Abstract: Amusement game equipment supports a ride section on which a user rides by an air spring section, measures a height of a reference plane of the ride section with a sensor, and controls air supply and discharge into/from the air spring section according to game progress by a control section. The control section performs a calibration process for determining an ascent limit of the ride section based on a measured value by the sensor so as to set an ascent and descent control range excluding a predetermined margin from the ascent limit, and a target height setting process for setting a target height of the ride section within the ascent and descent control range according to the game progress, and controls the air supply and discharge into/from the air spring section to achieve the target height.

Abstract: A pointer for mounting on an amusement park ride, the pointer having a grip adapted to be held by at least one hand of a user, a grip detection device integrated into the grip for detecting when the grip is held by the user, and a pivot unit pivotably coupling the grip to the amusement park ride, the pivot unit operable between an uninhibited state, in which the pivot unit permits the grip to freely pivot in at least a first direction and a second direction, and an inhibited state, in which the pivot unit inhibits the grip from pivoting in at least the second direction, wherein the pivot unit may transition to the uninhibited state when the grip detection device detects the grip is held by the user and the pivot unit may return to the inhibited state when the grip detection device detects the grip is released.

Abstract: A pointer for mounting on an amusement park ride, the pointer having a grip adapted to be held by at least one hand of a user, a grip detection device integrated into the grip for detecting when the grip is held by the user, and a pivot unit pivotably coupling the grip to the amusement park ride, the pivot unit operable between an uninhibited state, in which the pivot unit permits the grip to freely pivot in at least a first direction and a second direction, and an inhibited state, in which the pivot unit inhibits the grip from pivoting in at least the second direction, wherein the pivot unit may transition to the uninhibited state when the grip detection device detects the grip is held by the user and the pivot unit may return to the inhibited state when the grip detection device detects the grip is released.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a gaming system projecting volumetric images onto a physical scene that includes a background and props positioned in front of the background. A gaming engine causes a projector to project an image onto the physical scene. A pointer device receives triggering commands from an operator. A camera captures an image of a portion of the physical scene being targeted by the pointer device. The captured portion includes lighting points emitted by the physical scene, the captured lighting points forming a specific pattern. A targeting system uses the specific pattern as a reference to identify a three-dimensional position of a target located within the captured portion and causes the gaming engine to modify a visible feature of the target when a when a triggering command is received at the pointer device. A method of projecting volumetric images onto the physical scene is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system is provided for scheduling and maintaining an open communication channel between multiple parties. The system includes a client device connected to a host device via a network. The client device is configured to interact with a website in order to schedule a communication with an advisor. The client device can then be used to participate in the scheduled communication with the advisor. During the communication, a telephone application may be configured to monitor the communication channel between the parties. If the application determines that the client connection has been lost, the application may ask the advisor whether he/she wants to reestablish a connection with the client. If the answers is yes, then the application may ask the client if he/she wants to reestablish a call with the advisor. If the answer is yes, then the application will rejoin the client with the advisor over the communication channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a prize merchandiser comprising a cabinet, a see-through monitor extending through a front wall of the cabinet, a touch screen overlay mounted over the see-through monitor, a coin acceptor attached to the cabinet, a prize dispenser mounted inside the cabinet, and a computer unit connected to the coin acceptor, the prize dispenser, the see-through monitor and the touch screen overlay. The prize dispenser has a prize storage area extending behind the see-through monitor so that prizes in the prize storage area are visible through the see-through monitor during game play and when nobody plays a game. The computer unit is configured to run an interactive video game that displays on the see-through monitor and is controlled by player interactions with the touch screen overlay, and to operate the prize dispenser so as to dispense a prize based on an outcome of the video game.

Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.

Abstract: Electronic card game devices and methods incorporate progressive jackpot operations controlled by a central server computer. If a system game device is selected by the central server computer to win a progressive jackpot award, the system game device is programmed to display secondary game outcome symbols on playing cards being displayed during game play to indicate winning of the award.

Abstract: Electronic card game devices and methods incorporate progressive jackpot operations controlled by a central server computer. If a system game device is selected by the central server computer to win a progressive jackpot award, the system game device is programmed to display secondary game outcome symbols on playing cards being displayed during game play to indicate winning of the award.

Abstract: A video gaming device includes a game computer which is connected to a central computer and a plurality of player stations connected to the game computer. Connection of the player stations may be effected using an interface device which includes at least one serial port which has a transmit line for transmitting data to a player station and a receive line for receiving data from a player station, input port means and output port means for communication with the game computer, and processing means for routing data between the said serial port and the input and output port means.

Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scheduling a call between parties are disclosed. A system enables a first party to schedule a call with a second party at a scheduled time period. The system includes a database having stored therein an availability of at least one first party for calls for a plurality of time periods. The system can be accessed by a second party. The availability of a specific first party for a call at a scheduled time period based on the plurality of time periods is determined. The scheduled time period is selected by the second party for the call with the first party. The second party selects a mode of the call between the second party and the first party at the scheduled time period. In a first mode, the system establishes communications with the second party and the system enables communications between the second party and the first party. In a second mode, the second party calls the first party directly.

Abstract: Electronic card game devices and methods incorporate progressive jackpot operations controlled by a central server computer. If a system game device is selected by the central server computer to win a progressive jackpot award, the system game device is programmed to display secondary game outcome symbols on playing cards being displayed during game play to indicate winning of the award.

Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.

Abstract: An electronic video game apparatus is configured to facilitate simultaneous play of at least first and second independent games of chance that generate independent outcomes. The electronic video game apparatus includes a video display and at least one electronic random number generator that randomly selects values for the independent games of chance and preferably displays the values in a superimposed manner on the video display. For example, the first game can be a card game while the second game is a dice game. Video representations of the card suit and value for each card in the card game are displayed along with dice values shown on the cards. The outcomes of the second game of chance are preferably employed to determine an outcome, such as a payout or award, for example, of the first game of chance.

Abstract: The invention provides an electronic video game apparatus which includes a display for displaying a video depiction of a first card game on the display. Each card in the first card game has a card suit, a card value and a card color. At least one of these cards has an additional symbol which depicts at least one outcome of an independent game of chance (e.g. roulette, craps, slot machine, etc.), and a wagering mechanism enabling a wager to be placed on an outcome which is dependent on at least the additional symbol.

Abstract: A wall mounted video game has a cabinet. A relatively thin monitor is received in the upper portion of the cabinet. The lower portion of the cabinet is deeper than the upper portion. Manual controls are set in the lower portion. The cabinet has a back hingedly connected to the body of the cabinet. The back of the cabinet is mounted on the wall and the cabinet is locked in a closed position mounted on the wall. Circuitry for the video game is connected to the back of the cabinet and is in the interior of the cabinet, connected by an electrical harness to the controls and the monitor.

Abstract: An improved multiplayer interactive video gaming device includes a plurality of independent player stations, each including at least one data input device configured to output a player input signal responsive to player activation. A computer game assembly executes a video card gaming program responsively to player game instructions. An interface assembly receives signals output by the plurality of player stations and outputs signals corresponding to particular data input devices. A personal computer assembly receives the output signals from the interface device via a data input port and executes the video card gaming program responsively thereto.

Abstract: A video gaming device includes a game computer which is connected to a central computer and a plurality of player stations connected to the game computer. Connection of the player stations may be effected using an interface device which includes at least one serial port which has a transmit line for transmitting data to a player station and a receive line for receiving data from a player station, input ports and output ports for communication with the game computer, and a processor for routing data between the said serial port and the input and output ports.