Abstract: A scoring method and system for determining points in a game. Goal-based points are determined as a function of a player achieving a goal set by the player that is not predefined by the game and are used to determine the player's status in the game, such as whether the player advances to a next level. Subjective style points are awarded if the player performs feats of style that are not necessary tasks of the game, depend upon the type of game, and may include sliding, spinning, jumping, blocking an opponent, passing an opponent, and avoiding obstacles. Objective skill points may be combined with subjective style points and goal-based points. Alternatively, one of these three types of points may be modified as a function of one or both of the other two types of points.

Abstract: A system automatically monitors playing and wagering of a game. A card deck reader automatically reads a symbol identifying a respective rank and suit of each card in a deck before a first cards is removed. A chip tray reader automatically images the contents of a chip tray for verifying that proper amounts have been paid out and collected. A table monitor automatically images the activity occurring at a gaming table. Periodic comparison of the images identifies wagering, as well as the appearance, removal and position of cards and other game objects on the gaming table. The system detects prohibited playing and wagering patterns, and determines the win/loss percentage of the players and the dealer, as well as a number of other statistically relevant measures. The measurements provide automated security and real-time accounting.

Abstract: In a computer-implemented method and gaming apparatus, a randomly selected card is matched with dealt playing cards for playing a first card game, and is combined with the dealt playing cards for poker hand ranking evaluation for playing a second card game simultaneously. A computer program product for a gaming apparatus that includes a user input unit, a display unit and a processor unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: In one embodiment of a gaming machine incorporating the present invention, a special outcome of a primary game initiates a bonus game of a type very different from the primary game. One of the outcomes of the bonus game is the initiation of a third game, which the player then plays to determine whether the bonus game ends or continues. This third game may be the random selection by the player or the gaming machine of one of a plurality of tiles (or other icons), where certain ones of the tiles end the bonus game and other ones of the tiles allow the bonus game to continue. The third game may be any game where a random result determines the ending of the bonus game, or the third game may be a game of skill, such as a hand of blackjack. In one embodiment, the primary game, the bonus game, and the third game are played on the same touch video screen, where sensors in the screen detect the position of a player's touch in order to select a displayed option.

Abstract: Providing, in a casino game, a time period for a player to provide a response to a query presented in the casino game or in a bonus game to the casino game. Paying a higher award for a correct response and a lower award for an incorrect response when the player answers within the time period. When no response is received, randomly choosing a response and paying the player based on the correctness of the response.

Abstract: A real time video frame sequence is spread in time, frame by frame, to match the transmission rate and bandwidth of a computer communication network and once transmitted is reconstructed at the receiving site to its real time frame rate. The video frame sequence may be loaded, frame by frame, into a first-in-first-out memory stack to be substituted for the conventional video frame network transmission whenever a high excitement event is indicated by the audio level associated with the video frame sequence, the first-in-first-out memory stacking allowing for the usual group reaction delay. The method is particularly useful in transmitting video images from selected gaming sites of a casino.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus may include a display unit capable of generating video images, a value input unit, and a controller operatively coupled to the display unit and the value input unit. The controller may further comprise a processor and a memory operatively coupled to the processor. The controller may be programmed to facilitate play of a first game, and a second game following play of the first game. The second game may represent a matching game in which a user is prompted, by the controller, to select a visually perceptible image from a plurality of selectable visually perceptible images. The controller may further be programmed to determine a payout value based on the number of displayed images matching the image selected by the user. The payout value may be based on payout factors corresponding to the number of displayed images matched during play of the second game.

Abstract: A gaming system for implementing coinless gaming environment having a central processing system interconnected to a plurality of gaming machines and a plurality of change machines. The central processing system includes a processor and a memory having a plurality of memory locations for storing data. Each memory location is identified by a unique address in memory. In communication with the central processing system are a plurality of gaming machines having an input for accepting encoded media and an input for accepting standard paper currency. The gaming machines also contain an output including a bar code printer for encoding and distributing gaming coupons to a player. The central processing is also in communication with one or more change machines having an input for accepting gaming coupons, an input for accepting paper currency and an output for generating and dispensing encoded gaming coupons and an output for dispensing value either in the form of paper currency and/or coins.

Abstract: Systems and methods consistent with the present invention assist a user's ability to control a game such that the user's proficiency is largely independent of prior experience with the game. Disparities between users arising from differences in experience or unfavorable viewing perspective can be compensated by appropriately modifying the speed of the movement of actions taking place within the game. Additional embodiments are also provided which enhance the realism of the game display by improving the presentation of shadows.

Abstract: Improved Baccarat Game methods and a device for playing the games are set forth wherein players each make a wager and are dealt a two-card hand of cards. A Banker hand is dealt with two cards face down and a third card face up. Players can receive a third card to better their hand value, modulo ten. After all players have completed their hands, the Banker hand is completed based upon established rules which may or may not include the third, exposed Banker card. According to another embodiment the Banker may receive a third and fourth card face up and eliminate the higher of the two. If the banker is entitled to use a third card, the remaining card is summed with the other two Banker cards. Each Player hand and the Banker hand are compared in a manner similar to Baccarat.

