Abstract: In a quiz game, a first question and a telephone number are displayed at a location. A user enters an answer to the question on an SMS-enabled handset and sends it to the designated telephone number. If the answer is correct, the user receives a further question via SMS, and replies with a further answer. Further questions may be received and answers sent. If all of the answers are correct, the user is prompted to send a message with a name and optionally a choice of prize. The user then receives a voucher number. The voucher number and the name entered by the user, and optionally an identification of the choice of prize, are transmitted to another terminal, which may be another SMS-enabled handset belonging for example to a bartender. The bartender calls out the name and the user presents the voucher number to the bartender. If the presented voucher number matches that received by the bartender, the user receives the prize, such as their choice of free drink.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a primary game scheme which includes one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more secondary games. If the player reaches a win condition in one or more secondary games, the gaming device provides the player with an award. This type of game scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Abstract: The present invention involves a gaming device with a primary game scheme which includes one or more symbol generators and one or more secondary games. When the symbol generator generates one or more predetermined symbols, the gaming device operates one or more secondary games. If the player reaches a win condition in one or more secondary games, the gaming device provides the player with an award. This type of game scheme adds excitement to bonus rounds and increases player entertainment.

Abstract: A sound elimination game and apparatus includes an electronic game having a housing supporting a plurality of user depressible button thereon. Each button is supported within the housing by a light and button assembly and includes a latent image and means for illuminating the latent image. A control circuit is supported within the housing and is operative to selectively illuminate one or more of the light and button assemblies to reveal the latent image thereon. The control circuit is further operative to activate a sound circuit also within the housing to provide character sounds in association with the illuminated buttons on the housing. Game play is provided in which the entire group of character buttons is simultaneously illuminated and in which the character sounds associated with all of the character buttons is simultaneously sounded.

Abstract: A game suited for children from five years to adulthood. Game apparatus is spider or web shaped electronic device having a grounding stake. Included are 25 foot spider or web-like attachments, having a corresponding colored lights thereon disposed. A proximity sensor monitors a specified perimeter triggering a signal light and/or buzzer, and, alas, cause for elimination. In play, the game involves two ball tossers who attempt to hit the other participating players with web-like round balls, each tosser having five chances to do so. When a player is hit, that player is deemed “snarled,” and ousted. Players are “snarled” by crossing a perimeter defined by a pre-set proximity sensor. The tosser may replace the “snarled” player. The last remaining un-“snarled” player wins. Other rules are contemplated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a game system equipped with a single referee machine, and a single parent machine and a single flag machine provided in each team. The referee machine collects needed information from all the parent machines and also transmits necessary game information to the parent machine of each team. Also, the parent machine generates information to command movement of a player of the self-team by employing both information acquired from the flag machine of the self-team and the information transmitted from the referee machine and then transmits the generated information to the player, and also transmits the information acquired from the flag machine of the self-team, to the referee machine. The flag machine specifies spot coordinate information from the movement of the player and also transmits the spot coordinate information to the parent machine of the self-team.

Abstract: A board is made of many grid points (1 and 2) arranged in a grid on a flat surface (6), and connect to a game manager (3) (a CPU+memory+software). Each grid point notifies the games manager when it is pressed, and the games manager can illuminate each grid point by one of two color. Every fixed period of time (generation) the games manager checks for each point the illumination state of the point and of a pattern of points around it, and accordingly decides what will be the illumination state of the point in the next generation. The player(s) can also affect the illumination state of a point by pressing it, and the task of the player(s) is to keep some points illuminated as long as possible, cause all the points to be switched off as fast as possible, or cause all illuminated points to be only in one color.

Abstract: A skin-irritating game machine include a main unit and a plurality of control cables respectively connected to the main unit, each control cable having two metal contact elements adhered to the skin a respective player to form a respective electric loop through which a voltage is outputted from the main unit to the player who loses the game.

Abstract: A simulator for snowboarding, skateboarding, water skiing and the like includes a substantially flat board having a support which permits three degrees of freedom of motion. The support can include a convex body which, in combination with a thrust receiving surface, forms a thrust bearing permitting the three degrees of freedom. The support can also include a rotary or turntable type of bearing permitting rotary motion. The simulator is instrumented to measure rotational motion and to provide an output signal compatible with a personal computer (PC) game port or a video game console input/output (I/O) port representative of rotational position of the board.

