Abstract: A combined game system includes a portable game machine and another type of video game machine. The portable game machine and the other type of video game machine are connected through a game cartridge and communication cable. The portable game machine includes an LCD, and the other video game machine is connected to a CRT. When a player operates an operating device provided with the portable game machine, change is caused in a discrete game picture displayed on the LCD and in a common game picture displayed on the CRT. In the event that the communication cable is removed from the video game machine during playing a game, the CPU displays an, alert message on the LCD while the CPU displays an alert message on the CRT.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a game system to present a larger amount of information for fish arrangement to a player. In the game system with a control device to progress a fishing game in a virtual fishing spot, referring to outputs of an input device, and to display images on a screen of a display device according to a progressing states of the above fishing game, the above device decides a fish arrangement in the above virtual fishing spot; detects fish distribution in a detection range defined on a line connecting two positions in the above fishing spot; displays a gauge extending in a direction of one axis on a screen of the above display device; and displays information according to a detected result of the above fish distribution at each position on the above detection range, replacing a distance from one end of the above detection range to each position within the above detection range with a distance from one end of the above gauge to each position in the pertinent gauge.

Abstract: An input device includes a board whereon a player stands with both feet, and supporting mechanisms for supporting the board such that it can oscillate. The input device supplies oscillatory information when the player causes the board to oscillate with respect to the game machine. In the supporting mechanism, the central axis of oscillation is positioned on the lower portion of, or below, the board. The center of rotation of swinging movement in the supporting mechanism is positioned below the board.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-way Keno gaming device and method where a player can play a straight ticket with a desired number of spots or a straight ticket with a plurality of ways. The processor for the device controls a display to identify by color or otherwise the selected ways and further identifies king numbers which are included in two or more ways.

Abstract: A method for the selection and use of a system of feminine hygiene products is described. The method includes an information collection step, a system selection step, and a product provision step. In the information collection step, information is collected from a consumer regarding her menstrual cycle protection needs. In the system selection step, the information collected is used to select a system of feminine hygiene products from at least two of such available systems. Each of such available systems is comprised of at least two different feminine hygiene products. In the product provision step, a kit is provided to the consumer. The kit contains in a common package the feminine hygiene products which make up the selected system.

Abstract: An electronic gaming terminal includes a game portion which allows a user to select one component from among a plurality of components, in each of a plurality of categories. Preferably, at least one category relates to an entertainment component such a selecting a song, video or the like, and/or selecting an artist, performer and the like. A bonus prize is awarded in an amount correlating with the degree of correspondence with the selections made by the user and a final, preferably randomly selected, combination. In one aspect, one prize is awarded if a player correctly guessed only the artist and a higher prize or bonus is awarded if the player selected correctly both the artist and the song. In one embodiment, the player's selected song is performed during at least a portion of the bonus procedure.

Abstract: A game system comprises: a display device 3; an input device for outputting a signal according to a player's operation; and a control device 10 for advancing a fishing game utilizing a contrivance such as a lure in a virtual fishing spot with reference to an output of the input device 4, and displaying an image according to the progress on a screen of the display device 3. In this game system, a lure operation is guided to the player through the screen of the display device 3 by means of the control device 10. The guided operation is compared with the lure operation caused by the player via the input device 4, and the player's lure operation is evaluated. This evaluation is notified to the player, and the progress in fishing game is changed according to the evaluation. In this manner, a game system capable of continuously stimulating the player by eliminating a monotonous aspect in work for catching a fish is provided.

Abstract: Provides a fishing game device capable of sensing operation of a fishing rod imparting action to a lure, affording more realistic simulation of tugging by the fish.

Abstract: A game machine audio device is provided which can obtain sounds to which a sense of distance in virtual game space has been imparted, while hardly altering the sound volume. Frequency components in sounds generated are altered according to distances in virtual game space between the sound emission position and the listening position.

Abstract: A gaming system is described which enables parimutuel wagering with instant payoffs on actual past events. The system, in one embodiment, includes a plurality of wager terminals coupled to a game server through a wide area network, such as the internet. The game server is a computer system configured to manage the entire game system. For example, the server maintains databases, controls and accounts for the transactions with the wagering terminals, controls the flow of data from the video server to the terminals, collates pools from all sources and computes winnings, and provides detailed statistics for the disbursement of fends. The gaming system also includes a video server for providing delivery of selected video images from a historical database. Generally, and in operation, a player attempts to choose the winners of an unknown past event.

Abstract: A communication network for an area such as an underground mine. A plurality of cascaded base stations (13) are serially interconnected in a ring structure (11) to form a network backbone. One of the base stations (13) at one end of the network backbone forms a network controller (15) for controlling the network. A plurality of portables (17) are adapted for communication with any of the base stations via a common air interface. A backbone network protocol (19) is provided for communicating between the network controller (15) and all of the base stations (13) and between the base stations (13) along the network backbone themselves. A common air interface protocol (21) is provided for communicating between a portable (17) and a base station (13). The other base stations (13) function as slaves relative to the network controller (15).

