Abstract: A multi-tier video draw poker game in which a player can wager winnings from a first tier poker hand on a second tier poker hand.

Abstract: A very compact and ergonomical hand-held electronic gaming device is provided having a body including a front housing portion for containing the game's electronic circuitry and to which input keys for the game are mounted, and a rear extension portion extending rearwardly from the front housing portion for securing of a printed game book thereto. The gaming device is designed so that playing the game takes place with the book opened by the player while still secured to the rear extension so that the game body and open book can be held with one hand while using the other free hand to key in input to the game based on printed matter read from the open book. Thus, the game book need not be separated from the game to play the game. Preferably, the game has multiple-choice questions with associated answer choices to be selected by the player. A NEXT key is provided so that the questions can be answered sequentially without having to key in each question number.

Abstract: A video game which incorporates a video game player's cardio-waveform into the video display and integrates the wave-form with the activities of the video game being played. A cardio-waveform sensor is attached to a video game player. The sensor produces a signal which is transmitted to an input interface of a micro-processor. A joystick or other control system which enables a player to control the play of the video game is also attached to the input interface of the micro-processor. The micro-processor produces a display signal dependant on the signal's generated from the joystick and cardio-waveform sensor. The player's cardio-waveform is also displayed on the video display and is incorporated into the activities of the game being played. In one embodiment the cardio-waveform represents a boundary which confines the activities of a roaming icon.

Abstract: The Distributed Gaming System provides a user with remote location gaming, for example from within a hotel room. Using the room's television and a remote control, the user, such as a hotel guest, is able to play games similar to those available on a Video Lottery Terminal. The games are displayed on a TV through the use of a TV set-top box. The set top box connects the TV to a network of computer systems through which the Gaming System is distributed and managed. Game access is obtained using a payment swipe device. A special feature of system is the progressive jackpots that are available to game players; these jackpots are at the hotel, jurisdiction, and global levels.

Abstract: A method of controlling, and apparatus for, an interactive entertainment system, in which user input influences the path taken through a narrative branch structure (90). Features of the narrative are assigned a respective attribute store containing an attribute value (80-83) and, for at least some paths of the narrative (XA,AB,AC,CD), one or more of the attribute values are altered. At least one branch point (E) of the narrative has conditional access (Y) and default paths (N) leading therefrom, with access being enabled or denied on the basis of one or more current attribute values.

Abstract: A system for monitoring and configuring gaming devices interconnected over a high-speed network is disclosed. The system can support a file server, one or more floor controllers, one or more pit terminals, and other terminals all interconnected over the network. Each gaming device includes an electronic module which allows the gaming device to communicate with a floor controller over a current loop network. The electronic module includes a player tracking module and a data communication node. The player tracking module includes a card reader for detecting a player tracking card inserted therein which identifies the player. The data communication node communicates with both the floor controller and the gaming device. The data communication node communicates with the gaming device over a serial interface through which the data communication node transmits reconfiguration commands.

Abstract: A controller provides control signals to a computer based upon the movement of a user. The controller has an optical detector for detecting and monitoring the movement of a user, particularly movement of selected body parts, and circuitry for outputting a control signal to the computer in accordance with detected movement. A vector indicative of detected movement is generated on a frame-to-frame basis using only a few representative edge pixels of the body parts. Control signals for the direction and the velocity of the movement are determined from the vector and move a graphical user interface on a display accordingly.

Abstract: A device is utilized in casino gaming environment that will count the number of hands of a given card game played per given period of time. The information is used by a database system within the casino to determine theoretical win/loss based upon historical and theoretical outcome data related to probability of winning/losing any given hand and then factoring in the number of hands played. Preferably this device is polled by a database system to collect this information. In a preferred embodiment, the device could be utilized with an automatic tracking and information management system.

Abstract: A game footbag includes an electronic light source circuit. The electronic light source circuit includes an energy source coupled to a light source and an inertial switch. In one embodiment, the energy source is a battery, and the light source includes a light emitting diode. The inertial switch is activated when the footbag is accelerated, such as, for example, when the footbag is kicked or struck. When activated, the inertial switch causes the light emitting diode to emit light. In another embodiment, a timer may be coupled to the inertial switch and the light emitting diode. When the inertial switch is activated, the timer is triggered, which causes the light emitting diode to emit light for a predetermined time period after the footbag is accelerated. In another embodiment, the electronic light source circuit includes a phototransistor that prevents the light source from emitting light when the footbag is exposed to light.

Abstract: An electronic gaming machine that closely emulates the actions, look and feel of a live action roulette game including betting table layout, roulette wheel operation and croupier interactions with the game players is accomplished by a CRT displayed game table and a tower CRT displaying the graphic image of a roulette wheel and the video appearance and speech of the dealer. The roulette game consists of five player stations surrounding a simulated game table consisting of two large horizontal CRT monitors which display the roulette betting field. The game is firmware controlled from a game table chassis which communicates with each player station and with the tower video system. Each player via a track ball and control buttons, places or deletes bets on the displayed betting field during the wagering phase. As the game progresses announcements to the players appear on the CRT betting table and on the tower video monitor by the live video appearance of the current game dealer.

