Electronic game apparatus

• US 4,060,242 A
• Filed: 08/21/1975
• Issued: 11/29/1977
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/1975
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ling Ling Huang, Thomas L. Huang
• Original Assignee: Ling Ling Huang, Thomas L. Huang
• Inventors: Huang, Thomas L., Huang, Ling Ling
• Primary Examiner(s): Pinkham, Richard C.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hum, Vance Y.
• Application Number:
  US05/606,439
• Time in Patent Office: 831 Days
• Field of Search: 35/22 R, 35/29 R, 35/6, 273/1 E, 273/85 R, 273/130 AB, 273/136 A, 273/138 A, 273/139, 273/141 A, 273/143 R, 273/142 R
• US Class Current: 273/454
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2494 Battery, e.g. dry cell
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/24 Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for video games A63F13/00; computerized gaming systems G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/34 depending on the stopping of moving members in a mechanical slot machine, e.g. "fruit" machines

Abstract

Electronic game apparatus includes a series of lights that are rapidly and repetitively illuminated in succession to simulate a rapidly moving light. A player has under his control a switch which, when actuated, stops the apparent movement on a particular light. Different packaging schemes provide a variety of ways in which the game can be played either by one or more players. A variable frequency oscillator allows the speed at which the series is illuminated to be varied or adjusted to suit a player'"'"'s skill and interest and to allow the game to be played as a game of skill or of chance. Alternate embodiments allow either one light at a time to be lit or the series can be completely turned on one at a time. Additionally, the direction in which the lights are illuminated can be either unidirectional or bidirectional. The game apparatus may also include automatic score keeping facilities.

Claims

1. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising:

a series of more than two selectively energized light sources disposed for view by a player;

circuit means for controlling the energization of said light sources, said circuit means being switchable between first and second states and operative when in said first state to progressively and repetitively energize said light sources one-at-a-time to effect the appearance to the player of an illuminated light moving from one end of the series towards the other end, said light sources being energized at a rate allowing the player to operate said apparatus as a game of skill, said circuit means being operative in said second state to energize only one light source to effect the appearance of a stationary light; and

,

means for switching said circuit means between said states and including player-actuated switch means operative to switch said circuit means from said first state to said second state, whereby a player upon watching the moving light can actuate said switch means and attempt to stop the moving light at a desired one of said light sources, said circuit means including means to reverse the direction in which said light sources are progressively energized, to effect the appearance to the player of an illuminated light moving back and forth.

2. The combination of claim 1 wherein said circuit means comprises:

an up/down binary counter providing output signals corresponding to individual light sources for energization thereof, said counter being automatically operative to reverse the direction of counting to thereby reverse the direction of energization.

3. The combination of claim 1 wherein:

said circuit means comprises a binary counter providing output signals corresponding to individual light sources for controlling the progression of energization;

and latch means responsive to the output of said counter for temporarily storing signals therein that keep the corresponding lights energized until said series is completely lit, to effect the appearance to the player of a lighting streak of increasing length.

4. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising:

a series of at least three selectively energized light emitting devices disposed for view by a player;

circuit means for controlling the energization of said devices, said circuit means being switchable between two states and operative in one state to repetitively energize said devices one-at-a-time in a predetermined sequence, said devices being energized at a rate allowing the player to operate said apparatus as a game of skill, said circuit means being operative in the other state to energize one of said lights;

means for switching said circuit means between said states including a first switch adapted to be actuated by a player to switch said circuit means into said one state and a second switch adapted to be actuated by a player to switch said circuit means from said one state to said other state whereby the player can exercise his skill and attempt to stop the repetitive energization of said devices at a predetermined one of said devices;

a series of scoring light emitting devices disposed for view by a player to indicate a score associated with operation of said game apparatus;

second circuit means responsive to the switching of said first-mentioned circuit means into said other state to selectively energize at least one of said scoring devices upon the occurrence of energizing a predetermined one of said first mentioned light emitting devices;

at least one additional series of scoring devices disposed for view by a player; and

third circuit means for operating said additional series whereby more than one score is observable.

5. The combination of claim 4 comprising:

a second series of scoring devices corresponding to said series of scoring light emitting devices;

first switch means adapted to be actuated by a first player for operating said series of scoring light emitting devices;

and second switch means adapted to be actuated by a second player for operating said second series.

6. In a game apparatus, the combination comprising:

a series of at least three selectively energized light emitting devices disposed for view by a player;

circuit means for controlling the energization of said devices, said circuit means being switchable between two states and operative in one state to repetitively energize said devices one-at-a-time in a predetermined sequence, said devices being energized at a rate allowing the player to operate said apparatus as a game of skill, said circuit means being operative in the other state to energize one of said lights;

means for switching said circuit means between said states including a first switch adapted to be actuated by a player to switch said circuit means into said one state and a second switch adapted to be actuated by a player to switch said circuit means from said one state to said other state whereby the player can exercise his skill and attempt to stop the repetitive energization of said devices at a predetermined one of said devices;

said circuit means comprising a binary counter,

a decoder connected to said counter,

an oscillator connected to said counter providing pulses thereto for stepping said counter;

said first-mentioned devices comprise light emitting diodes connected to the output of said decoder whereby one of such diodes is energized at a time which one corrresponds to the count manifested in said counter; and

,

additional scoring devices and additional second circuit means for operating said additional scoring devices upon stopping said moving light on different predetermined diodes.