Electric Patents (Class 273/454)
  • Patent number: 8062128
    Abstract: Utilizing line-of-sight volumes in a game environment comprises calculating a line-of-sight vector defined by the position of a game camera and the position of a character in the game environment, determining whether one of a set of predetermined game elements intersects the line-of-sight vector, and if the line-of-sight vector is intersected, replacing the game element with its corresponding line-of-sight volume. In one embodiment, a line-of-sight volume is a grid volume that has the same size and shape as it corresponding game element. The line-of-sight volume allows a user to substantially view the character in the game environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment America LLC
    Inventors: Dylan F. Jobe, Jeffrey T. Limback
  • Patent number: 7971880
    Abstract: A spiral rod that is rotated by a motor is disposed in a fall passage connected to a token chute 4. A second special game medium AM2 is captured at an opening W2 between the spiral rod and a rear wall positioned diagonally rearward from the spiral rod. A first special game medium AM1 is captured at an opening W1 between the spiral rod and a rear fall guide, the opening W1 being positioned on a downstream side of the opening W2. A token M passes through the openings W1 and W2 and is received by a token reception section. The special game media that have been captured are transferred due to the spiral movement of the spiral rod. The special game media are discriminated by a first rear side opening and a second rear side opening, and separately received by guide slopes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Shinya Niwa, Toyoji Kondou
  • Patent number: 7938727
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for providing interactive content for multiple networked users in a shared venue. In a particular embodiment, the system includes a game server, a display system in data communication with the game server, the display system including a shared screen, and a plurality of game pads in data communication with the game server, each game pad including a local game pad display device and a plurality of input devices to convey command selections to the game server, each game pad including functionality to initiate a game, at least a portion of the game being displayed on both the shared screen and the local game pad display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Inventor: Tim Konkle
  • Patent number: 7934723
    Abstract: A pusher game machine 1 includes: a medal feeder 9 which feeds a medal on an upper game board 20; and an upper pushing member 22 which is arranged on the upper game board 20, and performs reciprocating movement, wherein a medal feedable region 61 by the medal feeder 9 is set on the deep side of the upper pushing member, viewing from the medal feeding side by the medal feeding means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2011
    Assignee: Konami Digital Entertainment Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryu Sasaki, Atsushi Inoue, Motoki Imanishi, Etsushi Torii
  • Patent number: 7918459
    Abstract: A thrower used in a game machine includes a joystick having a stick and an induction switch spaced below the stick, a thrower holder holding an electromagnetic valve that is controllable by the induction switch to throw an object away from the thrower holder, a tilting bar pivotally coupled between the joystick and the thrower holder and movable by the joystick to bias the thrower holder in Y-axis direction, a swinging bar pivotally coupled between the joystick and a connection frame that is pivotally coupled between the swinging bar and the thrower holder for enabling the swinging bar to bias the thrower holder in X-axis direction according to the control of the joystick.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2011
    Assignee: Saint-Fun International Ltd.
    Inventor: Tsan-Li Chiu
  • Patent number: 7896345
    Abstract: A game apparatus is provided comprising a cabinet defining a playing area including a plurality of shelves mounted therein where each of the shelves has disposed thereon a plurality of game pieces. A receiving mechanism is attached to the cabinet for accepting a playing piece. A playing area with one or more holes that allow game pieces to fall through the playing area into a mechanism that collects the game pieces until the weight of the pieces is greater than the counter weight and allowing the rocker arm to rotate and dispense the game pieces into the receiving mechanism or reward the player a prize by another method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Clay Thomas Cacas
  • Patent number: 7703772
    Abstract: A pusher-type prize dispensing device in which each of two support plates on which a bonus prize is placed is pivotally supported on one end on an axis of which the axial direction coincides with the horizontal and depth direction, and is locked almost horizontally by allowing the other end to be suspended on a locking member. A suspended string is tied to a bent upper portion, and the other end of the support plate is suspended on the top surface of a lower portion, whereby the locking member locks the support plate. When a weight member falls from a stationary table, the locking member moves rotationally due to the fall of the weight member so that the upper portion moves downward, whereby the support plate falls downward, causing the prize P placed on the top surface of the support plate to fall toward a prize receiving port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2010
    Assignee: Namco Bandai Games Inc.
