Abstract: A pool game uses balls marked to correspond to standard playing cards. Each player or team attempts to form a "poker hand" by sinking appropriate balls, to defeat the opponent's hand. Typically, an electronic scoring apparatus detects each ball as it is potted, and displays the state of each player's "hand".

Abstract: A computer that provides data to a video display using a bitmap display memory organization and bitplane addressing. Separate control is provided for two bitplane backgrounds and for eight reusable and easily movable sprites. Additional logic allows for dynamically-controllable interobject priority and collision detection among data in each of the bitplane backgrounds and sprites. A coprocessor provides for video beam-synchronized changes to data in registers, freeing the main processor for general purpose computing tasks. A block image transfer is provided to rapidly copy data in large blocks from one memory location to another. In hold-and-modify mode, color output circuitry holds the value for a previously displayed pixel while bitplane data modifies those values, allowing for simultaneous display of a greatly increased number of colors.

Abstract: All of the number matrices of every bingo card (of the available cards) of a bingo-chain game device are stored in a microprocessor/storage unit. A display dot matrix is connected to the microprocessor/storage unit to identify the numbers selected by a player. A keyboard is connected to the microprocessor/storage unit so that the player can input every called number into the storage of the microprocessor/storage unit. A plurality of transparent bingo cards, with preset codes along one side thereof, is automatically read by a signal reading unit which also retrieves pre-stored data from the storage of the microprocessor/storage unit. The data on the transparent cards are stored into the storage of the microprocessor/storage unit. The signals on the transparent bingo cards can also be represented by bar codes. Data code and clock code on a single side of a transparent bingo card are read by the signal reading unit and can be pre-stored in the microprocessor/storage unit.

Abstract: A joystick actuator for controlling the positioning of objects, for instance, displays on CRTs, having a pivotally mounted control stick operatively engaging and driving a pair of optical-mask members. The optical-mask members are retained for rectilinear sliding motion relative to fixed mounted opto-switches and include spaced fins positioned to interrupt light communication within respective opto-switches. Positioning of the opto-switches and spacing of the mask fins are selected to provide successive unblocking of the interrupted light communication as the control column is displaced from neutral thereby encoding both the direction and magnitude of stick deflection.

Abstract: A swing training apparatus for use with a hand held sports implement having a head and a handle with a longitudinal axis extending between the head and handle includes a housing that is mounted to the implement at a position adjacent the head. A sleeve carried by the housing defines a bore with a bore axis generally parallel to the implement longitudinal axis. A slug is carried by the sleeve in the bore and has a metallic portion defining a first electrical contact. A spring is used to bias the slug into a position spaced away from the implement head. A second electrical contact is positioned to engage the first contact when a preset centripetal force urges the slug to travel toward the implement head when the implement is swung with sufficient force. An indicator emits an audible signal and emits the signal as the implements reaches the preset centrifugal force threshhold.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse beam toward an internal moving member of a living body at a constant recurrence frequency, a converter for mixing the received high-frequency signal with a set of complex reference signals having a frequency n times as high as the recurrence frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse beam and having a complex relation therebetween, thereby converting the high-frequency signal into complex signals, a speed operating circuit for computing the speed of the moving part on the basis of the complex signals, a speed deviation operating circuit for computing the deviation of the speed computed by the speed operator, and a display unit for displaying, by a color change, at least one of the speed, the speed dispersion, the speed and the speed deviation, and the correlation between the speed and the speed deviation.

Abstract: An automatic gaming system for games of chance, such as BINGO or the like, is disclosed comprising a system base station, a plurality of electronic gaming boards, and a plurality of validation units. The electronic gaming boards are initialized by the system base station with a complex gaming schedule developed by the system operator. The system base station includes an interactive program to create a complex gaming schedule having completely arbitrary win patterns, multiple levels of payouts, and multiple place win combinations. The system base station further loads each gaming card with data representing a variable time interval which causes all of the boards to enter the play mode at the same time. The validation units are initialized by the system base station with a validation code which is used when checking a win claim of an electronic card.

Abstract: An automatic video game apparatus, where a control panel, at least one speaker and at least one video tube are located in a housing, together with an electronic and an electric circuit layout and optionally an automatic coin slot device. The video tube of the automatic video apparatus is supported pivotingly in its image plane by an actuable motor and may be pivoted with the aid of the motor corresponding to the variable position of a program selection switch and the program (game) selection effected by it, into the position determined by this program. The video tube is equipped with an annular, rotatable frame supported on rolls, which is pivoted by a pressure roll acting on the outer edge of the frame of the actuable drive motor. All of the video control functions of a program (game) recorded on a program disk and selected by a program selection switch and the energizing effected by it of an associated group of switches, may be communicated to the image tube.

Abstract: Interactive game apparatus is disclosed which includes one or more photosensitive weapon devices which can interact with a coded video display and with each other to provide two-way interaction, where each weapon may score against an opponent and may be hit by an opponent. Accessory devices in the form of a photosensitive light source and a rotating mirror act to increase the excitement of the game play.

Abstract: This apparatus is used with a video tape of a scene that includes a target. At least part of the target has selected interlace fields removed, so that when the scene is displayed a distinctive periodic sequence of light pulses is associated with that target. An unmodified, standard video cassette machine plays the tape into a similarly unmodified television receiver to display the scene, particularly including omission of the selected fields in each target. A response module--with no connection to or from, and no output to, either the tape player or the receiver--includes a detector, an imaging system, a sight, circuitry, and a trigger. The imaging system receives light from a limited portion of the displayed scene, and directs that light to the detector. The sight aids a user to point the imaging system toward a particular desired scene portion. The circuitry develops an output signal related to the light on the detector.

