Abstract: A controller includes a housing in which a containing portion (102) which is provided with recess supporting portions (151) on its both inner side surfaces. A shaft (152) of a rotator (153) is off-centered and supported by the supporting portions (151) in a point-contact manner. A plurality of slits (155) are formed on the rotator (153) so as to form a concentric circle with the shaft (152) as a center. Two optical sensors (156, 157; 158, 159) detect the slits at positions different from each other. On the basis of outputs of the optical sensors (157, 159), a lean angle and a leaned direction of the housing which is leaned by an operator are detected. Therefore, an image generating apparatus changes image data so as to cause an image to change according to the lean angle and the leaned direction.

Abstract: A puzzle device which includes an array of indicators, each of the indicators capable of alternately indicating a first state or a second state; means for selecting one of the array of indicators; and means for changing, upon the selection of one of the array of indicators, the state of at least one of the other of the indicators based on a pre-determined geometrical pattern.

Abstract: A puzzle having a substantially spherical housing comprising a plurality of lights disposed over the surface thereof, a plurality of switches operable by a user, and a control device operatively connected to the switches and to the lights for switching on and off the lights in response to operation of a respective switch.

Abstract: An entertainment installation includes at least one entertainment device defining a game area and having first actuation members thereon. A video recording device is associated with the entertainment device for monitoring the game area thereof. A projector is operatively connected to the video recording device for projecting an image of the game area. A projection screen displays the image of the game area projected by the projector. At least one control console is operatively connected to the entertainment device and associated with the projection screen. The control console has second actuation members thereon functionally identical to the first actuation members on the entertainment device and is thereby adapted to operate the entertainment device.

Abstract: A control-signal input device for computer game machines for generating game control signals based on the analysis results of biological signals, such as brain waves, in which a biological signal extracted by a biological-signal extracting means is analyzed. Signal components of each of a plurality of frequency components in the biological signal are obtained based on the above analysis results. The state of the biological signal is obtained by subjecting the signal components of each of the frequency components to a predetermined processing. A predetermined game control signal is generated in accordance with the state of the biological signal, and transmitted to a game machine via a changeover device.

Abstract: An electronic word building machine including a keyboard to input a user determined set of letters, a set of words in memory, a comparison program to compare the input set of letters with the set of words in memory to provide a set of matching words from the set of words in memory, the set of matching words including words which consist only of a subset of letters from the input set of letters, a ranking program to provide a predetermined score for each of the words in the set of matching words, and a display to display on the machine each of the words in the sequence of the value of the score together with the score value of the word being displayed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electronic game comprising a LCD game in which various elements of the game may be controlled by a player having to locate balls in recesses in the manner of a traditional rolling ball game. The game comprises a LCD 1, control means for generating the LCD image and for controlling a game thereon, a graphic display surrounding the LCD and including recesses 3 in which metal balls 4 may be received. The recesses include electrical contacts which are bridged by a ball when received therein to generate a signal whereby the ball rolling and electronic components may interface.

Abstract: A puzzle device which includes an array of indicators, each of the indicators capable of alternately indicating a first state or a second state; means for selecting one of the array of indicators; and means for changing, upon the selection of one of the array of indicators, the state of at least one of the other of the indicators based on a pre-determined pattern.

Abstract: A proximity responsive toy includes a motor-driven drive unit for propelling the toy, and a variable frequency oscillator unit including a capacitor plate for sensing approach of a capacitive body and having a frequency output that decreases in response to proximity of the capacitive body from the toy. A programmable frequency divider receives and divides the frequency output by a predetermined factor.

Abstract: A substantially improved electronically controlled educational toy or game is achieved by providing animated indicia which is directly responsive to the input signals provided by the user. Preferably, the animated indicia comprises a distinctive character which produces animated movements of approval in response to questions being answered correctly, while producing a negative animated reaction to an incorrect answer. By providing this unique animated response in combination with audible and visual indicia, an educational toy and game is attained which creates added excitement and interest for children.

Abstract: The game includes a device for randomly selecting a sequence of musical notes for game playing purposes. Another device enables a player to preview a recognition sequence of a portion of the sequence of musical notes prior to game play. A switch device actuated by the player causes a signal to be generated indicative that the player identified the recognition sequence of notes embedded within sequence of musical notes during game play.