Abstract: Pools of game play records (25) used in lottery-type games are stored at each player terminal (14) in a network which includes at least one player terminal and least one central processing system (12). The central processing system (12) is responsible for receiving game play requests from the player terminals (14) and, in response to each game play request, providing game play record identifying information (32) to the player terminal from which the game play request originated. This game play record identifying information (32) allows the player terminal (14) to access the identified game play record (25) and use information from the game play record to communicate to the player the result of the game play.

Abstract: A self-reconfiguring name service that distributes workload among the available servers in a system. A Service Monitor for each host system of a site periodically broadcasts information about available servers. The broadcast message also indicates the workload of the host. Each name service (DNS) has an associated process called a Name Binder Modifier that receives the broadcast messages from the Service Monitors. Periodically, each Name Binder Modifier reviews the information it has received from various Service Monitors and updates zones that are used by the DNS to perform load balancing. The Service Monitor and the Name Binding Modifier have associated configuration files.

Abstract: A strike zone indicator apparatus has a mount positioned in relation to a home plate and away from possible interference. First projectors connected to the mount project first beams related to the home plate. A measurer takes particular individual players measurements and a processor connected to the measurer and to the first projectors creates individualized upper and lower limits of strike zones according to the particular individual players measurements. Second beam projectors are connected to the processor for projecting second beams intersecting with the first beams for establishing above the preexisting home plate the upper and lower limits and the strike zones based on the particular individual players measurements from the measurer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for awarding bonuses over a gaming network having a plurality of gaming machines, such as slot machines, interconnected by a network. Play is allowed to occur on a plurality of gaming machines as the bonus pool, common to the gaming machines over the network is incremented responsive to play on the plurality of gaming machines. The total number of eligible gaming machines is detected responsive to play on each of the plurality of gaming machines. A first threshold value is set in consideration of the total number of eligible gaming machines detected. A bonus period would be initiated when the bonus pool satisfies the first threshold value. Accordingly, the threshold necessary to start the bonus period would be low if few players are detected, and high if many players are detected. Bonus amounts are paid from the bonus pool to the eligible gaming machines after which time the bonus period would end.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a game system and information storage medium which can improve the operating rate of a game center and realize a more effective management therein. The game system includes a host machine and a plurality of game machines. The host machine is designed to detect the current time or date and to perform allocation of games to the game machines G1 to G9 based on the detected time or date. Transfer data for a player to play a game by means of each of the game machines is then transferred to each of the game machines according to the allocation. A manager of the game center sets schedule data representing how the allocation is carried out according to the time or date. The allocation of games to the game machines may depend on time periods, date or a traffic line of players. Adult games may be set to be played only in the nighttime. Game sound volume and screen brightness may be changed and set based on the time or date.

Abstract: A game device is provided, whereby, when a character operated by a player is displayed making an intrusion or entry in a fighting or participatory type of game, the character making the intrusion or entry can be displayed in a manner which avoids creating an unnatural effect. The game device includes control means wherein the control means acquires the co-ordinate position of a character displayed on the display screen receiving an intrusion by another character, when an intrusion request for a character is detected; and causes the character being controlled by the player to be displayed as making an appearance as an intruding character from a specific location corresponding to a co-ordinate position having a particular relationship with respect to the co-ordinate position of the character receiving the intrusion, from amongst the stored and held plurality of specific locations.

Abstract: A gaming machine, comprising a reel, of which a circumferential surface is divided into a number of fields, each suitable for bearing a symbol (which is also understood to include a blank), a microstep drive unit, which is suitable for positioning the reel within each field in a number of angle positions and maintaining it therein, a memory with a table whose locations contain enabled stop positions, and random generator means which generate a random number within the address range of the table, for addressing the table therewith, in order to read out the enabled stop position stored in the addressed memory location, and in order to rotate the reel to the read-out enabled stop position.

Abstract: A case and universal power pack for a hand held video game device includes a power pack with integrated plug engaging the external power supply jack on the hand held game device, and thereby provides power to the game device. A cover flap may be selectively adjusted by the user to provide optimum playing conditions and includes a glare reducing surface to further aid in providing the optimum playing environment. The case includes grip strips on opposing sides thereof, and includes access points for accessing the various external controls and jacks of the game device. The power pack is accessible from inside the case when the game device is removed therefrom.

Abstract: Method, computer-readable storage medium and video game device are provided for generating a maze map. First, a floor composed of plural rectangular blocks is generated. Next, one of the blocks is designated from the floor as the start block. Then, a sequence of blocks is designated from the floor as a trunk path starting from the start block. After that, at least one block is designated as an intersection block from the trunk path. Finally, at least one sequence of blocks is designated from the floor as a branch path starting from the intersection block.