Abstract: A pinball game machine is provided with a CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) visual display unit for indicating simultaneously scores in digital display corresponding to each of the players who are playing at one time. A player-related total score operated by a micro-computer is indicated on the screen of the CRT visual display unit in digital display. Upon using the CRT visual display unit, total scores, each of them corresponding to each of a plurality of players, may be simultaneously indicated. In this display, the score indication of the player who is up is performed using large digits so as to enable players to distinguish it easily from the scores of the other players.

Abstract: An electronic boxing game provides a display panel of LEDs arranged in two rows of body symbols and three rows of arm symbols. A body-symbol LED can be actuated to represent the position of a simulated boxer, and arm-symbol LEDs can be activated individually to represent blocks or in sequence to represent punches. A punch stopped by a block is prevented from having its full effect, and a successful punch results in simulated staggering, knockdowns, and knockouts.

Abstract: A gaming board for recording numbers, letters and/or other symbols which are selected at random during the game by the game operator is disclosed; the gaming board displays a symbolic array which has been predetermined and inputted by the game player prior to the start of the game and further provides for the display of sub-arrays of a specified shape or character which, if completed as a result of the selection of random numbers which correspond to the predetermined numbers prior to or simultaneous with another player completing the sub-array, wins the game; a winning combination indicator means is also disclosed as part of the gaming board. A safety device to prevent variation of the predetermined/inputted array during the game and other features are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for aiding a person in determining whether a ball has struck one of a plurality of boundary lines of a playing court. A plurality of laminated, pressure sensitive contact type switches extend along the boundary lines of the court. Digital circuitry connected to the switches repeatedly examines the status of the switches before and after the closure of any one of the switches to determine if the closure lasted for a predetermined time interval, e.g., more than 800 microseconds and less than 5 milliseconds, and therefore resulted from the impact of a ball. A plurality of resistors interconnect the switches so that the simultaneous closure of any pair of switches by a player's foot and the ball will uniquely determine a plurality of resistor networks. The amplitudes of the currents in the networks are determined by a measuring circuit which outputs signals that enable logic circuitry to determine the location on the court where the impact of the ball has occurred.

Abstract: Game apparatus including a game board having an arrangement of parallel columns of which each column contains a number of holes for the emplacement of two groups of markers that are moved according to the roll of dice comprised of marked sticks.

Abstract: The automatic alternating marker system is adapted for use with an agricultural planter assembly which has a plurality of planter units, which is adapted to be mechanically and hydraulically coupled to a tractor, and which has hydraulically actuated, first and second extendable markers, each mounted on one side of the planter assembly. Each marker is used to mark, respectively, the track that a tractor wheel should follow on a return planting sweep of the planter assembly for planting properly spaced adjacent rows after the planter assembly has made a first sweep to plant a plurality of rows. The system includes an electrical control circuit for causing extension of the first marker and retraction of the second marker upon the raising of the planters and the turning of the tractor 180.degree., and for causing extension of the second marker and retraction of the first marker upon the next raising of the planters and the next turning of the tractor 180.degree..

Abstract: The disclosure describes an impact sensor having an electrical switch for actuation when an optical probe to which it is attached comes within a predetermined distance of an obstruction. An impact or contact element connected with the electrical switch sets the predetermined distance to actuate the switch. A resilient connector, such as piano wires, interconnect the contact element with the electrical switch, whereby the electrical switch is maintained in a non-actuation condition until the optical probe comes within the predetermined distance to the obstruction.

Abstract: A parlor game closely simulating the outdoor game of golf. The game board is a scaled-down plan view of an actual golf course having tees, fairways, rough areas, trouble areas, and greens. The game provides a first series of variables according to the arbitrary choice of each player including club selection and the competence level of play. The game further provides a second series of variables determined by the roll of the dice including troubles encountered hole positions on the greens, and alternate fairway routes on certain fairways. After selecting an appropriate club from a CLUB CARD, a player places his associated game piece, according to the roll of the dice, on the fairway area, rough area, or trouble area. Appropriate indicia marks represent the yardage along the fairway in five yard increments. As play proceeds, the game piece is advanced along the fairway according to the roll of the dice and encounters troubles along the way as determined from the dice and appropriate TROUBLE POSITION CARDS.

Abstract: A relatively low-cost, portable, stand-alone visual training system interactively displays two dimensional representations of elongated objects on a viewing screen. An operator observes the elongated object and through an input device, such as an alpha numeric keyboard, divides the object into segments and allocates the segments according to preselected criteria. The results of the operator's decision are then calculated in a programmed data processor and compared visually with a predetermined result which is stored in memory for the particular object.

Abstract: A system for interconnecting electrically conductive portions of first and second members, at least one of which contains a foldable printed circuit lamina looped over the edge of a support portion and urged into mechanical contact with the electrically conductive portion of the second member, there being provided an indexing tab for positioning the so-connected members in aligned relation.