Abstract: The present invention is a word game to be played by two or more persons, in which the object of the game is to assemble solutions to word transformation puzzles. The game of the present invention requires the use of a computer (or processor), a display, and a keyboard (or other input device). At the beginning of the game and at various times during the game, the processor must find a solution to a word transformation puzzle or determine that one does not exist. Efficient solution of puzzles by the processor is accomplished by creating two minimum-length search trees, each tree having a number of nodes that contain words generated via a predetermined relationship with respect to one another. The first tree is based on the first Doublet word (the source), while the second tree is based on the second Doublet word (the destination). An intersection of the two search trees is discovered by repeatedly comparing at least one word of the first search tree with at least one word of the second search tree.

Abstract: A system of remotely actuated novelty devices is disclosed having triggering and actuating components packaged in separate, interchangeable modules. The system includes several interchangeable trigger modules, each of which detects the occurrence of an activating event and in response generates a trigger signal of finite duration, and several interchangeable action modules, each of which performs a prank in response to a trigger signal. Each action module includes a battery that powers the action module and any trigger module connected to it.

Abstract: An electronic apparatus breaks a stream of recorded sound into discrete segments. The apparatus randomizes the order of the sound segments and will allow the sound segments to be re-ordered to their original order or to some desired order. The apparatus allows re-ordering of the sub-segments of a sound segment to create additional sounds (i.e. playing a sound segment backwards). The apparatus includes a control that will record and playback individual or groups of sound segments. A memory or skills game can be played in which the object is to re-assemble the sound segments to some determined order in a limited or unlimited amount of time. Levels of difficulty can be changed to make the game more challenging. The apparatus allows a player to create silly and entertaining stories by arranging the sound segments in some order and then playing some or all of them back to the player.

Abstract: The invention is to a game lie detector that is not actuated by direct contact with the person being question, but by a party coordinator that actuates the lie detector arbitrarily and independent of the truthfulness of the answer to the question. A detector box includes a pad upon which the person being questioned places a hand. The detector box includes a receiver and out put devices that are actuated from signals from a remote control device concealed on the person who is the game coordinator.

Abstract: An amusement system for use by one or more participants includes weapons which may be carried, aimed and triggered by the participants to fire objects, such as paint balls, or electromagnetic energy, such as laser light. The participants wear sensors which generate signals upon participant being "hit" by an emission. The system includes a structure having a series of elongated passageways. Each passageway is divided by a central wall into a pair of trackways which lead from common entrance area at one end to a gaming area at the opposite end. Viewing areas in which the activities of the participants in the gaming area may be observed are disposed adjacent to the gaming area. Sensors are disposed along the passageways and in the gaming areas to detect the positions and activities of the participants to provide the signals to a central computer.

Abstract: The cryptography game is an electrical device having a sending panel and opposite receiving panel, with a privacy extending upwardly between them. A probe is provided which engages within jacks on the sending panel which are identified with letters of the alphabet. The jacks engage one end of a cable via a connector assembly to the other end of which a plurality of LED's on the receiving panel are connected via a further connecter assembly. Power is provided from a battery having a resistor in the line to control current. When the probe is engaged within the jack completing the circuit a cooperating LED lights, indicating a specific letter of the alphabet. The "code" is determined by positioning of the cable connectors, which each have 26 slots, over an equal number of pins of two forty pin connectors, the position of the cable connectors creating multiple encryption possibilities by their specific positioning.

Abstract: An electronic game, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes individually operable electric switches to control the device, and electric light emitting means to provide multi-color displays. The object of the game is for the player to manipulate the switches until all multi-color displays indicate the same color. The device functions by matching electrical operating codes, transmitted from its left and bottom edges, with electrical operating codes stored at its top and right edges, to generate electrical color codes. The electric switches control the routing of the operating codes within the device, and the distribution of the color codes to the multi-color displays. In the preferred embodiment, the device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, monitor the position of electric switches, and control the display of multi-color indications.

