Abstract: A T.V camera in center field beyond the playing field directed at the home plate along a main axis. The camera senses the baseball in the strike zone. A second T.V. camera directed at the home plate in direction perpendicular to the main axis, which also senses the baseball in the strike zone, but in an area between the front end limits of the home plate. The two T.V. cameras are connected in series and serve to control the scoreboard and show on the scoreboard when the baseball in its passage by the strike zone constitutes a strike.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the win or loss of individual participants in a game of chance, such as for example Black Jack, Poker or the like, wherein the bet and the winnings are represented by chips. A central chip depository (102) is provided for receiving the game inventory and the latter has means for determining its momentary content. At least one chip deposit area (110, 111) is provided per participant and has in each case at least one sensor (701) for the detection of chips lying on the deposit area (110, 111). The means for determining the momentary chip content and also the sensors (701) have their outputs connected to the inputs of a data processing system (104).

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a reality coprocessor. The reality coprocessor performs a conversion process on image data to display a player object or non-player object according to image data transferred from an external ROM to a RAM, and supplies the image signal through the display. The reality coprocessor detects whether or not there exists a non-player object at around the player object on the display in response to an operation of a Z button. If a non-player object is detected, the reality coprocessor selects the non-player object as an attention non-player object. At this time, the hypothetical camera is changed in position and photographing direction such that photographing can be made for the player object directly facing the non-player object.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for locating lost golf balls which includes a golf ball that incorporates an array of passive transponders and a radio frequency (“RF”) transmitter/receiver capable of energizing the passive transponder array and of detecting a signal emitted by the array. Each passive transponder functions as a tuned LC circuit that is charged by the RF transponder/receiver and emits an RF signal, detectable by the RF transmitter/receiver, for a finite period of time after the RF transmitter/receiver is turned off.

Abstract: A game system capable of message exchange taking profit of functions proper to the game machine is achieved by a game system, comprising a first game apparatus 1 including a message creation device 4, 10 and a device 10 for transmitting the created message, and a second game apparatus 1 including a reception device 10 of said message and a display control device 10 for displaying the received message on the screen of a predetermined display apparatus 3, wherein said second game apparatus 1 includes a game execution device 10 for making a user to play a predetermined game, and a display permission control device 10 for prohibiting to display at least a part of said message until a predetermined condition is met in said game, and allowing to display the display prohibited part of said message when said condition is met.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, article of manufacture, and a memory structure for concurrently presenting a current playing hand and cards issued in previous playing hand is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of presenting a playing hand having at least one card and a representation of at least one card issued in at least one previous game to a player; determining an outcome of the game; and taking an action according to an outcome of the game. The article of manufacture comprises a program storage device tangibly embodying instructions for performing the method steps described above. The apparatus comprises a processor, communicatively coupled to a display and a user input device, and a memory, coupled to the processor, the memory storing instructions for concurrently displaying a playing hand having at least one card and a representation of at least one card issued in a previous hand.

Abstract: A method of executing processing for displaying hints to a character in a role playing game, and a program product and game system for the same, judge if a character being operated in response to an operational input from a player is at a location for which a special action is set. The invention also judges if the character has the ability to execute the special action set for that location, and, when that character has the ability to execute the special action, displays the navigation on the screen. When the character does not have the ability to execute the special action, a hint is displayed on the screen.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a winner in a bingo game. Players may obtain bingo cards from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that physically prints bingo cards for players in an embodiment where the player appears in person to purchase tickets, or from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that permit players to play bingo in an on-line environment. A game processor maintains a linked list identifying each card in play containing each possible value. Each entry in a linked list includes a pointer to the next element in the linked list. Each bingo card is represented as a bitmap containing an entry corresponding to each square on the bingo card. Each entry in the linked list also identifies the particular square on the bingo card containing the corresponding value, thereby allowing the appropriate entry in the corresponding bitmap to be identified. As each number is drawn, the game processor utilizes the linked list to identify all of the bingo cards in play having the drawn number.

Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.

