Winner Or Finish Order Patents (Class 463/60)
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Patent number: 8734201Abstract: A toy vehicle racetrack is provided with one or more obstacle pairs. The obstacle pairs may be arranged in a geometrical progression and each obstacle pair may determine the relative positions of two toy vehicles and impede the travel of the trailing vehicle. Impeding the travel of the trailing vehicle may be accomplished by ejecting the trailing toy vehicle from the track.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2011Date of Patent: May 27, 2014Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Michael Wayne Nuttall, Brendon Vetuskey
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Patent number: 8145448Abstract: A system and a process for determining the timing and position of contestants on a track. This system comprises at least one directional antenna in communication with at least one competitor communication device that can be coupled to each contestant. A remote base station, is in communication with the positioning device, wherein the positioning device determines a contestant time as the contestant passes the projected field and also determines the position of the contestant in relation to an inside guide such as a rail. There is also a process which includes attaching at least one competitor communication device on at least one contestant, starting a race, and then recording the position and time for each contestant and transmitted from the competitor communication device to a remote base station.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2006Date of Patent: March 27, 2012Inventor: Fernando Vincenzini
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Patent number: 7988545Abstract: Further interest after completion of a game and motivation to participate in the next game are given to players of any skill. Using the results (for example, skill points, maximum combo number) of players evaluated for each predetermined parameter in for example a music game, and players again compete against each other. In other words, after the music game a separate game (secondary game) is played. Winning or losing in the secondary game depends on the results of the players for each parameter in the primary game, and the skill of the player in the secondary game. Therefore, a player's effort and skill in the primary game can be utilized in the result of the secondary game, and even if the result of the primary game is unsatisfactory, the player can seize the chance to win the secondary game, depending on the skill of the player in the secondary game.Type: GrantFiled: February 26, 2008Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hideyasu Nakano, Toyokazu Sakai, Takuya Kobayashi, Yasushi Mito
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Patent number: 7677569Abstract: A card game simulative of automobile track racing comprises a deck of cards having several categories of cards, including lap cards, offensive pit cards, defensive pit cards, sponsor cards, and a draft card, a die for determining a track condition for each round of play, and a method for keeping score to determine the order of finish for each player. The rules of the game closely simulate auto track racing with each player utilizing the cards in a strategic manner based upon certain track conditions and that approximates the strategic decisions an actual auto track racer makes during a race.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2007Date of Patent: March 16, 2010Inventor: Thomas A. O'Hara
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Patent number: 7651398Abstract: Toy raceways and finish line apparatuses for toy raceways are disclosed. Toy raceways may include a plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments, a starting apparatus, and a finish line apparatus. The plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be configured to foldably transition between a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may be aligned to provide a multilane toy raceway, which may have a first end and a second end. In the second configuration, the plurality of hingedly coupled multi-lane track segments may produce a stack of folded track segments. The starting apparatus may be disposed proximate the first end of the toy raceway, and the finish line apparatus may be disposed proximate the second end of the toy raceway.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2007Date of Patent: January 26, 2010Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Eric C. Ostendorff, Michael Nuttall, Harold Garner, Steve P. Dunham
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Patent number: 7645191Abstract: The systems and processes for handicapping a horse race using data from a past race disclosed herein enable a user to forecast the results of a horse race. The user or system selects a horse to handicap in an upcoming race, the handicapped race, and a comparable past race that the horse has run. The system then collects data from the past race and the handicapped race. After comparing data from the past race and the handicapped race, the system calculates a time adjustment to the final call time.Type: GrantFiled: March 22, 2006Date of Patent: January 12, 2010Assignee: My Horse Player, Inc.Inventor: Richard S. McKeever
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Patent number: 7601068Abstract: A car racing system is disclosed. The car racing system includes an elongated racing surface. User controls interface with the racing surface. A first vehicle traverses the racing surface in one direction and a second vehicle traverses the racing surface in a second direction responsive to input from the user controls.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2007Date of Patent: October 13, 2009Inventor: Lewis A. McGee
