Abstract: An objective of the present invention is to provide a three-dimensional action game machine in which three-dimensional actions of game characters can be realized through a simple input system and an information storage medium suitable for use therein. The game machine has a plurality of input modes including a two-dimensional action mode (or first input mode), a three-dimensional step action mode (or second input mode) and a three-dimensional running mode (or second input mode). By switching the input mode, actions of the game character in the three-dimensional space can be inputted. If a lever is manipulated two times in the same direction within a predetermined time period and held at the manipulated position, the game machine enters the three-dimensional running mode wherein the game character can freely move about on the plane in the three-dimensional space.

Abstract: A system and method providing read-time external signals to and from a gaming application executing within a platform independent programming environment on a computing system. The system has an input packet queue located within a block of system RAM, a main processing module, and an intelligent I/O interface module all coupled to the main system bus. The system generates an input signal data packet in response to a change in state of one or more external signals. The intelligent I/O interface module itself includes a control processor, an plurality of external signal interfaces, and a dual-port RAM. The control processor generates and stores the input signal data packet within the dual-port RAM before asserting an interrupt signal to the main processing module. Finally, the interrupt signal causes the main processing module to transfer the input signal data packet from the dual-port RAM to the input packet queue.

Abstract: A putt trainer system includes a plurality of ball sensors, each having a lever which pivots at impact with a putted golf ball between a rest position, wherein it blocks a light beam from a light source, and a deflected position. The light beam passes through a recess of predetermined length made in the lever to be detected by a light sensor generating a detection signal of predetermined duration that is compared with a preset value corresponding to a maximum acceptable speed. If the detection signal is at most equal to the preset value, it is further evaluated to determine whether this signal represents an off-centered, partially centered, or centered putt, each of which is allocated a respective score.

Abstract: A method and gaming assembly to play a variation of the game baccarat, the gaming assembly including a computer processor assembly, a display assembly and at least one user actuatable selector assembly. The computer processor assembly is structured to generate a player's hand and a banker's hand in accordance with rules of baccarat, one of those hands being designated the user's hand. Further, the computer processor assembly is structured to determine a winning hand in accordance with the rules of baccarat, designating the user as a winner if the user's hand is also the wining hand. Additionally, the computer processor assembly is structured to monitor consecutive ones of the user's hands and to indicate a bonus payout to the user in the event that consecutive ones of the user's hands have a final number count equal to a natural nine.

Abstract: A gaming assembly to play a variation of the game baccarat, the gaming assembly including a computer processor assembly, a display assembly and at least one user actuatable selector assembly. The computer processor assembly is structured to generate a player's hand and a banker's hand in accordance with rules of baccarat, one of those hands being designated the user's hand. Further, the computer processor assembly is structured to determine a winning hand in accordance with the rules of baccarat, designating the user as a winner if the user's hand is also the winning hand. Additionally, the computer processor assembly is structured to monitor consecutive ones of the user's hands and to indicate a bonus payout to the user in the event that consecutive ones of the user's hands have a final number count equal to a natural nine.

Abstract: A system comprising an individual subscriber unit for collecting golf game data during a game of golf, and a computer for receiving the golf game data from the individual subscriber unit after the game of golf and for generating a report of the golf game data.

Abstract: A ball motion measuring apparatus has a CCD camera having a multi-shutter which can open and close successively; strobes; a swinging speed measuring sensor; and a controlling/computing device connected to the CCD camera, the strobes, and the swinging speed measuring sensor. The swinging speed measuring sensor outputs a trigger signal for opening/closing the shutter to the CCD camera when the swinging speed measuring sensor detects passage of a golf club. Upon receipt of the trigger signal, the multi-shutter opens and closes successively. Synchronously with the opening/closing of the multi-shutter, the strobes emit flashlight sequentially. In this manner, a plurality of images of a golf ball driven by the golf club are photographed in a one-image frame.

Abstract: A method according to the invention includes determining a pattern probability for each of a number of target patterns achievable in a bingo-type game. Each pattern probability comprises a probability of achieving the respective target pattern in the bingo-type game. The method next includes associating or mapping different pattern sets to each different prize level in a desired prize distribution. The target patterns and their respective pattern probabilities are assigned or mapped to the different pattern sets so that the individual pattern probabilities included in each pattern set add up to the desired probability of the prize level with which the pattern set is associated.

Abstract: A background-sound control apparatus, a background-sound control method, readable recording medium containing a background-sound control program, and a video game apparatus improve effectiveness of background-sound data provided over a predetermined number of channels. When background sounds are produced through a speaker, a sound-level controller controls output ratios for sound levels defined in background-sound data on a channel basis and uses a sound-level control function to perform crossfading sound-level control.

Abstract: A video game system including a video game machine and a controller connected thereto, wherein the game machine is further connected with a display device. A video-game memory medium, detachably attached to the game machine, generates image data for displaying a player object, a plurality of courses, and objects other than the player object. A player chooses a course of play by operating the controller. A score-giving condition is detected according to a relation of the player object to another object. Depending on the detection, a first score is counted for the course. When the player object comes under a condition satisfying a course clear, the first score is memorized in a score-register area of a RAM. If the user chooses to play a same course, an initial value is written to the score-register area.