Abstract: A computer readable program product stores a program of a ball-playing type game which can smoothly express the continuous action of a player before and after a player obtains a ball when throwing the ball in any direction in accordance with operation of the user in the ball-playing game. An input operation of the user is accepted before the fielder receives the ball, a series of motions up to the fielder catching the ball and throwing it is judged in response to any input operation, and the motion is used to change the display up until the catching and throwing before the fielder catches the ball.

Abstract: An arcade game accepts player selection of a specific prize before the game is started. Preferably, the difficulty level of the game is proportional to the value of the selected prize. In addition, the difficulty level of the game is preferably proportional to the number of monetary units inserted into the machine by the player, such that the game becomes less difficult as the player inserts additional monetary units into the machine. The machine preferably dispenses the selected prize to the player when the player inserts monetary units into the machine equivalent to the value of the prize.

Abstract: An enhanced game of hide and seek where the game participant searches for a hidden object having a transmitter device inside or attached to the object. The game participant utilizes a seeker unit that determines the distance between the object and the participant before and after the participant moves. The seeker unit uses that information to determine whether the participant is moving closer to or further away from the object and then communicates useful information to the game participant to assist the participant in finding the object. The participant interacts with the seeker unit to use and develop his or her logical reasoning skills in searching for the hidden object. The object can be a doll, stuffed animal, toy or any variety of other objects suitable for hiding and fun for finding.

Abstract: After a batter hits a ball, the height of the ball moving on a trajectory passing through present movement positions is judged. For example, future movement positions positioned on a time axis ahead of the present movement positions are indicated on the ground by elliptical marks. The peak of the height becomes a boundary, and in the rising process of the ball, the mark is displayed in, for example, a star shape and blue, and in the falling process of the ball, the mark is displayed in, for example, an elliptical shape and red. Therefore, enjoyment of operations by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

Abstract: After a batter hits a ball, the height of the ball moving on a trajectory passing through present movement positions is judged. For example, future movement positions positioned on a time axis ahead of the present movement positions are indicated on the ground by elliptical marks. The peak of the height becomes a boundary, and in a rising process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a first color, and in a falling process of the ball, the mark is displayed in a second color. Therefore, the enjoyment of operations by the combination of the operation support of a computer and the operation skill of the user himself can be obtained.

Abstract: A mobile object, such as a hollow ball containing an electronic circuitry system is proposed. The circuitry includes a speech processor and a controller, an integrated circuit for a speech recorder, an integrated circuit for an audio amplifier, a microphone and a power supply and an impact switch and push button switches. In response to impact, the circuitry generates a randomly chosen multiple choice questions. According to the answer chosen by the player, he/she presses a push button switch representing the answer. The electronic system then verifies whether the answer is correct or incorrect and generates a signal accordingly.

Abstract: A game set that allows a plurality of players to play a game of draw with water guns. The water guns are drawn from holsters that can be worn by the players of the game. The water gun that is drawn last is deactivated so that only the player who draws the water gun first can spray water.

Abstract: A game set that includes first and second guns that can be activated. The second gun is not activated if the first gun is activated before the second gun.

Abstract: A compatibility-testing amusement device with an electrical circuit comprises a heart-shaped housing, which comprises an exterior surface and interior area formed therein. The interior area comprises a power source, a substantially low voltage incomplete power circuit, a central processing unit, and a speaker. A left side of the heart-shaped housing comprises a metal contact upon the exterior surface thereof, and a right side of the heart-shaped housing comprising a metal contact upon the exterior surface thereof. A center portion of the heart-shaped housing comprises an aperture thereon, through which a speaker protrudes from the interior area. Touching of the left side metal contact by a first person, touching of the right side metal contact by a second person, and subsequent touching of the first person and second person to each other via kissing causes the substantially low voltage power circuit to become complete.

