Abstract: A casino gaming apparatus is disclosed which includes a controller programmed to generate an audio signal. The controller is operatively linked to an ultrasonic audio processor. The ultrasonic audio processor is programmed to convert the audio signal received from the controller into an ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic audio processor is operatively linked to an ultrasonic emitter which emits the ultrasonic signal along a column of air in front of the gaming apparatus. The ultrasonic signal is demodulated into audible sounds along the column by interaction of the ultrasonic signal with air to produce audible sound substantially confined within the column. The column intersects the position where the player stands or sits. Accordingly, sounds are generated by the gaming apparatus are confined to an area occupied by the player and provide little or no distractions for players using adjacent gaming apparatuses.

Abstract: A multi-media interactive play system has a number of play elements situated in a variety of play environments or play media. The play elements are linked to a common record of participant performance, progress, character attributes, etc. The participant's performance in the play elements determines the play elements to which the participant may proceed as well as the play parameters of the play element in which the participant is currently involved. The play elements are thus interlinked to define a sequence or path network along which the participant advances. By advancing through the play elements the participant carries out a plot, story, theme, etc. that attaches a significance to the successful completion of a given play element or elements. Also disclosed in a variety of play elements suitable for use in the system, an example of a plot or theme that may be carried out by the system, and a send/receive radio frequency network that may be used to track play participants in a play center.

Abstract: A game system capable of message exchange taking profit of functions proper to the game machine is achieved by a game system, comprising a first game apparatus 1 including a message creation device 4, 10 and a device 10 for transmitting the created message, and a second game apparatus 1 including a reception device 10 of said message and a display control device 10 for displaying the received message on the screen of a predetermined display apparatus 3, wherein said second game apparatus 1 includes a game execution device 10 for making a user to play a predetermined game, and a display permission control device 10 for prohibiting to display at least a part of said message until a predetermined condition is met in said game, and allowing to display the display prohibited part of said message when said condition is met.

Abstract: Provides a game machine with exceptional interactivity capable of ascertaining players' psychological states from player's voices and actions. It is a game device for executing a prescribed game program in response to information input by players. Comprises a device for recognizing voices or actions made by players, and a processing board for ascertaining the condition of recognized voices and actions, and, for a given voice or given action, modifying the game device response processing operations to the voice or action in response to the condition of the voice or action.

Abstract: In a method of a method of linking a unique identifier to an instant game ticket, a user is instructed to enter or provide a unique identifier. The unique identifier is received from the user via input into the identifier entry mechanism. The unique identifier is stored in a computer-readable memory. A representation of the unique identifier and at least one game result is printed on an instant win game ticket. The user is instructed not to accept the instant win game ticket unless the representation of the unique identifier printed thereon corresponds to the unique identifier that the user provided. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C. F. R. 1.72(b).

Abstract: A system and method which provides an interactive electronic puzzle game and rearranges that same puzzle after a certain amount of time has elapsed and the player has not performed a specific action required by the game. The interactive puzzle game comprises a player interface module, a player monitoring module connected to the player interface module and operable to detect actions of the player, a puzzle generation module that generates an electronic word-search puzzle, a clock module that sets a specific amount of time and a display module connected to the player interface module and operable to display the electronic puzzle to the player. If the player does not perform a specific action required by the game within an allotted amount of time, the puzzle generation module rearranges the electronic puzzle and the display module displays the rearranged electronic puzzle to the player for continued play.

Abstract: A portable information terminal can effectively utilize game results and is arranged to be multifunctional. When result information is transmitted from a terminal to another terminal, the destination terminal adds the transmitted result information to result information which has already been held thereby. The items of result information are sorted in the order of scores, and score data are updated. Of the updated result information, the result information having the same identification number as the identification number of the terminal is displayed on a display unit of the terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a gambling loss insurance policy automatically computes insurance premiums and processes gambling sessions covered by the gambling loss insurance policies. The players may purchase the insurance policies using various means such as coins, earned winnings, or credit cards. The gambling loss insurance system provides a high level of flexibility for the players to define specific parameters of the insurance policy. Additionally, the players may purchase the insurance policies directly from the gaming machine, a custom terminal on casino floor, or cage personnel having access to a centralized network server.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing an interface to and customizing an interactive application for one or more players is provided. The interactive game of the presently preferred embodiment is played in a wireless environment using a mobile station as a user interface with commands entered via a keyboard or via voice. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server, which is typically at a location remote from the mobile station. Communication between the game server and the mobile station is typically performed using a base station connected to a telecommunications network. The game server executes a software application, which runs a game center. Individual games are managed within the context of this application.

Abstract: A system and a method for the customization of an interactive game based on mobile station activity. The interactive game is played in a virtual space using a wireless mobile station as a user interface. The game is tracked and controlled using a game center and a game server. The game server executes a software application that runs a game center. A command set is provided for each state within the game. The choice of a command from the command set changes the game state. Games are designed to be customizable based on, for example, current location of the mobile station, call usage on the mobile station, or wireless services utilized by the mobile station.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for facilitating group play by a team of members associated with a casino slot club. The method includes the steps of identifying the team members, identifying a set of rules designated by the team for rewarding the team members when a payout is due to one of the team members, detecting a payout due to one of the team members, and rewarding the team members in accordance with the set of rules.

