Handheld electronic game with recharging function

Abstract

A handheld electronic game comprises a rotational body, an processor, a storage cell for powering the processor, a display screen for displaying images processed by the processor, and a number of keys for providing game-control input to the processor. A generator is electrically connected to the storage cell for applying voltage to and recharging the storage cell. There is also a flywheel rotatably with respect to the body, which is connected to the generator and provides a mass moment of inertia enabling rotation of the body relative thereto during dynamic rotational movement of the body.

Description

The present invention relates to handheld electronic games with a battery recharging function. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a handheld electronic game having a display screen and a keypad upon a body within which there is provided a power storage cell and a user-turned generator to charge the cell.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern handheld games having a keypad and a display screen are known. Such games can be played for hours on end-leading to eyestrain and other physical and/or sociological maladies due to a lack of motor activity and social interaction on the part of the player.

Such games require disposable or rechargeable batteries. Disposable batteries present a environmental problems resulting from both manufacture and disposal. Rechargeable batteries place present similar environmental problems and in addition place a small demand on the mains grid when they are plugged into a wall outlet for recharging purposes.

Old-fashioned, physically oriented and socially interactive handheld games such as yo-yos and spinning tops provide a degree of entertainment, but cannot be used in certain circumstances, such as in crowded trains and buses where the more modern electronic games are often used by commuters for example.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least one of the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide a handheld electronic game having a built-in power generator and rechargeable storage cell.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided handheld electronic game comprising a rotational body, an processor within the body, a storage cell within the body for powering the processor, a display screen upon the body for displaying images processed by the processor, and a number of keys for providing game-control input to the processor. A generator is electrically connected to the storage cell for applying voltage to and recharging the storage cell. There is also a flywheel rotatably with respect to the body, which is connected to the generator and provides a mass moment of inertia enabling rotation of the body relative thereto during dynamic rotational movement of the body.

Preferably, the body comprises a first wheel and a second wheel fixed together by a spindle from which a string can extend.

More preferably, the processor, the storage cell, the display screen and the keys are located within the first wheel, and the generator and the flywheel is located within the second wheel.

Preferably, the game further comprises a circuit board to which the processor, the display screen and the keys are mounted.

Preferably, the storage cell comprises a rechargeable battery.

Preferably, the generator comprises a coil electrically connected to the storage cell and a magnet rotatable within the coil to induce a voltage in the coil for recharging the storage cell.

More preferably, the magnet is mounted on a shaft to which the flywheel is mounted for rotation therewith.

Preferably, a voltage regulator is electrically connected between the generator and the storage cell to ensure that the voltage applied to the storage cell is always in the right polarity.

Preferably, the voltage regulator comprises a diode.

The game may further comprise a speaker connected to the processor for receiving a sound signal therefrom and reproducing the sound.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The invention will now be more particularly, by way of example only, with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a handheld electronic game in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the game of FIG. 1 taken along line II-II;

FIG. 3 is a parts-exploded perspective view of the game of FIGS. 1 and 2; and

FIG. 4 is another parts-exploded perspective view of the game of the preceding figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically a handheld electronic game embodying the invention, comprising a body 10 taking the general physical external shape of a yo-yo. However, the body 10 may take the shape of a spinning top, watch or any other conveniently pocketed form.

The body 10 which is typically formed of moulded plastics material comprises a first wheel 11 and a second wheel 12 fixedly connected together by a spindle 22 about which an end-loop of a string 13 can be wrapped.

The first wheel 11 includes a display panel 14 (typically a colour LCD display panel) and a number of control keys 15. The control keys 15 may be separate entities, or regions on a touch-pad for example.

The display 14 and control keys 15 are mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB) 16, and so is an integrated circuit processor. The PCB 16 is connected electrically with the control keys 15 and display panel 14. A speaker 21 which may be of piezo-electric type is situated behind the PCB 16 and is connected electrically to the processor for receiving sound signals therefrom and reproducing game sound effects.

A rechargeable battery or capacitor 17 is located within the first wheel 11 and provides power to the PCB 16 when required. The rechargeable battery 17 can be mounted off-centre as depicted, or centrally. The centre of mass of the first wheel 11 may be off-centre or centred (for balance) by choice of internal component positions as desired.

Within the second wheel 12 there is provided a generator comprising a coil 20 that is fixed in place with respect to the second wheel 12 and a magnet 18 located within the coil 20 and mounted upon a shaft 23 to which a flywheel 19 is mounted for rotation therewith. The coil 20 is electrically connected to the rechargeable battery 17. The magnet 18 is rotatable within the coil 20 to induce a voltage in the coil 20 for recharging the rechargeable battery 17.

The flywheel 19 is fixed with respect to the magnet 18 and partly surrounds the coil 20. The flywheel 19 would typically be made of metal or other relatively heavy material so as to provide a mass moment of inertia that resists rotation upon rapid rotation of the body 10 in use as a yoyo. The generator is connected electrically with the rechargeable battery 17 by means not shown for applying voltage to the rechargeable battery 17.

Typically, the rechargeable battery 17 would require a DC recharging voltage. In order to ensure a correctly polarised voltage to the rechargeable battery 17, several options are available. For example, if the flywheel 19 is configured to freely rotate in both directions with respect to the second wheel 12, a voltage regulator for example as provided by a diode 30, is electrically connected in series between the generator and the rechargeable battery 17 to ensure that the voltage applied to the rechargeable battery 17 is always in the right polarity. The voltage regulator may be provided on the PCB 16 to change polarity during times of relative movement in the reversed direction.

Alternatively, the flywheel 19 may be prevented from rotating in one direction, but be allowed to rotate in the other. For example, mechanical ratchet or clutch means (not shown) may be provided to ensure that relative rotation between the wheel 12 and flywheel 19 is in one sense only. Indeed this option would provide a convenient means by which the flywheel 19 could be rapidly spun together with the body 10 to then over-run in a charging phase.

It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention.

For example, the body 10 can take any form—even the form of a wristwatch—in which or any case, the flywheel may be provided with an off-centre mass to enable spinning thereof upon shaking in a manner much like that an old-fashioned automatic watch mechanism.

Claims

1. A handheld electronic game, comprising:

a rotational body;

an processor within the body;

a storage cell within the body for powering the processor;

a display screen upon the body for displaying images processed by the processor;

a number of keys for providing game-control input to the processor;

a generator electrically connected to the storage cell for applying voltage to and recharging the storage cell; and

a flywheel rotatably with respect to the body and connected to the generator and providing a mass moment of inertia enabling rotation of the body relative thereto during dynamic rotational movement of the body.

2. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a first wheel and a second wheel fixed together by a spindle from which a string can extend.

3. The game as claimed in claim 2, wherein the processor, the storage cell, the display screen and the keys are located within the first wheel, and the generator and the flywheel is located within the second wheel.

4. The game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a circuit board to which the processor, the display screen and the keys are mounted.

5. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the storage cell comprises a rechargeable battery.

6. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the generator comprises a coil electrically connected to the storage cell and a magnet rotatable within the coil to induce a voltage in the coil for recharging the storage cell.

7. The game as claimed in claim 6, wherein the magnet is mounted on a shaft to which the flywheel is mounted for rotation therewith.

8. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein a voltage regulator is electrically connected between the generator and the storage cell to ensure that the voltage applied to the storage cell is always in the right polarity.

9. The game as claimed in claim 1, wherein the voltage regulator comprises a diode.

10. The game as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a speaker connected to the processor for receiving a sound signal therefrom and reproducing the sound.