Abstract: A system for verifying instant bingo game winners includes a plurality of printed cards, each carrying machine readable coding indicia and printed payoff information. A verifying apparatus receives the cards and contains reading and sensing apparatus which can verify the genuineness of the card, determine whether it is a winning card and, in some instances, determine the winning category. The results of the reading and sensing by the verifying apparatus are visually displayed in a format corresponding to that of the cards and the verifying apparatus also has the capability of voiding or cancelling the cards to prevent reuse and embossing the cards with the relevant information as dictated by the coded indicia.

Abstract: A card apparatus having a card hopper adapted to hold from one to at least 104 cards, a card carousel having slots for holding cards, an injector for sequentially loading cards from the hopper into the carousel, output ports, ejectors for delivering cards from the carousel to any one of the output ports, and a control board and sensors, all housed in a housing. The apparatus is also capable of communicating with selectors which are adjustable for making card selections. The injector has three rollers driven by a motor via a worm gear. A spring loaded lever keeps cards in the hopper pressed against the first roller. The ejectors are pivotally mounted to the base of the housing beneath the carousel and comprise a roller driven by a motor via gears and a centripetal clutch. A control board keeps track of the identity of cards in each slot, card selections, and the carousel position. Cards may be ordinary playing cards or other cards with bar codes added for card identification by the apparatus.

Abstract: A plurality of coils (2) are situated beneath a playing surface (4), for example of a tennis court, and extending end to end adjacent a boundary line (5). An oscillator circuit (FIG. 2) associated with each coil produces an electromagnetic field 9 in the coil vicinity. A detector circuit associated with each oscillator issues a detection signal when the field is disturbed by a ball comprising a metal or ferromagnetic material. A processor interrogates the detectors to determine which, if any, have issued a detection signal. Desirably, the ball has a metal or ferromagnetic material internally thereof. More preferably the metal is a foil urged against an interior wall of the ball by a resilient mass or bladder.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game in which desired cards are selected by players. Cards are first read and stored. Players select cards and then cards corresponding to the selected cards are delivered to each player. Selecting and delivering of cards is repeated until each player has a predetermined number of cards. The outcome of the game is then determined. Each card is marked with machine readable indicia so that players may receive cards corresponding to their selection. Null cards having no value in determining the outcome may be used and are deliverd when players select the same card, select a card previously dealt or delivered, or do not select within a time limit. Poker rules may be used to determine the outcome.

Abstract: A video game in which a television screen or cathode ray tube is used to display a variety of plays previously preformed by living beings and recorded at the time on a video recording medium, such as video tape or video disks, the particular previously performed play which is displayed during each turn, or each play of the video game in accordance with this invention depending on the number, or combination or numbers, selected by one or more players, such number corresponding to one of the previously performed and recorded plays. The number selected is fed into an electronic control console, which includes circuitry to signal an electronic playback unit in which the previously performed and recorded plays have been stored to re-run the particular play corresponding to the number selected through a pick-up circuit connected to the cathode ray tube or television screen.

Abstract: There is described a board game having (n+3).sup.2 playing spaces and an equal number of playing pieces, of which (n+1)(3n/2 +1) are numbered on each side and the remainder are blank. The numbered tiles are divided into three groups: one group has members whose numbers on each side are identical; a second group has a number on one side different from the numbers on the other sides; the third group has two pairs of numbers on each piece with the members of each pair on opposite sides. Several variations in play are described.

Abstract: A slot machine has a game number counter which cumulatively counts the number of games played. Whether the number of games counted by the game number counter reaches a predetermined number or not is detected by a comparator; and if both numbers coincide, a coincidence signal is output from the comparator. The slot machine has also a winning number counter which cumulatively counts the number of wins occurring during the period until the number of games reaches the predetermined number. At the time the coincidence signal is obtained, the number of wins cumulatively counted by the winning number counter is compared with a standard number of winnings. As a result of this comparison, if the number of wins in the winning number counter is larger than the standard number of wins, the following game is set to decrease the likelihood of a win; but in the contrary case, the same control is actuated for shifting a winning combination of symbols onto a winning line.

Abstract: A video game apparatus which judges a game success if the operation timing of an operation member manipulated by a player in accordance with a displayed game image falls within an allowable time limit for game success set in a range setting unit. The apparatus includes a first output unit for outputting a signal corresponding to the success or failure of the operation timing by using the allowable time limit for game success as a reference, a count unit for counting the signal from the first output unit, a second output unit for outputting an adjustment signal when the count of the count unit reaches a predetermined value; and an allowable range changing unit for changing the allowable time limit for game success set in the range setting unit when the adjustment signal is inputted thereto. The degree of difficulty in playing the game is automatically changed in accordance with the player's skill.

Abstract: A game device for simultaneously playing a plurality of bingo cards. The hittable numbers from a plurality of cards are input by keys for storage and displayed in the same spatial relationship in which they appear on the cards. The patterns of the game to be played are programmed by the player and displayed in their spatial relationship. Random numbers, called by the M.C., are entered and processed. When a bingo or alert is found, lamps indicative of the status are lit. When a card is 1 short of a bingo, each number needed for bingo is displayed. On achieving a bingo, each winning combination is displayed.

Abstract: An artificial hand comprises a palm member and thumb and finger members movable towards and away from one another by an actuator. A cosmesis covering the actuator has a touch sensor in a cavity of the cosmesis that deforms on contact with an object. The cavity is connected via a conduit with a microphone that picks up pressure waves resulting from stick/slip motion of the object along the surface of the cosmesis. The distance between the thumb and finger members is determined by a position sensor, and muscle sensor means responsive to contraction of first and second muscle groups supplies position and control signals in first and second channels.