    Inventors: Hironobu Morikawa, Shigeharu Goto
  • Patent number: 7628404
    Abstract: The apparatus (10) compares the ability of multiple players to perform a physical task, and administers a disincentive, for example a measured electric shock to one or more unsuccessful players. In an example, the apparatus comprises a number of handsets (14) with input devices (22). The apparatus compares reaction time of a plurality of players from a start signal, and administers an electric shock to the players with slower, or the slowest, of reaction times via the handset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Blue Sky Designs, Ltd.
    Inventor: Jonathan Elvidge
  • Publication number: 20090224481
    Abstract: A game machine (1) includes a game board (3) having a housing section opened on a game surface, a target which is provided to the housing section so as to freely appear and disappear, and a target driving mechanism which is provided into the game board and allows the target (9) to appear and disappear from and into the housing section. The game machine is provided with a supporting pedestal (2) which supports the game board, a rotation driving device (20) which rotates the game board supported to the supporting pedestal about a pivot axis line RC extending to a direction where the line crosses the board surface in a reciprocating manner, and a tilt giving mechanism which is provided between the supporting pedestal and the game board and gives a motion to the game board according to the rotating motion of the game board about the pivot axis line RC so that the game board tilts with respect to the pivot axis line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2006
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: KONAMI DIGITAL ENTERTAINMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shigehito Mukasa, Koki Atobe, Hironori Takahashi, Kazufumi Koike
  • Publication number: 20090005168
    Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a game and method for interactive play are provided. In one embodiment, the game and method can comprise a game of chance and a bet is received. A random generation event is initiated. In one embodiment, the random generation event is the random generation of one of a plurality of symbols. In the absence of the receipt of an additional bet, an additional random generation event is initiated. In one embodiment, the additional random generation event is the random generation of another of the plurality of symbols. At the conclusion of a number of random generation events, the outcomes of the number of random generation events are utilized to determine the outcome of the game. In one embodiment, at the conclusion of the number of random generated symbols, the symbols are compared to a predetermined pay table to determine the outcome of the game.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Erica Frohm, Michael Stallone, Paul McInemy
  • Publication number: 20080300070
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a play implement positioning device including an implement support for holding a first play implement in a play position to be struck. The invention also discloses a mechanism for selectively, automatically placing multiple stored play implements onto the implement support after the first implement has been struck and dislodged from the implement support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2007
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Mattel, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert Tell, David B. Fisher, Scott H. McIlvain, Ross Rumfola, III
  • Patent number: 6848992
    Abstract: An amusement device and method embodied in a hand-held assembly. A plurality of contact targets are disposed on the hand-held assembly. A microprocessor within the amusement device generates and displays a sequence in which the contact targets are to be struck. The player then attempts to strike the contact targets in a pattern that matches the sequence. The contact targets are struck by manipulating the hand-held assembly so that the contact targets become the point of contact between the manipulated hand-held object and an external surface. After the sequence is displayed and the contact targets struck, the microprocessor compares the pattern of contact target strikes to the previously displayed sequence. If there is a match, the sequence is complicated and the play cycle repeated. If there is no match, the game ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Inventor: Raymond Adams
  • Publication number: 20040178585
    Abstract: A strike zone target is provided for a training device for pitchers that includes a frame and an elastic net disposed across the frame for absorbing energy of a ball thrown by a player and redirecting the ball back to the player. The strike zone target includes a fabric body having four corners and a fastening element disposed at each of the four corners. The fastening elements permit the strike zone target to be detachably secured to the net while permitting easy repositioning of the strike zone anywhere along the net.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: REGENT SPORTS CORPORATION
    Inventor: Anthony Cosenza
  • Patent number: 6756882
    Abstract: A method (400) and a controller (210) for providing a location-based game associated with a plurality of mobile stations (170) are described herein. The controller (210) may determine a plurality of game parameters based on user input from one of a plurality of players. The plurality of game parameters may include, but is not limited to, a game area (500) having a plurality of activation locations (505). The controller (210) may determine location associated with at least one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). In response to one of the plurality of mobile stations (164) being within a proximity threshold (535) associated with one of the plurality of activation locations (530), the controller (210) may activate a game feature within one of the plurality of mobile stations (164). Accordingly, the controller (210) may provide a point value to one of the plurality of players in response to a trigger event associated with the game feature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Stanley J. Benes, Lawrence Downing, Gerald J. Gutowski
