Abstract: Disclosed is a device for generating an analog output signal indicative of an impact to a transducer. The transducer may be mounted on protective equipment utilized in various martial arts fields, such as protective vests and the like or can be mounted on training equipment, such as a heavy bag, striking pad, etc. In a preferred embodiment the transducer is a piezoelectrical signal which is indicative of the amount of deformation. By placing the piezoelectric film on top of a deformable material, in a preferred embodiment sandwiching it in the deformable material, impacts to the deformable material will strain the piezoelectric film generating the signal output. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the piezoelectric transducer is mounted on a target pad and provides an analog output indicative of the characteristics of an object impacting the target pad.

Abstract: A chance game apparatus having five secondary wheels positioned outside of and along the circumferential edge of a primary wheel. Each wheel has a sequence of winning and losing indices with each sequence different from one another. Each sequence defines a different probability of a random selection of one index resulting in a winning index. A winning situation is created by matching a winning index on a secondary wheel with a winning index on the primary wheel.

Abstract: An apparatus for playing a plurality of bingo cards, simultaneously. Sets of numbers, stored on a plurality of bingo cards, are read by a plurality of card readers. Each number called, during the play of bingo, is input manually into storage. A comparison of each called number with the previously stored sets of numbers results in a match or no match. If a match exists, an LED located below the card number lights to indicate the number on the bingo card(s) which matches the number called.

Abstract: A microprocessor controlled game having an optical sensor for reading bar codes on cards. The cards visually depict a combination of number, size, color and shape that is represented by the bar code. Instructions and responses with respect to player card selection are indicated by a synthesized voice chip coordinated with a liquid crystal display facial caricature.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is for the players to correctly call as many penalties, or infractions of the rules, as possible while viewing a sporting event. Each player is provided with a signalling device which he either activates or throws when he sees what he believes to be an infraction of the rules. The first player to correctly signal the occurrence of the infraction is awarded multiple points and subsequently signalling players are awarded a lesser number of points or penalized for not signalling. A selected number of points are deducted from a player's score when he signals a penalty when none is called by the officials on the field or court and the players not signalling at those times are awarded a selected number of points for not signalling to minimize anticipation of penalties by players. At the end of the game, the player with the highest score is the winner.

Abstract: Thumb twiddling devices that include a flat, hand-held housing (23) having a centrally located wheel (21) with an oblong thumb slot (35) and finger slots (33a, 33b) peripherally located about the wheel are disclosed. Thumb twiddling causes the rotation of the wheel (21) when a user's fingers (63) are interleaved together in the finger slots (33a, 33b) such that the thumbs lie in the thumb slot (35). In a toy form of the invention, thumb twiddle wheel rotations are sensed and the result used to control a display (49). In a controller form of the invention, sensed thumb twiddle wheel rotations are used to provide control signals suitable for controlling the movement of a video game object. Direction (e.g., steering) signals are provided by a tilt sensor mounted in the flat housing. Several thumb twiddle controllers can be used simultaneously by several video game "players" to control their respective objects in an interactive game.

Abstract: An exercise device is furnished with an electronic display or a mechanical belt for simulating road conditions. In an embodiment utilizing an electronic display, sensors are used to sense pedaling speed, rotational direction, and displacement of the handlebars. A brake handle producing a signal when actuated is also provided. The signals produced by the sensors are processed by a microprocessor for controlling the lateral position of the exercise bicycle with respect to the scene being displayed and the running speed of the road condition simulation. The microprocessor includes a memory which stores a program for controlling the pedaling resistance of the exercise device. In another embodiment, a belt provided with flat patterns on its surface depicting mock road conditions rotates. The user may control the position of a mock vehicle resting on the belt surface by manipulating the handlebars. The mock vehicle is coupled to the handlebar stem by a right-angle-shaped rod.

Abstract: Audio frequency converter apparatus, in particular for treating subjects suffering from audio-phonatory disorders, the apparatus being suitable for generating, on the basis of an input audio frequency signal, a parametric signal for application via an electro-acoustic transducer to a person being treated.

Abstract: A chess game is provided for play by two, three or four persons played according to the conventional rules of chess as to movement and capturing of pieces, castling, check and checkmate. As in conventional chess, each player possesses an initial force of a king, a queen, two bishops, two knights, two rooks and eight pawns. The game is played on a checkerboard having two hundred eight playing squares arranged in a central playing array of twelve bilaterally arranged rows having twelve squares per row and bordered by four smaller staging arrays, each of the staging arrays having eight bilaterally arranged rows of two squares per row. One of each of the four staging arrays is longitudinally centered on and contiguous with each of the four sides of the central playing array. Two of the four staging arrays have squares of different colors from each other.

Abstract: A game set includes a plurality of individual game articles, with each article including two companion playing pieces. The pieces mate with each other, but not with the pieces of other articles in the set, to form the article. The pieces of each article are separable from each other, for playing a game of seeking to mate the companion pieces of the article. In a preferred embodiment, a signal device is included in each article and is actuated by assembling the playing pieces into the article.

Abstract: An athletic monitoring device for attachment to a portion of an athlete'body or to athletic equipment. The device measures a predetermined parameter of the motion of the device while in use and compares the measured parameter to a predetermined range. Intensity of acceleration is measured by taking the square root of the sum of the squares of acceleration data for each of the three axes of motion. This value is compared to a threshold value. If greater than the threshold value, the square root value is stored and added to a second measured intensity value. In this manner, a sum of intensity values throughout a stroke is calculated. If the sum of intensities is above or below a predetermined range, appropriate signalling will so indicate.

Abstract: A gaming device of the type that utilizes multiple rotatable reels or a video display to display a random combination of predetermined symbols, and which issues a win indication or a payout whenever one of several predetermined winning combinations of symbols is obtained. Certain ones of the predetermined winning combinations of symbols are defined by the machine and others are player selectable.

Abstract: A hit indicating system in an aerial firing practice target to be towed comprises parallel connected resistance circuits the combined resistance of which is varied when any of the circuits is cut by a bullet, and this variation activates an ignition control unit comprising a differentiation circuit, a logic circuit, an output circuit, and optionally, a waveform shaping circuit, to transmit signals causing signal tubes to operate in sequence to emit flares or smoke preferably of significantly different hues indicating sequential hits to enable visual observation from aircraft at relatively remote positions.

Abstract: An apparatus of the kind for playing programmable electronic data games, comprising structure for interchanging programmable data and, recording the same on visual displays, a device for printing out data information, and mechanism for a skillful operator to manipulate the apparatus to perform various given functions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a real-time spectrum analyzer for monitoring acoustic energy, in particular a singer's formant, comprising a microphone element for converting the energy of a singer's voice to an electrical signal, band-pass filters for filtering the signal and selectively passing a portion thereof in a dedicated frequency range of from about 2500 to about 3500 Hz corresponding to singer's formant to a display meter responsive to the portion for visually displaying the magnitude of the total energy of said portion, the band-pass filters being connected in series and tuned to different center frequencies but overlapping from about 20% to about 60% of the total pass-band.

Abstract: A four-directional switch which can be turned on and off in four directions, which comprises a base plate having a plurality of electrodes formed thereon, a key top having an indication showing predetermined four pressing directions in an identifiable manner, a support member constituting a fulcrum between the base plate and the key top, a plurality of conductive rubbers disposed opposing to the plurality of electrodes so as to be in electrical contact with corresponding ones of the electrodes, and a sustaining member having the plurality of conductive rubbers fixed thereto and having elastic force for sustaining the conductive rubbers so as not to be in contact with the electrodes when the key top is not pressed.

Abstract: A microprocessor computer system includes random access and read only memories and a set of operator switches permitting the storage of game play information. During operation of the amusement device, game play is monitored and the score required to receive a free play is periodically adjusted to maintain a selected free play percentage. The percentage is determined by either the factory setting or the operator through the operator switches. The data used to compute the free play percentage is constantly checked by the system to insure that it is valid.

Abstract: In a video game apparatus, as a game progresses, whether or not an operation section has been operated by a player within a permissible timing set in a reference table is judged by a judgement section, and the game success or failure is determined upon the judgement result. The judgement section outputs a judgement signal in accordance with the judgement result, and the judgement signal is counted by a judgement counting section. And, for instance, if a judgement signal corresponding to a game success is counted up until it reaches a preset value, the player is judged as an expert in the game, and the permissible timing range set in the reference table is automatically adjusted to make it narrower and to make the game more difficult for the player.

Abstract: Apparatus (FIG. 1), for training in the rapid and accurate reaction to a situation confronting one or more trainees 12, 12' in an enclosed room 11, has one wall thereof formed by a screen portion 14 onto which an optical image is back-projected by projector 16. Each trainee's weapon 22 has a light emitter 24 responsive to firing the gun (containing blanks) at the screen to simulate the projectile impact point by spot 26. A television camera adjacent the projector and viewing the rear of the screen receives the spot and relates the position of this within the camera field to datum points of the projected image, the datum points 36' being visible to the camera and not the trainee.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for playing a sweepstakes-type game wherein a player inserts an identification card into an automated remote computer terminal and accesses an account at a subject financial institution. The user identifier provides access to the financial account, and user indicia is compared to a game indicia. A sweepstakes processor compares the user and game indicia to determine whether a selected winning correlation is present between the game indicia and user indicia. The sweepstakes processor communicates with the remote computer terminal to notify the user of the presence or absence of a selected winning correlation, and upon the presence of the winning correlation, the user is notified of the prize awarded to him. The game apparatus is adapted to be used with a network of data processing machines and a transmission facilities device, which provides data processing communication among the data processing machines.