Abstract: A display device system for driving a display having one of a plurality of predetermined sizes provides a scalable instruction picture to instruct an operator in operation of input devices. The system includes a device for accepting an operator input selecting a scaling factor to adjust the size of the instruction picture such that indicators in the instruction picture are arranged at spacings substantially equal to spacing of the input devices. In an embodiment, the size of the instruction picture is only adjusted in a width wise horizontal direction. Furthermore, scaling indicators corresponding to a plurality of predetermined display sizes are optionally provided to permit the user to select a scaling factor corresponding to the display.

Abstract: An automobile model comprising a pair of left and right rear wheels 21 which are independently driven by different motors 24, a pair of left and right front wheels 22, and a front wheel-supporting mechanism 30 which supports the front wheels 22 such that each front wheel 22 can turn around a predetermined steering axis AX and such that the front wheels 22 can turn in the same direction in association with each other, wherein the steering axis AX is inclined with respect to a vertical direction such that an upper portion of the steering axis AX is located rearward of a lower portion of the steering axis AX in a traveling direction.

Abstract: A network participation type game system for distributing a game from a game provider to a member via a network comprises a device for sequentially and regularly distributing a segment story from the game provider to the member, said segment story being prepared by segmenting a story constituting the game, said segment story being provided on a member dedicated page provided with a plurality of selection buttons, and the selection buttons being capable of selecting a changeable manner of a character or the like in the segment story; and a device for transmitting member's intention to the game provider in accordance with selection of the selection buttons by the member; wherein the game provider is allowed to change manners of the character or the like of next and after segment stories with reflecting the transmitted member's intention.

Abstract: In a game system having a display unit capable of displaying a game screen (100), an input unit for supplying a signal corresponding to a player's operation, and a game controller for executing a predetermined game on the screen of the display unit with reference to an output signal from the input unit, in which the game controller selects a predetermined number of trump cards (110 . . . 110) as the symbol to be displayed on the game screen from a predetermined selection candidate group, controls a dividend for a player based on a combination of the selected cards (110), and controls a probability of a dividend by adding or removing at least the joker (110a) as one common symbol which can be used as a plurality of cards (110) to or from the selection candidate group, according to the outcome of the game.

Abstract: Each of communication controllers sends a count value of a timer corresponding to the lapse of time from a starting point of reproduction during the reproduction of a music to a communication cable. Each of game controllers calculates, while a multi-play mode is executed in an other game apparatus, a reproducing position of the music in the other game apparatus based on the count value sent from the communication controller and transfers a music data from the calculated reproducing position on to a sound source memory upon the receipt of an instruction signal outputted from a confirmation button of an instructing section and representing confirmation of selection of the multi-play mode. While one game player is playing a music game, another game player can participate in this game in the middle of a music number.

Abstract: An operation method for a gaming machine sets a target payout rate, probabilities of winning, and odds on a plurality of objects. The objects are rearranged in order of the probability of winning. The odds on the object in first place are corrected to odds with a predetermined number of digits. The probability of winning of the object in the first place is corrected by the corrected odds. The difference between the uncorrected probability of winning and the corrected probability of winning is reflected in the probability of winning of the object in the subsequent place. The odds on the object in the subsequent place are predetermined based on the corrected probability of winning of the object in the subsequent place. The whole processing is repetitively performed for the objects in all places.

Abstract: A game player who faces a game machine is captured by a camera, and the game player is individually identified based on the image. Personal information of the identified game player (information regarding a skill level of the player, information regarding the progress status of the game, information regarding the number of acquired tokens, and information regarding the growth status in raising games) is read out from data storage. Based on the personal information which has been read out, a game environment in accordance with the personal information of the game player is automatically set up. During the game the game status is monitored, and based on the monitoring information, personal information of the game player is automatically generated and stored in the data storage.

Abstract: Polygons forming a shadow models are sorted into front-facing polygons facing in directions toward a viewpoint of a virtual camera and back-facing polygons facing in directions opposite from the viewpoint of the virtual camera, and a shadow image is created in pixels which are pixels corresponding to the front-facing polygons minus pixels corresponding to the back-facing polygons, thereby realistically and easily creating a shadow on the outer surface of a 3D model. Accordingly, in the case that part or all the 3D model such as a character is placed in a shadow of a mountain, a building or the like, a shadow can be realistically and easily created on the outer surface of the 3D model.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an image mutual transfer and succession method between a virtual image and a real image capable of performing the smooth transfer between the display of a virtual image of a real item and the display of a real image, realizing the successful combination of the reality of the real item and the fantasy of the real image, and enabling a rich representation. The image mutual transfer and succession method between a virtual image and a real image according to the present invention performs take-over control of mutual images by structuring the real image of the display to be apparently identical to the virtual image, displaying the real image on the display in synchronization with the dimming of illumination to the real item when displaying the real image, and brightening the illumination to the real item in synchronization with the stoppage of the real image display on the display device when displaying the virtual image.