  • Publication number: 20040036224
    Abstract: A coin pusher amusement machine with a playfield 2, coin pusher 4 and win chute 21 is provided with a robotic arm 5 for taking items from reservoir 6 and placing them as desired on the playfield 2 and/or in the win chute 21.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Gordon James Crompton
  • Patent number: 6695698
    Abstract: A dispensing game system includes a prize capsule storage hopper above two automatic hopper loaders that replenish the game below with prize capsules as needed. Two Ferris wheels carry free swinging gondolas that receive and hold the prize capsules from the loaders. Two or more player-activated actuator arms located next to the outer edge of the Ferris wheels are used to hit targets attached to the moving gondolas, in turn causing the gondolas to tip forward and release the prize capsule, which then falls down and rolls into the prize opening for the player to collect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Pixy Games, Inc.
    Inventors: Python Anghelo, Bryan Hansen, William Pfutzenreuter
  • Patent number: 6659860
    Abstract: In a game system such as a television game system, a television game machine main unit includes a protocol controller and each game operation device connected to the television game machine unit via a serial port also has a protocol controller. The television game machine main unit when connected to a game operation device which has a unique identifier, combines a communication protocol that transmits and receives data for each character with a communication protocol which transmits or receives data for two or more characters in a row and switches the communication protocol which corresponds to that game operation device based on the identifier thereof to minimize the amount of information required between the television game machine main unit and the game operation device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Sony Computer Entertainment Inc.
    Inventors: Yasuyuki Yamamoto, Hideaki Io, Makoto Tanaka
  • Patent number: 6638168
    Abstract: A sound elimination game and apparatus includes an electronic game having a housing supporting a plurality of user depressible button thereon. Each button is supported within the housing by a light and button assembly and includes a latent image and means for illuminating the latent image. A control circuit is supported within the housing and is operative to selectively illuminate one or more of the light and button assemblies to reveal the latent image thereon. The control circuit is further operative to activate a sound circuit also within the housing to provide character sounds in association with the illuminated buttons on the housing. Game play is provided in which the entire group of character buttons is simultaneously illuminated and in which the character sounds associated with all of the character buttons is simultaneously sounded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Inventor: Steve Rehkemper
  • Patent number: 6598882
    Abstract: A game suited for children from five years to adulthood. Game apparatus is spider or web shaped electronic device having a grounding stake. Included are 25 foot spider or web-like attachments, having a corresponding colored lights thereon disposed. A proximity sensor monitors a specified perimeter triggering a signal light and/or buzzer, and, alas, cause for elimination. In play, the game involves two ball tossers who attempt to hit the other participating players with web-like round balls, each tosser having five chances to do so. When a player is hit, that player is deemed “snarled,” and ousted. Players are “snarled” by crossing a perimeter defined by a pre-set proximity sensor. The tosser may replace the “snarled” player. The last remaining un-“snarled” player wins. Other rules are contemplated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2003
    Inventor: Veronica M. Stubberfield
  • Publication number: 20030116913
    Abstract: A grid of points is constructed from the following four layers: A transparent membrane keyboard with a press-sensitive area at each grid point A layer of a uniform, translucent material below the membrane keyboard. A separation layer of opaque material below the translucent layer, which for each grid point has a circular hole with reflecting or very light walls. A PCB below the separation layer, on which two or more light sources per grid point are mounted, and also carries the circuitry to drive them. The four layers are held together, and the thickness of the separation layer is such that the light sources are not immediately below the translucent area, but some distance away. The membrane keyboard and the control of the light sources are both connected to a CPU with some memory which uses them to manage various games and puzzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2002
    Publication date: June 26, 2003
    Inventor: Yehouda Harpaz
  • Patent number: 6565086
    Abstract: A coin operated amusement machine of the “pusher” type has means for providing a mystery payout to the user, a mechanism for diverting coins either to the user directly as winnings or back into the playing loop, means for influencing the ratio of winning and losing coins and a plurality of ways to enter coins into the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Brandmakers, Inc.
