Abstract: A self-contained detector device for educational or amusement purposes cooperates with conducting and non-conducting zones of a carrier. The detector is in the form of an elongated hollow body with a reading or detecting head projecting from one end. The head is rigidly mounted on a printed circuit board that travels slidably in the hollow body. When the detector is in use on the carrier, pressure causes the head and board to slide up into the body and close a spring switch, energizing a detecting circuit on the board and coupled to the head. The head can favorably be formed as a stack of alternate conducting and non-conducting sheets. The non-conducting sheets can be of an elastomer.

Abstract: A small console containing a keypad such as an elastomeric array keypad and a microprocessor which is preprogrammed with a number of simple algorithms. The individual keys (switches) are preferably, although not necessarily, hidden to the user and are arranged in sets providing, for example, 8 data lines each having a plurality of keys associated therewith some lines of which, for a particular algorithm, are redundant, and other dedicated keys. The user directly programs the device at the keypad by inputting the solution to the particular question. The data inputting is provided secretively by using an overlay placed over the keypad on the console. The overlay provides some pictorial and text description of the game.

Abstract: An electrical board game device is described in which a plurality of slidable elements are mounted on a housing for relative sliding movement with respect to each of the other elements on the housing. Each element has a uniquely arranged pattern of electrical contacts in circuit with a light emitting diode. A pair of matching contacts are arranged on the housing in a position to complete an electrical circuit with the contacts on the element when the element is appropriately positioned. The elements, which appear to the player to all be identical, are slid relative to each other in an attempt to correctly position each element atop its matching contacts on the housing so that the light emitting diode of each element is illuminated.

Abstract: A contact-actuated light pencil for use in detecting electrically conducting areas or materials. The light pencil includes a hollow pencil body having an aperture at one end, a tubular electrical contact at the one end which lines the aperture, and a conducting probe extending from within the pencil body through the tubular electrical contact. The probe is electrically isolated from direct contact with the tubular electrical contact by an insulator, situated within the electrical contact, which has an internal aperture for through-passage of the probe. The probe is slidably situated within the internal aperture and is resiliently biased by a spring such that a portion of the probe normally extends outside of the pencil body. A conducting path leads between the electrical contact and the probe and includes a battery and lamp which is illuminated when electrical current flows.