Abstract: A golf trainer includes magnetic sensors for detecting the passage of a golf club head and is provided with a device for electronically measuring the speed of the club. The carry of the ball is also calculated, except when the club selected for use is a putter, from data regarding the club selected and the characteristics of the speed of this club versus the carry of the ball.

Abstract: A system for circulating hot or cold liquid through a pad placed in thermal contact with a patient for thermal therapy. The system includes a flexible thermal pad with an internal channel for carrying the liquid and a pump assembly for circulating and optionally heating the liquid. The patient-contacting surface of the pad comprises a foam having a cushioned surface to reduce the risk of ischemia and enhance patient comfort. An open-cell foam structure absorbs and retains moisture for applying moist heat. The system is microprocessor controlled and includes a heater to warm the liquid to a selectable temperature for heat therapy. A display selectively indicates set-point or actual liquid temperature in either .degree. F. or .degree. C. as desired. Safety features include three separate over-temperature sensors, a tilt switch and a float switch which de-energize both the heater and the pump when an abnormal temperature is sensed, the unit is tipped or a low liquid level is sensed, respectively.

Abstract: An electronic racing game apparatus employs a microprocessor which controls a plurality of incandescent lamps. The lamps are arranged in an XY matrix as each lamp is indicative of a lane and a position about an oval track display. When power is first initiated, the microprocessor is reset and then displays a spiral pattern which serves to attract participants to the game site. The pattern spirals until a start button is accessed, whereby the finish order displays are cleared and the contestant lamps of each lane or contestant sequentially come to the starting line. After a short delay the bell rings and the race begins. The contestants as indicated by the lamps race around the oval display in a random pattern, as determined by a random number table. The lamps associated with each oval are illuminated according to the table. As the first, second and third contestants cross the finish line, the numbers of their lane will appear on the win, place and show displays.

Abstract: A network of individual lottery systems, for example a national network of state lotteries, each of the state lotteries operating independently using data entry and validation stations for accepting player data and having independent structure for selecting individual winners based upon coincidence of player-selected data and random data. The individual lotteries feed through to a network-level lottery having a data processor for accepting player entry data for plays in differentiated win pools at the network level. The network pools are differentiated, for example, into a red pool, white pool, and blue pool, each one being selectable by the player and each being separately accumulated and separately awarded, whereby differentiation of the pools due to probability produces competition and additional interest.

Abstract: An electronic game device for randomly selecting the player or players to participate in each round of a game. The device preferably has a control module, a plurality of output stations, one output station associated with each player. When the device is initiated, a controller randomly provides a signal to one or more selected output stations to indicate that the player associated with a selected station has been selected to participate in that round of the game.

Abstract: A magnet assembly for location around portions of bones in the middle ear where one portion of the assembly is a magnet and another portion of the assembly is a magnetic material, the portions being hinged to one another so that they are held around the bone by the magnetic field and being adapted for optimal coupling with a magnetic field produced by a coil in a magnetic induction hearing aid.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe for transmitting an ultrasonic pulse beam toward an internal moving medium of a living body at a constant recurrence frequency, a converter for mixing the received high-frequency signal with a set of complex reference signals having a frequency n times as high as the recurrence frequency of the transmitted ultrasonic pulse beam and having a complex relation therebetween, thereby converting the high-frequency signal into complex signals, a speed operating circuit for computing the moving speed of the internal moving medium on the basis of the complex signals, and a display unit for displaying the moving speed in real time. The apparatus may include a speed dispersion operating circuit for computing the dispersion of the moving speed computed by the speed operating circuit in order to display both the moving speed and the dispersion thereof on the display unit.

Abstract: A more sophisticated version of the known "crisscross" type of slot machine is disclosed. A screen has a plurality of display zones, usually notional, arrayed in rows and columns. A row of symbols are made to sequentially appear and randomly stop on each of the display zones, either electronically, optically, or mechanically. Thus the player can play for random symbol combinations not only along the horizontal and diagonal lines, as in the case of the crisscross model, but also along the vertical lines, of the array of display zones on the screen. If the display zones are provided in three rows and three columns, therefore, the inventive machine offers a maximum of as many as eight different symbol combinations on a single play, as compared with only five yielded by the crisscross type of machine. A representative slot machine in accordance with the invention is purely electronic, using a cathode ray tube for symbol display.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for technique and accelerated reaction training of a batter in a batter training program. In the arrangement, a plurality of different batting reaction patterns to be executed by the batter are defined by the selective energization of one of an array of lights positioned visibly in front of the batter. Each light signifies a different particular batting reaction pattern to be executed by the batter. At least one and preferably two batting tees are positioned with respect to an indicated home plate in front of the batter, such that the batter addresses home plate during the batter training program. Each batting tee has one light of the light array associated therewith, such that when a particular light associated with a particular batting tee is energized, the batter reacts by attempting to bat the ball off of that particular batting tee within a given programmed time period.

Abstract: A racket includes a head portion having a striking netting, a shaft portion, a throat portion connected between the head portion and the shaft portion, a grip portion formed on the shaft portion from a bottom end thereof, but excluding the uppermost part of the shaft portion, and a cushioning device provided between the head portion and the grip portion to cushion the impact force occurring when one strikes a ball with the striking netting.