Abstract: Disclosed is an Expected Value Payment Method for the purpose of reducing the expected per unit costs incurred in paying and/or receiving a given amount of a commodity. An Expected Value Payment Method uses a random number supplier to decide bets that can reduce expected per unit costs in two ways. First, expected per unit costs can be reduced for the payer and/or receiver of a commodity by giving the receiver a chance to win a greater amount of the commodity than a given amount, the greater amount having a lower per unit cost than the given amount which was originally to be paid and received. Second, in special situations, certain businesses can offer customers who bet to win a given amount of a commodity a better expected price for that amount than the price offered to customers paying conventionally for that same amount.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for promoting customer traffic. A promotional unit is provided having audio messages stored in its memory. At least one audio message is associated with a plurality, or range, of selected bar encoded indicia. The promotional unit audibly outputs the stored audio message associated with a particular indicia when that encoded indicia is scanned and decoded by the promotional unit. Means are provided for associating each audio message with a range of indicia identified by a starting indicia and an ending indicia. The system is adapted for editing the audio messages and providing corrective prompts for known fault conditions. The unit is adapted to employ musical audio messages and a plurality of scanner types.

Abstract: An entertainment system for slot players in a gaming establishment includes video monitors and speaker/microphones located adjacent each slot machine in a defined area of a gaming establishment. An operator at a centrally located control station can selectively provide video programming from a menu of live and recorded sources to any monitor or group of monitors. Similarly, live or recorded audio can be provided to any of the speakers, or the operator can converse from the control station with any of the players via the speaker/microphones located at each machine. The control station has a variety of audio and video sources, including at least one VCR, an audio tape deck, at least one live camera operable remotely from the control station by the operator, and commercial television broadcasting (e.g.

Abstract: This invention relates to a gaming device comprising a display panel (1) with several areas (2) to be lit up by means of sources of light, as bulbs, to give the player substantial information on the course of the game and a control unit for the control of the sources of light of the display panel (1). In order to eliminate the unreliability of the sources of light, each source of light is provided by means producing a signal indicating its working condition and the control unit is connected to receive these signals and arranged in case of a signal indicating defective operation either to turn off the gaming device or to control the operation of the gaming device in such a way that the display panel (1) area (2) containing the source of light with defective operation is not used, but the information is given to the player by means of another replacing area (2) of the display panel (1).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for awarding prizes to equipment users during off-peak hours of an establishment. A plurality of machines, such as coin laundry washing machines or dryers, are all coupled through an activity interface to a master control unit. The master control unit comprises a timer, a counter, a display, and signal means to signal award of a prize. The timer runs until a preset time interval expires, and then triggers the counter to select a random number representing one of the machines coupled to the master control unit. The master control unit determines whether the selected machine is operating by querying the activity interface corresponding to the selected machine. If the machine is operating, the signal means is triggered to audibly or visually award a prize. If the selected machine is not operating, another machine is selected at random. The process continues until an operating machine is selected.

Abstract: An electronic amusement device having preprogrammed game playability uses logical balls or tokens and multi-colored lights to achieve a final state. Game play is based upon the selection of one of three sizes of tokens to be played along one of three different token paths. As game play progresses, the lights change color state while certain tokens are trapped by being made unavailable for further play, while other previously played tokens are released for future play. Control of the state of colors and state of token traps is controlled by a number of erasable programmable read only memories. Game play ends upon achieving a final state designating a specific color array of lights and tokens trapped.

Abstract: A game having circuitry for the conversion of a player's brain wave intensity to direct the movement of a rotating circular visual display. The game in one embodiment can be played by two players competing with one another and the visual display can include a variety of changing patterns.

Abstract: A biofeedback game in which a target player sits on a "hot seat" where he is assailed by provocative questions or statements put to him by an inquisitor player, calculated to induce stress by embarrassing or otherwise upsetting the target player and thereby causing him "to lose his cool." The target player is coupled by means of a temperature sensor attached to one of his fingertips to a biofeedback unit whose indicator at the start of play is set to a base level representing the target player's initial state of stress. Should the target player who views the indicator while his fingertip temperature is being monitored and is therefore within the feedback loop, fail to control his reaction to a provocative question or statement, the resultant indication will deviate from the base level to a degree reflecting his loss of cool.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus for use with a telephone network which supports standard DTMF tones and to which is connected telephone stations capable of generating standard DTMF tones wherein the gaming apparatus generates and transmits DTMF tones to a calling telephone station, receives response DTMF tones from a player at the calling station and compares the transmitted and received DTMF tones to determine if there is a match.

