Hide and seek game

• US 4,961,575 A
• Filed: 04/27/1989
• Issued: 10/09/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/1989
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stephen J. Perry
• Original Assignee: Stephen J. Perry
• Inventors: Perry, Stephen J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Coven, Edward M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US07/343,669
• Time in Patent Office: 530 Days
• Field of Search: 273/1 R, 273/1 E, 273/213, 273/416, 273/58 G, 446/456, 340/323 R, 340/346, 340/825.36, 340/825.49, 342/42, 342/125
• US Class Current: 273/460
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2071/0691 Maps, e.g. yardage maps or electronic maps
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 2220/13 Relative positions
• CPC Class Codes: A63B 71/0622 Visual, audio or audio-visual systems for entertaining, instructing or motivating the user
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2402 Input by manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2454 with LED
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2477 Tone generators, oscillators
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2494 Battery, e.g. dry cell
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/495 Hand, arm or wrist
• 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: A63H 33/3066 Watches or clocks
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information

Abstract

Apparatus for playing hide and seek comprising a plurality of portable units adapted for being carried by a corresponding number of individuals in hiding, for generating respective output signals each contributing to an output signal field in the vicinity of the individuals in hiding, and a further portable unit adapted for being carried by a further individual seeking to locate the individuals in hiding, the further portable unit including circuitry for measuring field strength of the output signal field and in response generating a further signal representative of relative proximity to respective ones of the individuals in hiding, whereby generation of the further signal assists the further individual in locating the individuals in hiding. The portable hider units also include a selective cloaking feature.

Claims

1. Apparatus for playing an enhanced game of hide and seek, comprising:

(a) a plurality of portable transmitter means adapted for being carried by a corresponding number of individuals in hiding, for generating respective output signals each contributing to an output signal field in the vicinity of said transmitters,

(b) portable receiver means adapted for being carried by a further individual seeking to locate said individuals in hiding, for measuring field strength of said output signal field and in response generating a further signal representative of relative proximity to respective ones of said transmitter means,

whereby generation of said further signal assists said further individual in locating said individuals in hiding,

(c) first circuit means included in each of said transmitter means for selectively disabling generation of said respective output signals, whereby disabling generation of said respective output signals assists said individuals in hiding to avoid being located by said further individual, and

(d) second circuit means included in each of said transmitter means for measuring duration of said disabling generation of said respective output signals, and in the event said duration exceeds a predetermined length of time then disabling said first circuit means, whereby said individuals in hiding are prevented from permanently disabling generation of said respective output signals.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, further comprising a stationary transmitter means for generating an additional output signal, and means for enabling said additional transmitter means responsive to actuation by a predetermined one of said individuals in hiding.

3. Apparatus as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said portable transmitters further includes an additional receiver means for receiving said additional output signal and in response generating an additional further output signal, whereby generation of said additional further output signal alerts said individuals in hiding that said predetermined one of said individuals has actuated said means for enabling.

4. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said second circuit means includes means for displaying said predetermined length of time minus said duration.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, wherein said means for displaying includes an LED bar graph display.

6. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said respective output signals are radio frequency signals.

7. Apparatus as defined in claim 6, wherein said radio frequency signals are consumer band FM radio signals.

8. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said portable receiver means further comprises means for initially disabling generation of said further signal for a predetermined length of time, whereby said individuals are given an opportunity to hide before said further individual begins seeking to locate said individuals in hiding.

9. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said further signal is an audible tone having frequency proportional to said field strength.

10. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, wherein said portable receiver means further comprises an FM radio receiver for receiving said respective output signals and in response generating a DC signal proportional to said field strength, and voltage controlled oscillator means for receiving said DC signal and in response generating an audible tone having frequency proportional to said DC signal.

11. Apparatus for playing an enhanced game of hide and seek, comprising:

(a) a plurality of portable hider units for generating respective output signals of predetermined strength;

(b) a single portable seeker unit for receiving said respective output signals and in response detecting said predetermined strength and generating a further signal representative of relative proximity to respective ones of said hider units,

(c) first circuit means included in each of said hider units for selectively disabling generation of said respective output signals, and

(d) second circuit means includes in each of said hider units for measuring duration of said disabling generation of said respective output signals, and in the event said duration exceeds a predetermined length of time when disabling said first circuit means.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said second circuit means includes means for displaying said predetermined length of time minus said duration.

13. Apparatus as defined in claim 12, wherein said means for displaying includes and LED bar graph display.

14. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said respective output signals are radio frequency signals.

15. Apparatus as defined in claim 14, wherein said radio frequency signals are consumer band FM radio signals.

16. Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said portable receiver means further comprises means for initially disabling generation of said further signal for a predetermined length of time.