Abstract: A contest decided by the outcome of an event includes a participant selecting a subset of predetermined size from a finite pool of event competitors. Optionally, the participant places a wager to participate. Optionally, the participant's selections are ranked. At a predetermined point in the event, an index is calculated for each participant based on the aggregate performance of the participant's selected subset. Each index is calculated by summing a statistic generated during the event for each of the participant's selections. Participants are ordered by index and, optionally, a predetermined number of participants are awarded prizes. Tied indexes are resolved by comparing the statistics of competitors in the tied subsets. Optionally, the comparison is in the order in which the participants ranked the selections. Optionally, the reward is derived by pooling wagers.

Abstract: In a quiz game, a first question and a telephone number are displayed at a location. A user enters an answer to the question on an SMS-enabled handset and sends it to the designated telephone number. If the answer is correct, the user receives a further question via SMS, and replies with a further answer. Further questions may be received and answers sent. If all of the answers are correct, the user is prompted to send a message with a name and optionally a choice of prize. The user then receives a voucher number. The voucher number and the name entered by the user, and optionally an identification of the choice of prize, are transmitted to another terminal, which may be another SMS-enabled handset belonging for example to a bartender. The bartender calls out the name and the user presents the voucher number to the bartender. If the presented voucher number matches that received by the bartender, the user receives the prize, such as their choice of free drink.

Abstract: A device for determining whether a rotating stream of water from a sprinkler has been successfully jumped by a person at a player position includes a first sensor generating an first signal as the stream of water passes a first location and a second sensor generating a second signal as the stream of water passes a second location, which is aligned with the player position. The device determines whether the second signal follows the first, indicating whether the stream of water has been blocked by the person, having failed to jump. The device then provides an audible of visible indication as a result of this determination. The device may also display a count of successful jumps.

Abstract: A method of operating a wagering game of chance, comprising the steps of providing a gaming device comprising a base gaming unit providing a base game and a bonus gaming unit providing a bonus game, providing a player with an opportunity to place a wager in order to play the base game, and providing the player with an opportunity to play the bonus game when the wagers placed by the player meet predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A game in which a player shoots water, air, light, a missile, or any other suitable projectile at a target. The target is activated when it is hit by the projectile. Activation of the target causes a plurality of lights to emit light in a predetermined order. The player wins the game by causing all of the lights to emit light.

Abstract: A game system which is capable of ensuring continuity of a game is provided. A game system for paying for recreation value according to progress of a game, has a magnetic information reading device for reading information in an attachable/detachable recording medium, an SRAM for storing state and history of a suspended game corresponding to each of the recording media, and a medal management device for paying for recreation value according to progress of the game. Specifying information for specifying each of the recording media is recorded in each of the recording media, the state and history of the game are stored in the SRAM corresponding to the specifying information, and the rest of the game is continuously progressed by using the state and history of the game which were stored in the RAM corresponding to the specifying information read by the magnetic information reading device.

Abstract: A gaming machine having a display and a game controller arranged to control images displayed on the display. The game controller is arranged to play a game wherein at least one random event is caused to be displayed on the display. If a predefined winning event occurs, the machine awards a prize. The display displays a spinning reel game, each reel of which carries a plurality of symbols, at least one of which is a mystery symbol, the identity of which, at least initially, is hidden. When the mystery symbol appears on the display in a predetermined position, it is caused, by the controller and subject to predetermined conditions, to move to a different position whereafter the identity of the mystery symbol is revealed to be another symbol which is a symbol of a set of symbols of the game.

Abstract: A system of interconnectable construction elements created from molded plastic, and which include planar and cylindrical strut members of varying lengths and thicknesses which can be coupled together and to various construction elements of varying geometries, wherein the construction elements are capable of movement such as pivoting relative to an attached construction element, wherein cylindrical struts include regularly spaced ball structures and regularly spaced gaps therebetween, and wherein the planar and cylindrical struts include a variety of attaching means disposed on the ends thereof that are capable of coupling with complementary structures to thereby form a variety of models, shapes, patterns or designs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gaming device and method including a covering feature. The gaming device and method includes a game using a plurality of video or virtual reels, or cards, or numbers. The device rearranges the reels, cards, or numbers, randomizing, alternating or rearranging the symbols, images, or numbers thereon, then displays the newly randomized or rearranged symbols, images, or numbers. Preferably, before the newly randomized or rearranged symbols are displayed, the gaming device obscures the reels, or cards, or numbers using a cover and provides certain movements including an exhibition, preferably related to the theme of the game. The cover is used to obscure the random event, while the exhibition entertains the player.

Abstract: A poker style card game suitable for playing on a gaming machine. In the game an initial hand of cards is dealt and the player selects particular cards to be held in the hand. The game is characterised in that multiple new hands of held cards are then created wherein the held cards in each new hand are dependent on the held cards in the initial hand but are not identical to the held cards from the initial hand. Additional cards are then drawn to complete each of the hands, and prizes are paid for each hand according to a pay table.

