Abstract: Methods of playing games of chance and gaming devices employing a plurality of symbol carriers, each symbol carrier bearing substantially continuously visible symbols. At least one symbol carried by each of the plurality of symbol carriers may be indicated at the end of a play sequence as a chosen symbol, by way of at least one individualized indicator. A combination of chosen symbols is randomly generated during play, and movement of the symbol carriers, indicators or both, as well as the results of play, are displayed on a video display or otherwise communicated to the player. Symbol carriers may perceptibly rotate about one or more points, translate, or otherwise move as part of the simulation. Further, a player may optionally configure parameters of the game such as symbol order, symbol carrier order, speed, rotation direction, colors, or other characteristics, as well as pay line configurations, prior to initiation of a play sequence.

Abstract: The game machine includes a start detection unit for detecting an input from a user to start shooting balls, a shooting control unit for initiating shooting the balls in response to the start detection unit detecting the relevant input from the user and for controlling to stop shooting the balls in response to all the available balls having been shot, and a stop detection unit for detecting an input from the user to stop shooting the balls. The control unit controls to stop shooting the balls in response to the stop detection unit detecting the relevant input from the user. Thus, manipulability for shooting balls is improved. Further, a game well reflecting the player's intention to stop shooting the balls is provided.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game program executing system executing a game program and one or more controllers supplying user inputs to the game program executing system. An interface between the controllers and the game program executing system is programmable to periodically poll the controller without involvement of the game program executing system.

Abstract: When users simultaneously play the same game with interconnected game machines, processing delays would conventionally cause inconsistencies in game content between different game machines. To solve this problem, the game machines are not synchronized with one another, but each game machine outputs operation key status data representing the state of a set of number of operation controls to the other game machines in accordance with predetermined data communication timing. A received FIFO data buffer in each game machine, sequentially stores operation key status data received from the other game machines. Only valid operation control status data is transferred to an operation data buffer for use in game processing. Inconsistencies in game content between different game machines are prevented through software-based synchronization which does not require hardware-based synchronization.

Abstract: A system and method provides an interactive puzzle to a user and scores the attempted solutions to the puzzle. Portions of a representation of a puzzle object are successively provided to a user over time and a user is allowed to attempt to solve the puzzle by guessing the puzzle object. If the attempt succeeds, a score is provided that is higher the faster the solution is reached. If the attempt fails, the user may make other attempts until a short time after the entire puzzle has been provided, at which time a minimum score is assigned. Another puzzle is provided after a different puzzle is scored. Points for a user are cumulated and may be redeemed for cash, discounts or other prizes, either upon request or automatically on or near a predetermined date.

Abstract: In order to allow viewers to interact with a television broadcast, a central control establishes a virtual environment in which viewers participate with characters designed by them. Viewers can create a character with the aid of a computer and then submit the character to the television show on disk or transmit the character via a web site. In order to create characters, a user “preprograms” a character by setting certain parameters and characteristics. Thereafter, the character would operate autonomously. During the television broadcast, some of the characters submitted to the television show or web site can be selected for appearance on the show by any conventional means, such as by lottery, sequentially or based on the merits of characters submitted to the television show, etc. Characters may also be submitted before the show and selected based on a “virtual interview.

Abstract: A game system and method is disclosed that has at least one game display, an input controller, and a device executing a game program, wherein a controller for displaying the progress of a game as a real time image on the game display, in response to information input through the input controller is provided. The invention includes data storage for replaying a predetermined scene of the real time image and a replay controller for displaying the replay sequence in response in response to predetermined criteria. The replay is displayed on a replay display window that appears on the game display and replay display is shown along with a part of or the entire said real time image. Furthermore, the replay display and the real time image are simultaneously displayed.

Abstract: To improve a screen display on the computer game device, according to the present invention, when a game character and its attribute information are to be displayed on the computer game screen and the display size of the game character is to be enlarged or reduced, it is possible to avoid disadvantages such as the attribute information being overly enlarged and thereby covering a large portion of the screen or being overly reduced and thereby becoming illegible by fixing the display size of the game character's attribute information, and provide an easily viewable screen to the player.

Abstract: A computerized system for instructing a player in an athletic sport includes a screen listing a plurality of discrete physical factors describing a real or hypothetical situation in the sport. A player enters a plurality of personal discrete actions that may be taken in response to the situation. The system selects from memory a corresponding plurality of discrete actions defining an expert response to the situation. The system compares the personal discrete actions and the expert discrete actions and provides expert comments when there are differences. The actual discrete actions taken by the player and the actual results are stored, and this information as well as personal data entered by the player is used by the system in subsequently selecting an expert response adjusted to the particular player.

