Abstract: A portable information system for golf. A hand-held computer (or, alternatively, a palm device) is used for providing a portable computer processing means to be carried by a golfer while playing a game of golf. A first software program (referred to as a Virtual Caddie™) is programmed in the hand-held computer for providing a virtual caddie to provide information regarding a particular golf course and a particular player's golf game, to track player performances, and to communicate a player's competitive match detail to other players. A macro stored on the hand-held computer (or palm device) is used for providing access to a virtual golf country club program residing on web servers for providing a golfer a means to evaluate his or her golf performance. A receiver means is selectively communicatively connected to the hand-held computer for enabling the hand-held computer to receive GPS and DGPS coordinate positions corresponding to a location on a golf course.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for providing a user with the ability to submit a wager to a fixed-odds book or a pari-mutuel pool using an interactive wagering application. A conditional wagering option is provided. When the user selects a conditional wagering option, the interactive wagering application may automatically submit the wager to an alternative wager option (e.g., a fixed-odds book or a pari-mutuel pool) if the wager is rejected by the user's selected wager option. The interactive wagering application may notify the user of the status of the submitted wager.

Abstract: A game providing method dispenses a golf ball that has an ID number recorded. A plurality of players hits the golf ball in turn from respective bays toward a fixed target position. A number of the golf balls hit from each of the bays is counted by counting means until an ID number recognizing device disposed at the target position recognizes a golf ball having an ID number corresponding to each of the bays. The number of the golf balls counted in each of the bays is displayed by display means.

Abstract: A system and method adequately and accurately compares golf scores from two different courses by comparing the relative difficulty of each course played and the relative ability of the players in conjunction with a selected Tournament course, which may be an imaginary or physical course, for determining the winner of a match or game of golf. One method of practicing the present invention uses the USGA Handicap Index, Slope Rating system and Course Rating system to adjust the scores of the players and match the hole handicaps at the two or more courses. Next, the holes of the played courses (including the players' scores) and Tournament course are arranged by hole handicap, hardest to easiest. The final step involves comparing the scores relative to par to determine the score (for stroke play) or the winner of the hole (for match play). This process is repeated for the other holes until all 18 holes have been compared.

Abstract: A game device which plays a game in which a player manipulates a character compelled to live in an uninhibited island alone, and through the game, the player experiences virtual actions relating to a matter of life and death to acquire knowledge to survive. The player instructs the character in the game to create a new tool to get the food and to eat the food. A state of health of the character varies similarly to the real world, according to whether the character eats the food or not and how the character eats it.

Abstract: A virtual scorecard is presented that allows at least two players or any number of teams of players to compete in a golf match on different days and from different golf courses. A first player challenges at least a second player with a competitive format and time limit within which play must be concluded and scores submitted. Each player plays a round of golf and enters their score, including handicap, on an on-line system. The system creates a virtual scorecard using the net scores based on handicaps and slope ratings. The same handicap holes from each player's scorecard are paired up as the same hole on the virtual scorecard. Based on the competitive format selected (match play, stroke play, or stableford play), scores are tallied and a winner is determined. Various tools are also provided for tracking performance of golfers, gathering golf-related information and instruction and communicating with other golfers.

Abstract: A sport server includes a sport database for storing sport data. The sport server communicates with a variety of input devices for receiving the sport data. The sport server determines the type of input device and then communicates with the input device using appropriate display and communication parameters. The sport server then outputs the sport data to various output devices using appropriate parameters for each output device.

Abstract: A system for electronic scoring and score reporting of a sporting event wherein an electronic scorebook is connected to an electronic scoreboard and electronic storage of the scoring information is provided. In one embodiment, a network is used, sending or receiving information to or from the scorebook, the scoreboard or the electronic storage. In other embodiments, the Internet is used as a conduit to communicate to and from the location of sports field lighting, to control operation of the lighting, or monitor the lighting or other events at the location. The network can also be used for last mile connectivity of end users to the Internet, and to compile information from sporting events at the locations and allow access to information about the game via the Internet.

Abstract: A plurality of video game units are connected in a ring configuration by means of a communications line. Each of the plurality of video game units comprises: a memory for storing a program for implementing competitive games, whereby a contest is conducted on a display screen by controlling the actions of two characters; control means for controlling the implementation of the program stored in the memory; input means for inputting first data controlling the actions of one of the two characters; and a communications interface circuit for receiving second data controlling the actions of the other of the two characters from one video game unit of a plurality of video game units, and transmitting the first data input via the input means to the one video game unit. The control means controls the display of the two characters on the display screens on the basis of the first data and the second data in accordance with the implementation of said program.