Abstract: A three-dimensional display system for co-spatial point display of information emanating from at least two biophysical sources. The system includes a rigid, transparent three-dimensional structure within which is provided co-spatial visual display elements arranged in a three-dimensional geometry at regular coordinate addresses. Information input terminals, including terminals for biological interface, are provided. Also furnished is logic for assigning a three-dimensional coordinate address, at uniform time intervals, for the informational input from each of the biological sources. Each of the display elements are energized in a fashion that is input-responsive to the coordinate addresses corresponding to the system inputs. The system is further provided with detectors for alerting the users to spatial and temporal coincidence of energized visual elements resultant from simultaneous inputting of like coordinate addresses by the biophysical source.

Abstract: A board type game which utilizes lasers where players selectively divert the path of laser beams. The board apparatus comprises an enclosed chamber formed by a top and bottom piece and a frame piece within which laser beams are directed down symbolic rows and columns constituting a matrix of squares. Each square has an X-shaped slot along the diagonals of the square. These slots are formed in the bottom piece and top piece. Deflecting pieces, which may be mirrors, are placed at the player's discretion in diagonal slots of an X-shaped to deflect an incident laser beam from a row or column to a corresponding column or row. A scoring module, sensitive to incident laser light, is positioned in the chamber in front of each player. The players alternate in placing deflecting pieces in the chamber with the object to either direct their laser beams toward the opponent's scoring module or to prevent their opponent's laser beams from reaching their own scoring module.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of playing an audio quiz game wherein a player attempts to answer a question after listening to a corresponding audio clip provided on a compact disc. Each track of the compact disc contains one or more sound clips separated by audio cues. The questions and answers relating to specific tracks are provided in a book, or playing cards, or in computer memory, and can be randomly accessed.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of a Random Number Supplier to execute bets in an Expected Value Payment Method for the purpose of reducing the expected per unit costs incurred in paying and/or receiving a given amount of a commodity. An expected Value Payment Method uses bets to reduce expected per unit costs in two ways.First, expected per unit costs can be reduced for the payer and/or receiver of a commodity by giving the receiver a chance to win a greater amount of the commodity than a given amount, the greater amount having a lower per unit cost than the given amount which was originally to be paid and received. Second, in special situations, certain businesses can offer customers who bet to win a given amount of a commodity a better expected price for that amount than the price offered to customers paying conventionally for that same amount.Also disclosed are Expected Value Payment Execution Systems that make an Expected Value Payment Method practical by preventing cheating in Expected Value Payment bets.

Abstract: A device for generating numbers that can be used to play a numbers game includes a fan which forces number bearing balls from a chamber into an exit chute. The chute can be opened or closed using a disc-like valve. One embodiment of the device includes a magnetic biasing system attached to the chute entrance for influencing the selection process. The magnetic biasing systems uses a statistical analysis of previous winning numbers to generate a pattern of the winning numbers and to control the magnetic biasing to influence the selection process of each ball based upon any tendency for one number to repeatedly appear in a particular location within the winning number, if such tendency is found.

Abstract: A competitive electronic game toy for one or more players, dependent upon personal reaction time and hand-eye coordination. Players manually trigger the sequencing of lights along one or two paths having successive segments bearing award indicia of a selected game or sport, and also manually halt the sequencing at will. The segments are marked with award indicia of a selected game or sport, and may be point scores or instructions to add or delete turns or for simulated playing of a game or sport, such as baseball. The players, striving to be awarded a high score or good play, try to stop the light sequencing at a path sgement with favorable indicia.

Abstract: A cube shaped toy has a button and a rotary switch on each of the cube's six sides. For each of the cube's six faces, there is an associated set of four tones. Pushing the button on a selected face causes the toy to play the tones associated with that face. In particular, if each face is divided into four quadrants, there is one "quadrant-tone" associated with each quadrant. The toy has just six distinct tones, and when the toy is first turned on, or restarted, all four tones for each face are identical. Whenever one of the rotary switches is turned, the quadrant-tones of the associated face are rotated, and the quadrant-tones for the neighboring faces are also "rotated", generating a new set of tone patterns for each of the five affected faces. By listening to the tones for each face and rotating the rotary switches, the user can move the quadrant-tones until all four tones for each face are identical.