Abstract: A knowledge based wagering game affords a plurality of players an opportunity to place a wager on the game. A sequential series of questions is displayed to each player who must select a correct answer from a plurality of possible answers within a predetermined period of time. The answers selected by each player are recorded and the players are ranked with respect to all of the other players based on the number of correct answers selected and the amount of time taken to select the answers. Under a pari-mutuel betting system payouts are made in accordance with the players' relative scores.

Abstract: A toy dice comprising a cubical body having six sides, and an internal electronic operating circuit including an integrated circuit configured to perform six electronic playing functions associated with the sides of the dice body respectively. A position sensor is located within the dice body and connected to the integrated circuit for sensing which side of the dice body faces up when the dice is rolled and, in response, triggering the integrated circuit to perform the corresponding playing function associated with that side.

Abstract: An LCD game apparatus is provided in which is formed on the rear surface of its body a protrusion to be hooked by fingers to make the position of holding the apparatus by hands stable and the possibility of incorrectly pressing operating buttons may be eliminated. The apparatus has such an arrangement as to be extremely rarely dropped even if a player is so absorbed in the game playing as to unintentionally handle the apparatus body forcefully and swing it, or when the player's hands get slippery with perspiration. The LCD game apparatus 1 is provided with a liquid crystal display portion 4 and operating buttons 60, 61 and 62 on the front surface 2a of the apparatus body 2, in which is formed on the rear surface 2b of the apparatus body 2 a protrusion extending substantially parallel with one side edge. The protrusion 25 forms a battery compartment and is provided on a battery case 21 to be installed attachably and detachably to the apparatus body 2.

Abstract: A method and system for gaming is provided in which a plurality of players each connect to a host which enables players to participate jointly in the same games of chance. According to one embodiment, a computerized method of gaming is provided that includes connecting a plurality of players to a host remotely located from the plurality of players. Each player jointly participates in a turn-based game of chance.

Abstract: A game kit for playing a variety of outdoor games, comprising a plurality of animal-shaped game pieces, wherein each of the game pieces has at least one light-emitting device and at least one sound-emitting device; a plurality of radio frequency receivers, wherein each of the receivers is encased within an animal-shaped game piece and is operable to activate the light-emitting device and the sound-emitting device; at least one radio frequency transmitter adapted to be worn by a player and operable to activate the radio frequency receivers; and a container for storing and transporting the game kit components. Each of the receivers is activated when a player wearing a transmitter enters a predetermined detection zone around each of the receivers, thereby causing the light-emitting device to emit light and the sound-emitting device to emit sound. The game kit preferably includes other components, such as a flag, a game book, a stopwatch, and balloons.

Abstract: The invention provides a game system, a game machine, a game data distribution machine, a network system and an information storage medium whose clocks can be synchronized. The game system comprises a game data distribution machine having a master function and including a clock selection section for generating indication data for obtaining clock information and a transmitting/receiving section for transmitting the generated indication data and a game machine having a slave function and including a transmitting/receiving section for receiving the indication data sent from the game data distribution machine and a clock selection section for adjusting the clock speed of own machine so as to synchronize the clock of own machine with the clock of the game data distribution machine based on the received indication data.

Abstract: A gaming chip with built-in timer includes a circular cylindrical body with an upper surface, a lower surface, and a continuous sidewall. Additionally, the gaming chip with built-in timer may have a diameter and a thickness that are approximately the same as the diameter and thickness of a standard sized casino gaming chip, which may allow it to be stored in a standard size chip tray. Incorporated into the body of the gaming chip may be a timer, a start button, a stop button, and a reset button. During use, a single gaming chip with built-in timer may be used to mark a seat vacated by a gambler on a break. If more than one gambler vacates his or her seat during a break more than one gaming chip with built-in timer may be used to reserve the empty seats.

Abstract: A video game implementing a fishing game employs a fishing line operated by a fisher character under the control of a game player. A take-up amount computing unit performs a cumulative processing to add a predetermined amount of take-up of the fishing line, each time an operation determining unit determines that the state of a take-up button has been changed from off to on state or that the state of tilt of a stick controller has been changed. Therefore, the fishing line is taken up at a high speed when the take-up button is struck at a high frequency or when the stick controller is rotationally operated at a high speed.

