Abstract: A system is disclosed for detecting and locating missiles such as darts in a target having a plurality of discrete target areas in which each of the areas has a conductive surface which acts as an electromagnetic signal receiving antenna, and in which a plate is positioned on the back of the target which functions as an electromagnetic signal transmitting antenna. Each of the target areas are monitored for electromagnetic signals and the signals pass through a pin conductor to the monitoring equipment. When a dart is embedded in one of the areas, it also acts as an antenna and, thereby, increases the signal strength of that area to permit detection of the presence and location of the dart. The pin conductors and plate antenna at the back of the dart board substantially improve the discrimination and reliability of the system.

Abstract: Enhanced realism of a real-time simulator having multiple computer-controlled units results from making the units capable of reacting to only those other units that each of them can be aware of because of their spatial relationships to the unit. Awareness is based upon probabilities; it can persist after a relationship changes; and it can be influenced by a unit's designation of a target. Each unit selects a target based upon a score incorporating multiple aspects of its tactical situation, and can change targets when the situation changes. A unit selects a strategy in response to which of a set of tactical configurations exist between the unit and its target; the strategy can change short of completion when the configuration changes. A plan produces guidance commands from the high-level strategy. The guidance commands are converted into control settings for guiding the subject unit using a physics engine for simulating the physical dynamics of the unit.

Abstract: An electric dart game includes a frame secured in a board and having a number of segments slidably engaged in a number of scoring areas. A plate and a spider are secured to the frame. Two conductor sheets are disposed behind the plate and each includes a circuit having a series of switch points. The segments each includes a slide and a block secured together. The slides each has one or more hooks for engaging with the frame and for preventing the slide from being disengaged from the frame. The slides and the blocks may be easily assembled without additional fasteners.

Abstract: This invention discloses a display pointing device inclduing a housing, an optical sensor mounted in the housing, and processing circuitry receiving an output from the optical sensor for identifying a location on a display pointed to by the pointing device based on the optically sensible characteristics of at least one pattern at the location which is sensed by the optical sensor. A method for operating the display pointing device is also disclosed.

Abstract: A simulative quick-firing gun includes a shooting detector and an impact generator for generating an impact in accordance with detection of a shooting. The impact generator includes a motor, an impacter movable reciprocatingly in a specified direction of the housing, and a conversion mechanism for converting a torque of the motor to a reciprocating movement of the impacter. The impacter is provided with an impact weight member and a reciprocating rod carrying the impact weight member on an end thereof and operatively connected with the driving rod by a linking mechanism.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, devices and methods are provided for the accurate reporting of movement of an entity. Sensors which are accurate, but provide a delayed signal ("delayed signal sensors"), which delay is unacceptable for many applications, may be used in conjunction with fast sensors ("fast signal sensors"), which are usually subject to drift and other inaccuracies in providing information about a position. Additional sensors which may provide even more accurate and/or less signal sensor delay for a period of time, but which sensor signal is subject to periods of interrupted or undesirable output thereby making it unreliable ("unreliable signal sensors") may also be used in combination with one or more of the delayed signal sensors and fast signal sensors. By using a combination of such sensors, accurate, reliable position information is rapidly obtained to allow high-resolution and/or real-time analysis and depictions of movement.

Abstract: An in-ground pool with an inflatable flange and a non-rigid flexible body to permit the body to conform to the interior surface of a hole. The pool is designed with an exterior circumferential flange which is placed around the ledge of a hole dug in sand or soil which positions the body of the pool over the interior surface of the hole. The pool may then be filled with water with the interior surface of the hole acting as lateral support for the pool. The flange is secured to the ground with stakes which engage the flange and are driven into the ground around the exterior perimeter of the flange. When it is desired to remove the pool, the water is removed and the flange deflated so that the pool may be folded for storage and/or transport.

Abstract: The invention comprises a controller that includes a base, a handle mounted on the base, a flipper switch mounted at a distal end of the handle, and having two optical accelerometers mounted within a cavity of the handle for detecting the force applied to the controller. Each optical accelerometer includes a light source, a light detector, and a shield having a pattern formed thereon that varies from the first end of the shield to a second end of the shield so as to allow an increasing amount of light to pass through the shield as the shield moves from its first end to its second end. The shield is pivotally mounted between the light source and the light detector so that the force applied to the handle causes the shield to pivot thereby allowing a varying amount of light to be passed from the light detector through the shield to the light source.

Abstract: In accordance with the subject invention, devices and methods are provided for the accurate reporting of movement of an entity. Sensors which are accurate, but provide a delayed signal ("delayed signal sensors"), which delay is unacceptable for many applications, may be used in conjunction with fast sensors ("fast signal sensors"), which are usually subject to drift and other inaccuracies in providing information about a position. Additional sensors which may provide even more accurate and/or less signal sensor delay for a period of time, but which sensor signal is subject to periods of interrupted or undesirable output thereby making it unreliable ("unreliable signal sensors") may also be used in combination with one or more of the delayed signal sensors and fast signal sensors. By using a combination of such sensors, accurate, reliable position information is rapidly obtained to allow high-resolution and/or real-time analysis and depictions of movement.

Abstract: A gun game machine from where a player takes out and holds a model gun to play a game. When the number of operations of a trigger lever (6) attains the preset number of times, the game is stopped and, at the same time, a solenoid (20) operates to disengage a boss (23) of a lever (19) from a recess (22b) of a advance and retreat member (15) and the advance and retreat member is ejected down by the effect of a spring (24). When the player pushes up the advance and retreat member (15) to set, a sensor (16) detects the pushing action and resets the trigger count value for enabling the game to continue. The action of pushing up the advance and retreat device (15) is similar to the real action of loading a cartridge into a real gun and the player can enjoy a game having realism.

Abstract: A gun game machine wherein the player can hold a model gun in the hand away from an machine casing. This gun game machine comprises a bullet hitting optical detection unit installed in the model gun for detecting a simulated bullet hitting position, a sliding cover provided on an exposed outward portion of the gunbarrel of the model gun and slidable in the longitudinal direction of the gunbarrel section, and a cover driving means for instantaneously moving the sliding cover at high speed. The model gun and the game machine casing may be coupled to each other by means of a flexible cable containing electric conductors. The sliding cover makes a long reciprocating motion similar to the so-called blow-back movement of an actual gun, so that the player can feel a similar reaction or impact corresponding to the firing of the actual gun. This simulated firing operation also serves to attract spectators to the game.