Abstract: A video game includes a pre-recorded video signal depicting selected objects upon a background; e.g., a race track where the selected objects are colored racing cars, the color being used to distinguish the cars from their background. An associated video game unit with manual player controls generates a manually actuated object and collisions are indicated by sensing the time coincident signals of the selected object and the manually actuated object.

Abstract: An electronic football game having controls for two operators, the controls being divided in play calling controls and play actions controls. The game has a display upon which appear indications representing offensive and defensive players and the ball. Control circuitry operates in response to the controls to move certain players under operator control and other players under automatic control. Various of the players under automatic control may be preprogrammed to run selectable specified patterns or to attack specified targets.

Abstract: A lap board holder is provided for use with a video game control unit such as that sold under the trademark Atari and commonly called a joy-stick control; the holder comprises a base which rests on the player's legs, a shelf on which the player can rest his or her hands, and structure joining the base and shelf in such manner that the control unit is held tightly between them. Also provided is a video game control unit which embodies the critical features of the lap board holder. The invention allows operation of the video game for extended time with improved control and greatly reduced hand and arm fatigue.

Abstract: An electronic handheld learning aid is disclosed. The learning aid is utilized to teach spelling and alphabetic skills. The learning aid randomly selects a word from memory storage and displays an appropriate number of blank spaces to the operator. The operator attempts to discern the word by entering proposed letters. The operator may also input a word for another operator to attempt to discern. Additional alphabetic format games and learning operations provide training and experience in literary skills. Scoring function and displayed reward phrases provide positive reinforcement of learned skills.

Abstract: An electro-mechanical display system is disclosed having four viewing stations. The system includes a rotating mirror and alphanumeric character generators, and is capable of simultaneously displaying different information to each of the viewing stations. The information displayed at each station is not observable at the other stations. Only one single-digit character-generator is required to display a line of information to two viewing stations.

Abstract: An electronic game includes a base having an opening; at least one three-dimensional image stored on a plate, typically a hologram; a light source for each image; a microcomputer; and player controls. Illumination of the plate by the light source projects a three-dimensional image seen during play of the game. In some versions light emitting diodes are provided to supplement the three-dimensional image being displayed.

Abstract: A field of view test apparatus utilizes a plurality of interchangeable acic masks to vary the resolution characteristics of a projected field of view. An eye or head tracker provides line of sight direction signals to a servo which positions the mask with the optical path of the projection to correlate the area of higher resolution with the direction of the line of sight.

Abstract: A piloting aid system for displaying symbols representative of determined characteristics of the flight of an aircraft and representative of its environment is disclosed. The symbols are displayed on the screen of a display unit which displays a symbol representing the aircraft near a predetermined point on the display screen and a rectangular window for guiding the flight path of the aircraft. The sides of the guidance window are parallel to mutually perpendicular axes provided on the screen. The abscissa and ordinate of the predetermined point are respectively proportional to the drift and to the slope relative to the ground of the aircraft flight path.

Abstract: A motor-driven, cam-operated, rod-supported swingable platform for providing horizontal and vertical movement to video games and their users, comprising a rectangular support frame having mounted at each corner thereof a vertical post from which a suspension rod is swingably attached at one end. The other end of each suspension rod is swingably attached to a corner of a rectangular platform upon which are mounted a video game and an operator's seat. A cam follower is provided on the bottom of the platform, and the cam follower is driven by a cam that is attached to one end of a drive arm that is attached at its other end to the shaft of a vertically positioned electric motor. Operation of the motor causes the platform to swing on its four suspension rods thereby giving a sense of motion and pleasure to persons who operate the video game while seated in the operator's seat on the platform.

Abstract: A portable electronic target game is disclosed, including a playing field display, scoring displays and two sets of input keys to permit two players to simultaneously control the operation of the game. Each player may launch a projectile toward a moving ball in an effort to intercept it, causing the ball to move forward the opposing player. The ball is removed from play if it is captured by a player or if it lands in a pocket location on the playing field. The scoring includes bonus points and penalties for the various events. The motion of the ball is controlled in a pseudorandom manner in accordance with a predetermined probability matrix.

Abstract: A realistic audio-visual effects generator for simulating anti-tank and a-aircraft missile launching. A pyrotechnic cartridge having disc at one end that ruptures and allows the efflux of the products of combustion to exit through a hole in the breech block which is placed at the muzzle end of the firing chamber. Along with the simulated cartridge discharge is electrical circuitry for determining if the cartridge has been properly chambered.The circuitry acts to prohibit firing should it be determined that incorrect installation has occurred. Upon initiation of firing a conventional laser transmitter is actuated for simulating firing of the weapon.

