Electronic game apparatus and method of use
First Claim
1. An electronic game apparatus for the purpose of playing one or more preprogrammed electronic games, comprisinga game display and control module havinga monitor display screen for the purpose of displaying text and graphic images;
- a monitor controller unit for the purpose of controlling the image display on said monitor display screen;
a keyboard input unit having a plurality of keys for the purpose of input of data and commands to the apparatus by a user thereof;
a power supply unit for the purpose of supplying electrical power to the components of the apparatus;
a computer processor unit for the purpose of receiving, processing, and outputting data and control signals during operation of the apparatus;
a first memory unit for the purpose of temporarily storing data to be accessed by other units of the apparatus during operation of the apparatus;
a second memory unit for the purpose of storing data representing final game scores or player point totals at the conclusion of an electronic game;
a communications unit for the purpose of transmitting communications signals to and receiving communications signals from a separate electronic game apparatus so as to allow interactive play of an electronic game between two or more players; and
a communications linkage for the purpose of transmitting communications signals between communications units of two or more discrete game display and control modules of the apparatus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a hand held electronic game apparatus useable by a single player, but also useable for direct competitive play between two or more players through both direct physical linkage of multiple units of the apparatus and indirect linkage by radio signals or the like. The apparatus includes a basic electronic game module, internal data storage memory for storing game scores or point totals, data storage media as a source of game programming and of electronic storage of game scores or points, a communication cable for direct linkage, and a signal transmitter/receiver for indirect linkage. The invention also provides a method of use of the apparatus for interactively initiating and playing an electronic game and for permanently recording final score or point totals at the conclusion of the game.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. An electronic game apparatus for the purpose of playing one or more preprogrammed electronic games, comprising
a game display and control module having a monitor display screen for the purpose of displaying text and graphic images; -
a monitor controller unit for the purpose of controlling the image display on said monitor display screen; a keyboard input unit having a plurality of keys for the purpose of input of data and commands to the apparatus by a user thereof; a power supply unit for the purpose of supplying electrical power to the components of the apparatus; a computer processor unit for the purpose of receiving, processing, and outputting data and control signals during operation of the apparatus; a first memory unit for the purpose of temporarily storing data to be accessed by other units of the apparatus during operation of the apparatus; a second memory unit for the purpose of storing data representing final game scores or player point totals at the conclusion of an electronic game; a communications unit for the purpose of transmitting communications signals to and receiving communications signals from a separate electronic game apparatus so as to allow interactive play of an electronic game between two or more players; and a communications linkage for the purpose of transmitting communications signals between communications units of two or more discrete game display and control modules of the apparatus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of interactive electronic game play between two players each using an electronic game apparatus having a monitor display screen and monitor controller unit, a keyboard input unit, a power unit, a computer processor unit, a first memory unit, a second memory unit for storing game score or point total data, a communications unit, a game score transfer unit, a communications linkage for transmitting and receiving electronic data between two of the electronic game apparatus, a game program unit containing game program instructions, and a game score recording unit, comprising the steps of
placing a first one of the electronic game apparatus in communication with a second one of the electronic game apparatus through the communications linkage between the communications units of the first and second game apparatus; -
connecting a game program unit to the first electronic game apparatus so as to form an electronic pathway for communicating game program instructions to the computer processor unit of such first game apparatus; initiating instructions through the keyboard input unit of such first game apparatus to load the game program into the first memory unit and the computer processor unit of the first game apparatus; communicating said game program to the first memory unit and the computer processor unit of the second game apparatus through the communications units of the first and second game apparatus and through the communications linkage therebetween; initiating game play by inputting instructions through the keyboard input unit of the first game apparatus to the computer processor unit of the first game apparatus; immediately communicating such instructions from the first game apparatus to the second game apparatus through the communications units of the first and second game apparatus and through the communications linkage therebetween; continuing game play by inputting instructions through the keyboard input units of the first and second game apparatus and immediately communicating such instructions and the output of the computer processor units of the first and second game apparatus to the first memory units of both first and second game apparatus, to the computer processor units of both first and second game apparatus, and to the monitor display units of both first and second game apparatus, such that both units substantially simultaneously execute game program instructions through their respective computer processor units, contain the same data in their respective first memory units, and display the same images on their respective monitor display units; continuing game play to the conclusion of the game by completing the steps of the game program; transferring game play results in the form of electronic data to the second memory units of the first and second game apparatus; and transferring game play results in the form of electronic data from the second memory unit of either or both first and second game apparatus to a game score recording unit connected to the respective first and/or second game apparatus to permanently record such game play results. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification