Abstract: A toy vehicle is configured for itinerant maneuvers and is programmed by manually drawing a path on an exposed surface of a mechanical touch screen assembly on the vehicle. A microprocessor, coupled with the touch screen assembly, reads the manually drawn path and controls movement of the vehicle to follow the manually drawn path. In one embodiment, the drawn path is erased to enter a new path by pivoting the first sheet of the assembly away from the second sheet and, in another embodiment, by separating the first and second sheets by sliding a horizontal plate between the sheets. A sensor on the vehicle detects the presence of a stylus in a holder. The microprocessor responds to the presence to initiate the itinerant movement and/or activate a visual indicator or an audio generator or both in the toy vehicle.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus includes a display for depicting multiple launch positions and multiple launch power levels for a to-be-launched game object. The display further includes a plurality of game object icons which may be selectively activated to depict the travel of the game object. A launch control includes a control button movable within a multiply fluted guide against the force of a pair of symmetrically positioned springs. A switch contact is carried by the control button and cooperates with a plurality of conductive switch pads. The movable contact of the launch control button and the conductive pads cooperate to provide switch inputs of selection and duration for the game unit as the launch control button is manipulated.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a housing supporting a three by three grid of tic-tac-toe game play squares. The housing further supports a pivotable multi-function launch control which provides three game function inputs to the game microprocessor. The display further includes a trio of paths for each of the three columns in the tic-tac-toe square array. The game simulates launch of a game object down one of the paths selected by pivotal movement of the launch control to attempt marking a particular square in the tic-tac-toe array. The launch control includes a depressible launch button which performs a second function of setting game object launch power and a third function of triggering game object simulated launch.

Abstract: A toy vehicle is configured for itinerant maneuvers and is programmed by manually drawing a path on an exposed surface of a mechanical touch screen assembly on the vehicle. A microprocessor, coupled with the touch screen assembly, reads the manually drawn path and controls movement of the vehicle to follow the manually drawn path. In one embodiment, the drawn path is erased to enter a new path by pivoting the first sheet of the assembly away from the second sheet and, in another embodiment, by separating the first and second sheets by sliding a horizontal plate between the sheets. A sensor on the vehicle detects the presence of a stylus in a holder. The microprocessor responds to the presence to initiate the itinerant movement and/or activate a visual indicator or an audio generator or both in the toy vehicle.

Abstract: A game apparatus includes a housing supporting a three by three grid of tic-tac-toe game play squares. The housing further supports a pivotable multi-function launch control which provides three game function inputs to the game microprocessor. The display further includes a trio of paths for each of the three columns in the tic-tac-toe square array. The game simulates launch of a game object down one of the paths selected by pivotal movement of the launch control to attempt marking a particular square in the tic-tac-toe array. The launch control includes a depressible launch button which performs a second function of setting game object launch power and a third function of triggering game object simulated launch.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus includes a display for depicting multiple launch positions and multiple launch power levels for a to-be-launched game object. The display further includes a plurality of game object icons which may be selectively activated to depict the travel of the game object. A launch control includes a control button movable within a multiply fluted guide against the force of a pair of symmetrically positioned springs. A switch contact is carried by the control button and cooperates with a plurality of conductive switch pads. The movable contact of the launch control button and the conductive pads cooperate to provide switch inputs of selection and duration for the game unit as the launch control button is manipulated.