Abstract: A game controller having user pivotal grips for adjusting the size, and thereby the ergonomics of the game controller to accommodate the size of a specific user's hands. The grips are connected to the body of the game controller at a pivot point, and an indexing or positioning system retains the position of the grips once adjusted to the specific user's hands.

Abstract: A wireless control unit includes a controller having wireless transmitter circuitry for transmitting game information, and a console interface/adapter for converting one of the communication ports of the game console into a wireless receiver/transmitter. The console interface/adapter also includes an additional communication port so as to provide the user with access to the used communication port while the interface/adapter is operably disposed within the communication port of the game console.

Abstract: This service system includes a portable terminal for acquiring a game character to be distributed, and then, executing a game in collaboration with a processor main body, an external station for making communication with the portable terminal via a short distance wireless equipment, and a service server for distributing the game character to the external station. The portable terminal transmits to the external station the contents of a history information storage section for storing history information concerning a game and a game character depending on a user that possesses the portable terminal. The external station receives the history information transmitted from the portable terminal, and then transmits to the portable terminal the game character information transmitted by referring to the history.

Abstract: A character group battle method which can express uneven distribution of attack power, defense strength or the like that is unevenly distributed in a group comprising a plurality of characters is provided. Within a predetermined time period, the position of each character in a 3-dimensional virtual space is calculated, the character number of other friend characters existing in a predetermined region about the character is calculated (S304), an attack value and a defense value expressing the attack power and the defense strength of the character are calculated on the basis of the character number (S310, S312), and a color correction value is calculated for changing color tone of the character according to the attack value (defense value) (S314).

Abstract: A wagering system comprises a race providing system facilitating wagering on race events and providing information regarding the race events, and at least one wagering terminal in communication with the race providing system. The at least one wagering terminal includes a race event selector to select next race events for wagering, a display to present information regarding the selected race events, a user interface to place a wager on an elected race event of the selected race events displayed, and a wagering value mechanism to provide a wager amount for the wager on the elected race event. Further, at least one of the race providing system and the at least one wagering terminal includes a quick pick race contestant(s) selector receiving handicapping information and odds information from the race providing system to select one or more race contestants of an elected race event for the wager in accordance with the received handicapping information and odds information.

Abstract: A gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The gaming device presents the player with a display having a plurality of symbols and enables the player to choose one or more of the symbols. The game reveals the award(s) associated with the selected symbols but does not reveal which awards are associated with which symbols. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award by deselecting one or more of the selected symbols and re-selecting another symbol for each deselected symbol.

Abstract: A gaming device that provides a player with an opportunity to maximize a gaming device award. The gaming device presents the player with a display having a plurality of symbols and enables the player to choose one or more of the symbols. The game reveals the award(s) associated with the selected symbols but does not reveal which awards are associated with which symbols. The game then provides the player with one or more opportunities to upgrade the total award by deselecting one or more of the selected symbols and re-selecting another symbol for each deselected symbol.

Abstract: An existing video game system is modified to include additional communication and storage capability via a modem and hard disk drive. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the primary system security features are incorporated into a video game system expansion device having a hard disk drive. The security system does not rely on the relatively insecure video game system. The present exemplary embodiment focuses security control in a disk drive/mass media controlling engine which is physically disposed within the expansion device housing as close as possible to the hard disk drive and the downloaded video games and other data it is designed to protect. Security features are incorporated into, for example, a disk drive controlling processing engine to provide security features which extend far beyond simplistic password systems which have heretofore been utilized in conjunction with disk drive controllers.

Abstract: A disclosed a player tracking unit provides a touch screen display with a touch screen controller integrated into the touch screen sensor assembly. Game service interfaces may be presented on the touch screen display that allow a user to obtain one or more game services. The game service interfaces may include buttons with alpha-numeric symbols, function keys and hand-writing recognition capabilities that are recognized using input data from the touch screen sensor. Thus, with the touch screen sensor, a user may navigate through the game service interface and supply gaming information required to obtain a game service. In one embodiment, a registration game service interface is provided that allows a player to join a player tracking program at the gaming machine. In another embodiment, a metering game service interface with a calculator is provided that allows a casino operator to obtain and operate on metering information at a gaming machine.

Abstract: An improved track-mounted movable target system is disclosed. Power is inductively transferred to a target carrier movable between first and second locations. The transferred power is used to power electrical equipment on board the target carrier. The electrical equipment may include electric motors, lights, solenoids, and control circuitry for the motors and solenoids. Preferred embodiments of the invention are implemented as track-based systems, as the track provides not only stability to the target carrier, but also protection from stray bullets to the conductive cable. For a first embodiment of the invention, power is transferred to a target carrier via a stationary inductor and a movable cable, which also provides motive force to the target carrier. For a second embodiment of the invention, power is transferred to a target carrier via a stationary cable and an inductor movable with the target carrier.