Abstract: In a game system, performance data which stipulates sequences of manipulations and allocation of sound effects for the manipulations can be set practically. The game system has memory device which stores performance data stipulating manipulations of a controller provided in correspondence with a predetermined musical piece; the performance data comprises information specifying a manipulation timing relating to at least one timing manipulation member provided on the controller, and information specifying which one of a plurality of selection manipulation members provided on the controller is to be manipulated in correspondence with the manipulation of the timing manipulation member; either one of the information specifying the manipulation timing included in the performance data and the information specifying the selection manipulation member can be edited independently of the other based on a command supplied via the controller by a player.

Abstract: An enhanced game of hide and seek where the game participant searches for a hidden object having a transmitter device inside or attached to the object. The game participant utilizes a seeker unit that determines the distance between the object and the participant before and after the participant moves. The seeker unit uses that information to determine whether the participant is moving closer to or further away from the object and then communicates useful information to the game participant to assist the participant in finding the object. The participant interacts with the seeker unit to use and develop his or her logical reasoning skills in searching for the hidden object. The object can be a doll, stuffed animal, toy or any variety of other objects suitable for hiding and fun for finding.

Abstract: A method for automatically awarding credits to a player on a gaming machine network adjusted for tax codes. The network comprises a plurality of gaming machines on which a primary game is played, a bonus server implementing the credit adjustment, and a database containing player information such as tax status, country of residence, tax rate, electronic signature, etc. Play is allowed to continue on the gaming machines and any bonus amount won on the machines are detected. If the bonus amount meets a preestablished threshold, currently set by IRS regulations as any award equal to or greater than $1200, then the gaming machine is locked up until the actual awarded amount can be determined. If the player record is complete and the proper tax amount is included, then the bonus award can be adjusted and a withholding calculated to yield a reduced award amount. An authorization signal is sent through the network to the gaming machine that credits the reduced amount to the games credit meter.

Abstract: A hide and find game includes a first game element to be hidden in a play area and a second, portable game element to be carried by a player through-out the play area. A wireless transmitter is incorporated in one of the first and second game elements to emit a signal of a given strength. A wireless receiver is incorporated in one of the first and second game elements to receive and compare the transmitted signal with a threshold level. The receiver includes a sound generator that is actuable to generate a sound informing the player that a second portable game element has been brought closer than a predetermined distance from the first hidden game piece whereby the player is prompted to find the first, hidden game element. The threshold level is set as a function of the predetermined distance.

Abstract: A memory of a video game apparatus stores durability data and discipline degree data of weapon items and armor items possessed by a player character. When the player character makes an attack using an equipped weapon item in response to an operation inputted by a player, the durability of the corresponding weapon item is reduced. On the other hand, when the player character receives a damage greater than a preset magnitude due to an attack from an enemy character, the durability of an equipped armor item is reduced. When the durability of the weapon or armor item becomes “0”, the weapon or armor item is changed to a preset different item according to the discipline degree of the former item at that time. Instead of the discipline data, change probability may be used for determining a new item which replaces the former item.

Abstract: A floor game including tiles which are laid on a playing surface forming a playing area, and an optical instrument. Each tile is covered by a polarized film. A path across the playing area is revealable by utilizing the optical instrument available to a game facilitator. The players see a design on the playing area. A path across the playing area is invisible to players not wearing the optical instrument. Each player traverses the path with assistance of the game facilitator and by observing steps taken by the previous players. The object of the game is for players to discover and traverse the path across the playing area from end to end through a team effort. In an alternative embodiment, the game is played with one or more teams utilizing one or more playing areas with each team trying to complete a path on their respective playing area.

Abstract: When manually closed, switches in pads select toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly, rearwardly, leftwardly and rightwardly and moving upwardly and downwardly (and rightwardly and leftwardly) a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles). When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station, each pad sends through wires to the station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle. Thereafter the switches identifying in such pad the motor control operations in such selected vehicle can be closed without closing the switches addressing such vehicle. The signals for each vehicle are transmitted by wireless to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the binary signals.

