Abstract: A game apparatus requiring certain operations of a player within a time limit which displays a first window (W1) for a period of time within a first time limit (TM1), displays a second window (W2) for a period of time within a second time limit (TM2) separate from the first time limit (TM1), and displays at least once the aforementioned first window (W1) during the second time limit (TM2).

Abstract: An object display method for displaying an object from a direction of a viewpoint in a virtual three-dimensional space of a video game. The viewpoint and an object are arranged in a cylinder, on an inner surface of which a reflection image expressing the environment is provided, in accordance with predetermined rules or player operation. A partial area of the cylinder to be provided with a reflection image to be reflected on the object in accordance with the positions of the viewpoint and the object is judged. The image linked with the determined partial area of the cylinder combined with the image of the object is then displayed. The method may be incorporated into a computer readable program product that is associated with a display, for displaying an object, and a game console.

Abstract: A disclosed slot reel peripheral has a slot reel, a drive mechanism and a peripheral controller. Using a standard communication protocol such as USB (Universal Serial Bus), the peripheral controller is configured to communicate with one or more master gaming controllers or other slot reel peripherals via a peripheral connection. The peripheral controller may drive the slot reel from position to position by operating the drive mechanism and may send operating instructions to other slot reel peripherals with peripheral controllers. Further, the peripheral controller may control one or more specialized “peripheral devices” (e.g., effects lights, back lights, bar code detectors, tampering sensors, position sensors, sound devices, electro-luminescent devices and stepper motors, etc. that perform specific functions of the slot reel peripheral).

Abstract: An entertainment and/or training system providing a game-type system having two controllers, where the controllers have generally redundant controls. The controls can be limited on at least one of the controllers so as to provide one player with a simplified game to play. The person on the other controller then can act as a teacher, exclusively receiving some player input and exclusively providing some player output, so as to simplify the student's playing experience.

Abstract: There is provided a robot or a picture on display, which is an embodied voice responsive toy for facilitating empathy. The toy is constructed by a voice input-output portion, a voice responsive pseudo-person, and a pseudo-person control portion, the voice input-output portion serves to input voice from the outside or output voice to the outside, and the pseudo-person control portion determines an action of the voice responsive pseudo-person from the voice passing through the voice input-output portion and actuates the voice responsive pseudo-person.

Abstract: A toy dice comprising a cubical body having six sides, and an internal electronic operating circuit including an integrated circuit configured to perform six electronic playing functions associated with the sides of the dice body respectively. A position sensor is located within the dice body and connected to the integrated circuit for sensing which side of the dice body faces up when the dice is rolled and, in response, triggering the integrated circuit to perform the corresponding playing function associated with that side.

Abstract: An interactive multi-player computer hosted game employs an unstructured telecommunications link, such as the Internet, between a game server and a plurality of game clients. A game server, associated with a game driver, performs a performance monitoring function to determine an optimal bandwidth for each connection to a game client. Each information packet generated by the game driver is prioritized and queued for transmission in order of relevance for the game client. The game server then optimizes the transmission of information packets through the telecommunication network to the game client. Processed user input is received through the telecommunication network from the game client and transmitted to the game driver.

Abstract: An entertainment system has an entertainment apparatus for executing various programs, a manual controller for entering manual control requests from a user into the entertainment apparatus, a monitor for displaying images outputted from the entertainment apparatus, and a speaker for outputting sounds outputted from the entertainment apparatus. The manual controller has motors for imparting vibrations to the user in response to an external request. The entertainment system also has a vibration/sound setting unit for setting up a length of a bar displayed on the monitor according to a control input from the manual controller, setting up a magnitude of vibrations to be generated by the motors depending on the length of the bar, and setting up a type and/or a pitch of sound to be outputted to the speaker depending on the length of the bar.

Abstract: A computer assisted process useful in managing the task assignments of a pool of casino employees in accordance with the service requests issued by automated gaming machines either indicating the state of machine operation or the patron's request for attention issued at the machine is enabled with intra-casino communication devices. In accordance with the process the employee pool is fractioned by the type of service skill required, i.e., machine service or patron's requirement for attention, and each employee is assigned a uniquely addressed communication device to which the task assignment is communicated and by which the employee indicates task completion. The employee pool is decremented on each task assignment and incremented on each task completion in a first-in, first-out arrangement in each skill group. In the instances of a large casino facility further division into zones can be made with each zone having its own pool assigned.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a 3D graphics generating coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The player controller processing subsystem is used for both controlling player controller input/output processing and for performing game authenticating security checks continuously during game play. The peripheral interface includes a micro-processor for controlling various peripheral interface functions, a read/write random access memory, a boot ROM, a coprocessor command channel interface, a player controller channel interface, etc.

Abstract: Concepts for playing showdown card games of poker with multiple decks, with each participant having at least one individual deck in which a principal participant designates the type of poker, deals a FLOP, and establishes the COMMUNITY CARDS for each participant, based on the number of cards in a hand of the designated game. The remaining number of cards in the hand are dealt from each participant's hand, to be combined with the COMMUNITY CARDS; and participants with a winning combination are paid in accordance with a selected standard ranking of poker hands.

