Abstract: A client-server system wherein the server sends a game to the client, the game having associated therewith pre-determined operating parameters that are encrypted by the server, the client receives the game and the game is stored onto the client, and the client returns an outcome of the game to the server, the outcome of the game being contained in encrypted signals.

Abstract: A slot machine provides awards based upon matching two or more symbols drawn from the symbol matrix during one or more spins (“Pair'em Up”). In one embodiment: The game starts with an empty Pair'em Up window. At the end of every spin, the symbol appearing in symbol position 3/2 is duplicated into an empty section of the Pair'em Up window. If the newest symbol in the Pair'em Up window matches any of the other symbols in the Pair'em Up window, the two matching symbol are cleared from the Pair'em Up window. For each pair of matching symbols made during a Pair'em Up game, the player receives an escalating award based upon the Pair'em Up pay table. If the Pair'em Up window fills with 5 unmatched symbols, the game ends.

Abstract: A video game and game system incorporating a game character's sanity level that is affected by occurrences in the game such as encountering a game creature or gruesome situation. A character's sanity level is modified by an amount determined based on a character reaction to the occurrence such as taking a rest or slowing game progress and/or an amount of character preparation. That is, if a character is prepared for the particular occurrence, the occurrence may have little or no affect on the character's sanity level. As the character's sanity level decreases, game play is effected such as by controlling game effects, audio effects, creating hallucinations and the like. In this context. the same game can be played differently each time it is played.

Abstract: A game console capable of communicating with other game consoles over a link or network is provided with a headphone and microphone for each player who will engage in voice communication. Verbal communications directed to one or more other players are converted to pulse code modulated (PCM) digital data and are encoded and compressed in real-time, producing data packets that are transmitted to another game console. The compressed data packets are decompressed and decoded, producing PCM data that are converted to an analog signal that drives a headphone of the intended recipient. Players can selectively mute voice communications to and from a specific other player. The PCM data can be encoded in a round-robin fashion that reduces the number of encoders required. A predefined level of computing resources is used for voice communication to avoid aversely affecting the quality of game play.

Abstract: A gaming device, such as a slot machine, determines a balance and a “dispensed amount” that is less than the balance. The dispensed amount may be determined by, for example, receiving signals from one or more key presses that specify the dispensed amount. Alternatively, the dispensed amount may be determined in accordance with one or more “balance management rules”. The gaming device in turn dispenses the dispensed amount, for example, by dispensing an amount of currency, transferring the dispensed amount to an account or adjusting a balance of a remote gaming device. The balance is adjusted by the dispensed amount, and this adjusted balance is available for initiating a subsequent play of the gaming device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for representing game arrangements by a single number, typically an integer, are described. These game arrangements can be applied to most any game including essentially all games played on gaming machines. Conversions can be made between symbolic representations of game arrangements and numeric representations of game arrangements. These conversions can be made using “ordering factors” such as game symbols and positions of such game symbols.

Abstract: The present invention resides in an electronic gaming system comprising gaming parameters defining one or more gaming characters or entities, the system providing means whereby at least one skill type attribute is associated with a gaming character/entity, the system providing means whereby a changing aptitude level value is associated with the skill type attribute, the system providing for means, responsive to the gaming character electing to execute a gaming move using skill type attribute, reducing the aptitude level value by a predetermined amount. The present invention makes efficient use of memory, which in a mobile gaming platform such as a mobile phone is often limited by allowing for more involved and enhanced gameplay without substantially increasing the requirement for memory or processing power. Furthermore, the gaming system of the present invention provides for a compact and manageable gaming solution particularly suitable for mobile gaming.

Abstract: A secure and modular architecture for monitoring and controlling clusters of pay entertainment and gaming devices. The architecture allows flexible and secure use of state-of-the-art multimedia and Internet technologies to attract the younger player generation used to flashy and networked games. Cash or cash-less entertainment and gaming devices are supported.

Abstract: A method of operating a gaming system. The method comprises the steps of providing a system comprising at least one casino game of chance and a lottery game device that provides a lottery game, providing a player with an opportunity to play the casino game, and providing the player with an opportunity to play the lottery game upon the occurrence of a predetermined event during play of the casino game.

Abstract: In a game system having a display unit capable of displaying a game screen (100), an input unit for supplying a signal corresponding to a player's operation, and a game controller for executing a predetermined game on the screen of the display unit with reference to an output signal from the input unit, in which the game controller selects a predetermined number of trump cards (110 . . . 110) as the symbol to be displayed on the game screen from a predetermined selection candidate group, controls a dividend for a player based on a combination of the selected cards (110), and controls a probability of a dividend by adding or removing at least the joker (110a) as one common symbol which can be used as a plurality of cards (110) to or from the selection candidate group, according to the outcome of the game.

