Abstract: A gaming machine has a symbol display arrangement that displays a variation action of a variable plurality of symbols that are necessary for playing a game. A predictive display arrangement performs a predictive display that informs the player of the likelihood of the appearance of a specific symbol display state when the variation action is stopped. A determination whether or not the symbol variation action is to be stopped with the appearance thereon of the specific symbol display state is made by a controller that also determines which predictive display mode from among a plurality of predetermined predictive display modes is to be displayed. In one embodiment, the controller controls the predictive display arrangement so that the probability of the appearance of a specific symbol display state is changeable in conjunction with the change in the game with the passage of time.

Abstract: A gaming machine has a symbol display arrangement that displays a variation action of a variable plurality of symbols that are necessary for playing a game. A predictive display arrangement performs a predictive display that informs the player of the likelihood of the appearance of a specific symbol display state when the variation action is stopped. A determination whether or not the symbol variation action is to be stopped with the appearance thereon of the specific symbol display state is made by a controller that also determines which predictive display mode from among a plurality of predetermined predictive display modes is to be displayed. In one embodiment, the controller controls the predictive display arrangement so that the probability of the appearance of a specific symbol display state is changeable in conjunction with the change in the game with the passage of time.

Abstract: A wearable vibration device for video games having a video game electrical signal decoder unit. An I.C. circuit, a D.C. battery, and an electrical circuit are located in the decoder unit. The decoder unit has an electrical input terminal for connection to a video game CPU and it has an electrical output terminal for connecting a video game controller thereto. A vibration unit has means for mounting it on a person's hand. Different systems can be utilized to transmit instructions from the decoder unit to the vibration unit, the simplest structure would be electrical wires connecting the two units.

Abstract: A video poker game in which a player is dealt two identical poker hands from separate identical card decks by displaying the dealt card images on a video screen. This enables the player to play each of the identical hands in accordance with the cards dealt in each hand and the players acuity in choosing the best strategy to obtain winning hands. This provides a player with more choices in playing strategies by enabling the player to hold or draw different cards in each hand, play both hands in the same manner, play both hands in different manners or fold a weaker hand and play a stronger hand. Winning hands will receive a payout according to a pay schedule with a bonus being awarded when a player draws to a royal flush in both hands.

Abstract: A ball drawing apparatus for drawing a series of balls at random includes a transport arrangement (10) for receiving the series of balls (15) and positioning each ball in a reading position. Each ball (15) includes a transponder (46) which is adapted to transmit an identifying signal when energized by an energizing signal. The identifying signal may be used to identify the particular ball (15) and provide a number or other symbol which is printed on the ball. A reader unit (12) includes a transmitter/receiver (41) and antenna (25) combination which transmits the energizing signal to each ball (15) as the respective ball passes through the reading position, and then receives the resulting identifying signal transmitted from the respective ball transponder (46). The transmitter/receiver (41) communicates the identifying signal to a control system (14) which displays the symbol of the identified ball. Control system (14) controls the operation of all elements of the ball drawing apparatus.

Abstract: A golf ball locator system. The golf ball comprises a transmitter that transmits a coded signal, identifying the ball, and that is received by an array of receivers. The receivers measure either the angle of arrival, or the time of arrival of the signal, which is transmitted to a processor that uses triangulation calculations to generate location coordinates of the golf ball. The processor then transmits the location coordinates to a display unit. The display unit can be portable and viewed by the golfer. The display unit can simply display golf ball position coordinates in relation to a pre-existing golf course map, or display the golf ball on a map which may include various landmarks of the golf course. The system can further include a player location device that allows the system to give audio or visual traveling instructions to assist the golfer to locate his/her ball.

Abstract: A pinball machine has been designed with several novel mechanical and electrical features such that it is easily retrofittable or convertible between a first pinball game and a second pinball game. The pinball machine includes a playfield mounted to a cabinet. Unlike previous pinball machines, electrical wires and their associated "playfield-side" connectors extending from input/output elements mounted to the playfield are limited in movement to a region generally beneath and in close proximity to the playfield. This allows the playfield to be more easily handled than prior playfields, which had long dangling electrical wires and connectors which could be easily tripped over or severed. Additionally, the plurality of playfield-side connectors are configured for easy installation and integration with corresponding "cabinet-side" connectors.

Abstract: A virtual reality simulation apparatus providing participants with simulations of horizontal walk and walk on slopes and steps with full reality in their feelings in their bodies. The apparatus comprises a walk surface mechanism including a pair of walk plates supporting a participant's feet, a foot bottom-position detecting device for detecting positions of feet-bottoms of the participant moved away from the walk plates, and a walk-plate horizontally-driving device, which horizontally shifts the walk plate, correspondingly to movements of the participant's feet, to cause the foot-bottom to be contacted on the walk plate and keep the participant's trunk in a fixed position. The apparatus has a miniature space and camera mechanism including a miniature space and a camera device which is movable in the miniature space to be placed in a direction imitating a view of the participant and take an image in the miniature space.

Abstract: A screen segment, viewing isolation apparatus is provided for a video screen that is divided up into plural screen segments and includes a housing which includes a plurality of optical channels, wherein each of the optical channels is registrable with a respective screen segment. When a video screen is divided into four screen segments, four players can employ an embodiment of the invention to see their respective screen segments without being confused by screen segments of other players. An embodiment of the invention that accommodates four players can be converted into an embodiment which accommodates two players for separately viewing two screen segments. The housing includes a top housing wall, a bottom housing wall, and exterior wall supports connected between the top housing wall and the bottom housing wall. An interior vertical partition is connected between the top housing wall and the bottom housing wall at medial positions of the top housing wall and the bottom housing wall.