Abstract: Slot machines for enabling team play by a plurality of slot machine players are disclosed. The game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain a team game result. The game results of each player may be combined on a “per-spin” basis, or collected for each team player over an entire play session, with the net result of each team player combined on a “per-session” basis. In a “per-spin” embodiment, each team player initiates play, and the individual game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain the best team game result, with the highest resulting payout, for each spin. In a “per-session” embodiment, each team player continues play for an entire play session, and the net result of each team player is analyzed in a predefined manner on a “per-session” basis to obtain the team session result.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing golf score tabulating services to a plurality of golfers. Databases of golfers and/or groups are maintained, and may be accessible over a network from multiple locations. These databases contain historically based information on golfers and groups of golfers who have participated in events together, facilitating efficient set-up of new events. Events can be setup and scores tabulated to include one or more side matches between specific golfers or teams from within a group. Reports are created by tabulating hole-by-hole scores input by or for each golfer. The reports can be created for groups and/or individual golfers with detail on the results of side matches and the overall event. A report can also be generated that is customized for each golfer, showing that golfer's score as compared to every other golfer in an event group or participating in a particular side match.

Abstract: Information-compressed image data is generated or inputted in an office unit 3. Control data and image data is transferred to specified consoles 1a-1m according to reproduction timing or reproduction procedure for the image data. Each console expands the information-compressed image data and displays an image of the data on overhead CRTs 4a, 5a, . . . 4m, 5m.

Abstract: A system and method adequately and accurately compares golf scores from two different courses by comparing the relative difficulty of each course played and the relative ability of the players in conjunction with a selected Tournament course, which may be an imaginary or physical course, for determining the winner of a match or game of golf. One method of practicing the present invention uses the USGA Handicap Index, Slope Rating system and Course Rating system to adjust the scores of the players and match the hole handicaps at the two or more courses. Next, the holes of the played courses (including the players' scores) and Tournament course are arranged by hole handicap, hardest to easiest. The final step involves comparing the scores relative to par to determine the score (for stroke play) or the winner of the hole (for match play). This process is repeated for the other holes until all 18 holes have been compared.

Abstract: A bowling center system includes first and second pinsetters each associated with a respective corresponding one of first and second bowling lanes. A communication device communicates data to bowlers and a lane pair control system is configured to control the pinsetters, to receive pin data from said pinsetters during current bowling, to generate current scoring data based on the received pin data, and to supply signals corresponding to the generated current scoring data to the communication device, whereby the current scoring data is communicated to the bowlers. The lane pair control system is further configured to access stored game data corresponding to previous bowling and to supply signals corresponding to the accessed stored game data to the communication device, whereby the accessed stored game data is communicated to the bowlers.

Abstract: A computer game simulates the playing of an athletic game such as a baseball game to its conclusion. In particular, the game simulates the sequential game play events and determines the outcomes of the events in accordance with historical or simulated data representative of the game playing characteristics of each team member under selected circumstances. The progress of the game is tracked in accordance with the outcomes through completion of the events to determine the winner of the athletic game and the score thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides a hand-held portable device capable of tracking and incorporating valuable golf performance statistics to allow a player to identify weaknesses in game play. The present invention includes a hand-held device for storing and processing golf scores. The device has a logic device for processing executable commands and is in electrical communication with a memory, an input device, and an output device. The memory includes an interface module configured to generate prompts for player identification and performance data. The prompts are displayed on the output device. The performance data reflects golf scores and other areas of objective performance on the golf course. As the performance data is entered it is stored in a memory in association with a player identification. The memory further includes a statistic module configured to generate performance statistics based on the performance data.

Abstract: A running model whose running ability changes in accordance with a given environment is caused to run on a field. The field includes two types of tracks (12, 13), and hence the running model runs differently on the tracks (12, 13) depending on the current running ability, thereby providing the running model with variable factors of the running ability.

Abstract: An electronic scoring process which comprises assigning a smart card to a player, and opening an electronic record for that smart card at least one a master facility. The master facility is adapted to receive, store, calculate and report play related data. At the initiation of a round of play, a player presents the smart card to a site specific smart card imprinter. At that time the status of the smart card is determined, and it is imprinted with current site specific information. The smart card is again presented to and read by a mobile score keeping unit. As play progresses, data is fed into the mobile unit on a real time basis, and an electronic recording of play related data is generated by the mobile unit. At the conclusion of play the electronic recording is imprinted onto the smart card. The smart card is read by a card reader and the electronic recording is transmitted to one or more master facilities where it is added to the electronic record for that smart card at that facility.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a gaming device such as a slot machine calculates a speed of game play, and in turn determines a pay schedule based on the speed of game play. The pay schedule for higher speeds of game play typically provides a higher payout percentage, which attracts players and provides an incentive to play faster and for longer periods of time. The greater speed of play and time period of playing may actually increase revenues derived from the gaming device, even though the payout percentage is higher. Speed of game play may be calculated by measuring the number of games played in a predetermined time period, or the time elapsed between games. The gaming device may select a payout table from a plurality of payout tables based on this speed. Alternatively, the gaming device may determine a multiplier based on the speed of game play, and adjust a base payout table in accordance with the multiplier.