    Inventors: Geoffrey Williams, Colin Kirby
  • Patent number: 6544099
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and article of manufacture which comprises a portable, sensor-activated, suspendable electronic device which produces human speech when stimulated. The device may be used in conjunction with punching bags or may also be worn about the belt of the user. The device is programmed with plural sounds and phrases which are played through an on-board speaker. It is equipped with facility for recording sounds and phrases. Sounds are toggled to be played by built-in sensors which may be sensitive to vibration, touch, light or other means. Sounds and phrases may be related to specific activity modes in which the user employs the apparatus. All sounds can be played, either serially or randomly through the self-contained speaker. Sounds, which may be motivational in nature, can be related to a specific user function, such as jogging, working out, boxing, punching a punching bag or other desired activity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2003
    Inventor: Joseph Shafik
  • Publication number: 20030047877
    Abstract: Apparatus for practicing throwing and catching baseballs having a pair of rectangular support frame members pivoted together along a common side. A wooden board having a coated surface is mounted on one of the support members. A baseball tossed against the coated surface of the wooden board is rebounded and caught by a user. A tubular adjustment mechanism permits the wooden board to be angularly adjusted so that the rebound trajectory may be changed as desired.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Publication date: March 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jerry D. Moore
  • Publication number: 20020079646
    Abstract: The game apparatus has a gamepiece aiming device having a plurality of degrees of movement that allows a player to have better aiming capability. The game apparatus features a multi-playfield game having at least first and second playfields that are coupled to one another. The gamepiece aiming device emits a gamepiece into the first playfield for first game play, the gamepiece thereafter being conducted to the second playfield for second game play. The gamepiece aiming device has a first degree of movement that is a substantially linear movement, and a second degree of movement that is a substantially rotational movement. In general, the playfield has a plurality of playfields and a plurality of levels, at least one respective playfield being in each level of the plurality of levels. Each playfield has a win/lose scenario, and the win/lose scenarios are independent of one another. Redemption tickets can be dispensed based on results of the win/lose scenarios.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2001
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jeffrey Pierce, Lyle Willimann
  • Patent number: 6368218
    Abstract: A method and system for gaming is provided in which a plurality of players each connect to a host which enables players to participate jointly in the same games of chance. According to one embodiment, a computerized method of gaming is provided that includes connecting a plurality of players to a host remotely located from the plurality of players. Each player jointly participates in a turn-based game of chance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2002
    Assignee: Gtech Rhode Island Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Angell, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6364315
    Abstract: A game kit for playing a variety of outdoor games, comprising a plurality of animal-shaped game pieces, wherein each of the game pieces has at least one light-emitting device and at least one sound-emitting device; a plurality of radio frequency receivers, wherein each of the receivers is encased within an animal-shaped game piece and is operable to activate the light-emitting device and the sound-emitting device; at least one radio frequency transmitter adapted to be worn by a player and operable to activate the radio frequency receivers; and a container for storing and transporting the game kit components. Each of the receivers is activated when a player wearing a transmitter enters a predetermined detection zone around each of the receivers, thereby causing the light-emitting device to emit light and the sound-emitting device to emit sound. The game kit preferably includes other components, such as a flag, a game book, a stopwatch, and balloons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventor: John Velke, III
  • Patent number: 6361440
    Abstract: The invention provides a game system, a game machine, a game data distribution machine, a network system and an information storage medium whose clocks can be synchronized. The game system comprises a game data distribution machine having a master function and including a clock selection section for generating indication data for obtaining clock information and a transmitting/receiving section for transmitting the generated indication data and a game machine having a slave function and including a transmitting/receiving section for receiving the indication data sent from the game data distribution machine and a clock selection section for adjusting the clock speed of own machine so as to synchronize the clock of own machine with the clock of the game data distribution machine based on the received indication data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: Namco Ltd.
