Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for controlling educational and amusement use of a television. The apparatus includes a switch for switching an output between an amusement input and an educational input. The output is coupled to a television input. A measuring device measures the amusement input when it is switched to the output. A controller device controls switching of the educational input to the output when the measuring device measures a predetermined value for the amusement input and the, controller keeps score of a user's responses to the educational material displayed on the television and controls switching of the amusement input to the output when the user attains a predetermined score. In a specific embodiment the measuring device includes a timer for measuring the time the amusement input is switched to the output and the controller switches the educational input to the output when the timer measures a predetermined time.

Abstract: A commodities options trading game is provided in which the simulated market, which determines whether the value of the simulated commodities options rise or fall, is determined by a real event occurring outside the game being played. In a preferred embodiment, the event from which the simulated market is derived is a real-life sporting event, such as a professional basketball, football, or baseball game. Preferably a host calculator or computer generates the initial option prices and displays the information to a plurality of player stations. After play begins, the host computer updates the options prices using formula based on the current score, time remaining and a other empirically determined factors. The players buy and sell options in response to the momentum of the market. At the conclusion of the sporting event, the options are cashed in for their intrinsic value and the player with the most accumulated wealth is declared the winner.

Abstract: A computer mouse supports a body configured to replicate a miniature automotive vehicle. The vehicle body includes a pair of push buttons for right and left operation. The mouse further includes a conventional trackball unit together with conventional right and left click switches. A selector switch supported upon the vehicle body configures the game play control for operation as a conventional computer mouse or a game play control unit. In the game play control position, a vibrating motor and sound system are operative to provide vehicle sounds and vibrations.

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: Hand-held electronic game devices employing push buttons and other controls to manipulate game play and action on electronic displays, e.g., Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) or Light Emitting Diode (LED) display devices. The game devices have unique elongated, tubular forms in the shape of a stick. The electronic displays are integral with the unique tubular forms and generally centrally mounted therein. Various types of controls are employed at either or both ends of the game devices including, e.g., push buttons, pull switches, spring-loaded balls, flip switches, mouse controls, pointer balls, lever arms, or the like. Game concepts and operations are utilized based upon the particular control mechanisms employed as well as the unique physical shape and appearance of the devices.

Abstract: An apparatus for the practicing of golf swings utilizing a motion sensor and a radiation source on the forehead of the user which projects a radiated signal when head motion is sensed. The signal is detected by a unit contemporaneously with the golfer's swinging either-a golf club, if he is outside, or a simulated golf club provided with a beam of radiation emanating from one end thereof, if he is inside. In the case of the simulated unit which may be used indoors, details of club head registry, (open, closed, square, sweet spot, slightly toward the toe, slightly toward the heel, toe, heel, top and bottom) swing, follow through, club head speed, tempo, distance the ball travels and the path of the ball are displayed and recorded.

Abstract: An input device for a computer system having a central processing unit mounted in a central enclosure comprising a keyboard and touchpad mounted in a hinged bivalve enclosure. The input device is tethered to the central enclosure by a conductive tether.

Abstract: A coinless video game system includes a plurality of electronic video game terminals, a game server corresponding to each player terminal, and a central control network for administering and controlling games and player accounts. A player initially establishes a player account in the central control network and receives a player I.D. card bearing the player's account number and other relevant information. Players use these I.D. cards to establish sessions at a player terminal. The server provides a random number to each player terminal at predefined intervals to determine wins and loses for each game selected by a player. Waged amounts are then debited or credited to a player's account in the central control network. Players may redeem any account balance from a cashier associated with the central control network.

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: A device for locating a position of impact of a projectile upon a planar surface of a target. The device includes a plurality of lamina-type parallel planes, fully covering the surface of the target. Each plane has at least two windings, disposed on its surface, which are arranged in zones forming a continuous conducting path. When a projectile breaks a winding, its location is rapidly sensed and reported. The pattern of wires and layers provides simple, direct compatibility of the output of the device with digital processing operations. An orthogonally situated second device locates the impact position in two dimensions and resolves possible errors in results due to the size of a projectile or a boundary hit. The device can also locate the impact of a second hit.