Abstract: A method of and system for analyzing golf swings is described. A three dimensional android computer model of a human as well as a parametric dynamic computer model of a golf club are generated and combined. In addition, the three dimensional motions of a person swinging a golf club are recorded using cameras that track reflective markers placed at various locations on the person. A computer processes the marker path data to calculate three dimensional angular motions of the body segments of the person and the golf club which is then used to kinematically drive the joints of the android model to effect superposition of the recorded golf swing on the android model and golf club model. Kinetic data derived from the analysis of the model may in turn be used to dynamically drive the joints of the android model to also superimpose the recorded swing on the models. The results are used, among other things, to study the biomechanics of the golfer and the performance of the golf club.

Abstract: A game wherein characters are defined to form a data pool. Each character in the data pool is related to and distinguished from the other characters in the data pool by a geographic location data. The data preferably includes actual information such as geographic information, city, country(the character is present in), maps, house plans etc. However, the data can also be fictitious, such as imaginary worlds with imaginary cites towns etc. The character data may be presented to the player for review or interaction to further develop the character. The characters may be randomly selected from the data pool to simulate the possibility/probability of living at the locations corresponding to the data. Several characters may be provided in sequence, each with a potentially different date and location data.

Abstract: The present invention is related to a network based gaming system that enables a plurality of players to place wagers on a real-time game of chance being conducted in a casino via a distributed network system or, alternatively, to place wagers on a game of chance using internally generated game sequences.In the preferred embodiment of the system, a gaming machine provides a menu of a plurality of live-action board games of chance, such as roulette, craps or baccarat, from which a player selects a desired game. Once the game is selected, the player is presented a video representation of the possible bets on the gaming machine and a means for establishing a stake by either depositing currency or by accessing various credit accounts such as a credit card or casino credit line.

Abstract: A system for allowing a game operator to individually tailor parameters of a video game machine provides a plurality of user interactive video screen displays for selecting the parameters. The parameters include the currency value to be associated with different currency types accepted by the machine, and the coin/credit ratio of the machine for each different currency type accepted by the machine.

Abstract: A kind of darts target with target indication and electrical scoring is disclosed. The darts target comprises a target defining a plurality of target areas, a plurality of pilot lamps arranged at positions the target for highlighting the corresponding target areas and electrically connected to a display output port of a microcomputer via a driver disposed within the target, and a control panel disposed below the target. The control panel includes an indicator for displaying score, and a set of function keys connected to the microcomputer for selecting various game modes. With this arrangement, game modes such as a random given mode, a hunting mode, a race mode and an interception mode can be obtained.

Abstract: Apparatus including a video baseball-simulating game and a special bat containing a combination of electronic, mechanical, and optical components for providing infrared radiation or other energy (typically electrical) that is modulated when the player swings the bat and thus actuates a centrifugal switch therein. Receiving and decoding means receive the energy and, responsive thereto, provide digital signals to software in the video game to control an animated batter in the visual display therein.An alternative form of the apparatus functions similarly, except that radiation is emitted from, and received at, a "home plate" on the floor and is modulated by the swinging of an ordinary bat to diffract a portion of the radiation in its path from emitter to receiver.

Abstract: A queuing system is provided for gaming apparatus such as a billiards table. The system uses a remote consol (16) that is coin operated and has a key-pad (58) for players to enter theft names in a sequence of players. The consol dispenses a ticket (76) with a unique identifier (78) marked on the ticket, corresponding to the player name. A display (18) associated with the apparatus, for example above a billiards table (12), displays the name or names of the persons playing. When a game is completed, as by pocketing the black ball in a game of snooker, the apparatus detects this condition and signals the main processor through an infrared link that the game is over. The apparatus is then locked up, as by locking a ball collector (32), until the next player enters the correct ticket at the consol to release the balls from the collector. A tournament mode of play omitting the tickets and providing for two sequences of players is also provided.

Abstract: A scoring apparatus for scoring a table tennis game includes three sensors secured to two tables and a net device of the table tennis game for sensing the striking of a table tennis ball to the tables and to the net device. A processing device is coupled to the sensors for receiving signals from the sensors, and a displayer device is coupled to the processing device for displaying the scores of the players. The displayer device includes two displayer screen fors displaying the scores of two players. The displayer device includes one or more press buttons for calibrating the displayer screens.

Abstract: This invention comprises an electronic control system for recording, and marking hold sequences or `routes` on structures for recreational and competitive climbing and for scoring a climber's performance in ascending such routes. When used by a climber during a new route, sensitive holds electronically transmit their identifying addresses to a computerized recording system. Upon completion of the new route climbers assign a name and grade of difficulty using the computer. Climbers may also use the computer to recall routes previously designed by others. Electronically activated markers are then used to rapidly and conveniently designate the particular holds comprising the route. As the climber ascends, the holds now function to inform the computer if the climber has used an illegal hold, that is a hold which is `off route`. The system also keeps track of how high and how fast the climbers ascend, thus providing a convenient method of scoring their performance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a shoe of the type described wherein the shoe has a card scanner which scans indicia on a playing card as the card moves along and out of a chute by manual direction by the dealer in the normal fashion. The scanner can be one of several different types of devices which will sense each card as it is moved downwardly and out of the shoe. A feed forward neural-network which is trained using error back-propagation to recognize all possible card suits and card values sensed by the scanner. Such a neural-network becomes a part of a scanning system which provides a proper reading of the cards to determine the progress of the play of the game including how the game might suffer if the game players are allowed to count cards using a card count system and perform other acts which would limit the profit margin of the casino. The shoe of the present invention is also provided with additional devices which make it simple and easy to record data relevant to the play of the game.