Abstract: In order to reduce the number of parts and to provide sufficient direct tactile sensation transmitted to the finger tip, there is provided a tactile-force generating apparatus for generating in an input section which can be displaced from a predetermined position of an input unit for inputting information to a game machine main unit a tactile force for returning to the predetermined position, the tactile-force generating apparatus including: a coil spring for generating a tactile force independently of game information in a control pad; and a permanent magnet and an electromagnet for generating a tactile force corresponding to the game information in the control pad.

Abstract: A shooting game machine for discharging a disk-shaped or substantially disk-shaped member made of a metal to hit a target, the shooting game machine comprising: a target provided in a casing, a simulated gun having a muzzle arranged inside the casing and adapted to discharge the flying member in such a manner that the thickness direction of the flying member substantially extends along a horizontal direction, and a detecting unit for detecting that the flying member discharged from the simulated gun has hit the target.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a bonus scheme which includes a plurality of value sets and associated value set symbols. The gaming device enables the player to select a value set symbol. The player can accept an award associated with the value set symbol or instead, save one or more values in the selected value set and select another value set symbol which includes the saved value(s). This type of bonus scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Abstract: The invention provides an automatic bowling scoring apparatus, as well as a bowling alley management system, which can make the bowling game itself more exciting besides the pleasure attributable to the competition in the score of the bowling game. The score of the bowling game is counted by detecting a pin state after a bowl of a ball in a lane. A service medium carrying information on service to be offered to customers in response to the score state or the pin-state or points which are increased or decreased depending on such a state is outputted from the console or other equipment.

Abstract: The present invention describes a portable simulation game apparatus that permits a user operating the game apparatus to move or control a three dimensional object. The movement or current position of the three dimensional object is sensed by a plurality of sensors and transmitted to a circuit board or a control means. The control means may then relate the movement or position of the three dimensional object to pre-programmed images displayed in front of the three dimensional object, on a display means. Typically, the pre-programmed images being displayed represent a race or a track for which the three dimensional object, being a vehicle, may interact therewith. To move the three dimensional object, the user tilts or moves the game apparatus in a specific direction the user wants the object to move.

Abstract: A method of scoring a video wagering game is disclosed. The method includes placing a wager to participate in a video wagering game, and playing a first segment of the game. The first segment is played until a set of predetermined conditions has been met. A payout value is assigned to a winning outcome of the first segment. When the predetermined conditions have been met, the player plays a second segment of the game. The outcome of the second segment determines a factor that is at least equal to one. The payout value assigned to the first segment is multiplied by the factor to determine the game payout.

Abstract: A video encoder and decoder are provided for processing a sequence of animated pictures in such a way that an interactive game, such as a puzzle for instance, may be played. Each picture of a movie sequence is divided into a predetermined number of pieces that are then randomly coded (according to the MPEG-4 standard), transmitted and/or stored, decoded and displayed. It is then possible to play with the pieces to reorder them while they are in motion (with possible associated audio), according to predefined rules and ends of scenarios. The left and right buttons of a mouse, or a similar control device, are used to displace either one piece, or a group of attached pieces respectively, in order to verify if the proposed location for a piece is free and possible (no contradiction with any other surrounding piece) and then to drop said piece on the new spot, or, on the contrary, if some contradiction is detected, send back the piece (or, respectively, the group of attached pieces) to its previous location.

Abstract: A gaming machine offers a first base game to a player, in the nature of a spinning reel game. Three spinning reels spin in accordance with each play of the game. On the occurrence of certain winning combinations, constituting a triggering event, a bonus game is entered. In the bonus game three rows, respectively of two, three, and four playing cards, are arranged face down. A player is required to select one of the rows and then choose one card from that row, seeking to choose a winning card, such as a Joker. The respective odds of winning between three lines of cards are unique integer multiples of each other.

Abstract: A system for playing electronic games includes a game server and one or more player terminals. Game results are based on a random number generated in each of the game server and the player terminals. The game server and the player terminals cooperate to ensure that the random numbers are generated independently. As a result, game players and the game host, such as a casino, can be confident that play results are not fraudulent. In one embodiment, the random numbers are transmitted between the game server and the player terminals at substantially the same time. In other embodiments, the random numbers are encoded and exchanged between the game server and the player terminals. Then, keys to decode the random numbers are exchanged.

Abstract: The present invention is an educational word game and method of playing same that may be provided in single or bi-lingual versions and that challenges players to form as many new words from a set of at least two base words as possible within a limited amount of time. The word game requires that the players define a set of rules for each game prior to play and by the random selection of round prize amounts and the letter length of the at least two base words, and thus the number and type of letters players may use to form new words. Base word letter length and prize amounts are determined by spinning a pointer on the board. Players fill in a game rules sheet. By requiring that two or more base words be used, the number, length, and sophistication of words a player may potentially make is greatly expanded.

Abstract: A playing card wagering game method which includes each player placing an initial wager. Cards are dealt by a dealer, one card face down to the dealer, one card face down to each player and one card face up to the dealer. Players view their card then decide to either surrender their hand or to place an additional amount to their initial wager. Players can draw up to two additional cards at no additional wager cost, or players can pay an additional amount for each the cards not drawn. Dealer draws the third card for the dealers three card hand. Finally the dealer reveals the players and dealers cards and resolves all players bets which were not withdrawn based on that players one, two or three card hands value. Winning players hands must straddle to either side the value of the dealers three card hand.