    Inventors: Toru Ogawa, Akihiko Moriguchi
  • Patent number: 6352432
    Abstract: A karaoke apparatus is provided in which a plurality of singers can sing at a time and superiority/inferiority of singing voices can be matched. One karaoke music piece is performed, and two persons sing the music piece at a time by using different microphones. Singing voice signals input through the two microphones are respectively scored, and characters displayed on a screen are caused to fight based on the score results. If the point of the singer having microphone is higher, an animation in which character attacks character is displayed. If the singing point of microphone is higher, animation in which character attacks character is displayed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2002
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tom Jen Tsai, Kanehisa Tsurumi, Satoshi Tachibana
  • Patent number: 6347998
    Abstract: In a game system, performance data which stipulates sequences of manipulations and allocation of sound effects for the manipulations can be set practically. The game system has memory device which stores performance data stipulating manipulations of a controller provided in correspondence with a predetermined musical piece; the performance data comprises information specifying a manipulation timing relating to at least one timing manipulation member provided on the controller, and information specifying which one of a plurality of selection manipulation members provided on the controller is to be manipulated in correspondence with the manipulation of the timing manipulation member; either one of the information specifying the manipulation timing included in the performance data and the information specifying the selection manipulation member can be edited independently of the other based on a command supplied via the controller by a player.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kensuke Yoshitomi, Takahiro Omori, Fumihito Miyauchi
  • Patent number: 6347813
    Abstract: An interactive game is disclosed which may take the form of a board game, a hand held game or a yard game. It includes a series of printed circuits or devices which may be concealed within a playing surface and an electronic detector for the circuits. Easily as many as 8 or 16 different discrete device may be detected and distinguished. Stored messages associated with each device or combinations of devices is displayed or audibly reproduce the messages. This invention is also applied to interactive books and games which have multiple layers with superimposed pages or boards. Interference between superimposed pages or boards is eliminated by surrounding each concealed device with a conductive pattern which has no resonant frequency in the range of detection of the electronic detector or probe. Likewise, concealed devices are not located on immediately following pages or boards at the same location on the page. The method of manufacturing such interactive games or books is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2002
    Inventors: Jack Star, Hal H. Berger
  • Patent number: 6267669
    Abstract: A gaming device and method for a hybrid game including a coordination/dexterity portion and/or traditional game portion is provided. Preferably, both a coordination/dexterity game and a traditional game are part of a single hybrid game, both of which portions are played using a single display device. In one embodiment, a player first plays a coordination/dexterity game and is given an opportunity to play a traditional game upon the occurrence of certain predetermined or predefined events during play of the coordination/dexterity game. Preferably, game outcome for both portions is controlled by an already-approved controller, such as a traditional game controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: International Game Technology
    Inventors: Robert A. Luciano, Jr., Anthony J Baerlocher, Chris T. Brune, Jason Mayeroff
  • Patent number: 6254479
    Abstract: In a game machine which comprises a roulette part for rotating an indicating mark along an outside of a play field, the indicating mark is stopped in accordance with a signal from a stop switch. If the indicating mark is stopped in a center position of a prize area which is indicated with a chance gage, a payment of medals as a reward is allowed. If the indicating mark is stopped in a position which is included in the prize area but don't coincide with the center position, a process of a lottery with a random number is carried out and a gage volume of a level gage is changed in the basis of the random number. An additional chance of a payment of medals is given corresponding to a position in which the indicating mark is stopped.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2001
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Genichiro Okitani, Ryosuke Toriyama, Takaaki Ishii, Yukari Shibata, Yukio Ozaki
  • Patent number: 6238265
    Abstract: When manually closed, switches in pads select toy vehicles and the operation of motors for moving the vehicles forwardly, rearwardly, leftwardly and rightwardly and moving upwardly and downwardly (and rightwardly and leftwardly) a receptacle for holding transportable elements (e.g. marbles). When sequentially and cyclically interrogated by a central station, each pad sends through wires to the station signals indicating the switch closures in such pad. Such station produces first binary signals addressing the vehicle selected by such pad and second binary signals identifying the motor control operations in such vehicle. Thereafter the switches identifying in such pad the motor control operations in such selected vehicle can be closed without closing the switches addressing such vehicle. The signals for each vehicle are transmitted by wireless to all of the vehicles at a common carrier frequency modulated by the binary signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Rokenbok Toy Company
