Abstract: The present invention includes a bonus round of a gaming device wherein a video display contains multiple or split screens displayed at one time. Each of the screens preferably displays indicia relating to a single event employed by the game, and thus each of the screens preferably displays indicia relating to the other screens of the display. The screens preferably present the event a chronological or otherwise sequential manner. The screens can show different views of the event occurring at one time of the event and can show the same view of different times of the event in one display. At some point, in accordance with the event or theme of the bonus round, the game provides an award to the player in such a way that is exciting to the player. The game can employ one or more of the screens in awarding the player, wherein one or more screens displays the award, and wherein other screens celebrate the award.

Abstract: An interactive wagering application is provided that displays information areas on various wager creation screens. The information areas may be configurable. Information such as promotions, weather information, jockey information, trainer information, odds, or any other suitable information may be displayed in the information areas. The interactive wagering application may create a wagering ticket that reflects the amount of a user's wager and the total amount of the user's wager when multiple runners are taken into account. The interactive wagering application may record the user's position within the application and the user's recent wagering selections, so that this information may be used to assist the user in restarting the application after exiting or when creating additional wagers.

Abstract: A game device is a turn-table adapter having a clip mountable on a case, a shaft passing through one arm of the clip, an operation disk coaxially provided to the shaft at one end thereof, and a press-in disk coaxially provided to the shaft at another end thereof. Another arm of the clip is optionally provided with a bump to be fitted to a hole formed on the case to serve as an element necessary for assembling the game device. A bottom surface of the press-in disk opposite to a press-switch is formed with a bump which engages the press-switch to thereby depress the press-switch.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an electronic game system comprising a central computer for accessing a database, one or more remote playing units, and one or more plug-in modules for providing power to a playing unit and for transferring data from the database to the playing unit. The central computer may operate as a point-of-sale cashier station where customized game or instructional data is transferred from the database to the plug-in module. The plug-in module also has a rechargeable battery which receives a charge from a charging rack between playing sessions. The purchased plug-in modules are then inserted in playing units that receive both power and the customized game data from the plug-in modules.

Abstract: A on-line multi-player virtual reality game is provided. The game utilizes a computer system having at least one virtual reality world server and a plurality of area servers, where unique geographic areas within the virtual reality world are provided by the area servers. The world server is responsible for the overall administration of the virtual reality world including the area servers.

Abstract: Skill games are described that are implemented using network communications. The subject matter of the present invention concerns games of skill that are legal, under current law, in most states of the United States and in many jurisdictions of other countries and the game includes a mechanism for determining if a player is eligible.

Abstract: A method and device for gaming, in which a primary game is played toward a winning outcome, and in which a secondary game is played concurrently with the primary game, using outcomes on the primary game to determine the outcome of the secondary game. The secondary game is entirely different from the primary game, and play continues on the secondary game through successive primary games. The player may increase the chances of winning the secondary game by either increasing the wager, which increases the total number of outcomes that apply to the secondary game, or by choosing a variation of the secondary game that has more winning outcomes possible.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for dynamically loading game software for smooth game play. A load boundary associated with a game environment is identified. A position of a character in the game environment is then monitored. Instructions corresponding to another game environment are loaded into a memory when the character crosses the load boundary, such that game play is not interrupted.

Abstract: A launch monitor system including a support structure, a first light-reflecting element disposed on this support structure, a lighting unit and an camera unit. A computer receives signals generated by light patterns received by the camera unit and computes a variety of flight characteristics for the object. The system may be moved back and forth to vary the field-of-view of the camera unit. The system also computes and displays object trajectories from the computed flight characteristics which account for the characteristics of the object and the atmospheric conditions.

Abstract: A bowling scoring console is disclosed having a housing and a video display monitor mounted in the housing. The console may have one or more of a video game processor, an Internet access device, and a television receiver mounted in the housing and coupled to the display monitor. Methods are also disclosed for using a video game device and an Internet access device in a bowler staging area of a bowling center.

Abstract: A game of skill wherein a database of advertisement segments from published advertisements is generated and stored and selections of the advertisement segments are displayed or presented to a player for sponsor source identification. The player makes identifications of sponsor sources for the respective advertisement segments presented and these identifications are evaluated for correctness and then displayed to the player. A reward for winning may be provided.

