Abstract: A scanner frame comprises a vertical track which is slidably attached at one end thereof to a horizontal track. The horizontal track is attached to a drawing board or any other suitable flat surface. An optical imaging device (i.e., an optical scanner) is slidably attached to the vertical track. A marker strip comprising a series of bars of uniform pitch are disposed on a surface of the horizontal track along the length thereof. These bars are detected by a sensor assembly disposed on the vertical track. Another marker strip comprising a series of bars of uniform pitch are disposed on a surface of the vertical track along the length thereof. These bars are detected by a sensor assembly disposed on the scanner. During use, a drawing to be scanned is secured on a board, the vertical track is positioned at the left-most position and the scanner is positioned at the upper end of the vertical track.

Abstract: An electronic talking picture machine is presented which permits human operators to cause speech or sound accompaniment and branching (or alternate) story lines which affect the outcome of a story. In a preferred embodiment, the speech, sound and branching (or alternate) story line information is enclosed as a bar code printed on a picture story belt. The picture story belt is enclosed in a cartridge which contains a mechanism to "roll" the belt from one spool to another so that a sequence of pictures may be viewed. The bar code contains information as to speech, such as conversation narration, questions and answers and sound (other than speech). The information on the bar coded picture story belt is entered into the electronic talking picture machine by inserting the cartridge into a cartridge holding area containing conventional photo optical sensors which "reads" the code when the belt is moved to expose the next picture in the sequence.

Abstract: An electronic talking picture machine is presented which permits human operators to cause speech or sound accompaniment and branching (or alternate) story lines which affect the outcome of a story. In a preferred embodiment, the speech, sound and branching (or alternate) story line information is enclosed as a bar code printed on a picture story belt. The picture story belt is enclosed in a cartridge which contains a mechanism to "roll" the belt from one spool to another so that a sequence of pictures may be viewed. The bar code contains information as to speech, such as conversation narration, questions and answers and sound (other than speech). The information on the bar coded picture story belt is entered into the electronic talking picture machine by inserting the cartridge into a cartridge holding area containing conventional photo optical sensors which "reads" the code when the belt is moved to expose the next picture in the sequence.

Abstract: An electronic baseball game is presented which permits the human operators to input individualized attributes or statistical information relative to the batter, runner and pitcher based on real or fictionalized baseball players. In a preferred embodiment, this statistical information is encoded as a bar code printed on a sticker. In turn, the sticker is placed on the edge of a card, preferably a standard baseball card. The bar code contains information as to the batting average, right of left handed batting and pitching, pitching speed, running speed and hitting power. The statistical information on the bar coded card is then entered into the electronic baseball game by sliding the card through a slot containing a conventional photo optical bar code reader. The statistical information is then used by the computer program in the game to regulate and interact with the playing activity of the human players.

Abstract: A computer input-output device for permitting a user to control the operation of an application program on a host computer. The device includes a display divisible into a plurality of sections for displaying the names of the options then available to the user at any point in the operation of the application program. Selection keys associated with each section allow the user to select the option displayed in the corresponding section. In response to the selection, the input device sends a series of keystroke codes to the keyboard input port of the host computer to cause the application program to execute the selected option. The host computer keyboard is connected to the input-output device which intercepts keystroke codes generated by the keyboard and transmits them to the computer only if the codes are designated as permissable ones. A set of programmable arrow keys controls the pointer functions of the application program on the host computer screen.

Abstract: A method of operating a video game which comprises storing at least two different but related playfield displays and changing playfield displays in response to the player-initiated selection of a designated switch, representing a specific game action.

Abstract: A video game having a controller for player selection of movement of a plurality of game objects, and for controlling the rate of movement of the selected game objects.

Abstract: A video game including a player operated device for controlling the velocity and direction of movement of a game object. The game player may generate a pulse train having a pulse repetition rate proportional to the desired velocity of the game object. A numerical value of the pulse rate as a function of a clock signal is established, and the numerical value is utilized to change the address of the game object in a video memory so that in successive frames of a video display the game object moves across the display screen.

Abstract: An electronic football game has a housing on which are provided a central simulated playing field and a separate control panel on each of two sides of the simulated playing field. In each control panel are provided two vertically elongated levers, each of which is operable to selectively operate four switches that direct the movements of a set of play symbols associated with the lever. Operation of one of the levers moves a plurality of concurrently movable play symbols as a group, but if one of the concurrently movable play symbols is directed into a boundary or another offensive play symbol, the move of that player is prevented while the moves of the other concurrently movable symbols are carried out. Upon a subsequent directed move that is not beyond a boundary or to the position of another offensive play symbol, the moves of all of the concurrently movable plurality are effected, and the new formation resulting from the earlier prevented move is thereby maintained.

