Abstract: We present a time keeping system for turn-based games which accepts time controls used in fast games but allows the game to be played in a correspondence manner similar to slow games. This gives players the enjoyment of playing fast games with time pressure but at a pace that is convenient for their busy schedule.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for keeping time for at least two players of a game. The device includes: a housing with at least two surfaces; an orientation sensor arranged in the housing for sensing the orientation of the housing; a display arranged at each of the at least two surfaces of the housing; a timer corresponding to each surface; and a controller for registering the orientation from the orientation sensor and controlling the display and the timer corresponding to an active surface, which depends on the orientation of the housing.

Abstract: A game timer, especially suited in one embodiment as a chess clock, including means for direct input of minimum average playing speed in moves per unit time as well as input of the required number of moves in one or more time control sequences. Direct input means that minimum average speed is not inferred from the number of moves to be completed over an initially allotted period of time, as in conventional chess clocks, but is instead input as number of moves per hour or per minute. The units of time are established by a separate input. The separate inputs of minimum average speed and number of moves per time control sequence generate an initial allotted time automatically, which provides a ready means of enforcing the input minimum average speed. With the number of moves in a time control sequence set to one, the timer emulates a Fischer Clock.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising a first pusher located in a first position on the electronic device, wherein actuation of the first pusher causes initiation of a first operational sequence; a second pusher located in a second position on the electronic device, wherein actuation of the second pusher causes initiation of a second operational sequence; an integrated circuit, operatively coupled to the first and second pushers, for selectively carrying out the first and second operational sequences; switching means for switching the operational sequences initiated by the first and second pushers such that subsequent to actuation of the switching means, the first pusher causes initiation of the second operational sequence and the second pusher causes initiation of the first operational sequence; whereby the first operational sequence is different from the second operational sequence.

Abstract: Chronograph mechanism including first (20, 22) and second (21, 23) measured time counters and control means (24) arranged so as to start to stop one or other of the counters and a switching device (25) arranged such that the actuation thereof causes the started counter to stop and the stopped counter to start.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention include a chess clock with a first display facing in one direction and a second display facing in an opposite direction. Each of the first and second displays may display information about a single player of a chess game. Such information may include a time remaining in the game. A chess clock of the present invention may afford spectators and chess tournament directors a view of a player's time remaining from a wide range of vantage points. Various embodiments of the present invention include a chess clock with four displays, two displays corresponding to each of two players. The two displays corresponding to a given player may face in opposite directions. Various embodiments of the present invention include a chess clock suitable for simultaneous use in two separate chess games, or for use in a game of bughouse.

Abstract: The invention concerns a chess clock comprising a first clockwork mechanism (1) driven by its own quartz module (10), and a second mechanism (1′) likewise driven by its own quartz module (10′), powered by a common power source (14) on the terminals whereof they are mounted in parallel. The driving means of said clockwork mechanisms (1, 1′) consist of two switches (18, 18′) placed each on one of the electric circuits (15, 15′) powering said mechanisms (1, 1′). The two switches (18, 18′) comprise each a contact switch system (19, 19′) for opening or closing the corresponding electrical circuit (15, 15′), and an operating member (20, 20′). Said operating members (20 and 20′) are arranged each at the end of an articulated arm (21), forming a balance.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for keeping time in a multi-player game is disclosed. The method involves presetting the time remaining for each player, and continuously decrementing a player's timer while the internal clock is associated with that player. A means is provided to end one player's turn and simultaneously begin the next player's turn; thereby changing the association of the internal clock. The list of players is kept ordered as a ring, so that when the last player's turn ends, the first player's turn begins.

Abstract: A digital game clock is disclosed. The clock can be used for timing multiple players and facilities standard game timing and custom game timing. The clock utilizes a solid housing with electronic control and digital displays. The electronic control provided an audible alarm, exact timing control and also facilities easy time setting. The digital displays show time, player indicators and other values. Additionally, faceplate over the digital display and a nonskid base increase durability of the game clock.

Abstract: Providing a chess player with a pager so that the chess player can leave the chess board and still be notified when it is time for the chess player to make his move. A conventional chess timer has a switch to indicate when an opponent has made a move. The present invention activates a radio frequency transmitter by the switch to send a signal to a pager tuned to receive the signal sent by the transmitter. When the pager receives the radio frequency signal, the receiver generates a vibration and/or turns on a light, and/or less preferably generates a sound whereby a player can be notified at a remote location that an opponent has made his move.

Abstract: A chess clock is disclosed in which clock pulses derived from a single source are switched alternately and mutually exclusively between two clocks, designated white's clock and black's clock. The mechanism for switching the clock pulses to and from each clock is operationally connected to their electronic circuitry by means of an optical beam, e.g., an infrared beam which is directed alternately to a pair of sensors connected respectively to control circuits for each clock. No mechanical or electrical operational connections are present between the switching mechanism and the electronic circuitry.

