Electronic game using phototransducer

• US 4,403,777 A
• Filed: 01/08/1981
• Issued: 09/13/1983
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/1981
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Mattel Incorporated
• Inventors: Del Principe, Robert M., Ling, John, Hostetler, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hum, Vance Y.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Stoll, Mary Ann
• Application Number:
  US06/223,537
• Time in Patent Office: 978 Days
• Field of Search: 372/310-313, 372/1 GC, 372/1 GE, 372/1 E, 372/85 G, 372/237, 356/29, 434/21, 434/22, 340/168 B, 340/825.69, 455/352
• US Class Current: 463/1
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2444 Light detector
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• 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

Abstract

An electronic game utilizing a phototransducer and a plurality of input switches as inputs to a microprocessor for actuating a display and speaker for providing visual and audible clues to a user in accordance with internally generated signals. The processor estabilishes light sensitivity levels for comparison with incident light levels on the phototransducer for processing by the processor in accordance with the timing and duration of actuation of the input switches.

Claims

1. In a handheld electronic game for simulating

search for an invisible being, the combination comprising:

means for providing at least one of a visible and audible stimuli;

phototransducer means for sensing incident and ambient light in the direction in which said game is pointed;

means responsive to an output from said phototransducer means for varying said at least one of said visible and audible stimuli for providing clues as to the whereabouts of the being;

means for establishing a reference light level, said means including means for randomly selecting at least one reference light level from said phototransducer means;

manually operable switch means; and

means for comparing the reference light level to the light impinging on said phototransducer means and correlating actuation of said switch means with said means for providing at least one of a visible and audible stimuli for further affecting said means for varying the stimulus so provided whereby to indicate to the operator the success or failure of locating the being.

2. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said game provides visible stimuli and includes display means.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said game further includes audible stimuli and includes sound reproducing means.

4. The combination according to claim 1 wherein said means for establishing a reference light level includes means for selecting a reference light intensity within one of at least two light ranges and one of at least two levels within each of said ranges.

5. The combination according to claim 4 wherein said switch means includes at least two manually operable range select switches for enabling operator selection of a range in accordance with the operator interpretation of said at least one visible and audible stimuli.

6. The combination according to claim 5 wherein said display means includes a numeric display for displaying a value indicative of an amount of energy available to the operator.

7. The combination according to claim 6 wherein said switch means includes at least two other switches.

8. In a handheld electronic game for simulating search for an invisible being, the combination comprising:

a portable housing;

display means on said housing;

switch means on said housing;

phototransducer means on said housing for sensing light in the direction in which said housing is pointed;

electronic means within said housing electrically interconnecting said switch means, said display means and said phototransducer means, said electronic means including;

(a) means for providing a numerical value on said display means;

(b) means for randomly generating one of a plurality of predetermined reference light levels;

(c) means for comparing the so-selected reference light level with light impinging on said phototransducer means in response to actuation of said switch means;

(d) timer means; and

(e) means for varying the numerical value on said display means in response to at least one of said timer means and actuation of said switch means.

9. The combination according to claim 8 wherein said electronic means includes microprocessor means.

10. The combination according to claim 9 wherein said means for randomly generating one of a plurality of predetermined reference light levels is within said microprocessor means.

11. The combination according to claim 10 wherein said means for comparing is within said microprocessor means.

12. The combination according to claim 11 wherein said microprocessor means include means for establishing a predetermined numerical value on said display means and means for altering said numerical value in accordance with the sequence and timing of actuation of said switch means.

13. In a manipulatable electronic game for simulating search for an invisible being, the combination comprising:

display means;

a plurality of manually operable switch means;

means for emitting audible signals;

means responsive to actuation of a first of said switch means for providing a numeric value on said display means and for initiating an audible signal;

phototransducer means for sensing light in the direction in which said game is pointed;

means responsive to cessation of actuation of said second switch means for varying the numerical value on said display means;

means for periodically comparing said reference light signal with a light signal from said phototransducer means; and

means responsive to the comparison of said signals and to actuation of a third switch means for varying at least one of the value on said display means and said audible signal whereby to indicate to the operator the success or failure of locating the being;

means for establishing a reference light level, said means including means for randomly selecting at least one reference light level from said phototransducer means; and

means for comparing the reference light level to the light impinging on said phototransducer means and correlating actuation of said second switch means with said means for providing at least one of a visible and audible stimuli for further affecting said means for varying the stimulus so provided whereby to indicate to the operator the success or failure of locating the being.

14. The combination according to claim 13 wherein the numeric value on said display means in response to actuation of said first of said switch means is indicative of an initial energy level.

15. The combination according to claim 13 further including timer means for establishing a time duration of play of the game.

16. The combination according to claim 15 further including light emitting signal means responsive to said comparing means for initiating a light signal indicative of concurrence of said reference light signal with said light signal from said phototransducer means.