Abstract: The present specification discloses a flexible, adapable voucher gaming system having a LAN interconnecting a cashier terminal, a central voucher-record database server, one or more logical gaming controllers, and a plurality of player terminals in order to play games of chance at each player terminal. The system provides voucher printers at the cashier terminal and preferably at the player terminals as well. The vouchers include unique bar codes printed on the vouchers, and the bar codes are readable by scanners at the cashier terminal and at the player terminals. The player terminals are preferably adapted to provide the player with the option of receiving at least certain amounts of cash rather than a voucher, but to also ensure that at least a voucher is provided to the player in the event that the player terminal fails to dispense cash when earned by the player and payable to the player under the game rules at the player terminal.

Abstract: Conventionally, the same impression is given by machine bodies of the same kind even when any of them is played and attachment or preference of a player with regard to a machine or a game is difficult to produce. Therefore, a slot machine (1) according to the invention is provided with control means changing control of an attached equipment by individuals of the game machines such that individual difference is produced among the game machines of the same machine kind without changing control of hit probability. When the attached equipment is constituted by reels (3) through (5), the ROM (32) stores control constants for determining a timing of starting to rotate or stopping to rotate the respective reels (3) through (5) by values which differ depending on the individuals.

Abstract: A game method and device are set forth wherein pairs of hands are exposed to the player. If one of the pairs has a qualifying holding, the game method provides for the exchange of indicia between the hands to increase the reward to be received by the player. Where the game is based upon the use of playing cards, two hands of five cards each are exposed to the player. If one of the hands has a qualifying holding such as a pair of 7s or better, the player can exchange cards between the hands to increase the poker ranking of one or both of the hands. The reward is based upon the ranking of the hands. The device for practicing the game may provide for automatic transformation to obtain the best possible outcome.

Abstract: It is an object of this invention to provide a method of expressing, in an easily visible manner, a game proceeded in a plurality of game fields formed hierarchically. At least first and second game fields are hierarchically formed in a three-dimensional virtual space. It is possible to enjoy games proceeded simultaneously and in parallel in upper and lower spaces by displaying the proceeds of the games in the respective fields as seen from a viewpoint in the space.

Abstract: A method and subsystem for paying awards in a gaming machine having a Bet Module adapted to configure the gaming machine to have a plurality of discrete Bet Values (BV) available to a game user. A Pay Table Module is further included which is configured to provide a plurality of associated payout awards which vary with the bet value wagered, wherein a discrete bonus Bet Value (BVbonus), which commences a maximum bonus pay schedule (Xbonus), may be adjustably selected from at least two of the discrete bet values.

Abstract: A control method for controlling execution of processing in a video game, the game being made to progress with display of an image timed to a reference signal supplied every unit cycle.

Abstract: A key for a gaming machine for authorizing various functions via a control system of the gaming machine. The key includes a connector for coupling the key to a communication port of the gaming machine and non-volatile memory that communicates with the control system to determine the appropriateness of authorization and the functions authorized.

Abstract: A method for providing incentive to players of networked slot machines includes a card reader associated with each machine and a card associated with each player. A player account accessible by a host computer on the network is created which associates the player's card with the account. A predetermined credit is applied to the player's account. In a complementary incentive, credit from the player's account is applied to the coin-in meter of a slot machine responsive to insertion of the player card into a card reader associated with the machine. In a matching incentive also implemented by the present invention, each time the player inserts a coin into the slot machine, an equal credit is debited from the player's account and applied to the coin-in meter of the machine. In both cases, the credit can only be used by the player to play the machines and cannot be cashed out.

Abstract: An accessory for a hand-held video game device having an external power supply outlet and a headphone outlet, including a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the hand-held device, a rechargeable battery, a power jack electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and adapted for insertion into the external power supply of the hand-held device for powering the device, an audio connector jack adapted for insertion into the headphone outlet of the hand-held device for receiving audio signals from the hand-held device, an amplified stereo speaker system adapted to be powered by the rechargeable battery and receive audio signals from the hand-held device through the audio connector jack when the audio connector jack is inserted into the headphone outlet, and a vibration mechanism electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and adapted to cause movement sensations in the accessory, the vibration mechanism adapted to be actuated by the audio signals.

Abstract: When a plurality of players play a simulation game in a plurality of user stations connected to a single game management station via a network, each player is not restrained in a game space over a lengthy period of game time while maintaining the reflection of a strategic intention of each player on the progress of a game. A process for player character selection enables the strategic character selection reserved at a suitable point of time by player character selection reservation system to be the effective selection only at a point of character encountering time appearing every fixed period of time. A player character encountering event decision system enables the strategic search route setting reserved at a suitable point of time by a player character encountering event reservation system to be the effective setting only at a point of character encountering time appearing every fixed period of time.