Abstract: An electronic game apparatus facilitates the playing of a parlor game. The game apparatus generates a series of player-interrogation signals, and defines a corresponding "correct" sequence of auditory and switch-closure responses by the players (or player). The correct sequence is defined in accordance with established game rules that are known to the player(s). The game apparatus receives actual auditory and switch-closure responses from the player(s), compares the responses with the correct sequence, and indicates visually and auditorily whether each response is correct.

Abstract: Briefly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention includes an electronic gaming apparatus including an outer housing having a front panel hingedly attached to form a housing closure. The outer surface of the front panel provides a playing surface including windows which various indicators may be viewed and switches enabling player interaction. The rear side of the front panel is in the form of a printed circuit board including a network of printed circuit conductors disposed thereon. Also affixed to the rear side of the first panel and supported thereby are various switches, electronic components, indicators, lights and facsimile display modules, all of which are electrically interconnected by means of the printed circuit conductors. The facsimile display modules each include a pair of web carrying reels which are reversibly driven by a single reversible motor and a coil spring for maintaining constant tension in the web as it is wound and unwound upon the respective reels.

Abstract: An electronic stock market game having a plurality of display and input positions at which players may trade in stock listed by the game. Each display shows a player, the price at which a stock is selling and gives general and specific information affecting the price of the stocks. A player selects a stock to trade in and keys in his order. A microprocessor executes the order, if possible, and controls the display to indicate the status of all stocks and the players account. The object of the game is to accumulate assets having over a predetermined value.

Abstract: A pinball game has game play determined primarily by time rather than the number of ball plays. A specifiable amount of game play time is originally accorded to a given player. The game play time is reduced at an instantaneous rate which changes according to how actively he plays and scores. The more active the ball play, the slower the game play time is reduced. In another feature, the pinball game machine is controlled by a digital processor which also participates as a contestant against the human player. As another feature, upon certain playfield achievements, a given player is entitled to operate a mechanism which alters the playfield conditions of another player. Yet another feature includes the provision of multiple independent playfield areas on a common playfield. Each playfield area is self-contained, having its own captured ball, flipper mechanism, and scoring targets. Preferably, the areas having the captured balls are enabled for ball play only for specified periods of time.

Abstract: A player response game is provided including game apparatus that directs light beams of relatively short duration from a control housing to opposing player stations and detects light reflected back from the respective player stations. The game apparatus also includes a hand held, light reflecting paddle for the player at each station, these paddles having a light diffusing surface so that light is reflected back to the control housing when the paddle intercepts a light beam irrespective of the exact angle at which the paddle intercepts the beam. The sequencing and control of the game apparatus by electronic control circuitry including a microprocessor simulates a table tennis game wherein a light beam is directed to either the forehand or the backhand side of the opposite station if a player at one station successively intercepts a beam with his paddle during the time the beam is directed to his or her station.

Abstract: A computer controlled interactive instruction system for teaching an individual comprising a peripheral having at least one sensor for producing a signal representing a function which has been or is to be manually performed by the individual, a first device for storing a sequence of signals representing instructions relating to the correct manner of performing the function, a first display coupled to the storing device for displaying the instructions, a second device for storing video and associated audio signals representing both pictorial and oral representations of the correct manner of performing the function, a second display for displaying the pictorial representation, and a computer coupled to the peripheral, the first and second storage devices and the first and second displays for causing an ordered sequence of the instruction signals in the first signal storage device to be displayed by the first display whereby the individual may learn to recognize and to perform the function, for receiving the sig

Abstract: A rollover switch for pinball game includes a yieldable, and preferably elastic surface deformable between a position substantially level with the playfield surface and a position above the playfield surface. In one embodiment, the elastic surface is defined by a plurality of members connected by a hinge to support structure. The support structure defines a periphery, and the members extend inwardly from the hinged periphery. A plunger is provided to engage switch contacts as the members are advanced about the hinged connection. In another embodiment, the elastic surface is defined by a stretchable membrane which is deformable between a position substantially flush with the surface of the playfield and a position above the playfield.

Abstract: Video images derived from a video recording medium (such as a video disc or tape) using a video playback unit are displayed on the screen of a cathode ray tube display simultaneously with video images generated from a microprocessor-controlled video game. The video game permits a user to manually control the position of some of the generated video images displayed. Signals in the horizontal interval portion of each field from the video playback unit are related to the video images in the pictorial portion of each such field and identify certain characteristics of the video images such as the location of the video images. This information is used in such a manner that the video images from the video playback unit can interact with the video images from the video game.

Abstract: An exerciser is disclosed, of the type providing automatically controlled variations of effort levels, wherein "random" variations of effort level are included which are not predictable by the operator. The effort levels [steps] are provided in a sequence of four: the second [step] level is random; the fourth [step] level is different from the second [step value] level by half of the range; and the first and third [steps] levels are averages of the immediately preceding and immediately following [steps] levels.

Abstract: An electronic game for one or more players senses physiological responses of each player's body indicative of the level of calmness of the player. These responses are compared to those of the other player (or to a reference level established by the machine) in order to score points whenever the difference between calmness levels exceeds a predetermined degree. Points are counted in a visual display associated selectively with whichever player has, according to the game, either the lower or higher level of calmness.