Abstract: A method of playing a casino game rewards a player for how quickly he can "lose". At the outset, the player is provided with a tote. A timer begins, and the player uses the tote to place wagers in the game. The tote is increased when those wagers win and is decreased when they lose. When the tote is reduced to zero, the timer stops. The time it took the player to reduce the tote to zero is measured against a standard, and the player is rewarded based on that performance. The method is particularly well-suited for use in amusement devices, such as arcade games.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to novel systems and methods for displaying an interactive event, such as a race car video game. Numerous display devices are disclosed for displaying video and audio elements of the video game to both current players and to individuals not currently playing the video game. The race car video game further has seating for two occupants, a driver and a crew member and has a separate video monitor for the crew member, through which the crew member can selectively view the race from different viewpoints and can obtain race information. The display of the race car game to individuals not currently playing the game varies according to several factors to enhance the attraction and interest in the race car video game.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a virtual course display method of displaying on display means a virtual course, which is constructed by connecting a plurality of virtual course parts and where a virtual mobile body runs, the method comprising the steps of: randomly selecting a predetermined number of successively connectable virtual course parts data from among plural pieces of virtual course parts data having different shapes and each being connectable to at least one of other virtual course parts data; storing at least a connecting order of the selected predetermined number of virtual course parts data; constructing a virtual course including virtual course parts data a mobile body passes and a predetermined number of virtual course parts data following the former virtual course parts data based on the connecting order; generating an image of the virtual course; and displaying the image of the virtual course on the display means.

Abstract: The gaming system of the present invention includes one or more slot machines associated with a racing display wherein the racing element or elements are not necessarily racing against each other. Rather, the racing element moves each time predetermined combination appears on the slot machine. A player is rewarded if his or her racing element reaches a predetermined position. While a clock may be included with each racing element racing against the clock, the racing elements may move independently of a clock. The racing display may be built directly into the slot machine so that the slot player can easily see the progress of his racing element. Alteratively, a large racing display may be utilized that displays a plurality of racing elements thereby giving the appearance that the racing elements are racing against each other.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A game of chance and a method for playing the game involve a plurality of distinct game participants. A plurality of drawing elements correspond to each one of the game participants, the plurality of drawing elements being the same in number for each one of the game participants. A selection device randomly selects drawing elements from among all of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to all of the plurality of game participants one at a time during the game, each drawing element capable of being selected only once during the game. There is a termination point toward which a game participant progresses when one of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to the game participant is selected by the selection device. The game participant reaches the termination point when a sufficient quantity of the plurality of drawing elements corresponding to the game participant has been selected.

Abstract: A simulator system for providing a realistic simulation of a racecar. The simulator systems provides a driver with substantially the same visual and auditory stimuli as would a real racecar. The physical forces experienced by the driver include steering wheel movement, chassis movement and large changes in vertical, horizontal and lateral G forces as the racecar corners around turns on sloped racetrack embankments. Since the simulator accurately simulated the forces experienced when driving a real racecar, the present invention simulator can be used to physically train drivers as well as mentally train drivers. Prior to a simulation, a driver selects a type of racecar. Every adjustable feature of the racecar selected that is capable of effecting the driving performance of the racecar is given a default value that the driver may change. As a result, the performance of the simulated racecar can be selectively adjusted to match that of a real racecar for which the driver is accustomed.

Abstract: An image display processor displays a real-time three-dimensional image including a player's automobile, a plurality of general automobiles, and a course established in a game space on a display monitor. A driving control assembly is operated by a player to instruct the player's automobile to run on the course. A player's automobile control unit controls the player's automobile to run on the course in response to instructions from the driving control assembly. A rank decision unit ranks the player's automobile using a parameter relative to a skill of the player while the player's automobile is running on the course. The rank decision unit detects whether the player's automobile passes or is passed by one of the general automobiles, and varies the value of the parameter based on the detection of the player's automobile passing or being passed by one of the general automobiles.

Abstract: A reactive ride simulator includes package of sensors along with a telemetry radio transmitter and/or a recorder. This package is carried at a movable remote site, such as aboard an actual vehicle. A radio receiver, or a player for the recorded data from the remote site, is interfaced with a decoder providing a electronic signals which include a replication of the sights, sounds, and motions experienced at the remote site. A motion base is used to provide the accelerations necessary to replicate the G-forces experienced at the remote site, while a cabin on this motion base is associated with audio/visual presentation devices so that a passenger on the reactive ride simulator also receives the audio/visual sensations of being present at the remote site. As a result, the passenger on the reactive ride simulator receives a sensory experience of being at the remote site, or of riding on the actual vehicle, while actually moving only slightly on the motion base.

Abstract: A game board is shown having a playing surface with a map and a game playing path thereon. The players (two or more) move their markers or talismen along the path. The path can be optionally a slot or groove, a series of peg holes, or a marked mileage strip. By a chance mechanism, player movement is determined. The preferred talisman carries a torch with simulated light from a bulb provided with battery power.

