Abstract: A positioning controller having a receiving side for receiving light from a light source is disclosed. The receiving side includes an axis extending perpendicularly therefrom, and a vertical plane and a horizontal plane intersecting at the axis. The positioning controller includes three sensors. The reference sensor is positioned between the other two sensors, and is masked to receive light within a predetermined range of acute angles measured from the axis. One of the other two sensors is a vertical angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the horizontal plane and from a second side of the horizontal plane. The third sensor is a horizontal angle sensor that is masked to receive a larger quantity of light from a first side of the vertical plane than from a second side of the vertical plane.

Abstract: The invention discloses an amusement projectile characterized in a first embodiment by a football shape which is thrown by a user and which comprises electronics therein to measure and display the distance traveled by the thrown ball to the point of impact with the ground or to another user. Using an accelerometer in cooperation with a microprocessing board disposed within the ball, the distance traveled is determined by measuring the initial velocity and the time recorded during the flight of the ball based upon changes in the acceleration of the ball, and an inset liquid crystal display screen mounted on the football is used to display the distance as well as time of flight and a nondimensional thrust value. A toggle button is used to alternately display the "flight characteristics," which are distinguished by the position of a decimal in the three digit display.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A hand-held controller for an electronic gaming system wherein each of one or more players can control two gaming objects at the same time. A joystick-like thumb operated directional switch, mounted in a housing, is used to select or control the movement of a primary object and an optical detection/pointing system, carried in the same housing, is used to select or control the movement a secondary object.

Abstract: The present invention is a remote control targeting and control system for use with a standard raster scanned television and an associated gaming unit. The remote control system includes a mobile transceiver and a fixed transceiver which communicates with the gaming system. The system implements a simple communication system which allows the mobile transceiver to ordinarily transmit position data and to periodically transmit button press data. The mobile transceiver includes an electro-optic detector for observing when a scan line crosses a target area. Each time a scan line is detected, the mobile transceiver transmits a pulse to the fixed unit, based upon which the gaming unit translate the pulse into position data based on the time of its detection. The button press data is transmitted synchronously with the raster scanned television in that the fixed transceiver is caused to transmit a single pulse during each vertical retrace of the television.

Abstract: A game assembly utilizing sound identification as a method of determining the length of a player's move, wherein the player forfeits his turn if he fails to recognize the sound. A first player uses a keyboard to identify a randomly-generated sound, while a second player attempts to anticipate the random sound to be generated by moving panels over certain keys of the keyboard Additionally, the game assembly keyboard includes a processor which randomly appends the generated sound with a bonus sound, the player receiving an additional turn upon successful identification of the generated sound during such a bonus condition.

Abstract: In a microprocessor based interactive audio game for two users to play against one another, or for one user to play against the computer, the game having the ability to store and retrieve sets of statistical data corresponding to the performance of actual players, keys for the users to affect the state of the game, and an audio output for communicating the state of the game or the results of a game play to the users, the audio output for a particular game state or game play result being variable in order to maintain user interest. A plurality of visual indicators are arranged in a grid that represents the flight of a thrown ball through a vertical cross section of the strike zone. Visual indicators are sequentially flashed a predetermined number of times and in a predetermined pattern for a particular variety of pitch.

Abstract: A remote control transmitter/receiver system wherein an absolute direction command may be issued by the transmitter and acted upon by the receiver. The transmitter and receiver both include a common reference direction so that an absolute direction command (i.e., relative to the common reference direction) may be issued and acted upon. In a preferred embodiment, the transmitter operates in accordance with an internal compass signal so that an absolute direction command relative to magnetic North can be generated by the transmitter. The receiver also functions in accordance with an internal compass signal so that an absolute direction command transmitted to the receiver can be effected. The transmitter and receiver may be microprocessor controlled, and the internal compass signal may be generated with an electronic flux gate compass. The invention may be used in place of the conventional remote control systems that are used with hand-held transmitters and hobby vehicles.