Abstract: Enhanced realism of a real-time simulator having multiple computer-controlled units results from making the units capable of reacting to only those other units that each of them can be aware of because of their spatial relationships to the unit. Awareness is based upon probabilities; it can persist after a relationship changes; and it can be influenced by a unit's designation of a target. Each unit selects a target based upon a score incorporating multiple aspects of its tactical situation, and can change targets when the situation changes. A unit selects a strategy in response to which of a set of tactical configurations exist between the unit and its target; the strategy can change short of completion when the configuration changes. A plan produces guidance commands from the high-level strategy. The guidance commands are converted into control settings for guiding the subject unit using a physics engine for simulating the physical dynamics of the unit.

Abstract: The present invention has an object to permit change the progressing rate of time during a battle period in response to the skill and experience of the player in a game apparatus. The controller unit, upon detection of start of a battle between characters, changes the progressing rate of time during the battle period, from the progressing rate of time during a non-battle period in response to any of a plurality of pieces of rate information previously prepared for regulating the progressing rate of time during the battle period. The controller unit, the audio process unit and the graphics process unit adjust the executing timing of the character in response to the changed progressing rate of time during the battle period. As a result, when the progressing rate of time during the battle period is changed, it is possible to cause the character to execute an action in response to such a change.

Abstract: A key for a gaming machine for authorizing various functions via a control system of the gaming machine. The key includes a connector for coupling the key to a communication port of the gaming machine and non-volatile memory that communicates with the control system to determine the appropriateness of authorization and the functions authorized.

Abstract: A method for providing incentive to players of networked slot machines includes a card reader associated with each machine and a card associated with each player. A player account accessible by a host computer on the network is created which associates the player's card with the account. A predetermined credit is applied to the player's account. In a complementary incentive, credit from the player's account is applied to the coin-in meter of a slot machine responsive to insertion of the player card into a card reader associated with the machine. In a matching incentive also implemented by the present invention, each time the player inserts a coin into the slot machine, an equal credit is debited from the player's account and applied to the coin-in meter of the machine. In both cases, the credit can only be used by the player to play the machines and cannot be cashed out.

Abstract: A system for teaching students to perform medical exams performed manually inside a body cavity includes an anatomical simulator with a simulator cavity, a tactile sensor in the simulator, and a feedback presentation unit in communication with the sensor. The tactile sensor generates a signal in response to a manual contact with an inside surface of the simulator cavity, and performance of the exam inside the simulator cavity generates a series of signals. The simulator can include removable anatomical parts, the surfaces of which make up the inside surface of the simulator cavity. The sensor is preferably a force sensing resistor and the signal is representative of the applied force. The feedback presentation unit is preferably a computer system, and the feedback may consist of a graphical display of information gathered by the sensor, or a rating of the exam performance.

Abstract: The present invention enables the player to select a choice, whereby the game generates a choice, and whereby the game employs a comparator to decide an outcome, i.e., does player's choice beat, tie or lose to the game's choice. Accordingly, the outcome can be a positive outcome for the player, a negative outcome for the player or a neutral outcome for the player. If positive or neutral, the game continues. If negative, the game ends and the player keeps any accumulated award. In an alternative embodiment, the game randomly generates a positive, negative or neutral outcome from a database and backtracks by employing an appropriate comparator for the player's choice and the generated outcome to determine the game's choice, whereby the game continues until the game generates a negative outcome for the player.

Abstract: The invention provides a game system, comprising a display device for displaying a game picture, an input unit having a plurality of operation members to be operated by a player for outputting a signal corresponding to an operation state of the operation members, a storage device for storing operation timing data which specifies operation timing in a game relating to a predetermined number of operated sections allocated to at least some of said plurality of operation members, and a game control unit for checking the output signal from the input unit and the data recorded in the storage device, and simultaneously executing the game according to a predetermined procedure on a screen of the display device.

Abstract: An accessory for a hand-held video game device having an external power supply outlet and a headphone outlet, including a case capable of forming a mechanical connection with the hand-held device, a rechargeable battery, a power jack electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and adapted for insertion into the external power supply of the hand-held device for powering the device, an audio connector jack adapted for insertion into the headphone outlet of the hand-held device for receiving audio signals from the hand-held device, an amplified stereo speaker system adapted to be powered by the rechargeable battery and receive audio signals from the hand-held device through the audio connector jack when the audio connector jack is inserted into the headphone outlet, and a vibration mechanism electrically coupled to the rechargeable battery and adapted to cause movement sensations in the accessory, the vibration mechanism adapted to be actuated by the audio signals.

Abstract: By transmitting function information indicative of functions of a game machine manipulation device CT10, previously stored therein, to a game machine main body 27 with a command from the game machine main body 27, it is possible to retrieve functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 required for the game machine main body 27 and to set the retrieved functions of the game machine manipulation device CT10 in the game machine manipulation device CT10.