Abstract: A network participation type game system for distributing a game from a game provider to a member via a network comprises a device for sequentially and regularly distributing a segment story from the game provider to the member, said segment story being prepared by segmenting a story constituting the game, said segment story being provided on a member dedicated page provided with a plurality of selection buttons, and the selection buttons being capable of selecting a changeable manner of a character or the like in the segment story; and a device for transmitting member's intention to the game provider in accordance with selection of the selection buttons by the member; wherein the game provider is allowed to change manners of the character or the like of next and after segment stories with reflecting the transmitted member's intention.

Abstract: A system and process for generating, distributing, and processing lottery tickets guaranteed to win a drawing-based prize. Tickets are appropriately priced, and are validated at point of sale by a central server in which the ticket information is stored. Subsequent to each lottery drawing, the winning lottery numbers are compared to the entries in a never-lose ticket database to determine if any of the entries match the winning number. Winning entries are appropriately identified and tagged as inactive, while entries that have not yet won a drawing-based prize remain active for future drawings. Ticket pricing methodology is provided for appropriately pricing never-lose tickets. A method and apparatus are further provided whereby a ticket holder may query the status of a never-lose ticket directly from the server.

Abstract: An operation method for a gaming machine sets a target payout rate, probabilities of winning, and odds on a plurality of objects. The objects are rearranged in order of the probability of winning. The odds on the object in first place are corrected to odds with a predetermined number of digits. The probability of winning of the object in the first place is corrected by the corrected odds. The difference between the uncorrected probability of winning and the corrected probability of winning is reflected in the probability of winning of the object in the subsequent place. The odds on the object in the subsequent place are predetermined based on the corrected probability of winning of the object in the subsequent place. The whole processing is repetitively performed for the objects in all places.

Abstract: A programmable toy comprising a microprocessor which can execute instructions in the form of program stored in a memory; a display integrated in the toy. The microprocessor is adapted to control electrical and/or electro-mechanical units in response to the instructions, said microprocessor being adapted to receive signals from electrical and/or electro-mechanical units. The display comprises a plurality of icons which each represent instructions for the microprocessor, and which can be activated by a user for programming of the microprocessor. The toy can hereby be programmed by means of a visual user interface.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical device for providing an input to a computer program and said computer program providing a tactile output through said electro-mechanical device to a user. More specifically, the present invention provides an electro-mechanical virtual sword game apparatus that receives positional information from sensors on the sword apparatus and the sword apparatus contains a propulsion gyrostat that under the control of a computer process may be topple to provide a torque on the housing of the sword apparatus that may be used to simulate the impact of sword blows.

Abstract: A game player who faces a game machine is captured by a camera, and the game player is individually identified based on the image. Personal information of the identified game player (information regarding a skill level of the player, information regarding the progress status of the game, information regarding the number of acquired tokens, and information regarding the growth status in raising games) is read out from data storage. Based on the personal information which has been read out, a game environment in accordance with the personal information of the game player is automatically set up. During the game the game status is monitored, and based on the monitoring information, personal information of the game player is automatically generated and stored in the data storage.

Abstract: A system and method of selling pre-printed lottery game tickets, on-line lottery game tickets, or a combination of pre-printed and on-line lottery game tickets in a retail store is disclosed. At least one lottery game token is provided bearing a game identification code thereon for being scanned at a POS terminal provided as a part of an in-store POS network. The scanned identification code is detected by a POS monitor in communication with the POS terminal, the POS monitor determining from the scanned code the type of lottery game to be played. The POS monitor, or a separate ticket controller in communication with the POS monitor, will then issue a dispense ticket command to a ticket dispenser located at the POS terminal for each pre-printed lottery game to be played.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for playing a one player video game of chance. The method includes the steps of providing a plurality of items that until selected by the one player occupy a set of non-selected items, displaying an indicia of a winning combination of items present within the plurality of items in advance of selection of any item of the plurality of items by the one player, enabling the one player to select at least some of the plurality of items for inclusion in a set of selected items, wherein at least one other of the plurality of items remains within the set of non-selected items and displaying the items within the set of selected and non-selected items.

Abstract: A device for dispensing prizes includes a housing having a plurality of compartments, a door attached to the housing for coving the compartments, and a lock for limiting access to the compartments. The contents of the compartments are visible from the outside. Each compartment contains a prize, such as a diamond. The housing may be part of, or linked to, a gaming device. When a player wins a game, which entitles the player to select a tangible award, the device signals this fact to the player. The player then selects a compartment by pressing an input device located on the housing. An attendant opens an external door, and inserts an electronic key into a receptacle associated with the selected compartment, and enters a required code into the key. The compartment then opens, and the player obtains the prize. The device may also include an inventory control system which preferably uses an RFID apparatus for monitoring the contents of each compartment, and for keeping records of an inventory of prizes.

Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device having an improved offer and acceptance bonus scheme wherein the player has an opportunity to determine the number of offers the player may obtain during the bonus round and after the gaming device selects one of the possible award offers to the player the gaming device prevents that offer from being made to the player again.