Abstract: In a screen where score display is presented, a numeric value or mark responsive to a state of pins after a bowl is preliminarily displayed, and then the preliminary display is transformed or moved so that the numeric value or mark is displayed in the square. This allows an easier understanding of the correspondence between changes in the contents of score display on the display screen and actual progress of a bowling game.

Abstract: A portable tennis scorekeeper device includes a portable body attachable to an article of apparel or insertable within a pocket of an article of apparel worn by a tennis player and a scoreboard applied to a side of the portable body. The scoreboard includes a middle region and a pair of opposite side regions. The middle region includes a first portion having a plurality of numbers and letters associated with points scored in a game of a tennis match, a pair of tracks extending along opposite sides of the first portion, second and third portions each disposed on a side of one of the tracks opposite from the first portion and having a plurality of numbers associated with points scored in a tiebreaker of the tennis match, and a pair of markers each mounted to and for undergoing movement along one of the tracks and alignable with the numbers and letters of the first, second and third portions.

Abstract: A method for a game of skill tournament that is challenging and provides the player a reliable gauge of his skill level as compared to other players. The tournament has a qualifying round and a playoff round, and is played over an interactive computer system. In the qualifying round, a player competes against a host computer. The object of this round is to score a sufficient number of points to qualify for the highest level of performance possible. Once a player obtains a level of performance, he is recognized for his accomplishment and given a reward. This allows the player to gauge his skill level. In the playoff round, those players reaching a predetermined level of performance, play the same game simultaneously against the host computer under the same rules and conditions for a set amount of time. At the end of this time frame, the results are analyzed. Those players with the highest point totals will be recognized and given a reward.

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: Slot machines for enabling team play by a plurality of slot machine players are disclosed. The game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain a team game result. The game results of each player may be combined on a "per-spin" basis, or collected for each team player over an entire play session, with the net result of each team player combined on a "per-session" basis. In a "per-spin" embodiment, each team player initiates play, and the individual game results of each team player are combined in a predefined manner to obtain the best team game result, with the highest resulting payout, for each spin. In a "per-session" embodiment each team player continues play for an entire play session, and the net result of each team player is analyzed in a predefined manner on a "per-session" basis to obtain the team session result.

Abstract: A hand held soccer scoring computer for tracking and recording conditions and activities taking place in a soccer match includes a keypad for entering and a display for showing information evolving during the course of the event with regard to player, team, activity and activity location, and the game time associated with the entry. The recorded data may be contemporaneously reviewed and edited and upon completion of the soccer match transferred to a processor printing in desired statistical formats.

Abstract: A method for conducting a championship playoff includes the steps of ranking participating teams after a regular season by adding the ranks of each team based upon at least two different polls, and assigning a final rank for each team based upon the summation of these polls. A championship tournament is then conducted with a plurality of rounds of events to reduce the initial number of teams to a single champion. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, one poll is a poll of sports writers, a second poll is a poll of coaches, and a third poll is an objective poll, with the first and second polls being weighted more heavily than the objective poll. Each round of events in the championship playoff would be played at different site locations. A secondary tournament would be conducted utilizing the highest ranked teams below those which are utilized in the championship tournament.

Abstract: An electronic automated scorekeeper for calculation and recordation of athletic contest statistics. An operator enters data into the device via a keyboard with a plurality of specialized keys. One set of the keys located on a graphic of the playing field, corresponds to the positions of the players in the contest, such as the field positions of baseball players. Another set of the keys is dedicated to one step entry of common events during the contest. Other keys provide control functions and alpha-numeric entry. At the start of the contest, the operator enters data about the players and the teams. As the contest is contested, the operator enters events as they occur. The automated scorekeeper records the data entered and calculates the progress of the game and the player statistics as they occur. The device provides for a printed output of the game in progress, for periodic statistical summaries and for a final game and player statistical output.

Abstract: Apparatus to facilitate the playing of a recreational game. The apparatus includes an electronic surveillance camera (8) and a motion sensor (20) mounted above and focused on a target area (2). The image data generated by the camera (8) and the data generated by the motion sensor (20) is transmitted to a central processing unit. The image of the target area transmitted by the surveillance camera (8) is displayed on the screen of a video monitor. Movement of an object on the target area (2) is detected by the motion sensor (20) and displayed on the monitor screen. The central processing unit includes a library of target area overlays to alter the viewed charateristics of the target area on the monitor screen. Each target area may include a marker surrounded by a spaced apart scoring ring or rings so that a ball lying on the target area can, if it lies within a predetermined area, be allocated a score.

Abstract: A system for controlling the operation of electronically linked gaming machines which enables information to be transferred between machines and from each machine to a control unit. In particular, credits on a machine can be transferred to another machine and the credit state of each machine can be interrogated and adjusted from the central control unit.