Abstract: It is a purpose of this invention to provide a simulation apparatus for nurturing a virtual creature for growing the virtual creature while disciplining or training the virtual creature by treatments conducted by a player in response to a call or a request from the virtual creature in a screen. The apparatus is provided with mark display units 17 and 19 individually displaying a plurality of kinds of the treatments in respect of nurturing the virtual creature individually by marks 17a, 17b, 17c . . . , 19a, 19b, 19c, . . . and is provided with key switches SW1, SW2 and SW3 for inputting a corresponding one of the treatments by selecting a specific mark from the plurality of marks.

Abstract: A hand-held game that includes a plurality of input devices, an audible output device, and a controller coupled to each of the input devices and to the audible output device. Preferably, each of the input devices require a different mechanical action for action, such as a pressure switch, a pull switch or a rotational switch. The controller outputs a first command signal to the audible output device that relates to a first selected input device. The controller then outputs a second command signal to the audible output device relating to a second selected input device when the first selected input device is actuated within a predetermined period of time. When the first selected input device is not actuated within the predetermined period of time, or when an input device other than the selected input device is actuated in response to the first command signal, the controller outputs an error command signal to the audible output device.

Abstract: A golf handicap calculator is provided including a housing and a display mounted on the housing and adapted to depict numerical characters. Also included is a numeric keypad mounted on the housing for entering numeric data along with a plurality of function keys. Positioned within the housing is a controller that is connected between the display, the keypad, and the function keys. The controller serves to display and store a handicap index upon the depression of one of the function keys with the subsequent entry of a number via the keypad, to display and store a slope upon the depression of one of the function keys with the subsequent entry of a number via the keypad, and to calculate and display a handicap from the handicap index and the slope.

Abstract: A portable electronic hand-held device for recording and computing basketball data during the game includes an impact-resistant housing having a top surface equipped with an LCD (liquid crystal display) of rectangular contour, and a series of control touch keys. The keys are arranged in groups which relate to player or teams, game events, and operational features of the device. A microcontroller, interactive with separate non-volatile data storage systems provides the ability to record and manipulate game, team and season information.

Abstract: A modified poker card game allows a player to sequentially build a card hand after each round of play. The rules of play for the card game including dealing a first pair of cards to the player. The player then selects one of the pair of cards for the card hand, and discards the other card. The player repeats this process until the player has selected a predetermined number of cards that form the card hand. The resulting card hand is then compared to a predetermined winning schedule and/or to other players playing the modified poker game.

Abstract: A hand-held game that includes a plurality of input devices, an audible output device, and a controller coupled to each of the input devices and to the audible output device. Preferably, each of the input devices require a different mechanical action for action, such as a pressure switch, a pull switch or a rotational switch. The controller outputs a first command signal to the audible output device that relates to a first selected input device. The controller then outputs a second command signal to the audible output device relating to a second selected input device when the first selected input device is actuated within a predetermined period of time. When the first selected input device is not actuated within the predetermined period of time, or when an input device other than the selected input device is actuated in response to the first command signal, the controller outputs an error command signal to the audible output device.

Abstract: A game for play by one or more players. The illustrated game includes a selection surface for each player. Each surface faces a player area where the associated player would position herself to observe the surface. A liquid discharge mechanism is selectively operable to direct a liquid discharge toward the player areas. The selection surface has a plurality of sites or locations. At the start of each game, a group or some but not all of the sites on a selection surface are predetermined, but the player associated with that surface does not know which sites have been predetermined. The players may take turns selecting sites on their surfaces with the objective of selecting the predetermined sites. As one player makes selections, the discharge mechanism is directed toward the other player's play area, and when a predetermined selection is successfully selected, the opposing player may receive a liquid discharge or spray.

Abstract: A sensualizer or sense-simile machine reproduces smells and flavors using a cylinder housing smell and flavor cartridges. A texture chamber replicates textures that stimulate the sense of touch through the fingers. Environmental conditions are replicated in a weather chamber. The machine can be activated from a remote location over a standard telephone line or accessed through a computer over a modem. With a computer or other input device, simulations and reproductions can be done locally.

Abstract: In one form of game the player observes and must quickly respond to the rapidly changing conditions of one or more visually observed displays such as lights to avoid being sprayed by a liquid discharge. The games is so constructed that to effectively play the game the player must generally continuously observe the condition of the lights; to do so the player must maintain her face in position to be sprayed. In another preferred embodiment, the visually observed display is a screen such as a LCD on which changing action images appear. The player interacts by controlling a portion of the images in response to the action of other of the images and in accordance with the predetermined manner of play of the game. When she is not successful, she receives a spray.

