

Abstract: A system for providing a game includes: a sponsor-league-providing-server which transmits a sponsor league list to an electronic device according to a sponsor league selection signal received from the electronic device, and transmits advertisement data registered in a particular sponsor league when executing a game corresponding the particular sponsor league selected from the sponsor league list. An electronic device requests a sponsor league list to the sponsor-league-providing-server and receives the sponsor league list in case the sponsor league is selected from a menu list of game mode, and displays a game execution screen including advertisement data at one side when a game corresponding to the particular sponsor league is executed.

Abstract: An entertainment system comprises a remotely controlled toy having a video camera operable to capture video images of a real environment and an entertainment device operable to communicate using a data communications link with the remotely controlled toy, in which the device comprises transmitting means operable to transmit, via the data communications link, control data to the remotely controlled toy that relates to the control of the remotely controlled toy, receiving means operable to receive, from the data communications link, video images captured by the video camera—of the remotely controlled toy, detecting means operable to detect a real environment feature within the real environment, processing means operable to generate a virtual image feature in dependence upon the detected real environment feature, and displaying means operable to generate a combined display of the captured video images and the virtual image feature such that the virtual image feature is arranged with respect to the video images s

Abstract: A game playing apparatus is described that displays in an image space (12) an aspect of a playing environment and overlays on the image space zones (14,16) that have relevance to the playing environment. An event occurs in the playing environment in a delineated zone. A game participant is able to mark (18) with a marker a zone or zones before the event in anticipation of a reward if they mark the zone in which the event occurs. Their reward may be set by predetermined odds available before the event or a portion of pooled wagers. The playing environment may be a live event, a live sporting event or a pre-planned scenario. The image space (12) may only be a representation of the playing environment or an aspect of the playing environment. The game participant may wager remotely of the game apparatus with remote control devices that allow them to mark and wager. The remote control device may be built into other devices such as mobile telephone handsets etc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of recognizing objects for a video shooter game, the system comprising a first remote-controlled vehicle (51) having an on-board video camera (25), a second remote-controlled vehicle (53), and an electronic video display entity serving to remote control the first vehicle (51).

Abstract: Methods and systems for damaging objects in digital environments are provided. The objects may be defined by a number of tiles. Tiles may be joined together to form objects of various sizes, shapes, and facades. The tiles may be broken up or divided into smaller tiles as the objects sustain damage. These smaller tiles may be rejoined to the objects providing virtually unlimited ways in which the objects can be damaged. In addition, the objects may incorporate stress-related damage that allows the object to break or collapse under its own weight.

Abstract: Various systems, game controllers, and methods for simulating various objects such as weapons are provided. For example, a game controller may include a trigger, a processor within the body that receives a trigger signal when the trigger is activated by the user. The processor may communicate with a computer running a software program such as a gaming application, and an actuator coupled to the trigger, the actuator configured to output a haptic effect to the trigger in response to receiving a control signal from the processor. The game controller may simulate a gun and generate a recoil effect. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by impacting a moving mass from a discharge end of the gun to a handle end of the gun. In some embodiments, the recoil effect may be generated by using a body part of a user as a tether.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided herewith for managing a wagering system. In one exemplary embodiment, state information of a live event may be received in real time. The live event may comprise a sporting event played by human players according to predetermined rules that are used to determine at least one winner of the sporting event. An initial state and a plurality of possible future states of a performance parameter of the live event may be determined based on the state information. A first betting market for betting on at least one of the plurality of possible future states may be created. The act of creating a first betting market may comprise (1) determining by the processor probabilities for the plurality of possible future states, and (2) based at least in part on the probabilities, determining by the processor odds for betting on at least one of the plurality of possible future states.

Abstract: A key reception processing unit 203 receives a key-designated area designated by means of a tenkey 211, a timing detector 205 detects a timing at which the key-designated area was received, a meet section detector 204 detects a meet section where the center position of a ball object 402 displayed to move on a display screen of a monitor 22 passes, and a game progress processing unit 206 proceeds a game in accordance with a batting result obtained by combining a batting result corresponded beforehand to the detected timing and a batting result corresponded beforehand to the detected meet section.

Abstract: A control device for controlling a display of a computer system for use with a video game includes a coordinate control unit for providing information related to a vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device, a mouse control unit for inputting conventional mouse input information, a game control unit for inputting game control information and a controller for processing the information provided by the coordinate control unit, mouse control unit and game control unit. The vertical and horizontal point of view of the user in the video game and/or the vertical and horizontal position of a cursor on the display is determined based on the information related to the vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device. The control device is preferably shaped like a firearm to enhance the realism of the video game, but may be shaped like a conventional game pad.

Abstract: A game that uses a source of compressed gas, such as compressed air, to provide gas to move a play object across a play surface. The compressed gas source is capable of providing compressed gas to jets in communication with the play surface for directing the gas to move the play object across the play surface. A triggering device allows the player to select one or more jets and selectively trigger the flow of gas from a selected jet.