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Patent number: 7235013Abstract: In a game machine, platen dots are provided on a traveling field. A plurality of self-propelled members are provided on the traveling field. Each self-propelled member includes a first linear motor and a second linear motor for respectively propelling the self-propelled member in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other. A miniature member is coupled with a motor so as to be rotatably supported on each self-propelled member. A controller controls the motor such that a rotated angle of the miniature member is determined in accordance with a propelling direction of the self-propelled member.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2001Date of Patent: June 26, 2007Assignee: Konami CorporationInventor: Yusuke Kobayashi
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Patent number: 6688985Abstract: A system for racing an electrically powered toy vehicle over a defined course under operator control comprises a continuous track having at least one lane with a pit stop segment and an electrical path extending along the lane for providing electrical power to the vehicle. A control unit is operably connected to the electrical path. The control unit has first one control mechanism that can be manipulated by an operator to vary a speed of the electrical vehicle and another to perform at least one pit stop function such as a tire change or a vehicle refueling. A display is operably connected to the control unit for visually displaying a progression of the pit stop function in response to manipulation of the other control mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2002Date of Patent: February 10, 2004Assignee: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Stephen N. Weiss, Gerhart P. Huy, Dean C. Reisher, Joseph T. Moll, Gregory R. Nungester, Frank W. Winkler, Justin M. Discoe
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Publication number: 20040005927Abstract: A system and method for operating a facility for remote computer controlled racing over a network are disclosed. The facility comprises a server, a racing track, at least one vehicle to be controlled, and a user station. The server comprises a user profile database containing user information and racing history. Users are ranked and assigned vehicle performance profiles depending upon their experience. The server includes a track marshal module configured to monitor vehicle usage and to override operation of a vehicle during erratic behavior. The server further comprises a behavior module that allows vehicle initialization according to the user profile. The vehicle comprises a vehicle control module configured to transmit and receive network switched packets containing vehicle control data. The vehicle control module may be configured to transmit and receive network switched packets wirelessly.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2003Publication date: January 8, 2004Inventors: Victor G. Bonilla, James W. McCabe
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Publication number: 20020147050Abstract: A system for racing an electrically powered toy vehicle over a defined course under operator control comprises a continuous track having at least one lane with a pit stop segment and an electrical path extending along the lane for providing electrical power to the vehicle. A control unit is operably connected to the electrical path. The control unit has first one control mechanism that can be manipulated by an operator to vary a speed of the electrical vehicle and another to perform at least one pit stop function such as a tire change or a vehicle refueling. A display is operably connected to the control unit for visually displaying a progression of the pit stop function in response to manipulation of the other control mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2002Publication date: October 10, 2002Applicant: Mattel, Inc.Inventors: Stephen N. Weiss, Gerhart P. Huy, Dean C. Reisher, Joseph T. Moll, Gregory R. Nungester, Frank W. Winkler, Justin M. Discoe
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Patent number: 6394898Abstract: A loop track for race horses is disposed at the center of a horse race game device. Twelve race horses run on the track. A gate is disposed in a paddock in the track. The gate is advanced to a start point of the track from the paddock. Twelve satellites are disposed on three sides of the track. A large projector for displaying images of developments, etc. of a race is disposed on one of the short sides of the track. Speakers for live broadcasting, fanfares, BGM, etc. are disposed on both sides of the large projector. The horse race game device enables a larger number of running objects to be raced at once, whereby race developments are made more amusing.Type: GrantFiled: July 29, 1998Date of Patent: May 28, 2002Assignee: Sega Enterprises Ltd.Inventors: Yuji Nagao, Takanori Akiyama, Naoki Kawajiri, Seiji Hayashi, Susumu Murata, Koji Yamaguchi, Yuji Ikeda, Mitsuru Todaiji, Yasuhiro Takagi, Shunichi Nakamura, Keiji Yano, Muneoki Kamata, Shingo Kataoka, Koji Osuka