Abstract: A video game system includes a game cartridge which is pluggably attached to a main console having a main processor, a coprocessor, expandable main memory and player controllers. A multifunctional peripheral processing subsystem external to the game microprocessor and coprocessor is described which executes commands for handling player controller input/output to thereby lessen the processing burden on the graphics processing subsystem. The video game methodology features camera perspective or point of view control features. The system changes the “camera” angle (i.e., the displayed point of view in the three-dimensional world) automatically based upon various conditions and in response to actuation of a plurality of distinct controller keys/buttons/switches, e.g., four “C” buttons in the exemplary embodiment. The control keys allow the user at any time to move in for a close up or pull back for a wide view or pan the camera to the right and left to change the apparent camera angle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for identifying a winner in a bingo game. Players may obtain bingo cards from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that physically prints bingo cards for players in an embodiment where the player appears in person to purchase tickets, or from point-of-sale (POS) terminals that permit players to play bingo in an on-line environment. A game processor maintains a linked list identifying each card in play containing each possible value. Each entry in a linked list includes a pointer to the next element in the linked list. Each bingo card is represented as a bitmap containing an entry corresponding to each square on the bingo card. Each entry in the linked list also identifies the particular square on the bingo card containing the corresponding value, thereby allowing the appropriate entry in the corresponding bitmap to be identified. As each number is drawn, the game processor utilizes the linked list to identify all of the bingo cards in play having the drawn number.

Abstract: A game of chance is based on a keno-type game which uses one or more groups of number ranges, such as a HI group of number ranges, a LO group of number ranges and a HI/LO group of number ranges. A player makes a wager on one or more of the groups of number ranges. Each number range in a group has payout odds assigned thereto. After all wagers are made, a predetermined amount of numbers, say twenty, are randomly selected from the pool of numbers, say eighty. The numbers randomly selected are added up to determine a numerical total. The number range in which the numerical total falls is determined and the player is provided an award based on the payout odds for the number range within which the numerical total falls. The number range feature of the present invention may also be used in conjunction with a regular game of keno.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus is disclosed. The gaming apparatus has a reduced size, and is capable of being configured to implement different types of games. In one or more embodiments, the gaming apparatus comprises a cabinet and a door moveable between a first position and a second position. In its first position, the door cooperates with the cabinet to define a generally closed interior space. In its second position, the door permits access to the interior space. The apparatus includes at least one support associated with the cabinet for supporting a reel mechanism in the interior space. The door has window or therein.

Abstract: A player selects whether the numerical total of the numbers selected during a lottery game will be high or low, or either high or low. When the winning lottery numbers are selected, they are also totaled and a numerical sum of the selected lottery numbers is determined. The numerical total is designated as “high”, “low” or “middle” based on pre-established criteria and winning high/low selections are paid. A separate wager may be required for the player to be eligible for this high/low feature of the lottery game.

Abstract: A computer readable program product stores a program for a ball-playing type game enabling continuous action at the time a player catches a ball in a ball-playing game to be expressed smoothly. When a fielder starts a catching action, a difference between a position of a glove at the time the fielder catches the ball by a group of motion and an arrival position of the ball is calculated. The position of the glove at one motion based on a group of motion for catching in the catching motion of the fielder is corrected in accordance with the difference between the position of the glove and the arrival position. Other motion with the position of the glove corrected is displayed, and the position of the glove of the fielder is matched to the arrival position of the ball when the fielder catches the ball in the motion after correction.

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: In a gaming system, a central computer generates a plurality of game win-loss outcome stacks, each stack having at least one “win” (preferably, large-prize) outcome. Sub-stacks, from among the plurality of stacks, are transmitted to casino or other group controllers or computers, each casino controller being coupled to a plurality of gaming terminals. In response to placing a large-prize wager, in addition to normal, local game wager, a gaming terminal requests a large-prize outcome from the sub-stack which is stored in the casino controller. Whenever a casino controller's sub-stack is depleted, it requests a new sub-stack from the central computer. Preferably the central computer selects a new sub-stack for transmission according to a selection process which is weighted so as to maintain the ratio of winning outcomes to all outcomes in a predetermined range. When all sub-stacks of a given stack have been transmitted, the central computer generates a new stack to replace the depleted stack.

Abstract: A method for supporting the end-user of a software application program is provided, wherein the end-user is provided the capability of communicating directly with the application program vendor and/or developer to request enhancement, provide comments, report defects and/or to ask questions. Moreover, this method provides an automatic communication that provides the developer of an application program such critical information as usage of program or document information, defects, and user comments. This invention provides a technique that minimizes the load and/or requirements for specially trained customer service personnel while simultaneously decreasing the feed-back lag time, thereby providing information, which is sufficiently timely to aid in the improvement of the quality of application software.