Abstract: A system and a method is provided for facilitating on-line lottery games over the Internet. The system includes terminals each having a modem for connecting to a service provider server for accessing the electronic network, and an agent server for storing criteria required for playing the lottery games, for verifying information received from the service provider server with the criteria, and for providing lottery games to the terminals. The service provider server receives information associated with a player when the player requests access to the electronic network from one of the terminals. The agent server is connected to the service provider server for receiving the information from the service provider server when the player is routed to the agent server.

Abstract: A method and system for rewarding complimentary rewards, such as frequent flyer miles, are disclosed. The system includes a plurality of reward counters and a controller coupled thereto. Each reward counter includes an input device capable of receiving input from the dealer to register the complimentary reward. The controller, which is coupled to the reward counters, includes a memory device for storing reward information received from the reward counters. Such reward information includes, in alternate embodiments, the number of the gaming table where the reward is made, the dealer identification number, the date of the reward, the player's player identification number, and the quantity of reward points, such as the number of frequent flyer miles. A method for receiving complimentary rewards and an apparatus for tracking such rewards are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a game program rewrite system for supplying data of a game program of a plurality of terminal stations from a host station and writing the data in portable information storage media applied to game execution units in the terminal stations in response to requests, and a program rewrite system suitable for this game program supply system, and aims at enabling construction of a game-on-demand system including a number of terminal stations with no excess of requirement to equipment of a network or the data throughput of the host station. In order to attain the above object, a host station (1) supplies data of a game program to a terminal station (2) online through a communication network. The data of the game program is supplied to the terminal station (2) offline too. The data of the game program preserved in the terminal station (2) is written in a game execution storage medium (20) in response to a request of a user.

Abstract: In a system and method for simulating a ball movement game, the system includes an input ball adapted to enable movement of a simulated ball in a graphical representation of the simulated game, responsive to movement of the input ball imparted by the player. The system further includes an air bearing for supporting the input ball so as to enable the player to directly impart movement to the input ball. The system also includes an optical encoder for generating the parameters of movement of the simulated ball responsive to detecting the parameters of movement of the input ball imparted by the player. The system still further includes a processor and software adapted to simulate a ball and movement of the simulated ball, responsive to the parameters of movement of the input ball detected by the optical encoder, and to simulate a game environment for movement of the simulated ball therein.

Abstract: An image generation device and an information storage medium that make it possible to increase the virtual realism and dramatic effect of a shooting, game in an efficient manner. A plurality of objects such as target objects are set within an object space, and a hit check is performed on shots from 1P and 2P players and the target objects. First and second viewpoints for the 1P and 2P players are controlled and images as seen from those first and second viewpoints are output to first and second display screens, respectively. Although the viewpoints of the 1P and 2P players are the same in the prior art, they can be made different in this game. The first and second viewpoints move along first and second movement paths, and the first and second viewpoints are controlled in such a manner that the first and second movement paths diverge when a given circumstance occurs.

Abstract: An interactive gaming process and system. The system comprises a plurality of gaming machines to be played by plurality of players. The system can be configured such that the gaming machines are either located in a casino or at internet locations. Each gaming machine comprises a wagering game and a theme game, respectively. The wagering game has features that correspond to the theme game wherein the results of the wagering game influence the results of the theme game as the wagering game is being played. The system also includes a controller for electronically linking the gaming machines and providing stimuli to the gaming machines so as to effect gaming machine outputs that are impartial and random. In one embodiment, the plurality of players play the wagering game as a group wherein if one player's theme game results meet predetermined criteria, that particular player will play for the group. The group will then have the opportunity to split a jackpot.

Abstract: A button icon is displayed on a display monitor for a predetermined period of time. When the button icon is displayed on a display monitor, a user successively presses a decision button. The number of times the decision button is pressed when the button icon is displayed on the display monitor is counted and inputted to an entertainment apparatus as manipulation data. Damage of a virtual enemy (e.g., monster) displayed on the display monitor changes based on the manipulation data.

Abstract: A dynamic laser based golf swing analysis system includes single and multiple laser sources which broadcast a monochromatic laser light projected through a cylindrical lens system to generate a series of light planes in space. An optical receiver system carried by the club shaft includes multiple optical sensors arranged in a specific three dimensional geometrical configuration such that passage of the optical receiver through the planes of laser light will produce direction and magnitude coordinates for all six degrees of freedom of the golf club head as it moves through a golf ball impact zone. The receiver transmits timing data via radio frequency to a base unit which interprets the information and displays the location coordinates, angular orientation, and velocities descriptive of the club head motion.

Abstract: A system for providing an interactive sports game to a plurality of participants wherein each participant wishes to form a fantasy sports team made up of actual players. The system is operable: (a) to solicit and accept from each participant an initial selection and purchase of players to form the participant's fantasy sports team, each participant purchasing the players using no more than a predetermined number of game value units initially allocated by a host controller; and (b) responsive to a request of a participant, to access the data storage and report a status of the participant's fantasy team, the status including information as to the performance and market value of the players on the participant's team. The number of game value units associated with each player varies in correlation with the demand of the participants for that player and a participant receives periodically a value-based reward correlated to the value and/or performance of the players on a participant's team.