Abstract: An electronic amusement device is provided in which a set of symbols is displayed on a cathode ray tube. A set of winning symbols is also displayed in response to selection by a player. Upon actuation of a lever arm by the player, the first-mentioned set of symbols is randomized and the resulting display is compared with the selected winning symbols. A reward output is provided in response to match of one or more of the randomized symbols with the selected winning symbols.

Abstract: A modular display assembly for mounting as a unit in the display cabinet of a pinball machine, includes digital display units mounted on three printed circuit display boards which are secured to a frame by a pair of interconnect printed circuit boards each of which electrically interconnects printed wiring conductors on a pair of adjacent display boards and each of which carries indicator lamps. An opaque display panel mounted on the front of the frame encloses the display boards, the display panel having clear areas in registration with the display units and bearing game status indicia which is backlighted by the indicator lamps for indicating game status.

Abstract: The electronic roulette comprises, in a box-like body, a roulette wheel, including a plurality of numbered sectors, an electric motor for driving it, launching assembly to be operated by the player to launch a ball into the roulette wheel, a playing selecting keyboard to be actuated by the player for defining the stake value, and a ball position sensing optical encoder for sensing the position of the ball on the roulette wheel, an inlet channel for introducing tokens in order to set the stake value, a token supplying hopper for supplying a predetermined number of tokens in the case of a win by the player, and a microprocessor circuit operatively coupled to all of the mentioned elements to control them.

Abstract: A video game in which the player must fill mugs from a keg and slide the filled mugs down a bar to advancing thirsty patrons to repel the patron out the bar. The player controls movement of a host image from one horizontal bar to another and laterally along a bar plus the filling of mugs. If any of the thirsty patrons reach the keg end of the bar the player loses a turn. Repelled patrons are delayed while drinking and then return the empty mugs. Unless the empty mugs are caught by the host the player loses a turn. A turn is also lost if the player serves a full mug and there is no thirsty patron awaiting it. From time to time a tip will appear on one of the bars which the host image may pick up causing dancers to appear for an interlude during which some of the patrons turn to watch. While watching the patrons neither advance nor are thirsty. Bonus entertainment racks are periodically introduced during which six cans are displayed.

Abstract: An auction game in which competitive bidding is involved for the purpose of attaining a complete collection of items defined by a collection of cards reflecting various items termed "collectibles" comprising furniture, glassware, etc., and in which a "house" card is provided with portions corresponding to the "collectibles" and upon which the "collectible" cards are stored; points being awarded for attaining a complete collection during bidding and progress of the game, with the game being supervised by a "Banker" and each participant serving as the "Banker"; the game including not only bidding, but refinancing, and strategy of maintaining one's collection and being able to purchase at or below appraised values of the "collectibles.

Abstract: A slot machine having a plurality of reels each of which is provided with an annular row of symbols on its periphery and is driven and stopped by a pulse motor associated therewith. The position of the respective reel can be detected by the content of a counter which counts the pulse signals fed to the pulse motor during revolution of the reel, the counter being reset to zero photoelectrically at the same point in each revolution of the reel.

Abstract: An interactive audio-visual teaching apparatus includes a video tape player, a video monitor, a student keyboard, a printer, and a programmed teaching controller, which can include a microprocessor. Teaching programs recorded on video tape include a plurality of lesson segments. A program control information code group is contained within the audio track of the tape in advance of the first program and indicates the position of the top of each program and the end of the last program. Segment control information code groups, recorded in the audio track respectively at the onset of each program, contain segment location data, correct answer data, branch instruction data, and the like for the segments of the respective program. A temporary memory, e.g., a RAM, is provided with the program and segment data, and a permanent memory, e.g., a ROM, contains universal software which is used with any previously prepared teaching-program tapes.

Abstract: A transducer converts the amount of mechanical displacement of a member into an electrical signal by magnetic induction. Two fixed coils different in winding direction from each other are spaced apart from each other by a suitable distance and connected in series. Inside the fixed coils, a movable coil is disposed which moves in cooperative association with the member whose amount of movement is to be detected. With the movable coil supplied with an a.c. current, the fixed coils produce an induction current whose amplitude varies with the relative position of the movable coil. A signal processing circuit generates a pulse having a duty ratio corresponding to the amplitude of the induction current. This pulse is converted into a d.c. current in a smoothing circuit to obtain a d.c. voltage corresponding to the amount of mechanical displacement.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for sensing the impact of a projectile. The apparatus includes a target which is a bladder having a predetermined normal volume which is reduced in size upon impact by a projectile. The bladder has an outlet in communication with atmospheric air for providing an escape for a pulse of fluid from the bladder when the bladder volume is reduced in response to impact by a projectile. Resilient foam is disposed within the bladder urging it toward its normal volume after impact by a projectile. A sensor is connected to the bladder for sensing a pulse of air escaping from the bladder.

Abstract: There is disclosed a video game apparatus to be employed by a passenger of an airplane. The apparatus includes a tray which is mounted on the rear of an airplane seat. The tray has an internal hollow with a rectangular aperture on a top surface which surface faces the passenger when the tray is placed in a usable position. Located in the rectangular aperture is a TV display screen. Located in the internal hollow of the tray is a video game apparatus which operates to provide a video game display on the surface of said TV display screen. The surface of the tray containing the TV display screen also includes a plurality of control elements which are coupled to the video game apparatus to enable the passenger to operate the game. To energize the game, the tray contains a cable coupling assembly whereby when a cable is inserted into the assembly, the video game is energized to provide a display of a game selected by means of a selector switch also mounted on the top surface of the tray.