Abstract: In a method of a method of linking a unique identifier to an instant game ticket, a user is instructed to enter or provide a unique identifier. The unique identifier is received from the user via input into the identifier entry mechanism. The unique identifier is stored in a computer-readable memory. A representation of the unique identifier and at least one game result is printed on an instant win game ticket. The user is instructed not to accept the instant win game ticket unless the representation of the unique identifier printed thereon corresponds to the unique identifier that the user provided. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C. F. R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A background-sound switching method and apparatus is provided for switching of background-music data. A partitioning code represents an end position of a phrase of background sounds outputted through a speaker. A switching instruction device outputs a switching-instruction signal which causes switching from the background-sound data being outputted to a D/A converter to other background-sound data. Following output of the switching-instruction signal, a data-number controller stores in RAM a data number which defines a next background-sound data to be outputted to the D/A converter. A code detector detects the partitioning code of the background-sound data being outputted. At each time the partitioning code is detected, a switching controller determines whether or not the data number is stored in the RAM and, if the data number is stored in the RAM, the background-sound data being outputted is switched to the other background-sound data defined by the data number.

Abstract: A game machine executes a game program in response to a control signal given by rotating imitation mechanism driven by a player to display an object corresponding to the player on a display device. The game machine includes a rotation detector, a control unit, and a display for displaying the ski course with the trace of the skis according to the display data of the trace generated by the control unit.

Abstract: An electronic gaming system is disclosed that allows a player of an electronic gaming device, such as a slot machine or an arcade video game, to access premium entertainment services, such as premium web sites, pay-per-view services and shared-revenue telephone services, such as 900 or 976 services, for enhanced player retention. When play is initiated, a predefined establishment-specific criteria is evaluated to determine whether the player should be offered access to premium content entertainment services. A player entitled to access such services is preferably presented with a list of available premium entertainment services. Upon receipt of the player's selection, a connection is established between the electronic gaming device and the provider of the selected premium entertainment service. The player's level of play is preferably monitored to ensure that the establishment-specific criteria for maintaining access to such services is being met.

Abstract: A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game is played toward a winning outcome, and includes a bonus game that may be triggered by a particular outcome or outcomes. The bonus game is made up of a series of successive games centered around a common theme or directed toward a common outcome.

Abstract: An arcade race game having interchangeable components allowing for the formation of various games. The object of the game is to hit a target causing actuation of the race progression indication device. The first player to reach a predetermined point activates a detection device which stops the game and signals the winner of the game. The game structure is preferably pre-wired to accommodate various games. The processor may also be programmed to accommodate various game formats.

Abstract: A sentence display control device displays sentences representing contents of speeches of human characters who appear in a game and imitating sounds relating to the contents of speeches in a game content display frame of a monitor. A vibration control device vibrates a vibration pack when the vibration pack is mounted on a controller. A display mode changing device successively enlarges the sizes of the respective characters of a sentence representing the content of the game displayed in the game content display frame when a specific character display is executed and then reduces them to an initial size. A link control device links a change of a display mode by the display mode changing device and driving of the vibration pack. Accordingly, the contents of speeches of the characters who appear in the game can be displayed in an emphasized manner to a game player, thereby making the video game more interesting.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game machine and a memory medium. The game machine is connected with a controller to be operated by a player and a display device for displaying game images. The memory medium generates player object image data and influencing object image data, as well as generates message data. The message data is a message to teach the player how to operate the controller. A player object and an influencing object are displayed on the display device. Also, the display device displays a message of how to operate the controller.

Abstract: An enhanced system and method for carrying out online transactions and auctions using a “shopping games” mechanism module is disclosed. The shopping games system provides for a mechanism scheme allowing “game moves” as well as bidding and message exchanging moves. The participants of the system may engage in game play in conjunction with an auction process, wherein the game play affects the auction process to provide a entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a metronome system. The metronome system includes a CPU which reads game state data on ticks determined by a check-back rate. The CPU can cause sound file changes to occur at any time any tick occurs, thereby enabling a plurality of sound recordings to be interfaced on-beat or otherwise. The present invention provides gaming devices with enhanced sound and music capabilities, adding to a gaming device player's enjoyment and entertainment.

Abstract: A game system includes: a manipulating unit to be manipulated by a player; a storage unit for storing program and data required to execute a game; an executing unit for executing the game based on a manipulation of the manipulating unit and storage contents in the storage unit; an interrupting unit for interrupting a progress of the game when the game being executed reaches a predetermined progress level; an requesting unit for requesting the player to input information to release the interruption of the game in response to the interruption of the game by the interrupting unit; and a managing unit for comparing the manipulation of the manipulating unit responsive to the request by the requesting unit with a releasing condition of the interruption which is stored in the storage unit in advance, for permitting the progress of the game ahead of the point of the interruption if the manipulation satisfying the releasing condition is performed and for inhibiting the progress of the game ahead of the point of the in