Abstract: Audio signals and digital commands are encoded into a standard raster format television signal recorded on a casette for play by a home video cassette unit. The audio signals are encoded in the displayable video as modulated carrier pulses separated by return to median intervals with the audio waveforms being tapered near discontinuities. The digital commands are recorded as binary level pulses, one such pulse occupying substantially an entire video line to permit accurate decoding.

Abstract: An animated figure, e.g. a doll, having the capability of moving its eyebrow, eyelids, eyes and mouth in conjunction with an audio reproducer, i.e. speaker, in its interior is electrically connected to a control box. The control box, which may be powered by household A.C. or by batteries, is connected to the audio and video outputs of a conventional videocassette recorder, (VCR). The VCR is connected to a conventional television set or television monitor. A videocassette recording having a video/audio story line recorded thereon, also contains control data in the video track for animating the dolls moveable parts, as well as routing selected portions of the audio track to the doll's speaker. A preferred video encoding scheme is utilized to embed the control data in the video signal by raising selected horizontal line periods to a new, white level. The illusion created to the human viewer is that of the doll having an animated conversation with characters on the television monitor.

Abstract: A system providing user interaction with a video display provided to a standard television set by a home video cassette unit employing a standard video cassette having a video signal recorded thereon, the video signal having four or more audio channels and digital commands encoded therein, the system including apparatus for generating and moving a cursor on the television screen and a digital processor responsive to commands encoded on the cassette, to the cursor position and/or to viewer selections to control the video displayed and the audio output by the television receiver.

Abstract: A signal processing device for frequency multiplication of an analog signal by an adjustable multiplication factor. The input analog signal is digitized using a delta modulator and read into a random access memory at a first clock rate. The data is read out of the memory at second clock rate and then converted back to an analog output signal. The multiplication factor is a function of the adjustable ratio of the two clock rates.

Abstract: A signal processing device for frequency multiplication of an analog signal by an adjustable multiplication factor. The input analog signal is digitized using a delta modulator and read into a random access memory at a first clock rate. The data is read out of the memory at second clock rate and then converted back to an analog output signal. The multiplication factor is a function of the adjustable ratio of the two clock rates. Residual noise is minimized by using the circuit slope voltage to trigger a variable pulse width multivibrator which controls switching of charge to a passive integrating circuit.

Abstract: A digital electronic watch having a matrix game display comprising a plurality of game display element arranged in a matrix on the display, each having at least two game display element segments and with selective illumination of game display element segments, to simulate movement about the matrix of game play units and interaction between game play units, in response to a stored program with the stored program also including instructions performed in response to player input during the game, and including sound effect generation during the game.

Abstract: A CRT beam control apparatus wherein a microprocessor drives the CRT beam for controlling the beam characteristics, including writing speed, slope, position and intensity. The apparatus includes a single digital-to-analog converter supplying sample-and-hold circuitry through a selector and further includes a pair of active integrator circuits switchable to connect the output of the digital-to-analog converter or sample-and-hold circuits. The microprocessor is operative to provide digital words to the DAC representative of the differential X and Y values of a line segment to be drawn. The analog representations of these digital words are coupled to the integrators. The outputs of the active integrators provide the deflection signals causing deflection of the CRT beam. The apparatus is particularly adapted to drawing a series of connected line segments, due to the integrator operation.

Abstract: A security system for ascertaining the authenticity of removable video game cartridges adapted to interface with a video game system having a CPU. The system includes the comparison of the contents of predetermined addresses in the memory unit of the game cartridges with a security message stored in the CPU, and the rejection of the cartridge unless the contents of these predetermined memory locations are the same as the security message. The system further includes means for displaying a proprietary notice message to the operator of the video game system before substantive interfacing between the CPU and remote software unit occurs. Control over game operation will occur only if the CPU recognizes the cartridge as an authorized unit.