Abstract: A recording medium on which is recorded a computer-readable and executable software program that performs processing by taking as instructions an output from a controller used in an entertainment system. The controller has a pressure-sensitive unit. The software program used in the entertainment system, in a mode in which the viewpoint position of objects within the screen of the entertainment system is switched, switches the position of the viewpoint of an object depending on the output of the controller.

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: A gaming device having at least one changed player stimuli and a method of changing player stimuli associated with a player input device are disclosed for enhancing a player's interest, excitement, length of play, and enjoyment of the casino gaming experience while operating the gaming device. The gaming device comprises of at least one player input device and generates player stimuli after each activation of the player input device. The gaming device changes the player stimuli when a predetermined number of consecutive activations of the player input device is reached. The player stimuli may also change when a predetermined number of consecutive activations of the player input device occurs in a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: An interactive wagering system is provided that promotes wagering to users at user equipment. The user equipment may be based on a set-top box and television, a personal computer, a cellular telephone with a display, or other such devices. Wagering may be promoted by notifying the user of an opportunity to place a wager on a given race. Wagering may also be promoted by providing the user with an on-screen opportunity to sign up for a wagering television channel or interactive wagering service. The on-screen promotions that are displayed to the user may be targeted based on the television programming that is being displayed or the user's interests. The user's activities may be monitored to collect information on the user's interests. If a particular race or the like is being discussed during a television program, the user may be provided with an opportunity to wager on that race. In this situation, racetrack, race, and horse selections may be made in advance for the user.

Abstract: A recording medium on which is recorded a computer-readable and executable software program that performs processing by taking as instructions an output from a controller used in an entertainment system. The controller has a pressure-sensitive unit. The software program used in the entertainment system, in a mode in which the viewpoint position of objects within the screen of the entertainment system is switched, switches the position of the viewpoint of an object depending on the output of the controller.

Abstract: A video game device includes monitor which displays game images, including a pitcher game character that executes a pitching action, a pitching instruction section for instructing a pitching course to the pitcher game character, a pitching storage section for storing the result of a pitch executed based on an instruction from the pitching instruction section for each pitch, a coordinate setting section for setting a two-dimensional coordinate for displaying a pitching course in a predetermined area on a display screen of the monitor, a data conversion section for converting the pitching course data of each pitch to a corresponding position data on the coordinate based on the pitching result read from the pitching storage section, and a mark display section for displaying a mark on the converted position on the coordinate.

Abstract: A method of and a system (10) for providing a jackpot award for a plurality of gaming machines (40) are disclosed. The system (10) gaming machines (40) linked by at least one venue jackpot controller (300) to a central jackpot controller. The method includes increasing a jackpot value by an amount corresponding to a predetermined percentage; randomly determining whether to award the jackpot value; and randomly awarding the jackpot value to a selected gaming machine (40) associated with a selected venue jackpot controller (300) when jackpot award conditions are met.

Abstract: A gaming machine comprises at least one visual display (mechanical or video) and a game of chance controlled by a processor in response to a wager. The game of chance includes a primary game and a sorting feature. The sorting feature is triggered by certain start-feature outcomes of the primary game. The sorting feature includes a collection of scrambled objects, such as letters, symbols, pictures, or puzzle pieces, that are at least partially sorted during operation of the sorting feature. The sorting feature generates an award, such as a payoff, a payoff multiplier, or extended play, if the sorted objects match predetermined criteria.

Abstract: A keypad used for dialing telephone numbers to establish a communications link is also used to display game moves. Once the communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators (e.g., LEDs) and player identification displays (e.g., LCDs) at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. Player identification indicators are incorporated into a touch-tone keypad located on each of the terminals. Each key of the keypad has two or more color-coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player's move. Thus, the touch-tone keys represent a game board and/or game accessory when the terminal is placed in a game mode.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a game system which is capable of maximizing realism of an on-the-spot broadcasting voice or the like. A plurality of on-the-spot broadcasting data previously prepared to be used specific situation in a competition performed in a virtual game space is stored in storage medium. The information corresponding to a play record of the competition is stored as record data. When the competition enters a situation, an on-the-spot broadcasting data is selected from the plurality of on-the-spot broadcasting data by referring to the record data. Information corresponding to the selected on-the-spot broadcasting data is provided to the game user via an information output control device such as a speaker.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use in a gaming apparatus having a plurality of reels, wherein each reel includes a plurality of physical stops associated with a plurality of symbols is disclosed. The method and apparatus maps random numbers to the plurality of physical stops on the plurality of reels in a random manner.