Abstract: Based on a metric that represents a value of a game of chance, a payout distribution is optimized with respect to the metric.

Abstract: A gaming system is provided allowing determination of a location of a gaming unit in a casino having a plurality of gaming unit locations and gaming units with each gaming unit including a transmitter that transmits a gaming unit location determination signal. The gaming system further includes a plurality of receivers in communication with the transmitter, with each receiver receiving the gaming unit location determination signal and generating a corresponding reception signal. The gaming system further includes a central controller operatively coupled to the receivers and programmed to determine a location of the gaming unit using a first reception signal, a second reception signal and the locations of the receivers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a casino security system for a gaming table comprising at least one video camera for providing video images of the gaming table and a video recorder for recording the video images of the gaming table. Events during playing of the game are detected and used to control the resolution of the video images of the gaming table appropriately and to superimpose information on the recorded video images.

Abstract: A modular tilt handling system for controlling how tilts are declared, displayed and cleared in a gaming machine. The modular tilt handling system includes a plurality of gaming software elements that allow the gaming system to detect events and to generate one or more tilts in response to the one or more events in accordance with the regulations of a gaming jurisdiction. The modular tilt handling system treats events separately from tilts so that tilts can be dynamically configured for different gaming jurisdictions.

Abstract: A game comprises a frame and 82 cubical playing pieces, or playing cubes, 81 of which cubes are removably retained in the frame. For playing purposes, the playing cubes are divided into 3 groups: 27 scoring cubes, 54 blank cubes, and 1 pilot cube. During play cubes are inserted into the frame, forcing another cube to be ejected from the opposite side of the frame. A score is tallied for a player when a scoring cube is ejected from the frame.

Abstract: A two wire exchange system is disclosed that enables a gaming machine having one communication port to function as a gaming machine having a plurality of communication ports. The two-wire exchange system allows a gaming machine having only a single communication port to connect to two or more system hosts simultaneously. The two wire exchange system is an intelligent multiplexer that communicates using the same protocol as the system hosts to which it is connected. The two-wire exchange system has the ability to respond to a poll from the system host by indicating that the gaming machine is busy, and that the system host should poll the gaming machine again. This is provided to avoid and to prevent data collisions.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a user even at a place away from a racecourse with computer graphic horses having existing past data therein, and also with real time data, and thereby a hitting ratio of simulated finishing orders of racing horses is drastically improved. The racing horses to start a horse race are expressed by means of computer graphics, the existing past data associated with the racing horses is retrieved into the computer graphic horses, and a virtual horse race is started on a display screen, so that a finishing order of the horse race can be predicted according to an action and a result of the virtual horse race.

Abstract: A game device includes a photographing unit, which photographs a user when the user uses a game provided by the game device, and a printer. A commemorative image is generated at a timing (e.g., each time a stage in the game is cleared or when the game is terminated) set on a setting screen, by making a composite of an image representing either user achievements or a game screen with an image of the user photographed by the photographing unit. The commemorative image is then displayed on a LCD of the game device. The commemorative image can be printed by the printer to make a commemorative image card when the user instructs the printer to print.

Abstract: A game machine displays a target on a display plane with four known points. An image sensor with an image plane on which an image of the display plane is formed with the known points included. The game machine calculates an attitude of the image plane relative to the display plane in response to the image of the known points on the image plane. The game machine causes a change in the target depending on the calculated attitude. The game machine calculates the position of a point on the display plane corresponding to a predetermined position on the image plane in response to the image of the known points on the image plane. The game machine compares the position of the target point with the calculated position to cause a change in the image of the target point on the display plane in response to the comparison.

Abstract: There are disclosed a game machine, game route selection method and information storage medium that in case where a plurality of performance positions in a three-dimensional space where a game performance corresponding to a player's operation instruction is performed, and a plurality of moving routes interconnecting the plurality of performance positions are set, the game machine displays predetermined option images for selecting the moving routes where the viewpoint can next move in the performance positions, and allows any one of these option images to be selected by a pointing device.

Abstract: To increase a feeling of competitiveness between players of a music-oriented game. Based on evaluation of performance of the first and second players on their steps, the number of times step guidance is presented is varied. Specifically, while reference arrows 46, 48 are displayed, a plurality of timing guidance arrows 50, 62 approaching the reference arrows 46, 48 are also displayed on a game screen image 40, whereby a state of step timing gradually arriving is shown to the player. In addition, the number of timing guidance arrows 50 62, namely the number of times step guidance is presented to each player, is changed based on the result of evaluation on steps by each player.

