Abstract: An interactive wagering system is provided in which users may download electronic racing forms to electronic books. The content of the racing form may be directed toward horse racing. The racing form may be interactive. When a user selects an item from a racing form displayed on the electronic book, the user may be presented with additional information or interactive screens that provide racing-related services such as interactive wagering opportunities. The electronic book may be provided with updated racing data. The user may adjust delivery settings for the racing data. News flashes and other real-time reports may be provided to the electronic book. Such reports may be based on the user's preferences and the user's monitored interests. The electronic racing form may include racing data, racing articles, and advertisements.

Abstract: It is an object of the invention to form a non-photorealistic game image in real time by using a computer graphics technology. In order to form an image in a cel animation tone having a contour line as an example of the non-photorealistic game image, there is acquired data of a contour drawing model and a stereo model expressing a character (step S2). Next, a player of a game operates a button or the like of an input apparatus (step S3). How the game is progressed in accordance with operation of the player is determined and a game progress situation of a position, a direction or the like of the character is set (steps S4-5). In accordance with the setting, the stereo model and the contour drawing model arranged to include the stereo model are drawn (steps S6-7). A portion of the contour drawing model extruded from the stereo model actually constitutes the contour line.

Abstract: A method for team play of slot machines, including determining a first result corresponding to a first player on a team, determining a second result corresponding to a second player, determining whether the second player is on the team, and determining a result based on the first result and the second result if the second player is on the team.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is for aggregately playing multiple gaming activity events en masse, where the gaming activity events would otherwise require participation in a successive fashion. An aggregate play mode is initiated, and a number of gaming activity events to be associated with the aggregate play is identified. A random number set is generated for each gaming activity event included in the aggregate play, where each random number set corresponds to an individual payout result for its respective gaming activity event. A collective payout result is provided, which includes all of the individual payout results associated with the aggregate play.

Abstract: In one of three table games and in one of two games played on a gaming machine, three card Stud Poker, five card Stud Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined. In a second table game, five card Stud Poker and Seven Card Stud Poker are combined. In a third table game three card Stud Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined. In a second game played on the gaming machine, five card Draw Poker and seven card Stud Poker are combined.

Abstract: A game ball system is presented including a ball, a means for position sensing for determining and producing information regarding the ball's position, an input device to receive user input, a processor connected with the means for position sensing and the input device to receive the information representing ball's position. The processor is also configured to receive the user input, and to process the information representing the ball's position and the user input according to a set of game rules to generate game output messages, which are outputted to the user via an output device in a user-understandable form. In operation, when a user tosses the ball upward, the processor receives a combination of user input and information about the ball's position, and processes them according to a set of game rules, providing feedback to the user regarding the game in the form of output messages from the output device.

Abstract: A system and method for playing a wagering game uses a wireless gaming device including an identification code, entry apparatus for entering wagering information by a player, and a transmitter. A receiver receives the identification code and the wagering information transmitted by the transmitter of the wireless gaming device. The receiver polls the wireless gaming device to determine whether the player has entered wagering information to be transmitted to the receiver.

Abstract: A message-creating game machine includes at least one storage unit among a first storage unit for storing a plurality of images displaying character strings constituting sentences, a second storage unit for storing a plurality of images displaying character strings constituting words, and a third storage unit for storing a plurality of monosyllabic character images. The game machine also includes a display unit for displaying characters, a character-image-display control unit for displaying the character images stored in the storage unit on the display unit, a selecting unit for selecting at least one character image from among the character images displayed on the display unit, and a message-synthesizing unit for synthesizing a message from the selected character image.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device that provides a second or replicating display that is an enlarged, preferably simulated replica of the actual display of the reels, paylines and indicia of the paystops of the gaming device. The second or replicating display can exactly recreate the actual rotation or random generation of the reels, represent the random generation of the reels, and do so by providing a slight delay. The present invention also contains a method by which the replicating display presents each of a plurality of award generating or winning paylines individually and sequentially for a predetermined amount of time before culminating in a display of the accumulated winning paylines. The method enables the player to easily see the source of an award, which would otherwise be difficult to discern from a multitude of paylines.

Abstract: A video game apparatus includes a CPU. The CPU detects an action code of a land object existing in front of a hole. If “jump” is the action code, a height (or depth) of the hole is calculated. When the hole height is greater than a predetermined height, a jump distance is calculated for the player object, and the CPU causes the payer object to jump in accordance with that distance.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the present invention provides a gaming device having a separately changeable value and multiplier bonus scheme. The bonus scheme begins when a triggering event occurs during normal operation of the gaming device. Initially, the game displays a value and a multiplier to the player, which form an offer. The game enables the player to keep the offer or change either the value or the multiplier. If the player changes either, the game changes the value or multiplier selected by the player, and yields a new offer. In the preferred embodiment of the bonus scheme, the player can keep the new offer or change the value or multiplier and obtain a final new offer. After the player can no longer change the value or multiplier or if at any time the player keeps an offer, the bonus scheme ends by adding the amount of the offer to the player's gaming device credit, and the player resumes normal play.