Abstract: An objective is to provide a game system and program which can simply and easily execute a game operation command having a complicated operation procedure. A command list (14) showing techniques each of which is executed normally by manipulating buttons of a game controller with a given operation procedure, is displayed to a player. When a player selects a technique and presses a button B, a key record of that technique is assigned to a game button L. By pressing the button L, the technique of the assigned key record can be performed by a game character (20). The assignment information of key-record is stored in a memory card, enabling the assignment to be effective when the game system is powered on next time. By reading data of a command list externally through an information storage medium or communication line, a secret technique can be obtained. During a game, a command list (14) is displayed and a key record can be assigned to the button L.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of calculating a payout for a machine based game, comprising choosing a time period over which a measurement will occur, measuring a playing characteristic of a player during the time period, calculating a rate of play based on the measuring step, and adjusting a payout of a gaming machine based on the calculating step. The method allows a degree of skill to be used in a purely or partially chance-based game, making such games more attractive to potential players. Games which may be susceptible to this invention include any games that are all or partially based on chance or luck, such as slot machines, roulette, wheel of fortune, keno, etc. Games of skill may also benefit from the present invention.

Abstract: A system and method for real time data exchange which includes a game server having a multi-threaded, multi-processing operating system is and located at an ISP head end. The game server is equipped with a back end communication system for full duplex communications over the Internet. The system employs a plurality of personal computers each having means for connecting to the internet and logging onto the game server together with a plurality of handheld game playing devices each having a data communications link to one of the personal computers. Each of the personal computers has a first component of game software operating thereon. The game server has a second component of game software operating thereon and a game database operating thereon.

Abstract: A gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that provides an offer/acceptance game, wherein the player preferably knows all the necessary information to make an informed decision whether to risk a currently held award and attempt to obtain a higher value award. The game determines the success or failure of a game event regardless of whether the player risks the offer award. If the player keeps an offer award, the game still displays a success or failure outcome, so that the player can see what the player missed, good or bad. The game also includes a plurality of levels or offers, wherein the player can sequentially trade up a currently held offer award a plurality of preferably predetermined times. The game is preferably embodied in a plurality of sequentially more difficult motorcycle jumps.

Abstract: Methods of administering a game in a wireless embodiment utilizing failure fallback and recovery between automatic and manual modes is disclosed. In one embodiment, a remote game device listens for a game state message and verifies the presence and signal strength of a game state message. If the signal strength is weak or there is no signal, the remote game device transitions to a manual mode to allow a user to manually update game state and continue play in an uninterrupted manner. Once signals of sufficient strength are received, the remote game device transitions from the manual mode to an automatic mode.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a gaming system includes a mobile remote control vehicle. The mobile remote control vehicle communicates wirelessly with a control unit, and may be operated outside a line-of-sight (LOS) of the control unit.

Abstract: An image processing method and apparatus is provided which is capable of reducing the load to be processed and displaying a more realistic picture. The image processing device includes camera control matrix processing means (121), object matrix processing means (122), and object pattern display means (123). The camera control matrix processing means (121) obtains a matrix of information on the position, etc. of a camera on the basis of control information from the control unit 20 and stores it in a data RAM (104). The object matrix processing means (122) fetches the matrix of information on the camera stored in the data RAM (104), performs coordinate conversion of the matrix of information with the aid of a conversion matrix, and sets rotational components of the coordinate-converted matrix so as to compose a unit matrix thereby creating display data which causes an object such as an explosion pattern to face in an eye direction at all times.

Abstract: A gaming device including a plurality of selections, a plurality of credit symbols associated with the selections, a plurality of awards symbols associated with the selections, and a winning combination of award symbols. A player is awarded credits when the player selects a selection having an associated credit symbol and player accumulates award symbols when the player selects a selection associated with an award symbol. The player wins a preferably large award when the player accumulates said winning combination of award symbols. The number of player selections is determined based on the player's wager in the primary game wherein the player obtains a specified number of player selections which are necessary to achieve the winning combination and thereby win the large award.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to facilitate game play. According to one embodiment, game information associated with a game to be played by a player is determined. For example, a putting green contour may be determined for a computer-based golf game. It is the arranged for altered game information to be indicated to the player and for the player to play the game in accordance with the game information, wherein the altered game information alters game play by an automated game playing device more than game play by a human player. For example, the contour of the putting green may be altered before being transmitted to a remote player device.