Abstract: Device for manufacturing game pieces and generating movement sequences to be used in a game of chance with a predetermined number of winners. The device includes a printing machine, a computer processor, readable and writeable memory means incorporating a plurality of registers, and a plurality of communication-links. The printing machine prints a start column, an end column, a number of parts, each part comprising a director area, and director patterns on each game piece. The computer processor is configured to obtain game piece manufacturing data incorporating numbers representing maximum vertical differences between the start and end positions of each part. Also, the processor generates one list of director areas for each part, the director areas comprising a director pattern, and sorts the lists so that director patterns resulting in small vertical differences between the start and end positions of each part are arranged to be placed first.

Abstract: An interactive play device, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes means to generate a plurality of interactions, entry control means, means to store responses to interactions and control means to select the next interaction based on memorized responses. One object of this invention is to provide a new class of interactive play devices which is founded on personalizing a play device so that its current functionality is based on past interactions with a player rather than providing an identical operation or a randomly activated function each time the device is turned “on.” The invention also provides a plurality of toy devices which operate in a plurality of states that mimic human behavior. A preferred embodiment discloses an interactive doll device which generates interactions that require responses from the player. The responses are memorized by the doll device and are used to select the next interaction.

Abstract: The present invention rovides a gaming device that enables players to accumulate awards by activating an award distributor having a plurality of award symbols and at least one selection group activator symbol. The gaming device provides the player with a plurality of activations where an award is associated with each award symbol indicated in each activation. When a selection group activator symbol is indicated, the gaming device displays at least one selection set having a plurality of selections associated with selection awards. The gaming device enables a player to select one selection and provides the associated selection award to the player. The number of available selections in the selection set decreases by one after the player picks a selection. If the selection group activator symbol is subsequently indicated, the player picks from the remaining available selections in the selection set.

Abstract: An figure data input device is provided, by which prompt and accurate simulation learning is realized by automatically reading out type identifying data and location data of a figure piece when the piece figure is placed on a mounting board. The educational figure data input device includes a figure piece composed of a figure portion replicating the outward appearance of an object and a storage unit for storing the type of the figure portion, which are combined into one body; a mounting board provided with a plurality of sectional mounting planes in such a manner that one figure piece is placed on only one of the plurality of sectional mounting planes; and a reading device, incorporated in the mounting board, for reading out type identifying data stored in the storage unit of the figure piece placed on the mounting board.

Abstract: A gaming device, which awards an initial award to a player, discloses to a player that a higher valued enticement award is available and selectable, and enables the player to selectively swap the initial award for an opportunity to select the enticement award. The game preferably discloses the value of the initial award and the enticement award. The game masks the enticement award in a pattern along with one or more masked consolation awards, the consolation awards having values less than the value of the initial award. The game reveals the awards using a secondary display having mechanical doors that open and close.

Abstract: The invention relates to an interactive gaming device (100) which contains information concerning whether the device can be made to award a prize or not. The device includes modules (1,2,3,4,5,10,20,30,40,50,60,70) for interaction with a user, and is provided with information unknown to the user concerning how a user is to interact with the device (100) in order for a device which can award a prize to award a prize. This information can relate to whether the device is a winner or not in a lottery. The modules of interaction with a user can comprise a control unit (70), sensors (1,2,3,4,5) for detecting at least one of the parameters sound, light, temperature, touch, atmospheric pressure and movement of the device, and in addition modules (10,20,30,40,50) for example light emitting diodes, of indicating correct interaction with the device with regard to each one of the parameters which the device is equipped with sensors to detect.

Abstract: A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a principal display that displays a plurality of symbols in varying and stopped states. The player is rewarded when the stop state corresponds to a specific stop state. A predictive display displays whether the specific stop state is to be displayed. Start and stop devices are manipulated by a player, and a controller determines whether the specific stop state is to be permitted and a predictive display mode based on the result of the determination. The controller determines whether the likelihood of appearance of the specific stop state is changeable in conjunction with a change in the game resulting from the passage of time. The player adjusts the stop manipulation while confirming changes of the predictive display or expecting the appearance of a known predictive display. In this manner, an effective variable demonstration is achieved, and the fun of the game is enhanced.

Abstract: The method of the present invention is directed to a poker card game, preferably a video card game such as played on a computer screen or in a video poker machine such as found at a casino, wherein on a single wager the poker player plays a face down hand, called a card back hand, and a face up poker hand. The card back hand, played either prior to or after playing the face up hand, is a random dealt hand and, if winning criteria are met, establishes a payout greater than the normal payout on preselected winning face up poker hands. This increases the potential payout on a given poker wager, while using a standard poker deal and playing method for the face up poker hand.

Abstract: Data link-up between multiple game devices can be more flexibly achieved. A game system (1) comprises a game device for business (2) and a game device for use at home (3), which execute games in accordance with predetermined programs, it being possible to exchange information between these games devices, and the game device for business (2) comprises an information output device for outputting judgement information for judging whether predetermined conditions have been satisfied in the game device for business (2). The contents of the game executed on the game device for use at home (3) are changed based on the judgement information output from the game device for business (2). For example, when a predetermined game result has been achieved in the game device for business, the content of the judgement information is updated, and a hidden element appears in the game device for use at home (3) in correspondence therewith.