Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a bonus game with an adjacent selection feature. In one embodiment of the present invention, the gaming device provides a plurality of adjacent player selectable selections. An award is associated with each player selectable selection. The award associated with each selectable selection is not initially displayed or revealed to the player. The player selectable selections are arranged or grouped into a plurality of associated or related selection sets. In one embodiment, each selection set has a different number of player selectable selections. In one embodiment, the related plurality of selection sets are arranged adjacent to each other to enable each player selectable selection in one set to be adjacent to at least one player selectable selection from another selection set. The player's pick in each selection set limits the available selections in the subsequent selection sets.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may comprise a display apparatus capable of generating video images, a value input device capable of allowing the player to deposit a medium of value, and a controller operatively coupled to the display apparatus and value input device. The controller includes a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor, where the controller is programmed to monitor actions by a player during use of the gaming apparatus, determine a potential game parameter based on monitored actions, and operate the gaming apparatus and display images on the display apparatus responsive to the determined potential game parameter. The potential game parameters may include likely current wager values for the player, player game selection preferences, and selection of pay tables for the player.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein one or more random events are caused to be displayed on the display means and, if a predefined winning event results, the machine awards a prize which is displayed on a meter showing the paying of the prize. Upon the occurrence of a winning event, the controller causes, in addition to incrementing the meter, an award indicating sequence to be generated. The award indicating sequence generates, in a discernible format, outputs relating to payment of the prize to be paid as a result of the winning event. The outputs change during payment of the prize with a rate of change being dependent on, and varying with, a size of the prize.

Abstract: An Internet-based game for teaching personal values and financial responsibility to a child includes interactive game events, an adventure story activity with selectable story elements, a scoring system awarding a virtual collectible creature having artificial intelligence characteristics and characteristics mimicking a financial instrument, and indicia of account information.

Abstract: A hand-held controller having a plurality of console command buttons that, in response to activation, cause the transmission of commands for the purpose of controlling the operation of a video game console. Parental control is provided by preventing the transmission of commands to the video game console in response to activation of a console command button as a function of a parental control parameter that is provided to the hand-held controller.

Abstract: A computer user enters free-form electronic ink at run-time of an application program for manipulating the trajectories of mobile objects within the application program. Collisions between mobile objects and ink are processed by determining a collision angle that bisects a first and last intersecting point along a periphery of the first object. After the collision, the first object moves away from the ink as if the first object collided with a flat surface oriented perpendicular to the collision angle.

Abstract: The method of the present invention involves a numerical game of chance, which includes a parlay and a bonus playing option. A player selects a series of five (5) numbers from a set of eighty (80) numbers and makes a wager. The player then selects a second series of five numbers from a set of eighty numbers and makes another wager. The player then is given the option to make a combination wager whereby the first series of five numbers and second series of five numbers are combined. The gaming establishment then draws five winning numbers randomly from the set of eighty numbers. A player wins if his first series of five numbers matches the winning numbers, if his second series of five numbers matches the winning numbers or if any combination of the two series of numbers (i.e., ten numbers selected) matches the winning numbers. Additionally, bonus and parlay options are available.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a game that may be implemented in a primary or bonus game. More specifically, the present invention provides a processor controlled gaming device that enables the player to build a number of awards by selecting choices from one or more sets of choices and further enables the player to select a final award choice that randomly provides one of the awards when the player finishes building the awards.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is selectively connected to a master. Durring conection, a plurality of conversation scripts and associated dictionay are downloaded to provide a video game comprising a virtual pet, which game is capable of being executed independently from the master. The virtual pet is able to provide an interactive conversation with a user by the use of the script programs and a dictionary. In addition, the user is able to teach the virtual pet new words. Attributes of the words are modified when the user teaches the pet the words, and their intended meaning, and durring later conversations. The attributes are modified based upon the responses of a user to questions asked by the pet. The user responds by selection of one of a number of possible replies.