Abstract: A system for expanding the operation and play of gaming devices such as slot machines is disclosed. It employs an enhanced gaming device including an audio and a video channel between the gaming device and a central location manned by one or more concierges who can communicate with the player, answer questions, make reservations and, in general, attend to the requests of the player. Selected video displays under the control of the concierge are substituted for the normal video display such as a pay table at the gaming device. Communication is initiated by the player by lifting a handset, operating a call button or by inserting a club card into a card slot. Any of these actions will place the call in a queue for answering. If a club card was inserted, player data is displayed before a concierge and the player views an image of the concierge. Player requests may then be addressed. Other calls are likewise addressed. Machine malfunction, jackpot win and coin in/coin out data also trigger concierge response.

Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly of flexible metal contact bars for a coin-operated path game unit. The assembly includes a fixed supporting block having a rubber-ring-attached shaft frictionally contacting with a driven sliding block having a rubber-pad-attached top. Two electrodes are fixedly attached to the sliding block and extend toward a rotating spiral path in the game unit. When the path game unit is actuated by an inserted coin, the shaft of the fixed supporting block rotates with the rubber ring thereof frictionally contacting with the rubber pad on the driven sliding block to move the sliding block toward the path, so that the two electrodes separately locate above and below the path. The electrode each is formed from at least two metal contact bars flexibly connected to one another by a spring between them, such that the metal contact bar forming a free end of the electrode may bias in any direction to avoid damage when the electrode collides with the path.

Abstract: An electronic game is disclosed having an interactive play section of relatively large area which can quickly and easily be reconfigured to occupy a much smaller space. The interactive section does not require a rigid frame and is either flexible or includes flexible portions which enable it to be reconfigured, e.g., by folding, overlaying or rolling. The electronic game also includes an electronics section which may be rigid or include rigid parts but which is of a size such that the overall size of the game when the interactive section is reconfigured is effectively determined by the reconfigured interactive section. The particular game may be any suitable game which requires interactivity between the game and the player, for example, an electronic game which tests a player's reaction time and coordination by providing prompts to the player and scoring the responses.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a self-service gasoline pump system with game functions in which a plurality of gasoline dispensers or pumps are respectively provided with a game device, and the game devices are connected in parallel to each other and to a controller. While a dispenses gasoline, the game device performs a game automatically whenever a predetermined certain amount of gasoline or charge is reached, or manually whenever the user pushes a button for starting games, so as to offer premiums to the user according to game points. The game results are displayed under the control of the controller.

Abstract: In one form of the game, the player must maintain her face in position to be sprayed while using a tool to capture or manipulate a visually observed object. This game may include an open electrical circuit that mishandling of the tool causes to close to direct a spray at the player.

Abstract: An electronic party game, comprising display cards for displaying questions to be asked to a player, and a response monitor for monitoring the player's psycho-physiological responses to the questions.

Abstract: In one form of game the player observes and must quickly respond to the rapidly changing conditions of one or more visually observed displays such as lights to avoid being sprayed by a liquid discharge. The games is so constructed that to effectively play the game the player must generally continuously observe the condition of the lights; to do so the player must maintain her face in position to be sprayed. Alternatively, the timing of the discharge may be tied to the player's game playing activity or may even occur on a random or apparently random basis.

Abstract: An electronic golf scorecard has a casing which can be opened to expose a keypad and a display. The keypad can be used to enter players' initials, handicap data and each player's score on individual holes during a game of golf. Circuitry within the scorecard, processes and stores the entered data and displays appropriate information so that each player's score can be visually determined. The scorecard keeps a cumulative total of the players' scores after each score entry. When the game of golf has been completed, the net scores for all players are automatically calculated and are displayed by selecting the appropriate key on the keypad. Unused memory locations can be used to keep track of other golfing data such as for example, the number of putts per hole, the holes won or lost during the match or the stroke holes in the match, to name but a few. This other golfing data can be displayed by selecting appropriate keys on the keypad.