Electronic table tennis game apparatus
First Claim
1. A player response game apparatus, comprising means for selectively generating beams of radiant energy in one of at least two different directions relative to a player station, player operated reflector means for intercepting a light beam from said generating means, means for detecting radiant energy which is reflected back from a player operated reflector means to a location adjacent the source of said one beam, and means responsive to said detecting means for controlling said selective light beam generating means to generate a radiant energy beam directed in the other of said two directions.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A player response game is provided including game apparatus that directs light beams of relatively short duration from a control housing to opposing player stations and detects light reflected back from the respective player stations. The game apparatus also includes a hand held, light reflecting paddle for the player at each station, these paddles having a light diffusing surface so that light is reflected back to the control housing when the paddle intercepts a light beam irrespective of the exact angle at which the paddle intercepts the beam. The sequencing and control of the game apparatus by electronic control circuitry including a microprocessor simulates a table tennis game wherein a light beam is directed to either the forehand or the backhand side of the opposite station if a player at one station successively intercepts a beam with his paddle during the time the beam is directed to his or her station.
-
Citations
66 Claims
- 1. A player response game apparatus, comprising means for selectively generating beams of radiant energy in one of at least two different directions relative to a player station, player operated reflector means for intercepting a light beam from said generating means, means for detecting radiant energy which is reflected back from a player operated reflector means to a location adjacent the source of said one beam, and means responsive to said detecting means for controlling said selective light beam generating means to generate a radiant energy beam directed in the other of said two directions.
- 5. A player response game apparatus, comprising a housing, means within said housing for selectively directing a beam of radiant energy out of said housing in different directions relative to a pair of player stations located on opposite sides of said housing, and means in said housing responsive to radiant energy reflected back to said housing when a beam is intercepted at one of said player stations for automatically directing a beam of radiant energy to the opposite player station.
-
36. A player response game apparatus, comprising a housing, means within said housing for selectively generating a plurality of beams of radiant energy which extend from said housing in different directions, a first pair of said beams extending on either side of a first player station located on one side of said housing and a second pair of said beams extending on either side of a second player station located on the opposite side of said housing, player operated reflector means for intercepting one of said beams of radiant energy, means in said housing for detecting radiant energy reflected back to said housing when one of said beams is intercepted by said player, and means controlled by said detecting means for controlling said light beam generating means.
- 37. A player response game apparatus, comprising central means positioned between two player stations for selectively generating light beams which are aimed in different directions relative to said player stations, player operated reflective means for intercepting said beams of light, means for detecting light reflected from a player operated reflective means, and means response to the output of said detector means for controlling said beam generating means to generate a light beam aimed at the opposite player station.
- 44. An electronic table tennis game, comprising a housing positioned between opposing player stations, means within said housing for directing a light beam to either the forehand or backhand side of a player at either of said player stations, a mode select switch operative to select a serving or a volley mode, means operated during a serving mode for controlling said beam directing means so that a beam of relatively short duration is repetitively directed to one side of a player at a first one of said stations, player operated reflector means for intercepting one of said beams of radiant energy, and means operative during a volley mode and responsive to interception of one of said short duration beams by a player at said one station for controlling said beam directing means to direct a light beam of relatively short duration to the opposite player station.
- 58. An electronic table tennis game, comprising a housing positioned between opposing player stations, means within said housing for directing a light beam to either the forehand or backhand side of a player at either of said player stations, player operated reflector means for intercepting one of said beams of radiant energy, and means for successively controlling said beam directing means to direct a light beam to opposite player station in response to the interception of a beam directed to either the forehand or backhand side of a player at one of said stations.
Specification