Abstract: An electronic hand-held game apparatus comprises a portable hand-held type computer including a keyboard, display screen, and memory. The keyboard has a plurality of data entry keys and instruction keys. The data entry keys include twenty-six alphabetic and ten numeric characters arranged in a novel manner. In play mode, the microprocessor which controls the data flow between the memory, data entry keys, function keys, and the display, accepts sets of data entered into the keyboard by the player. The sets of data comprise combinations of alphanumeric characters corresponding to license plates observed by the player. The microprocessor compares the license plate data to the stored thirty-six character data to identify and accumulate matches between them. Once all thirty-six characters have been matched, a winning signal is provided. The game is designed so that it may be played with as many players as have the apparatus. Each player takes a turn entering license plate numbers in their own instrument.

Abstract: A portable validation unit for an electronic gaming system, particularly a BINGO system. The validation unit communicates through a serial data interface with a base station of the gaming system to receive a serial number defining a particular validation unit and corresponding employee, and further receives a validation code defining a particular gaming schedule. As the gaming schedule is played on electronic BINGO cards, wins of each game are validated by connecting a validation unit to an electronic card to ensure that the card has a matching validation code stored therein for the current gaming schedule and is indicating a winning sequence of called numbers. If there is no winning indication, then the validation unit sounds one of two audible tunes depending upon whether the validation codes match. In response to a matching validation code and win indication, the validation unit will sound another short recognizable audible tune indicating a win.

Abstract: The game software for a video game system includes audio data and sound positioning information, in order that the audio data can be processed in accordance with the sound positioning information and played back over two spaced-apart speakers to give the player the impression that the sound is emanating from a location other than the actual speaker locations. A sound processor operates upon monaural signals from an audio synthesizer in response to the sound positioning information from the game software so that each monaural signal from the audio synthesizer is divided into two signals and at least one of the signals is passed through a transfer function to produce two-channel output signals that have a differential phase and amplitude relationship therebetween that is adjusted on a frequency dependent basis.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand held electronic game apparatus useable by a single player, but also useable for direct competitive play between two or more players through both direct physical linkage of multiple units of the apparatus and indirect linkage by radio signals or the like. The apparatus includes a basic electronic game module, internal data storage memory for storing game scores or point totals, data storage media as a source of game programming and of electronic storage of game scores or points, a communication cable for direct linkage, and a signal transmitter/receiver for indirect linkage. The invention also provides a method of use of the apparatus for interactively initiating and playing an electronic game and for permanently recording final score or point totals at the conclusion of the game.

Abstract: A computerized gaming device and method of playing casino-type games of chance wherein a player chooses a game to play from a plurality of games displayed on a video screen. Each game has a finite number of chances per deal and a video display of the chances of winning when a deal is new, the percentage of winning chances remaining, the possible winning symbol combinations, and how many major winning chances remain. In addition, a displayed record is kept of the player's cash credit with a print out of wins and losses when he quits to claim any winnings. A provision is made to retire a deal or game whenever all the major winning chances have been won or when there are no more winning chances remaining. The player can quit at any time or call for a new deal screen after playing at least one chance in a deal.

Abstract: An electronic baseball game is presented which permits the human operators to input individualized attributes or statistical information relative to the batter, runner and pitcher based on real or fictionalized baseball players. In a preferred embodiment, this statistical information is encoded as a bar code printed on a sticker. In turn, the sticker is placed on the edge of a card, preferably a standard baseball card. The bar code contains information as to the batting average, right of left handed batting and pitching, pitching speed, running speed and hitting power. The statistical information on the bar coded card is then entered into the electronic baseball game by sliding the card through a slot containing a conventional photo optical bar code reader. The statistical information is then used by the computer program in the game to regulate and interact with the playing activity of the human players.

Abstract: A detector detects the variation of resistance between fingers of a human's hands which varies in response to his mental condition. When the mental condition is varied and the resistance between fingers is changed, the detector detects such resistance variation, which is then converted into an electric signal. This electric signal drive light emitting diodes (LEDs) or the like so that the user of this detector can realize his mental condition by watching the light. By further providing a lamp, an image film and a lens, the user can watch the image on the image film when light radiated from the lamp projects such image onto the lens. This detector is useful for meditation and mental training because the user can realize the variation of his mental condition by watching the light or image.