Abstract: A random number selector selects a random number. A symbol selector selects a symbol associated with the random number. A symbol display displays the symbol. A sound data selector selects at least one of a plurality of sound data based on the random number. A sound reproducer reproduces the at least one sound data as an audible sound, at a predetermined timing while the symbol is displayed.

Abstract: A 3-dimensional video game apparatus comprises display 40 for displaying an image; image-processing means 16 for creating a 3-dimensional image from the viewpoint of a simulated camera and displaying that image on a display screen; and game controller 14 which conducts the game in response to reactions of the player, responsive to images displayed on display 40. The game apparatus further comprises camera unit 42 which can be arranged in such an orientation that its field of view is the play area in front of the display screen, and which periodically captures images of the play area in the state thus arranged; a position recognizing part which detects the player's head from the captured image, and detects the two-dimensional movement of the detected head position; and viewpoint change processor which moves the viewpoint of said simulated camera in conjunction with the change direction and change amount of the position of the detected marked region.

Abstract: Vertices of a polygon model M0 are sorted into those on which rays are projected (visible-surface vertices M01) and those on which rays are not projected (hidden-surface vertices M02) based on normal vectors V2 of the vertices of the polygon model M0 and a light source vector V1, and shadow models (shadow volumes) M1, M2, M3 are generated by moving the hidden-surface vertices in a direction of the light source vector V1. Shadow images can be easily created by applying stenciling to these shadow models.

Abstract: A lock section is mechanically operated by a key provided with identification information to perform a locking or unlocking operation. A receiver acquires the identification information from the key. A checker determines whether the identification information acquired by the receiver matches with pre-stored registration information of the key. A limiter restricts the unlocking operation of the key when the checker determines that the identification information does not match with the registration information.

Abstract: In a racing game machine, a race course is provided on a table unit. A plurality of miniatures travel on the race course to perform a race. A plurality of satellite terminals, each operated by a player who participates the race as an audience, are arranged around the table unit. Each satellite terminal is provided with a virtual telescope including a built-in display showing to the player a computer graphic image which exhibits a state of the race performed on the race course as if the player observe the race therethrough.

Abstract: In an image processing method to form a predetermined image with an image processing unit having a frame-buffer and z-buffer corresponded to the frame-buffer, a main-model and a sub-model containing at least one part of the main model are arranged at a predetermined position in a virtual 3-dimensional space. The sub-model is rendered in the frame-buffer in a write-protected state to the z-buffer, after that, the main-model is rendered in the frame-buffer in a released write-protected state to the z-buffer and updating a memory content of the z-buffer according to depth information that the main model has.

Abstract: A main character G is displayed in the center of a screen, an option character C is displayed at the lower right side of the main character G, and an enemy character N is displayed at an upper right part of the screen. FIG. 7A shows a state where the enemy character N is locked by operation of a game player and a lock mark L is displayed, and FIG. 7B shows a state where the option character C is attacking the enemy character N in response to another operation of the game player. A game can be made more interesting and ingenious by letting the game player involve in the actions of the option character which is a follower character of the main character.

Abstract: A plurality of guide lines are provided on a lower traveling field. A first detector is provided with each self-propelled member to detect at least one of the guide lines optically or magnetically. A second detector is provided with each self-propelled member to output a displacement signal which indicates a displaced distance from a predetermined position. A travel controller is provided with each self-propelled member, and performs a feedback control such that the self-propelled member travels on the lower traveling field while tracing the at least one guide line. A plurality of miniature members, each associated with one self-propelled member are placed on a upper traveling field extending above the lower traveling field. The miniature members travel thereon in accordance with the traveling of the self-propelled members through magnetic force.

Abstract: In a slot machine, when a player actuates a start lever, three reels spin, thereby effecting internal drawing operation and determining a winning combination. When the player actuates stop buttons, predetermined stop control operations are performed. A combination of symbols corresponding to the winning combination are achieved along anyone of winning lines. A plurality of image data sets which can be displayed on a liquid-crystal display (21) are recorded in an image data ROM (44) provided in a liquid-crystal display unit (20) of the slot machine. When the player actuates a changeover switch (23), switch setting information is sent to a CPU (41). An image display LSI (45) reads out from the image data ROM image data corresponding to the setting information, thereby using the thus-read image data for display contents of the liquid-crystal display.

Abstract: A 3D game machine includes a monitor for displaying images, a game control unit for controlling progress of a game, and an image control unit for generating and displaying a 3D image viewed from a viewing point of a simulated camera on a screen of the monitor. A transverse position and a height position of the head of a game player located in a play area before the screen of the monitor are detected using one ultrasonic transmitter and two ultrasonic receivers, and the viewing point of the simulated camera is so moved as to follow a displacing direction and a displacing amount of the detected position of the game player's head, thereby allowing the viewing point of the simulated camera to follow free movements of the game player so that images viewed from the viewing point intended by the game player are actively displayed.