Abstract: A small arms firing effects simulator utilizes a modular construction to egrate with the magazine of a weapon such as a rifle. The modular design resembles the ammunition clip and houses an expendable plastic coated plurality of pyrotechnic charges. An electrical control circuit is also housed within the module and serves to interface the pyrotechnic charges with the firing of the weapon, including semi-automatic and automatic firing as well as disabling the weapon when all rounds have been fired.

Abstract: An electronic game of a size that may be held in one hand (FIG. 1) has a liquid crystal display screen with activatable display segments forming different display smybols. A player may activate hitting symbol segments in an effort to hit moving symbol segments apparently moving along a plurality of paths. The hitting symbol segments may, for example, display a person trying to hit a moving mole displayed by the moving symbol segments. When a moving symbol is hit score points are accumulated. When a moving symbol is missed it is also recorded and a game is automatically terminated when a permissible number of misses is exceeded. Thereafter, a play may start a new game. Score points and misses are displayed in respective regions of the display screen.

Abstract: An articulated light guide having internal mirrors and rotatable joints, vides a transmission path to a helmet mounted projector wherefrom light is transmitted onto a retroreflective screen to produce images utilized in simulation training. Located at the screen are photodiodes which detect the orientation of said images with respect to a reference and provide alignment signals to a servo-controlled image rotation device.

Abstract: An electronic board game includes a playing board having a surface upon which a matrix of squares are defined. The board squares are divided into three categories. One category of squares include several groups of six contiguous squares each with each group having a group color. The second category comprises single squares spaced apart and of different colors. The remaining squares define the third category. A handheld controller includes a microprocessor which is programmed to impose a set of game rules. Player tokens are used by each player to mark each player's position on the board. Under microprocessor control and prompting, the actions and conduct of the game are carried forward.

Abstract: A pinball machine controlled by a micro computer including a micro processing unit. A display in the pinball machine comprises an infinity box including a one-way mirror, a two-way mirror disposed in spaced, parallel relation to the one-way mirror, and a plurality of lamps disposed in the space between the two mirrors. A plurality of switches are provided for energizing respective lamps, the micro processing unit being connected to the plurality of switches so as to actuate the plurality of switches in a predetermined sequence whereby the lamps are energized in the predetermined sequence.

Abstract: A maintenance training system capable of precisely simulating both the inner and the outward functions of original electronic equipment is realized by utilizing a programmable waveform generator, a microcomputer and interfacing input/output circuits in a modular design that can be adapted to use with virtually any desired electronic system maintenance trainer. The system provides genuine waveform generation and display in a real time maintenance trainer with positive input/output control through line replacable unit read/write modules. The programmable waveform generator develops analog waveforms from digital control and picture data received from the micro-computer. The analog outputs of the programmable waveform generator drive the maintenance trainer's external meters, displays and oscilloscope and can be programmed to simulate point by point circuit tracing of the original electronic equipment.

Abstract: An electronic teaching apparatus which utilizes interchangeable flexible overlays with printed pictorial representations in conjunction with a programmable keyboard. An integrated circuit speech synthesizer is utilized to verbally ask an operator to select a particular pictorial representation or to verbally identify a pictorial representation selected by the operator. Upon the failure of the operator to correctly select a particular pictorial representation, the verbal request can be repeated in conjunction with a verbal description of some attribute of the desired pictorial presentation. Each of the interchangeable overlays is coded to allow control circuitry to select a proper sequence of words for a given overlay.

Abstract: An electronic game utilizing a phototransducer and a plurality of input switches as inputs to a microprocessor for actuating a display and speaker for providing visual and audible clues to a user in accordance with internally generated signals. The processor estabilishes light sensitivity levels for comparison with incident light levels on the phototransducer for processing by the processor in accordance with the timing and duration of actuation of the input switches.

Abstract: A pinball game has a playing field with ball directing lanes and targets and flipper elements for returning the ball. A programmed logic array is connected to the switches, response lamps, digit scoring lamps, and audible devices. A matrix circuit is connected to the switches and places information into a memory, the output of which is connected through to activate lamps and audible devices which produce a continuous output if energized. A scanning decoder coupled to the matrix circuit is driven from the programmed logic array.