Abstract: The disclosed game keyboard device comprising: a key matrix, a direction control mechanism, and a microprocessor. A switch key is used to change the direction control mechanism between the functions of a joystick and a mouse. The game keyboard device can selectively implement the function of the joystick or mouse through a single direction control mechanism. Therefore, the hardware manufacturing cost of the game keyboard device can be considerably reduced.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to make it possible to execute a video-game software program read from a video-game program recording medium, to convert contents data to print data, and to enable a printer of an unknown type to print the print data. To achieve the object, a data-reading module determines whether the printer connected to a video game apparatus is of an unknown type (Step S11). If the printer is of an unknown type, or a type not designated by the printer driver, printing parameter is read from the printer, the parameter of a device engine module is changed in accordance with the printing parameter (Step S12). And the print data is printed (Steps S13 to S17).

Abstract: The present invention provides a gaming device having a transformable wild symbol or card on a set of reels or a transformable wild card in a set of cards. The transformable wild symbol or card provides a signal to a player through a wild indicator or a non-wild indicator. The wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a wild state. The non-wild indicator indicates that the transformable wild symbol or card is in a non-wild state. In a wild state, the transformable wild symbol or card acts as a wild symbol or card on a set of reels, or a wild card.

Abstract: A method of playing a card game is provided which includes the steps of providing a set of card hand locations, betting at least one credit at each of the card hand locations, dealing a first hand of cards at a first of the card hand locations from a deck of cards, determining a mathematical value for the first hand of cards, dealing hands of cards at all remaining card hand locations, each hand having a mathematical value about equal to the mathematical value of the first hand, and crediting in accordance with a pay table associated with the value of each hand played.

Abstract: A computer game controller with integrated video display device. The controller has a video device mounted or otherwise integrated into a hand held controller. A communication cable connects the controller with a stand alone computer game device. The cable establishes a communication link to facilitate the transmission of both command signals and audio/video signals between the controller and computer device. The integrated controller and video display device of the present invention provides two-way interaction with the stand-alone computer device within a single accessory device. The integrated controller and video display device may also incorporate a speaker or headphone jack to deliver additional audio stimulation.

Abstract: An operation unit provided with an operation axis as an input unit of an entertainment unit is more effectively utilized. An entertainment unit receives input information from an operation unit and calculates a displacement value with respect to the rotation movement of the operation axis around a predetermined standard axis based on the position information of the operation axis included in the input information and based on the displacement value the display condition of the object is changed. In another mode, a first parameter is set based on the tilt angle of the operation axis, and a second parameter is set according to the rotation angle or rotation angular velocity of the operation axis. An evaluation value for the operation object is set based on the first and second parameters, and where either one of the first and second parameters exceeds a predetermined value the evaluation value of the player character may be changed or clearing may occur.

Abstract: A method of customizing a casino game of chance has the steps of depicting to the player, before the base game, information about a plurality of aspects for playing the bonus game and allowing the player to pre-select one of the aspects before the bonus play. The step of basing the play of the bonus game upon the pre-selected aspect of the bonus game is a step. The method allows for a question and answer bonus game with choices of answers about trivia. The method has the step of choosing one of a plurality of categories for questions or the difficulty and/or monetary awards of the questions.

Abstract: The present invention is a gaming device and preferably a bonus round game of a gaming device that, after setting a count initially to zero, enables an input to be sent to the processor upon a player's selection of one of a plurality of displayed choices. After receiving the input, the game randomly generates a component from a preferably weighted database associated with the choice or with the order of the selection. The game adds the generated component to the count. The game awards the player if the updated count is below a predetermined game termination condition. The game ends if the updated count satisfies the game terminating condition. The game repeats this process until the updated count satisfies the game terminating condition.

Abstract: A centralized gaming system comprises a central server system and a plurality of display terminals remote from and linked to the central server system. The central server system includes a master game server, a game execution server, and a database server. The master game server stores a plurality of games of chance. Each game includes respective game play software and respective audiovisual software. In response to one of the games being selected for play at one of the display terminals, the game play software for the selected game is loaded from the master game server into the game execution server and is executed by the game execution server to randomly select an outcome. The audiovisual software for the selected game is selectively executed at the display terminal to visually represent the outcome on a display of the display terminal. The database server collects game activity data based on the outcome and maintains such data for report generation and player tracking purposes.