Abstract: An electronic game device has a main body and a central removable cartridge. The main body contains circuitry for simulating football, basketball, soccer, and hockey, and the removable cartridge has overlays that register with LEDs on the main body and contain markings peculiar to the game to be simulated. The cartridge also includes a printed-circuit board that is electrically connected to the circuitry to indicate which game is to be simulated. In the basketball, soccer, and hockey versions of the game, two player symbols on each side are provided as well as a game-object symbol, and the game-object symbol can be displayed in a mode in which it remains stationary during a continuing play independently of the movement of any other play symbol. In one version of the game, the game-object symbol, upon encountering the playing-field boundary during pass simulations, is diverted to travel along the boundary.

Abstract: An electronic game that simulates the game of baseball incudes a switch for signaling the occurrence of a batter swing as well as further switches for indicating the type of swing to be simulated. The outcomes of batter swings are determined on a probabilistic basis, and the probability of a safe hit when the swing type represents a "power" swing is always less than the probability of a safe hit when an ordinary swing is simulated. However, safe hits are more likely to occur as multiple base hits if they result from a "power" swing than if they result from an ordinary swing. Provision is also made for the simulation of ball and strike paths and attempted steals, and provision is further made for "tagging up" and stealing upon the simulation of some types of fly outs.

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: An electronic simulated football game includes provision for displaying and moving a multiplicity of offensive players on a display panel that includes an array of light-emitting diodes in response to commands entered from a keyboard to an operational circuit that controls the display. The provision of more than one offensive player affords the possibility of simulating blocking and passing, provisions for which are made in the operational circuit. Additionally, the operational circuit controls the display to provide and move a symbol representing a football during passing and kicking plays. Finally, status information, such as the score and the down number, is displayed on the same part of the display panel as that on which play action is shown.

Abstract: An electronic simulated football game includes hand-holdable housing with provision for displaying and moving a multiplicity of offensive play symbols in response to commands entered from a keyboard to an operational circuit that controls the display. The provision of more than one offensive play symbol affords the possibility of simulating blocking and passing, provisions for which are made in the operational circuit. The operational circuit controls the display to provide and move an offensive play symbol representing a football during passing and kicking plays. Finally, status information, such as the score and the down number, is displayed on the same part of the display panel as that on which play action is shown.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device for simulating the game of football includes control buttons that provide opposing control units, one for an offensive operator and the other for a defensive operator. A display panel is mounted in the housing of the device, inside which an operational circuit is contained that receives signals from the control units mounted in the housing. The operational circuit causes a multiplicity of offensive and defensive symbols to be displayed on the display panel, and coincidence is detected between various of the players to detect simulated blocks, tackles, pass completions, and interceptions. In one mode the defensive players are all controlled by the operational circuit in a pseudo-random manner, while in another mode one of the defensive players is controlled from the control board.

Abstract: A hand-held electronic device provides for simultaneous operation of a sports-action game by two operators. A housing contains a display panel and two seven-segment displays that provide status information. Operational circuitry is contained in the housing that controls the seven-segment displays and the display panel. Offensive and defensive control boards are provided on either side of the display panel to enter offensive and defensive commands into the operational circuitry. The display panel includes five stationary offensive-player positions and a goal position, and an LED is provided at each of the positions to indicate that the goal has been reached or that the offensive player is in possession of a game object. Furthermore, pass paths of LEDs are provided between pairs of the offensive players, and shot paths of LEDS are provided between some of the offensive players and the goal.

Abstract: A target game to be utilized in conjunction with a television receiver includes a simulated firearm with light sensing device, sighting elements and a trigger mechanism so that a signal will be generated by the light sensing device when the firearm is aligned with a light image. In addition, there is provided a control assembly which includes a hit evaluating circuit. The signal generated in the light sensing device is coextensive in duration with the duration of the sensed light image, and the hit evaluating circuit includes a time comparing circuit for comparing the duration of the signal from the sensed light image with a predetermined interval. When the sensed light image signal duration is within the predetermined interval, a hit signal is generated. Desirably, the light sensing device includes an optical lens system for focusing light rays from the target image onto a photosensitive transistor.