Abstract: A coin operated game terminal is provided with additionally flash memory for effective additional storage of games provided on a separate mass storage arrangement. This additional flash memory allows operation of the game terminal in a restricted mode if the separate mass storage arrangement fails. The flash memory is also used to store determined popular games to reduce delays in loading of the games.

Abstract: An interactive television system includes a remote control unit and a set top box. The remote control unit includes an input device and control logic. The control logic processes input signals to transmit television control signals to control television programming. Further, the control logic is configured to execute game software instructions stored on a local medium, and process input signals to play the game. In some embodiments, the set top box interacts with the remote control unit during gaming.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a bonus scheme for a gaming device which involves multiple award levels for any game scenario having one or more events. Several award levels can be included in a single bonus round. Preferably, various game events are associated with various award levels for a variety of purposes. When an event occurs, the game derives a bonus value from an award level specifically designated for that event. Accordingly, a game can award a player with relatively high or low bonus values, depending upon which event occurs in a game. For example for consolation purposes, the game can award the player with a relatively low bonus value when a bonus round terminates. This type of bonus scheme increases player excitement and enjoyment and generally decreases player frustration.

Abstract: A game system includes: a storage device for storing data of imaginary game field constituted by a plurality of areas to be displayed in scenes of game; and a control device for advancing the game according a predetermined program and reading out the data of the imaginary game field from the storage device to produce images to be displayed. The control device includes: a judgment table producing unit for judging whether or not a character located in an area is within a visual field of another character located in another area for all areas in the imaginary game field in which the character can be located, when the data of the imaginary game field is read out, and for producing judgment tables based on judgment results; and a unit for controlling action of the character located in the areas of the imaginary game field based on the judgment tables.

Abstract: A game device allows a game player to train a main character in a strategic manner, and receive a visual indication of evaluation levels indicative of relationships with other characters. Evaluation levels are set for the other characters with respect to a main character. Line width dimensions of respective lines corresponding to the set evaluation levels are then determined, and lines having the derived width dimensions between the main character and the other characters are displayed.

Abstract: A personal hand held play device, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes means to store personal information related to the player, means to transmit or receive personal information to or from an other device, means to match the stored information with information received, and means to display the results of such a match. One object of the device is to predict the degree of compatibility between two players using stored information related to behavioral patterns and personality profiles. The device also matches areas of common interest between players. In one embodiment, the device functions by requiring the player to select multiple choice answers to stored questions. The answers are then processed and archived in a format compatible to perform a match. In the preferred embodiment, the device displays the results of the match through the use of a plurality of light emitting means in different colors. A plurality of sound effects are also provided to heighten the enjoyment of using the device.

Abstract: A gaming device and method of operation thereof are provided in which the gaming device receives a loan request, which includes a loan amount, to establish a balance without having received payment therefor. The device sends a request signal to a controller of the gaming device communicating the loan request, and a balance is established with the gaming device. The gaming device in turn receives an approval signal from the controller of the gaming device regarding approval of the loan request. The loan amount may be less than or equal to the requested amount. A cash-out mechanism of the gaming device is enabled in accordance with the approval signal before the approval signal is received.

Abstract: A gaming machine adapted to print validated tickets for a game player includes a microprocessor for controlling game operation (e.g., slot machine operation) and including a cashout signal input, a network interface coupled to the microprocessor for communicating with a central authority, and a memory in the network interface that stores a pre-loaded ticket validation number received from the central authority. In addition, a ticket printer is coupled to the microprocessor for printing a ticket that includes pending credit indicia and pre-loaded ticket validation indicia in response to a cashout signal on the cashout signal input. After the ticket is printed, the gaming machine obtains a new pre-loaded validation number in preparation for the next ticket printing event.

Abstract: An improved multiple payline gaming method and apparatus wherein a multiplicity of independently driven symbol carrying elements are arranged in a non-orthogonal and/or non-rectangular array and are combined with a plurality of individually selectable paylines intersecting various combination of the elements so as to give a game player various degrees of latitude in choosing potential outcomes available as a result of each gaming proposition. Means may also be provided for allowing selection of special payout opportunities based upon certain positional relationships between various ones of the elements and their displayed symbols.