ELECTRONIC AMUSEMENT DEVICE

• US 3,709,499 A
• Filed: 12/24/1970
• Issued: 01/09/1973
• Est. Priority Date: 12/24/1970
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Samuel C. Lukens Jr
• Original Assignee: Samuel C. Lukens Jr
• Inventors: Lukens, Samuel C. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Oechsle, Anton O.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kramer, Arnold W.
• Application Number:
  US05/101,265
• Time in Patent Office: 747 Days
• Field of Search: 273/138A
• US Class Current: 463/22
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0468 Electronic dice; electronic dice simulators
• CPC Class Codes: G07C 15/006 electronically

Abstract

Electronic apparatus for simulating the throwing of a pair of dice including two counters each of which is operable to count continuously in sequence through six operating states. The counters are each caused to count by high frequency triggering pulses from respective pulse generators. The particular operating state of each counter is indicated on a suitable display. A single push-button switch is depressed momentarily to actuate the two pulse generators thus causing the counters to switch continuously through the six operating states. When the pushbutton switch is released, the counters stop and the operating states at which they remain can be determined from their respective displays.

Claims

1. An amusement device for producing one of a plurality of possible output indications selected by chance including in combination counter circuit means operable to be switched through a predetermined recurring sequence of operating states by triggering pulses applied at the input thereto, and operable to remain in an operating state in the absence of triggering pulses;

pulse generating means connected to the input of the counter circuit means and operable to produce triggering pulses during the occurrence of an energizing signal at a control connection;

manually-operated switch means connected to the control connection of the pulse generating means and operable to produce said energizing signal when actuated; and

output means connected to the counter circuit means and operable to provide an indication of the operating state of the counter circuit means;

said pulse generating means including Schmitt trigger circuit means operable to produce a continuous train of pulses at its output in response to a first voltage condition being preseNt at its input and operable to cease producing said continuous train of pulses at its output in response to a second voltage condition being present at its input, resistance-capacitance delay means coupled to the Schmitt trigger circuit means and operable to cause a delay in the operation of the Schmitt trigger circuit means in producing said pulses at its output in response to the occurrence of said first voltage condition at its input, and inverting gate means having a first input connection connected to the output of the Schmitt trigger circuit means and a second input connection constituted by said control connection, and an output connection connected to the input of said Schmitt trigger circuit means, said inverting gate means being operable while said energizing signal is present at its control connection as a result of said switch means actuation to produce the first voltage condition at its output connection, said inverting gate means being operable while said energizing signal is absent at its control connection as a result of said switch means deactuation to produce the second voltage condition at its output;

whereby actuation of the manually-operated switch means causes the counter circuit means to be switched continuously through the predetermined recurring sequence of operating states by triggering pulses from the pulse generating means, and termination of actuation of the manually-operated switch means causes the counter circuit means to stop switching and the output means to provide an indication of the particular operating state of the counter circuit means upon termination of actuation of the manually-operated switch means.