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: After a batter hits a ball, the height of the ball moving on a trajectory passing through present movement positions is judged. For example, future movement positions respectively positioned on a time axis ahead of the present movement positions are indicated on the ground by elliptical marks. The peak of the height becomes a boundary, and before the peak, the mark has a first color and the size of the mark is enlarged in a rising process of the ball, and after the peak, the mark has a second color and the size of the mark is reduced in a falling process of the ball. Therefore, the real pleasure of the operation by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

Abstract: A game of chance is based on a keno-type game which uses one or more groups of number ranges, such as a HI group of number ranges, a LO group of number ranges and a HI/LO group of number ranges. A player makes a wager on one or more of the groups of number ranges. Each number range in a group has payout odds assigned thereto. After all wagers are made, a predetermined amount of numbers, say twenty, are randomly selected from the pool of numbers, say eighty. The numbers randomly selected are added up to determine a numerical total. The number range in which the numerical total falls is determined and the player is provided an award based on the payout odds for the number range within which the numerical total falls. The number range feature of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a regular game of keno.

Abstract: After a batter hits a ball, the height of the ball moving on a trajectory passing through present movement positions is judged. For example, future movement positions positioned on a time axis ahead of the present movement positions are indicated on the ground by elliptical marks. The peak of the height becomes a boundary, and in a rising process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a first color, and in a falling process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a second color. Therefore, the enjoyment of operations by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

Abstract: A CD-ROM which records a game program and movie data is used to display a movie on part of a face of a character appearing in a game. A predetermined face object is placed in a virtual three-dimensional space. A region of which expression should be changed within the face object is specified. An image data reading unit sequentially reads frame images of movie data representative of a change of expression of the region from the CD-ROM to an image data buffer unit. An image data transferring unit sequentially stores the frame images into a plurality of buffer areas included in a texture data buffer unit, while switching the buffer areas. A texture mapping unit sequentially maps the frame images sequentially stored in the buffer areas within the texture data buffer unit to the region as texture data, in parallel to the storing operation.

Abstract: The game system 1 comprises a plurality of game devices 2a, 2b, . . . , a host computer 3 for implementing respective processing, and communication lines 4a, 4b, . . . , 5a, 5b, . . . to connect the game devices and the host information processing means. When there is a request for a game, the game device 2a is connected with the host computer 3 in order to provide such request to the host computer 3 and to receive opponent information from the host computer 3. Furthermore, the operation above is also implemented between the game device 2b and the host computer 3. After obtaining opponent information, the game devices 2a and 2b cut off the communication line 4a connected with the host computer 4, and a competition-type game is implemented between the game devices 2a and 2b by way of a communication line 5a.

Abstract: A player selects whether the numerical total of the numbers selected during a lottery game will be high or low, or either high or low. When the winning lottery numbers are selected, they are also totaled and a numerical sum of the selected lottery numbers is determined. The numerical total is designated as “high”, “low” or “middle” based on pre-established criteria and winning high/low selections are paid. A separate wager may be required for the player to be eligible for this high/low feature of the lottery game.

Abstract: A billiards game having at least one set of cards for directing game play, wherein the cards include picture-based depictions and/or descriptions for a given shot to be attempted by the game player(s). Scoring related to each shot is included on the respective card. Also, a method for playing a billiards game having at least one set of cards for directing game play, wherein the cards include picture-based depictions and/or descriptions for a given shot to be attempted by the game player(s) until the ball(s) are sunk into pocket(s) on the table.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed. The gaming apparatus has a reduced size, and is capable of being configured to implement different types of games. In one or more embodiments, the gaming apparatus comprises a cabinet and a door moveable between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the door cooperates with the cabinet to define a generally closed interior space. In its second position, the door permits access to the interior space. The apparatus includes at least one support associated with the cabinet for supporting a reel mechanism in the interior space. The door has window or therein.

Abstract: Input of a manipulation by a user is accepted before a player receives the ball. Upon occurrence of input of a manipulation, motion of the player including catching and throwing of the ball is determined in response to the input of the manipulation. By using the motion, transitions of display is made from a state before a catch of the ball by the player to a throw of the ball.

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 to provide an entertaining and amusing environment for participants to carry out online transactions without limiting the participants to traditional auction “moves”.

