Abstract: A trust rating factor (TRF) based upon data collected for players participating in previous online games sessions is used in determining official results for an online game session when different results are reported by the participants. Counters corresponding to each of a plurality of parameters related to conditions that arise during or at the end of a game session are employed in determining the TRF for each player. For example, if one of the players may have experienced a packet bombing that interrupted normal data communication, a counter related to that condition will be incremented for all players in the game session. If all of the players report results that are consistent at the end of the game session, the TRF of each player is improved. A separate TRF is determined for each game title in which a player participates.

Abstract: A first symbol and a second symbol constituting a composition symbol “horse” are arranged on an inner reel and an outer reel respectively. When the outer reel is rotated and it is determined to display the composition symbol, the inner reels of first though third reel units are stopped so as to align the first symbols at a reference position, which is set relative to a central game line. After that, the outer reels of the first through third reel units are rotated and are stopped so as to align the second symbols on the central game line. When aligning the composition symbols “horse” on the central game line, the inner reel is rotated by a predetermined angle in forward and backward directions. This operation is carried out prescribed times to perform dynamic attraction in that pupil of the horse is changed.

Abstract: A portable game system that uses polygon graphics to generate a 3-D player character, or body part such as a hand, moving through a 3-D simulated game space for display on an LCD screen in the portable game system. Overlaying an LCD screen is a touch screen that senses the variable locations of a physical object, such as the player's finger, moving on the touchscreen so that motions of the displayed player character follow the motions of the touching object. Whenever the player character collides with a second object, motion of the player character deviates from the touchscreen-controlled motion in response to the collision.

Abstract: A symbol display device is provided with a first reel unit, a second reel unit, and a third reel unit. Each of the first, the second, and the third reel unit is composed as a double reel structure with an inner reel and an outer reel. The inner reel and the outer reel are formed out of light-transmittable material and have translucent symbols arranged on their peripheries. A first light-emitting device is provided inside the inner reel to illuminate the symbols on the inner reel from behind of them and a second light-emitting device is provided between the inner reel and the outer reel to illuminate the symbols on the outer reel from behind of them. In order to illuminate the symbols on the outer reel, only the second light-emitting device is lit up, while the first light-emitting device is lit up in order to illuminate only the symbols on the inner reel.

Abstract: A joystick control system includes a first pair and a second pair of fluid enclosed resilient tubes with each pair of tubes having generally parallel spaced pressure sensing portions confined within a support housing with one pair of sensing portions disposed perpendicular to the other pair of sensing portions. A control stick extends between the spaced sensing portions of both pairs of tubes and is supported for slight lateral or universal tilting movement. Each pair of tubes is connected to a corresponding sensing transducer which varies electrical output signals according to the pressure applied to the sensing portions of the tubes by the control stick.

Abstract: A gaming machine with an improved game display is disclosed. Polyhedral reel strips are used in a gaming machine to present game outcomes in configurations previously not practicable. In addition, the polyhedral reels provide a game display that is more easily readable than can be obtained from the traditional mechanical circular reel.

Abstract: An offer acceptance game for a gaming or wagering device. One embodiment comprises: (i) an offer provided to a player; (ii) an input device by which the player accepts the offer; (ii) an input device by which the player rejects the offer; (iii) an advance threshold communicated to the player; and (iv) an advance provided to said player if the offer exceeds the advance threshold. The gaming device preferably includes at least one additional offer that is provided upon rejection of the first offer, wherein the game provides the advance if the final provided offer exceeds the advance threshold. The advance preferably includes second bonus game. The gaming device also preferably includes a limit communicated to said player, wherein the player does not obtain the advance if the second offer exceeds the limit.

Abstract: A gaming device having a bonus scheme wherein a combination of bonus symbols trigger a bonus game and any one of the bonus symbols in the bonus game provides a player with an award. The award may be an extension of the bonus game by providing the player with additional spins or games. Also, the award may modify the combination and type of bonus symbols needed to enter the bonus game. Furthermore, the award may modify the award values in the bonus game. Therefore, a combination bonus symbols trigger the bonus game and also triggers the gaming device to provide bonus awards in the bonus game. The re-triggering symbol award bonus scheme changes the probability of winning for the player and therefore creates a higher level of excitement and enjoyment of the game.