Abstract: A game program of the present invention causes a computer to execute a first delete condition setting step of setting a delete condition of puzzle elements in which puzzle elements of the same kind in a first number or more are continuously arranged in a predetermined direction as a first delete condition and a second delete condition setting step of setting a next delete condition of the puzzle elements in which puzzle elements of the same kind in a second number which is smaller than the first number or more are continuously arranged in a predetermined direction as a second delete condition when it is judged that the first delete condition is achieved in the first delete condition judgment step.

Abstract: A game machine is comprised of means for producing a field having two or more stages which are connected with each other on world coordinates, means for respectively locating two or more characters appearing in a game in the stage, means for locating an operation character, means for computing a character density in the stage where the operation character is located, means for judging as to whether or not the character density is lower than a predetermined character density, means for computing a number of short characters, and means for extracting the short characters from the stages other than the stage where the operation character is located and relocating the short characters.

Abstract: A virtual shuffleboard table gaming apparatus including a housing having a playing field, a game acquisition circuit, and a display. As a puck is propelled towards a puck return at the distal end of the playing field, the puck temporarily obstructs at least two beams from transmitters. Sensors that receive the transmitted beams provide information to the game acquisition circuit indicative of the time when the beams were blocked and unblocked. The duration of time the beams are block are used by a game controller to calculate the angle of travel, location, and velocity of the puck. This information is then used by the game controller to determine the travel path and resting place of a virtual puck on a virtual playing field, as well as determine whether the virtual puck rests in a scoring zone and maintain a game score.

Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated game with five subsystems: (i) electronic spell-casting system, (ii) card game system, (iii) user-created card system, (iv) system for replacing the use of dice and/or random number generation; and (v) board game system. Spell-casting system provides a physical input mechanism, e.g., sensor-equipped “magic wand”, and a verbal input mechanism which together trigger a spell. Cards form formations affecting their powers and are marked as “spent” by being placed under another card. Users create their own cards through a Web-accessible site. Random number (generated by computer or dice) usage is replaced by “challenges,” i.e., player-performed tasks. Chess pieces follow standard rules but are deployed one-by-one, as are squares of the chess board. Licensing information is available through www.inventerprise.com.

Abstract: Sports based computer game, e.g., football game, is played using data from actual games. Updates are received about new information from more recent games. Each game is divided into plays, and each play is characterized so that the play can be replayed on the game. Characteristics of the plays can be changed to simulate what is scenarios.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling a character object in a virtual space by means of an information processing program. When a specific event occurs in the execution of the information processing program, a passing rate of time of the character object in the virtual space is changed, for example, by changing the rate at which the object is displaced in the virtual space as compared to a rate of change prior to the specific event. This method can be used, for example, to decrease a rate of displacement of only the object in the virtual space so that the object may be more easily manipulated.

Abstract: An online gaming system for simulating a soccer game comprising a server with a processor, a network in communication with the server, at least one client device in communication with the network, wherein the at least one client device has an input device, a display device, and a monetary acceptance feature, and a database in communication with the processor. The database comprises an electronic deck of playing cards comprising offensive play cards and defensive play cards and an electronic deck of special plays cards. Computer instructions in the database instruct the processor to permit input of bets, electronically deal cards from the electronic decks, designate offensive and defensive players, permit selection of cards by players, make game plays using a chess like strategy, determine game outcomes based on the selected cards, and award winnings based on bets and game outcomes.

Abstract: A multilevel online tournament is provided. The first tournament round has a single bracket and each subsequent tournament round has a winners bracket and a losers bracket corresponding to a bracket in the previous tournament round. The tournament format allows players to match-up against any other player located within the same bracket. The online tournament format also allows participants to start playing match in a round of the tournament prior to the official start of that round. Thus, players are able to more quickly advance through the tournament and spend less time waiting for a suitable opponent. The tournament format also allows for players to request available tournament byes and to automatically progress when they are unable to connect with other players due to quality of service issues.

Abstract: A method and system for playing a virtual game is disclosed. The virtual game is associated with a real game, such as a baseball or golf game. Users play the virtual game which is based on events in a real game that is followed by the users simultaneously as they play the virtual game. In one embodiment, the real game is a baseball game. In another embodiment, the real game is a golf game. A server communicates with clients to allow multiple users to compete in the virtual game via the use of client devices.

Abstract: A method for detecting direction when interfacing with a computer program is provided. The method includes capturing an image presented in front of an image capture device. The image capture device has a capture location in a coordinate space. When a person is captured in the image, the method includes identifying a human head in the image and assigning the human head a head location in the coordinate space. The method also includes identifying an object held by the person in the image and assigning the object an object location in coordinate space. The method further includes identifying a relative position in coordinate space between the head location and the object location when viewed from the capture location. The relative position defines a pointing direction of the object when viewed by the image capture device. The method may be practiced on a computer system, such as one used in the gaming field.