    Inventors: John J. Crane, William M. Barton, Jr., Paul Eichen, Peter C. DeAngelis, Robert T. Kulakowski
  • Patent number: 6215978
    Abstract: An educational toy (10) having a dodecahedron shape is formed with a different visual display on each planar face (17-28). A position sensing mechanism (50) is oriented inside the toy (10) to inform a microprocessor (62) which one of the planar faces (17-28) is in the “up” position. As the toy (10) is turned or moved a signal is generated to “power on” and a musical tune is played. When one of the planar faces (17-28) is stopped in the “up” position, the position sensing mechanism (50) informs the microprocessor (62) and an aural response corresponding to the visual display is transmitted through a speaker (44). If the toy (10) is left alone for a specified period of time, a warning tune is transmitted. If the toy (10) is still not moved thereafter, the toy (10) will automatically “power off”.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Steven Lee Ruzic, Patrick Rome, Larry Dale Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6213781
    Abstract: An educational game is disclosed which uses a series of illumination devices which are sequentially illuminated to illustrate to a user a velocity. The user selectively chooses the velocity at which the illumination devices are sequenced and therefore can race against the sequence of illumination devices or monitor same. In either event, the sequence of illumination devices having been illuminated at the selected speed, allowing the user to interact, using mind and body with the phenomenon of speed allowing the user to experiment with concepts of speed and velocity. A further embodiment is shown wherein a series of audible devices in conjunction with the illumination devices are selectively actuated to illustrate to the user the velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Technical Education Research Centers, Inc.
    Inventor: Nathan Kimball
  • Patent number: 6149494
    Abstract: A toy includes a platform, a moving body, and a balance bar. The moving body has front and rear wheels rotatable about horizontal rotary axes, a turning wheel, and a drive unit coupled to the turning wheel and one of the rear wheels to drive movement of the moving body when the moving body is disposed on the platform. The turning wheel is rotatable about an axis perpendicular to the rotary axes of the front and rear wheels, and prevents the moving body from falling off the platform when the moving body moves to a peripheral edge of the platform. The balance bar has an intermediate fulcrum portion mounted pivotally on the moving body about a horizontal pivot axis, and two arm portions projecting from two opposite lateral sides of the moving body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Dah Yang Toy Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Chien-Nan Yang
  • Patent number: 6139429
    Abstract: A video crane game including a display device, such as a video screen, for displaying images. A mechanical crane-like device provided over the display device includes an x-y assembly for allowing a player to control the movement of a selection head in an x-y plane. A z-movement device causes the selection head to move in a z-direction toward and away from the images of the display device. A sensor detects a location of the selection head with respect to the images displayed on the display device when the head is moved just above or contacts the display. A game controller controls the display of the images and determines a game outcome based on the location of the selection head with respect to the displayed images. The displayed images may include multiple selectable image targets, such as prize images associated with a prize, penalty areas, or images associated with a point score. A dispenser dispensing an award to a player of the game apparatus, such as tickets or prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5967515
    Abstract: In an coin operated amusement game, a coin track is provided directing coins toward a plurality of target receptacles arranged to receive properly timed coins. Relative movement is provided between the target track and the receptacles. A properly timed coin inserted in the track will roll down the track, then travel through the air, and then land in and be retained in the target receptacle. Dump targets are provided wherein a properly timed coin will activate the dump target and cause the corresponding receptacle to be dumped and provide the player with an award corresponding to the number of coins dumped out of the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1998
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Assignee: Benchmark Entertainment L.C.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Halliburton
  • Patent number: 5967892
    Abstract: A video crane game including a display device, such as a video screen, for displaying images. A mechanical crane-like device provided over the display device includes an x-y assembly for allowing a player to control the movement of a selection head in an x-y plane. A z-movement device causes the selection head to move in a z-direction toward and away from the images of the display device. A sensor detects a location of the selection head with respect to the images displayed on the display device when the head is moved just above or contacts the display. A game controller controls the display of the images and determines a game outcome based on the location of the selection head with respect to the displayed images. The displayed images may include multiple selectable image targets, such as prize images associated with a prize, penalty areas, or images associated with a point score. A dispenser dispensing an award to a player of the game apparatus, such as tickets or prizes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 19, 1999