Abstract: A simulated racing game is provided wherein at least two tokens compete against each other on a closed track to see which token crosses a finish line first, and includes at least one random number generator for determining at least one of the forward and lateral movement of the tokens on the track, the track having an inside and an outside, and being divided into a plurality of equal length segments, each segment having a grid-like pattern of subsegments defining a plurality of lanes and spaces within each lane; and at least a portion of the track being curved so that in the curved portion, as a token progresses from the inside to the outside, the lanes of a segment have more spaces than lanes located closer to the inside. Odds are calculated for the chances of each token crossing the finish line first, and of each token crossing into the next segment upon a specified number of turns, and players may make bets based on at least one token based on the calculated odds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus and computer readable medium for a race game. The method comprising the steps of: computing positions of first and second mobile bodies on a course defined within a predetermined coordinate space every predetermined sampling time; detecting whether the first or second mobile body, whichever is leading, passes a predetermined point on the course from computed positional information of the first and second mobile bodies on the course; detecting whether the following mobile body does not pass the predetermined point within a predetermined set time after the leading mobile body has passed the predetermined point, from the computed positional information; and indicating game over on a display when it is detected that the following mobile body does not pass the predetermined point within the set time. Also, the method relates to measure whether the distance between mobile modies exceeds a set value or not.

Abstract: A race game machine in which a race is conducted by competingly moving a plurality of movable objects along a running path. The machine includes: a parameter storage device which stores at least one parameter used to control movements of the movable objects; a target position calculation device which calculates target positions of the respective movable objects at intervals of a predetermined period in accordance with the parameter stored in the parameter storage device; and a movement control device which controllably moves the movable objects toward their target positions calculated by the target position calculation device. The machine can have an increased number of race developments, thus remaining interesting over a long term.

Abstract: A device and method of playing a gaming game simulating horse race which however allows betting on a race already started. It comprises a playing surface with a race-course, means for displaying odds and results, means for generating random numbers to determine the progress of a race, means for self-service wagering, probalitity formulas and computer programs to calculate odds determined by the nature of a race and to display them, computer programs to calculate possible payoffs, official results and to display them. Besides, computer programs are provided for an automatic video version of the game.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A course coordinate system processor has a general automobile control unit, a movement decision unit, and a position decision unit. The general automobile control unit controls the running of a plurality of general automobiles on a straight road in a course coordinate system. The movement decision unit determines whether or not another automobile exists in front of an automobile which is under consideration for a movement decision. The position decision unit determines the positional relation between a player's automobile and general automobiles in the course coordinate system, and also determines general automobiles that are positioned in a predetermined visible range of the player's automobile. Positional coordinate data of the player's automobile have been transformed from a world coordinate system into the course coordinate system by a course coordinate system transformation unit.

Abstract: A system of interconnected electronic components for use either as a team building or management training exercise or as a game. The system generally includes a plurality of monitors, such as low-power lasers, proximity detectors, noise detectors, infrared receivers, weight detectors or other like instruments arranged and configured in a given space as an obstacle course. Each monitor includes a corresponding sensor that notifies a control engine when the monitor has been triggered, e.g., when a particular laser beam is interrupted or when a particular proximity detector senses a nearby object. The control engine dynamically processes these events to tabulate and manifest the triggering of the monitors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a course guide apparatus used for a competitive game machine with a plurality of race courses, and a plurality of moving objects competing a certain game. The course guide apparatus according to this invention has a course indicator for indicating the course on which the plurality of moving objects compete in the certain game and the course indicator is mounted along a lengthwise direction of the plurality of race courses; and a controller for controlling the course indicator so as to indicate the selected course.

Abstract: A simulation system which can provide a realistic quasi-experience of operating a conveyance.An output information collecting device 3 is provided with a conveyance model 20 which operates according to the operation information accepted from outside. The conveyance model 20 comprises a television camera 30 which shoots the surrounding scenery and a accelerometer 40 which detects the acceleration. A simulator body 4 is provided with a cockpit device 50, a driving section 70 which changes the cockpit device, and an output section 220 which displays the picture shot by the television camera 30. The cockpit device 50 includes an input section for operating, 60, which accepts the operation information to operate the conveyance model 20. A driving section 70 changes the cockpit device 50 based on the information of acceleration informed by the accelerometer 40.

Abstract: A gaming system is comprised of a plurality of slot machines or other gaming machines arranged in a row with a racing display mounted above the machines so as to be visible by each of the players and by spectators. The display may resemble a horse track or an auto race track. Each slot machine is connected to a different horse or car on the track which is advanced along the track by a predetermined amount depending on the number of coins being played. The horse or car that reaches the finish line first is the winner and the player of the slot machine associated with the winner is awarded a prize which may be paid through his slot machine.

Abstract: A gaming apparatus having at least two competing objects each identified by an associated unique set of identification symbols wherein a game is played by positioning the objects in competition as a function of numbers associated with each object. The gaming apparatus includes a random symbol generator generating a random sequence of the symbols. A computer device calculates an independent incremental value (I.sub.x) for each object based on each symbol drawn in the random sequence. Each incremental value (I.sub.x) calculated for each object is a function of the identification symbols contained in the associated set, and each determines an independent incremental progression of play of each respective object. The computer device further computes a position value (M.sub.x) for each object which is a function of the respective incremental value (I.sub.x) for each object, and for each symbol drawn in the random sequence. This position value determines a competing game position relative to any other object.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An arcade game which can have simulated objects, such as race horses traversing a stimulated race track, can further have video images generated which will represent the same positional relationship of the objects. The track can positionally sense the actual position of the moving objects and an image forming circuit can be responsive to the positional data to generate computer images from a variety of angles based on background images of the track and of the individual horses to project a realistic computer image for observers.