Abstract: A game machine and information storage medium is provided which realizes the collection of character information and smooth play of a network game by utilizing a portable device that stores information. When the portable device is inserted into a game machine, character information is randomly selected and written into the portable device, or character information in the portable device is printed. Furthermore, character information not still stored in the portable device may be written into the same. Based on a combination of stored character information or personal information of a player, the character information is selected. A player can play an accessory game during the writing/printing time. The character information written or printed may vary depending on the result of the game. An arcade game machine may connect to a network and information can be transferred between the arcade game machine and a domestic game machine utilizing the portable device.

Abstract: A mobile object, such as a hollow ball containing an electronic circuitry system is proposed. The circuitry includes a speech processor and a controller, an integrated circuit for a speech recorder, an integrated circuit for an audio amplifier, a microphone and a power supply and an impact switch and push button switches. In response to impact, the circuitry generates a randomly chosen multiple choice questions. According to the answer chosen by the player, he/she presses a push button switch representing the answer. The electronic system then verifies whether the answer is correct or incorrect and generates a signal accordingly.

Abstract: A video slot reel game is provided with a supply of symbols for the play of video gaming formats. The supply of symbols appears as an image of a continuous strip or continuous element of images in a virtual continuous loop or extended strip. For example, a continuous loop may contain 1000 symbols, the loop progresses through a first column in a video slot image (exposing the desired number of frames within the strip of the loop, for example, 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 frames exposed for active play), the forward part of the strip of the loop is then returned to another column to expose the desired number of frames, and then the forward part of the loop is again returned to the video screen in still another column to expose another desired number of play active frames. This manner of providing the frames in a continuous (or at least extended) strip or loop provides both additional imagery and an opportunity for varying the probabilities of the game easily.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a primary game scheme which includes one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more secondary games. If the player reaches a win condition in one or more secondary games, the gaming device provides the player with an award. This type of game scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Abstract: The music action game machine comprises: a main body; an operation input device disposed on a front side of the main body so as to be adjacent to hands of a player facing the front side of the main body, the operation input device having a plurality of operation members; a storage device for storing data of a musical composition and data of a performance procedure associated with the musical composition; a music play device for playing the musical composition based on the data stored in the storage device; an operation instructing device for giving the player a visual instruction to operate the operation members in accordance with progress of a play of the musical composition based on the data stored in the storage device; an effect producing device for producing a performance effect in response to a performance operation performed by the player to each of the operation members; an estimation device for estimating the performance operation of the player based on a relationship between the performance procedur

Abstract: A computer readable program product stores a program for a ball-playing type game enabling continuous action at the time a player catches a ball in a ball-playing game to be expressed smoothly. When a fielder starts a catching action, a difference between a position of a glove at the time the fielder catches the ball by a group of motion and an arrival position of the ball is calculated. The position of the glove at one motion based on a group of motion for catching in the catching motion of the fielder is corrected in accordance with the difference between the position of the glove and the arrival position. Other motion with the position of the glove corrected is displayed, and the position of the glove of the fielder is matched to the arrival position of the ball when the fielder catches the ball in the motion after correction.

Abstract: A device for putt-practice is disclosed. This device has a first casing opened at its opposite ends, with a speed sensor provided at each end of the first casing and a ball inlet formed at one end of the first casing. A second casing, opened at its opposite ends, is axially connected to an end of the first casing, with a transparent window provided at the upper portion of the second casing for guiding a backstroke movement of a putter during an act of putting. This second casing also has a displaying means for displaying a target putting distance preset by a user, a practical backstroke distance of the putter, and putting results after the act of putting.

Abstract: In this puzzle game device, a three-dimensional game field 70 laterally extended around a tubular subject is provided. The 3D game field 70 is divided into display regions of vertically 12 lines by circumferentially 16 columns, and each display region is capable of displaying a panel. A player can move the panels displayed on the game field 70 with a cursor 71. The panels are varied in pattern, and when three or more panels of a pattern being vertically or laterally in line, those panels are eliminated. The 3D game field 70 has new panels continuously rising, therefore the player is required to unceasingly eliminate the panels. When the player fails to eliminate panels quick enough and the panels reach the top of the 3D game field 70, the game is over. By applying the 3D game field 70 as an alternative to a conventional 2D game field, the degree of freedom and the level of variety of a game are enhanced by the up-scaled game field.

Abstract: Upon issuance of a sound reproduction request, storage locations of sound data constituting a sentence are determined. A live commentary sound is output based on the sound data that are stored in a distributed manner. At this time, the sound data in a CD-ROM are transferred to a RAM in a divisional manner. The sound data that have been transferred to the RAM are then transferred to a sound memory in a divisional manner. In this manner, even sound data of a long sentence can be read from the CD-ROM with a small number of times of access.