Abstract: The invention is an eight-card-stud poker game, played with at least one but preferably one standard poker deck of 52 cards, plus at least one but preferably four Jokers. Two or more but preferably seven players may participate in the game. One of the players is the Banker whom other players play against. A Player who is not a Banker may play Aces Two Pair Or Better Bet, 3 Of A Kind Or Better Bet, Straight Or Better Bet, Flush Or Better Bet, Full House Or Better Bet, 4 Of A Kind Or Better Bet, and/or Bonus Bet betting on the contents of the Player's own hand. After at least one bet is placed, each Player and the Banker are each dealt seven cards and one community card. From each Player's own seven dealt cards and the community card, he selects and keeps his best 5-card poker hand and discards three other cards. To win a bet, the Player's best 5-card poker hand must be one of the predetermining winning hands of the type of the bet he bets on, regardless of the Banker's hand.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is adapted for playing at least first and second card games in succession. Each of the card games is associated with a respective set of card rules. In the method, a gaming apparatus includes a user input unit and a display unit, and the player is allowed to place a bet via the user input unit. The card games are played in succession such that the cards in a previous card game are combined with new cards and are reshuffled for selection to result in the cards of a succeeding card game. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mentally challenging game with computer and physical embodiments in which the goal is to move a primary object from its initial location through a system of platforms and levers to a particular destination. Horizontally movable counterweights also traverse this system, serving to raise and lower lever platforms in such a way as to raise and lower the primary object to its destination.

Abstract: A system and method for internet-based cognitive performance measurement is provided. Furthermore, a method is provided whereby improvements in statistical accuracy is obtained.

Abstract: A data processing system and method for executing a process for interacting with at least one user and displaying messages to the user at times of heightened user interest.

Abstract: Changing a game progressing speed dynamically by the operation of a player. While a high-speed mode key is being depressed by the player, at a game progress/musical tempo determination, the game progress of a frame image to be formed is quadrupled, for example, to realize a game progressing speed of four times. While a low-speed mode key is being depressed by the player, at the same determination, there are repeated the operations in which the formation of the frame image is skipped by three times, for example, and in which the formation is then once made. As a result, there is realized a quarter game progressing speed. In either case, a flag for changing a musical tempo is changed to a value according to the mode, and the tempo of the music to be reproduced is changed on the basis of the flag and according to the image.

Abstract: A variety of methods of playing dice games and apparatus for implementing the games are disclosed. In one embodiment, the game involves the step of accepting a wager, displaying indicia such as images of the sides of dice, determining if identical indicia are connected, and providing a payout for winning combinations of connected dice. In one embodiment, a player places a bet and at least two indicia are displayed. If the indicia are the same, the player has the opportunity to have at least one additional indicia displayed, such as upon placing another bet. Play continues so long as the indicia match. If the player receives at least two matching indicia in sequence, the player may end play and be paid a winning. In another embodiment, a matrix of indicia positions is provided and indicia are displayed in one or more of the positions. Winning combinations of indicia comprise two or more indicia located in adjoining or connecting relationship within the matrix.

Abstract: A gaming machine has variable display devices for variably displaying a plurality of symbols necessary for a game, a controller for controlling variable action of the variable display devices, and a display device for displaying optional images. The images displayed by the display device are necessary for a secondary game different from a principal game executed by the variable display devices and are determined in relation to the symbols displayed when the variable action of variable display devices is stopped.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing a user with the ability to submit a wager to a fixed-odds book or a pari-mutuel pool using an interactive wagering application. A conditional wagering option is provided. When the user selects a conditional wagering option, the interactive wagering application may automatically submit the wager to an alternative wager option (e.g., a fixed-odds book or a pari-mutuel pool) if the wager is rejected by the user's selected wager option. The interactive wagering application may notify the user of the status of the submitted wager.

Abstract: The invention teaches the combination of a common toy, the yo-yo, and an electronic hand-held game playing device. To date, these two areas have not been combined and certainly have not been interactive. Specifically, the invention consists of an electronic circuit embedded into the disk of a yo-yo such that typical yo-yo game playing interfaces with the electronic game. The electronic game may be the LCD-type games similar to current hand-held games with the exception that the player must use typical yo-yo game playing actions to play the LCD game. The electronic LCD game will utilize the LCD to display game results and graphics while the yo-yo sensor and switches will provide game input. In addition, the invention discloses electronic games based on audio sound effects, similar to current non-LCD electronic hand-held games with the exception that player must use typical yo-yo game playing to play the game.

Abstract: A Methods of interfacing and interacting on a network having a central computer system and a plurality of telephone line-connected remote computer systems is provided, each remote computer system including a video display. The network methods include the means for and steps of creating a first visual representation of a first user on the visual display of the first computer system and a second visual representation of a second user on the visual display of the second computer system. The second visual representation is then displayed on the visual display of the first computer system and the first visual representation is displayed on the video display of the second computer system. The network and method allow an application program e.g. a video game in which a first player's selected visual representation, interest, skill levels and personal characteristics may be accessed by another player who is invited to play with the first to be employed by at least two primary users.