Novel games, and methods for improved game play in games of chance and games of skill

Abstract

A device for characterizing a cell or particle includes a channel having an inlet and an outlet, the channel containing a moving fluid therein for carrying the cell or particle from the inlet to the outlet. The device includes a detector for detecting the presence of a cell or particle along portion of the channel, the detector including a first detecting position, a second detecting position, and a third detecting position. The device further includes a light source providing an optical gradient disposed within the channel and between the second and third detecting positions. A control system is coupled to the detector to receive and process detected signals from the detector. During operation, the amount of time that a cell or particle takes to flow through a first distance (i.e., its time-off-flight) is measured. The cell or particle is then flowed past a second, downstream distance in the presence of an optical gradient and its time-of-flight is measured. A comparison of the measured time-of-flights for the first and second distances is used to characterize the cell or particle. The method can be used to characterize and sort cells based on a biological property.

What is claimed:  
     
         1 . A method for providing a game show for presentation to an audience over a communication medium, the game show including at least a first game and a second show, the show to be performed in parallel with each other, the first game having a repetitive series of actions comprising: 
 performing a first action of the first game,    performing a portion of the second game,    performing a second action of the first game,    performing a second portion of the second game,    repeating the sequence until the first game and second game are concluded, and    assigning a winner to said games.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first game comprises a sequential selection of numbers for a lottery.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the selection of numbers is mechanical.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein the mechanical selection utilizes balls.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the balls are ping-pong balls.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the selection of numbers is electrical.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the electrical selection includes a random number generator.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second game comprises a game of chance.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8  wherein the game of chance involves a determination regarding the next action in the first game.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the determination regarding the next game includes a determination of whether a number will be odd or even.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the determination regarding the next game includes a determination of whether a number will be higher or lower.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the determination regarding the next game includes a determination of whether a number will be compared to the number from an earlier action in the first game.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the second game involves multiple players.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the players are ranked according to a score.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further including the step of advising a contestant of the probability of outcome of an upcoming portion of the second game.  
     
     
         16 . A method for selecting random numbers for use in a game, comprising the steps of: 
 selecting a player for the game,    providing a plurality of obscured numbers,    placing the player in a position such that they cannot see the obscured numbers,    the player selecting the numbers, and    rendering the numbers visible to the player.    
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the numbers comprise  1  through  49 .  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16  wherein the numbers comprise  1  through  53 .  
     
     
         19 . A method for programming a broadcast comprising: 
 presenting a first series of main programming, and    interspersing a second program within the main programming, the second programming having a duration relative to the main programming of less than substantially 25% of the time.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the interspersed second program is less than three continuous minutes in length.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the interspersed second program is less than two continuous minutes in length.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the interspersed second program is less than one and a half continuous minutes in length.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 19  wherein the interspersed second program is less than one continuous minute in length.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 19  wherein one contestant plays a successive interspersed second programs.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24  wherein the contestant is given the choice of stopping play, or continuing.  
     
     
         26 . The method for prepurposing a previous recorded game show, the game show including the presentation of issues to game show participants, comprising the steps of: 
 segmenting the previously recorded game show into issues,    presenting the issue to one or more player,    receiving a response from the one or more players,    comparing the answers of the correct answer, and    scoring the answer.    
     
     
         27 . A game show providing a display having an underlying image, the image initially being at least partially obscured by overlying image regions different than the underlying image, the overlying image regions including designations, comprising the steps of: 
 setting a time limit for game play    an identifiable designation,    presenting information to the player comprising a suggestion or clue,    receiving a response from the player in response to the suggestion or clue,    if the response is correct, removing an overlying image region corresponding to the suggestion or clue, so as to display a portion of the underlying image to the player, and    declaring a winner when the image is correctly identified by the player.