    Inventor: Stephen P. Shoemaker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5951017
    Abstract: Disclosed is an assembly of flexible metal contact bars for a coin-operated path game unit. The assembly includes a fixed supporting block having a rubber-ring-attached shaft frictionally contacting with a driven sliding block having a rubber-pad-attached top. Two electrodes are fixedly attached to the sliding block and extend toward a rotating spiral path in the game unit. When the path game unit is actuated by an inserted coin, the shaft of the fixed supporting block rotates with the rubber ring thereof frictionally contacting with the rubber pad on the driven sliding block to move the sliding block toward the path, so that the two electrodes separately locate above and below the path. The electrode each is formed from at least two metal contact bars flexibly connected to one another by a spring between them, such that the metal contact bar forming a free end of the electrode may bias in any direction to avoid damage when the electrode collides with the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Amuchine Enterprise Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yu Chu Wang
  • Patent number: 5942969
    Abstract: A game can be played using pagers and a paging system. Game participants receive information and clues from the paging system directing them to a particular landmark or location. Once there, the participants signal the system with a response which is dependent on their being at the correct location. The paging system then additionally determines that the participant is transmitting from roughly the correct location. When the participant is thus verified as being at the correct location, the next clue is transmitted to the participant. This continues until a participant correctly deciphers all the clues and arrives at the end of the game.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignees: Sony Corporation, Sony Electronics
    Inventor: James E. Wicks
  • Patent number: 5882011
    Abstract: An action board game in which each player tries to be first to respond correctly to command indicators activated in a random sequence and at indeterminate times. Players try to be first to use the correct hand to operate a control matching the command indicator. Various levels of play can be selected ranging from matching colors to the equivalent of simultaneously playing multiple games of ping-pong. Players can participate as individuals or as teams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: Guy B. Praria
  • Patent number: 5816580
    Abstract: An electronic paddle that requires a player to strike an object with the paddle in a certain sequence. The electronic paddle includes a paddle that contains a game circuit and a speaker. The game circuit is connected to a first pressure sensor located on a first side of the paddle, and a second pressure sensor located on a second side of the paddle. The pressure sensors provide feedback signals to the game circuit when the paddle strikes the object. The game circuit and speaker generate a first sound when the object strikes the first side of the paddle, and a second sound when the object strikes the second side of the paddle. To play a game the player strikes the object with the first and second sides of the paddle in a pattern that is compared by the game circuit with a predetermined sequence. The game circuit and speaker can emit one sound to indicate a successful matching of the sequence, or another sound to indicate that the player did not strike the object in the correct sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1998
    Assignee: Elliot A. Rudell
    Inventors: Ian Osborne, Elliot Rudell, Roger Gardner
  • Patent number: 5775691
    Abstract: A medal inserted from an insert slot is guided by a gap between a rear plate and a cover plate so as to fall onto a slide table. Upon allowing the medal to pass through a medal detection section, a slot game is started on a display. Then, when the patterns are not made uniform at all, then five medals are thrown in the vessel of the medal discharge unit. Also, after the medals are thus thrown in, when three of the same pattern are aligned with respect to all the symbols, the medals stored within the vessel of the medal discharge unit up to the time are discharged onto the slide table at one time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1998
    Assignee: Konami Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Takashi Hamano
  • Patent number: 5755576
    Abstract: An automated timed manual performance (TMP) system which includes a base unit having attached manual dexterity test components. Connected to the base is a reaction sensor which allows determination of the exact time of beginning and ending the manual dexterity task(s). The sensor is also connected to either a personal computer or a direct readout device. The system also optionally includes software to guide an operator through administration of a TMP test, and to display and analyze the results of the test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1998
    Assignee: Quantum Research Services, Inc.
