Abstract: Described is a hand-held musical game apparatus that is adapted to resemble a guitar, and that operates in a manner that facilitates a game played with it. Generally, the apparatus has a housing shaped to resemble a guitar with a body portion and a neck portion. The neck portion is rotatably connected to the body portion and the body portion has a strum bar. A slide element is slidably connected to the neck portion. Electronics are disposed within the housing to provide, as part of the game, audio and/or visual instructions to rotate the neck, slide the slide element, or strum the strum bar. The game entails a player rotating the neck, sliding the slide element, or strumming the strum bar in accordance with the instructions.

Abstract: The present invention comprises both a system and a method for mechanically depressing a key of an underlying keyboard in response to a user input. The system preferably comprises a computer system and a mechanical interface device. The mechanical interface preferable mounts on top of the underlying keyboard and preferably includes a three dimensional representational object configured for manipulation by the user. This computer system preferably comprises a processor, a display coupled to the processor, and the underlying keyboard coupled to the processor. The computer system preferably shows a corresponding image in response to manipulation of the three dimensional representational object by the user. By utilizing the three dimensional representational object instead of a keyboard as the user's interface, the present invention gives the user a simpler, more realistic computer interface.

Abstract: A hand-held game that includes a plurality of input devices, an audible output device, and a controller coupled to each of the input devices and to the audible output device. Preferably, each of the input devices require a different mechanical action for action, such as a pressure switch, a pull switch or a rotational switch. The controller outputs a first command signal to the audible output device that relates to a first selected input device. The controller then outputs a second command signal to the audible output device relating to a second selected input device when the first selected input device is actuated within a predetermined period of time. When the first selected input device is not actuated within the predetermined period of time, or when an input device other than the selected input device is actuated in response to the first command signal, the controller outputs an error command signal to the audible output device.

Abstract: A keyboard has a key array including keys, a top surface having a front edge and a back edge, and a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface. An interface device for use with the keyboard includes a base, a front standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion, and a back standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion. The keyboard-contacting portions are spaced such that, when the base is positioned over the key array, the key array is positioned between the keyboard-contacting portions so as to align the base in a front-to-back orientation relative to the key array. The keyboard-contacting portions are both supported by the top surface of the keyboard. The interface device also includes a key-contacting mechanism mounted on the base in a fixed orientation relative to the standoffs, and a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the interface device to the keyboard.

Abstract: A keyboard has a key array including keys, a top surface having a front edge and a back edge, and a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface. An interface device for use with the keyboard includes a base, a front standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion, and a back standoff coupled to the base and having a keyboard-contacting portion. The keyboard-contacting portions are spaced such that, when the base is positioned over the key array, the key array is positioned between the keyboard-contacting portions so as to align the base in a front-to-back orientation relative to the key array. The keyboard-contacting portions are both supported by the top surface of the keyboard. The interface device also includes a key-contacting mechanism mounted on the base in a fixed orientation relative to the standoffs, and a coupling mechanism for removably coupling the interface device to the keyboard.