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Patent number: 6380911Abstract: A race standings display is disclosed having a base which supports a square, vertical tower. A series of two-digit LED number displays is arranged vertically along the tower, showing first elapsed time (four digits for this display), then a lap count, and then competitor numbers in order of their position in the race. Optionally, red, green and yellow LEDs may be provided to indicate the status of the race (e.g. yellow for racing under a caution flag). The back of the standings display pylon is provided with connectors for power and a phone line, and optionally, connectors for a 10 keyboard and monitor. A computer or microcontroller in the standings display is programmed to establish a phone connection to a real-time database (preferably via the internet), and is programmed to automatically update the standings display during the progress of the race. During times when a race is not in progress, the standings display may act as a regular clock and display car numbers in order of current point standings.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Inventor: Robert S. Eaton
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Patent number: 5976015Abstract: The gaming system of the present invention includes one or more slot machines (10, 110) associated with a racing display (20, 120) wherein the racing elements (22, 122) are not racing against each other. Rather, a clock (24, 124) is included and each racing element is racing against the clock, independently of the other racing elements. The racing display (20) may be built directly into the slot machine so that the slot player can easily see the progress of his horse (22) or other racing element. Alternatively, a large racing display (120) may be utilized that displays a plurality of horses or other racing elements (122) but wherein each horse is racing against a different clock (124) rather than against each other. Even further, Win, Place and Show positions are located adjacent the finish line and the slot player whose horse (22, 122) reaches either of these positions is awarded a prize depending on the position reached before the clock (24, 124) has timed out.Type: GrantFiled: January 20, 1998Date of Patent: November 2, 1999Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Co., Inc.Inventors: Mac R. Seelig, Jerald Seelig, Michael Hiltebrand, Douglas Cramer
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Patent number: 5954584Abstract: In a movable object position detecting apparatus, first oscillation means 56 for outputting an oscillation signal of a first frequency, and second oscillation means 57 for outputting an oscillation signal of a second frequency are mounted on a movable body 40. On the field 3 for the movable objects 40 to be run on there are provided first position determining means 371, 372 for detecting the oscillation signal of the first frequency outputted by the first oscillation means 56 to determine positions on the field 3 where the first oscillation means 56 is located, and second position determining means 373, 374 for detecting the oscillation signal of the second frequency outputted by the second oscillation means 57 to determine positions on the field where the second oscillation means 57 is located. The movable object position detecting apparatus can detect positions of a number of movable bodies run on a predetermined field.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 1997Date of Patent: September 21, 1999Assignee: Sega Enterprises, Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Yagi
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Patent number: 5573243Abstract: A water activated rotatable column game system for fun and amusement and prizes is disclosed. The system comprises a game housing having an open rear face and open side faces and an enclosed top roof and an enclosed bottom floor and an open front face for the people to participate and observe the progress of the game. A plurality of rotatable columns and figurines are disposed within the game housing in an upstanding parallel orientation, each rotatable column being dedicated to travel rotatably from a start line to a finish bumper. A plurality of game consoles are disposed adjacent to the game housing and control the rotatable columns. A plurality of motor means are disposed in the game housing. Each motor means is electrically coupled to one rotatable column for moving the rotatable column.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 1995Date of Patent: November 12, 1996Inventor: Dennis Bartosik
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Patent number: 5566950Abstract: The invention relates to a to a arcade amusement game in which contestants compete to be the first to shoot a given amount of water from a distant water gun into an replica urinal, while a simulated man is made to move back and forth in front of the bowl. The invention contains a means of tracking the amount of water entering the urinal replica.Type: GrantFiled: February 1, 1995Date of Patent: October 22, 1996Inventor: Randall Senna
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Patent number: 5560603Abstract: The gaming system of the present invention includes one or more slot machines associated with a racing display wherein the racing elements are not racing against each other. Rather, a clock is included and each racing element is racing against the clock, independently of the other racing elements. The racing display may be built directly into the slot machine so that the slot player can easily see the progress of his horse or other racing element. Alternatively, a large racing display may be utilized that displays a plurality of horses or other racing elements but wherein each horse is racing against a different clock rather than against each other. Even further, Win, Place and Show positions are located adjacent the finish line and the slot player whose horse reaches either of these positions is awarded a prize depending on the position reached before the clock has timed out.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 1995Date of Patent: October 1, 1996Assignee: Atlantic City Coin & Slot Service Company, Inc.Inventors: Mac R. Seelig, Jerald Seelig, Michael Hiltebrand, Douglas Cramer