Abstract: Targeting control may be facilitated in a simulated environment. In an example embodiment, a method includes acts of monitoring, generating, moving, and firing. A button input and a directional input are monitored. If a press and hold of the button input is detected, a fine aiming mode is generated. If movement of the directional input is detected during the fine aiming mode, a location of a target indicator is moved responsive to the detected movement. When a release of the button input is detected, a ranged weapon is fired based on the location of the target indicator.

Abstract: A medal as the first game medium and a ball as the second game medium are supplied to a play field section based on the player's operation, a basic game is executed in association with the operation of the medal, and while a dividend depending on the game result of the basic game is imparted to the player, a chance for obtaining dividend is imparted to the player, when the ball is ejected from the play field section due to the operation of the ball linked with the operation of medal, the number of the balls as the game media existing in the game field section is detected, and a privilege tied to delivery of dividend is imparted depending on a decrease of the number of the balls.

Abstract: A tennis game system includes a game machine connected to a television set via an AV cable, and a racket-shaped input device for inputting operation to the game machine. A game player instructs a ball striking player to strike a ball on a monitor screen by operating the racket-shaped input device. At this time, a game processor included in the game machine calculates a predicted return position of a ball returned by the opposite player, compares a current position of the ball striking player with the predicted return position, and judges whether the predicted return position is within a ball strikable range for the ball striking player. If a judgment means judges that the predicted return position is out of the ball strikable range, a ball striking position movement means, i.e. the game processor moves the ball striking position.

Abstract: Techniques enable the reduction of bandwidth requirements for peer-to-peer gaming architectures. In some embodiments, these techniques allow differentiation among players to decide which players should receive continuous updates and which should receive periodic updates. For those gaming systems receiving periodic updates, guided artificial intelligence is employed to simulate activity of a game object based on guidance provided by the periodic updates. Conversely, for those gaming systems receiving continuous updates, the continuous updates may be employed to update the activity of the game object rather than simulating the activity.

Abstract: A billiard game machine is used for playing a billiard game. A player operates a dummy cue (19) to thrust a cue ball object displayed on the screen (9a) of a display (9) disposed at a position corresponding to a back part of a dummy billiard table (7) so that the cue ball object rolls on a table object displayed on the screen (9a) of the display (9) and hits against an object ball object. A dummy bridge (11) for supporting the dummy cue (19) so that the dummy cue (19) is able to move for longitudinal back and forth movement in a predetermined range is disposed on the dummy billiard table (7). The billiard game machine enhances the verisimilitude of the billiard game.

Abstract: A game system receives special command input information input by the player when a moving object and a target have a predetermined positional relationship, and moves the moving object to a position at which bullets fired from the moving object can hit the target irrespective of movement input information when the game system has received the special command input information.

Abstract: A squad command interface for a squad-based shooter video game maps character selection and command selection to actuators on a game controller. Players can select squad characters and issue a single order to multiple characters with few controller actuations.

Abstract: Improvements relating to a control device for controlling a display of a computer system for use with a video game includes a coordinate control unit for providing information related to a vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device, a game control unit for inputting game control information and a controller for processing the information provided by the coordinate control unit and game control unit. The vertical and horizontal point of view of the user in the video game and/or the vertical and horizontal position of a cursor on the display is determined based on the information related to the vertical and horizontal tilt of the control device. The control device is preferably shaped like a firearm to enhance the realism of the video game, and may include an LCD display mounted on the control device, as the primary display, and may also include an LCD mounted in a sighting device of the control device.

Abstract: An example video game includes a virtual game world including a video game character movable within the virtual game world and one or more targets. A first target in the virtual game world can be locked onto so that the first target remains substantially at the center of a field of view of the game character within the virtual game world. A reticle may be moved to target one or more second targets in the virtual game world while the first target remains locked onto.

Abstract: A squad-based shooter video game allows players to dynamically join and leave the game, while that game is in progress, without the players having to save and restart the game. When a new player joins an in-progress game, a new squad member is allocated to the new player and the screen is split to present a viewing panel for the new player that depicts scenes from the perspective of the new squad member. When an existing player leaves the game, the screen is unsplit to remove the viewing panel for the exiting player and that player's squad member becomes part of the squad being controlled by the remaining player(s).

Abstract: An image processing device for realizing more realistic pictures of explosions in video game devices and the like. Objects displaying such pictures of explosions are formed of spherical polygons (R1, R2, R3, . . . ) and planar polygons (S1, S2, S3, . . . ). Pictures of explosions are realized by alternately arranging these spherical polygons and planar polygons with the lapse in time. Preferably, pictures of polygons are realized by arranging the spherical polygons in layers on the boundary of the planar polygons.

Abstract: A player brings a stylus pen into contact with a batting position mark 32 displayed on a second liquid crystal display that includes a touch panel, and inputs a batting start timing and a hitting direction by inputting a stroke operation along the direction of a hitting direction guide 34R, 34C, or 34L.