Abstract: A clock, especially suitable for playing the game of chess, includes the standard two clock face system with an activation button for each player. A delay feature is included so that there is a delay between the time the activation button is pressed and the time that the activated clock actually commences movement. The benefit of the clock is to reduce the likelihood that a player with positional and/or material superiority will lose a match solely because of the expiration of time on that player's time clock.

Abstract: A game timing apparatus and method for simultaneously timing events for two players is disclosed. The method involves presetting a pair of clocks for respective initial time periods, starting one of the clocks to time a first player's move, simultaneously stopping one clock and starting the other, and incrementing or decrementing each of the clocks by a time interval once for each move or a group of moves. The apparatus includes a pair of clock means, a pair of start switches for starting and stopping the clock means, and a compensation means for incrementing or decrementing each clock means by a time interval.

Abstract: A timing device is provided for the differential timing of game play, such as chess, employing an easily readable display means and an accurate timing means. According to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display means further comprises two concentric articulating discs of different color, usually black and white. The display is connected to an electric motor driven by an accompanying electric circuit such that one disc is driven by the motor. The direction of travel of the motor is controlled by player actuated switches which are tripped upon completion of each move. Differential time is displayed by the eclipse of one disc by the other.

Abstract: A game timing device for simultaneously timing events for two players comprising clock means for counting the time of two different eventsa pair of start switches, each for initiating the operation of the clock means for counting one of the two different events and for interrupting the count of the other of the two different events;display means coupled to the clock means for displaying the time for each of the two events;reset switch means for resetting the clock means to a predetermined initial value;advancing switch means for advancing the clock means at a faster than normal rate;counter means coupled to the respective ones of the pair of switches for counting the number of operations of respective ones of the pair of start switches; andmeans coupling the clock means to the display means for normally displaying time in one set of units and means responsive to a predetermined time count by the clock means for displaying the time count in shorter units of time.

Abstract: An electronic chess clock includes a generally rectangular casing atop which an elongate switching lever is mounted for pivotal movement about the center of the lever. A pair of electrochemical clockworks are contained in the casing for measuring and displaying time periods representing deliberation time of the chess players. A selected one of the two clockworks is actuated when the switching lever is pivoted downwardly at one end to actuate a microswitch associated with the selected clockwork. A common quartz-controlled time module provides time pulses to the selected one of the clockworks to insure that both of the clockworks operate at an equal rate. A manually actuable change-over switch coupled to the time module operates to allow the frequency of the time pulses to be selected so that the hand of the clockworks can indicate elapsed time on an expanded scale for greater accuracy in "short time" chess matches.

Abstract: A game timer for selectively timing the action time of two or more game players includes a timing unit for each player with the timing unit consisting of a reservoir containing a measured quantity of granular medium with a metered orifice for controlling the flow of the granular medium from the reservoir upon selected specific orientations for each separate reservoir. Each reservoir is oriented for a separate active and deactive orientation such that when one reservoir is actively timing, the other reservoir is inactive.

Abstract: A casing with common padded first and second cavities holds two self-contained, battery-operated, commercial, digital-electronic pocket-calculators in a removable fashion. The "equal/repeat" keys of both calculators are brought out to calculator-embedded contacts by the manufacturer. The casing further includes a rocking rod, two micro switches, a battery and a control circuit. The control circuit develops "shorts" spaced by one second time intervals. The calculators are used as time-pre-programmed, decrementing, by seconds, time, scorekeepers as the shorting pulses are applied to the one calculator whose owner's move it is in a game of speed chess. The calculators and other parts are consumer-replaceable.

Abstract: Time logging apparatus comprising a microprocessor programmed to distribute clock signals within memory locations corresponding to a plurality of primary accounts, each having an associated account key, is disclosed. The account to which any clock signal is added is determined exclusively by the last activated account key. A numerical display responds to actuation of function and/or account keys by displaying a time interval corresponding to the count in a selected memory location, the total time chargeable to the primary accounts, or additional time to be charged to a selected account. An indicator lamp adjacent each account key indicates whether the account has activity associated therewith at any time, and a removeable form having spaces arranged to be aligned with the account keys and lamps is provided for identifying the accounts and time intervals chargeable to each account.

Abstract: The timing device is one in which two float-type timers, a frame, and an angular base are adapted to measure and control playing time in games such as Scrabble, chess, checkers, and the like.

Abstract: A portable, self-contained, cummulative elapsed time recorder unit for personal use which records and stores data representing time spent by an individual working on each of a number of different work assignments, to provide a time record for billing purposes. The recorder unit includes a counter which is incremented when the unit operates in a timing mode to record a time element representing time spent working on an assignment, and a memory having a plurality of data storage locations, each assigned to a different work assignment for storing the time elements, the data storage locations being individually addressable by manually operable select switches. The recorder unit includes a display unit which provides a numerical display of the data stored at a selected memory location while the unit is operating in the display mode.