Abstract: A seat-based tactile sensation generator capable of producing tactile sensation to a video game player corresponding to activity portrayed in a video game. Specifically, in response to signals produced by the video game, a control circuit generator produces control signals for the seat-based tactile sensation generator. The tactile sensation generator contains an array of actuators embedded within a foam seating pad. A specific arrangement of actuators positions the actuators proximate particular portions of a game player's body. Each actuator or group of actuators interacts with the player and is individually activated to produce a localized tactile sensation, e.g., an impact or vibration, corresponding to the action portrayed by the video game as it occurs.

Abstract: A bidirectional communication system includes a center unit and one or more terminal units connected to the center unit via a communication line. The center unit includes: program executing unit for executing one or more programs utilizing operation data in response to selection signals specifying a program to be executed and transmitting information associated with the programs to the terminal units via the communication line; control unit for controlling the program executing unit and the terminal units; and receiving unit for receiving the operation data from the terminal units and supplying the operation data to the program executing unit. The operation data being necessary for execution of the program.

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 pinball machine is provided and includes one or more solenoids for activating one or more play feature mechanisms and a microprocessor for controlling game play activities. The microprocessor has associated therewith a clock for providing timed signals thereto, a memory device having stored therein a plurality of power setting patterns, and a driver. Each of the power setting patterns generally comprises a series of states (ON and OFF) over a predetermined number of counts of the timed signal. One of these patterns is used for each solenoid desired to be controlled. The driver is responsive to the microprocessor for controlling the flow of current to the desired solenoid wherein the driver utilizes the selected pattern to supply pulse width modulated current to the solenoid as a function of the states in the pattern. Preferably, the pattern selected can be changed as desired.

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: A medal distribution system placed in a slot machine island (100) for distributing medals to a plurality of sections in the island. The distribution system comprises a conveyance line (130) being disposed along a row of slot machines for transporting medals in a row direction of the slot machines and a distribution mechanism (200) for extracting medals transported on the conveyance line from the conveyance line. The distribution mechanism (200) has a frame (4) having a plurality of discharge openings being formed on a side face of the conveyance line for extracting medals transported on the conveyance line from the line to the side, a plurality of guide mechanisms (3) being attached to the frame for leading medals on the line to an outside through the discharge openings, and a plurality of supply passages (9) for guiding medals discharged through the discharge openings to target sections.

Abstract: An interactive game film includes, on a video disk, data arranged in clips representing video film segments, each clip having a lead-in segment, a body segment, a loop segment, and a lead-out segment. Each clip matches at least one other, so that when the clips are played in series, the splice is seamless. The clips are displayed by a driver in response to instructions from a game control program unique to a particular game. The game control program provides an interface, in the form of visible or audible subtitles containing keywords, between a player and the driver, whereby the player can, at decision points in the game, control which film clip is displayed next.

Abstract: The present invention provides for electrical devices and methods for evaluating athletic performance. A shock sensor is attached to an athlete or a suitable target such as a punching bag. When the athlete subjects the shock sensor to a shock with a magnitude which equals or exceeds the shock sensor sensitivity, an electrical effect is generated which is processed by a control means. The control means can be programmed for a delay period which precedes the performance evaluating cycle. The athlete's reaction time and shock magnitude can be measured and displayed. The devices and methods are suitable for evaluating athletic performance even if the athlete does not contact a target or an another object such as in simulated martial arts combat wherein there is no body contact between the athletes.

Abstract: An antenna for a wireless network is disclosed. The network includes multiple gaming machines such as slot machines or video poker machines located in an establishment. These machines communicate certain playing data (coin-in, coin-out data, etc.) to a central computer over the wireless network. Antennas for the gaming machines are located in a conventional candle on top of the gaming machine. Such candles typically contain one or more lights which when illuminated indicate a certain event such as a jackpot being hit. The disclosed antenna is unobtrusively located within a conventional candle structure so that from its exterior, a candle antenna appears to be a normal candle of the type typically used on gaming machines. However, interior to the candle antenna is an antenna capable of sending and receiving signals of a particular radio frequency band.

Abstract: A game is played on a gaming machine by the use of gaming media which are increased or decreased depending on results of a play of the game. A first gaming value is defined as a value of the gaming media given to a player. The first gaming value is converted into a second gaming value defined as rights of the player for playing the game, at a first conversion factor. A second conversion factor for converting the second gaming value into the first gaming value is set independently of the first conversion factor.