Abstract: A gaming device that, after setting a count initially to zero, enables an input to be sent to the processor upon a player's selection of one of a plurality of displayed choices. After receiving the input, the game randomly generates a component from a preferably weighted database associated with the choice or with the order of the selection. The game adds the generated component to the count. The game awards the player if the updated count is below a predetermined game termination condition. The game ends if the updated count satisfies the game terminating condition. The game repeats this process until the updated count satisfies the game terminating condition.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a CPU, and the CPU executes a game program stored in a game cartridge. During a game, the CPU corrects an ultraviolet ray value detected by an ultraviolet ray sensor in such a manner as to render equal or approximate to a setting value of the ultraviolet ray value in the game, and uses a corrected ultraviolet ray value for the game. In addition, the CPU detects an accumulated value of the ultraviolet ray to which a player is exposed during the game, and when the accumulated value is equal to or larger than a predetermined amount (dangerous level), prohibits a game process.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a coding competition. In one embodiment, a method for providing a coding competition includes transmitting a coding problem to contestants, receiving computer code created by a contestant, determining a response of the computer code to test data, and evaluating the response of the computer code to the test data. In another embodiment, a method for evaluating a skill level of a contestant includes electronically communicating a coding problem to contestants, electronically receiving a software program in response to the coding problem from one of the contestants, evaluating the received software program, awarding points to the contestant based on the received software program, and determining a rating for the contestant for the competition based on the number of points awarded to the contestant.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing a coding competition. In one embodiment, a method for providing a coding competition includes transmitting a coding problem to contestants, receiving computer code created by a contestant, determining a response of the computer code to test data, and evaluating the response of the computer code to the test data. In another embodiment, a method for evaluating a skill level of a contestant includes electronically communicating a coding problem to contestants, electronically receiving a software program in response to the coding problem from one of the contestants, evaluating the received software program, awarding points to the contestant based on the received software program, and determining a rating for the contestant for the competition based on the number of points awarded to the contestant.

Abstract: The game controller including at least one control such as a joystick which includes at least two modes of operation. The game controller includes an invert switch which enables a player to switch between the different modes of operation. In one embodiment, the game controller includes a control which has a normal mode and an invert mode. The normal mode enables a player to move the joystick up or forward to correspondingly move up on the game display or move the joystick down or backward to correspondingly move on the game display. Conversely, the invert mode enables a player to move the joystick up or forward to correspondingly move down on the display and also move the joystick down or backward to move up on the display. The game controller enables the player to switch between the different modes of operation on the game controller itself instead of through the video game system or software for the game.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a cabinet having a front face, a gaming display supported inside the cabinet and positioned adjacent the cabinet front face, the gaming display being operable to generate images and a controller operatively coupled to the gaming display. The controller may comprise a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to allow a person to make a wager, cause an image associated with a game to be generated on the gaming display, to determine an outcome of the game represented by the image and to determine a value payout associated with the outcome of the game. The controller also may be programmed to display on the gaming display a plurality of display elements which change from displaying cards to displaying portions of a first display object wherein the portions of the first display object create an identifiable image.

Abstract: An arcade-type stamp dispensing machine includes a clock face and an arrow assembly having an arrow rotatably supported over the clock face. An adjustable brake selectively stops rotation of the arrow assembly, while a shaft encoder detects where the arrow has been stopped over the clock face. A stamp dispenser is in communication with the shaft encoder, via a central processing unit board, for dispensing a variety of stamps. The game unit optionally includes a modem interfacing with the central processing unit board. The stamps dispensed by the stamp machine are preferably serialized and bar-coded.

Abstract: A hockey blade for a hockey stick for striking a game projectile during hockey play. The preferred hockey blade has horizontal arcuate channels disposed on each of a first striking face and a second striking face of a projectile striking member whereby the striking faces of the hockey blade demonstrate improved control over a spherical game projectile. A plurality of vertical score lines may be disposed on one or both striking faces of the hockey blade. First and second light sources, each emitting a different light signal, may be operably associated with the first and second sides respectively of the hockey blade whereby the first and second sides can be readily distinguished. A plurality of ridges comprising rotatably coupled spherical balls may be disposed on a bottom face of the projectile striking member. The spherical balls may be removably coupled to the projectile striking member by a removable sleeve.

Abstract: A game input device and game apparatus are provided in which a beginner can easily control the position of an object to be controlled and which can actually cause players to feel shocks produced when a plurality of objects to be controlled collide against one another through a simplified structure. Arcuate rotary type controllers are provided which comprise two controllers 30-1 and 30-2 rotatably moved along an arc in the lateral direction. Two players can perform input by using these controllers 30-1 and 30-2. Each of the players can simply move the corresponding one of the controllers 30-1 and 30-2 in the lateral direction. The objects controlled by one of the players will never move beyond the objects controlled by the other player. Thus, a collision occurs between the controlled objects. The present invention causes a collision between the controllers 30-1 and 30-2 to be transmitted directly to the players as collision between the controlled objects.