    Inventors: William L. Dunn, Hiawatha C. Demby, Michael H. Van Haaren, Abdelfatah M. Yacout, Mark E. Williams
  • Patent number: 5752699
    Abstract: The invention relates to a coin-operated amusement machine. Coins are received on a play area (21). Coins may be displaced from the play area (21) by a mechanism such as a coin pusher (5) or by movement of the play area itself. A counting hopper (8) receives and counts coins which have been displaced from a defined part of the play area, and generates a signal depending on the number of coins counted. A coin dispenser (10) can be operated by a user of the machine to dispense additional coins onto the play area (21). Coins are transferred from the counting hopper (8) to the dispenser (10) by a coin transport mechanism (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1996
    Date of Patent: May 19, 1998
    Assignee: Cromptons Leisure Macines, Limited
    Inventors: Gordon Crompton, Simon Osborn
  • Patent number: 5678823
    Abstract: A game of skill includes a lighted circular target intended to simulate the sun. A joystick is used to manipulate a crane mechanism and buttons are provided to allow the crane mechanism to be lowered and raised with an included magnet being used to allow lifting and dropping of magnetically attractive disks. The object of the game is to lift each disk, in turn, and to manipulate the joystick to cause disks to be dropped onto the simulated solar target surface to cover as high a percentage of the solar target surface as possible. An indicator is provided to indicate how much of the solar target surface has been covered, and a timer display displays the elapsed time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: October 21, 1997
    Assignee: Bob's Space Racers Inc.
    Inventors: Gerald F. Chaffee, David Wise, Gary L. Wright
  • Patent number: 5649706
    Abstract: A hunting simulator having a projection of a moving target in life-size as in a natural environment is provided for practice shooting of a missile such as an arrow, dart, bullet, etc. The missile is detected in-flight in a detection plane set apart from a projection screen so the missile is detected undisturbed before impacting on the screen. The primary detector includes a continuously-illuminating LED emitter and a CCD camera sensor collocated with the emitter with a field of view in a detection area within the plane. Retroreflective tape on a perimeter about the detection area efficiently returns emitter radiation to the sensor. Detection is when a missile causes a shadow on the tape with an interruption of reflected light to the sensor, although in an alternative embodiment, the retroreflective tape is installed on the missile instead of the detection plane perimeter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1997
    Inventors: Erwin C. Treat, Jr., Eric G. Muehle
  • Patent number: 5623642
    Abstract: This invention enables a bandwidth efficient computer simulation of sustained contact between objects. When an object comes into sustained contact with a second object, it will communicate to the second object a transfer function describing the contact, and vice-versa. The transfer function enables the objects to simulate the sustained contact for as long as the contact continues, eliminating any need for further network communication between the objects regarding the state of the contact until the contact terminates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1997
    Assignee: M ak Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Warren J. Katz, Darrin Taylor, John Morrison
  • Patent number: 5605336
    Abstract: The present invention provides for electrical devices and methods for evaluating athletic performance. A shock sensor is attached to an athlete or a suitable target such as a punching bag. When the athlete subjects the shock sensor to a shock with a magnitude which equals or exceeds the shock sensor sensitivity, an electrical effect is generated which is processed by a control means. The control means can be programmed for a delay period which precedes the performance evaluating cycle. The athlete's reaction time and shock magnitude can be measured and displayed. The devices and methods are suitable for evaluating athletic performance even if the athlete does not contact a target or an another object such as in simulated martial arts combat wherein there is no body contact between the athletes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 25, 1997
    Inventors: Albert A. Gaoiran, Mayrose A. Gaoiran