Electronic puzzle game with unknown random time of play

• US 5,178,545 A
• Filed: 02/08/1991
• Issued: 01/12/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 02/08/1991
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tutor Toys Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Tutor Toys Incorporated
• Inventors: Thompson, Barbara J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bahr, Robert
• Assistant Examiner(s): Leubecker, John P.
• Application Number:
  US07/652,543
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 434/169, 434/334, 434/335, 434/307, 434/308, 273/138 A, 273/237, 273/433, 273/429, 273/430, 273/431, 273/432
• US Class Current: 434/335
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/44 involving timing of operations, e.g. performing an action within a time slot
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/45 Controlling the progress of the video game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/80 Special adaptations for executing a specific game genre or game mode
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/92 Video game devices specially adapted to be hand-held while playing
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/1063 Timers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/204 the platform being a handheld device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/63 for controlling the execution of the game in time
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/638 according to the timing of operation or a time limit
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/80 specially adapted for executing a specific type of game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0612 Electronic puzzles
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 7/02 of the type wherein the student is expected to construct an answer to the question which is presented or wherein the machine gives an answer to the question presented by a student

Abstract

An electronic puzzle game for one or more players that combines skill and chance. The device includes a memory for storing codes corresponding to a plurality of sets of alphanumeric symbols, each set comprising a puzzle. A display is provided for visibly indicating a selected puzzle to the user(s), and a keypad permits a user to select a game, a topic within that game, and a category within the topic. Further, the keypad permits a user to ascertain a correct solution to the selected puzzle category. While skill is of value in playing a game with the device, a timer generates a signal at random times that calls an end to a game, the particular user of the device at this time being declared a loser. In the preferred embodiment, there is a second timer to establish a time duration for providing an answer by the user. Although significant memory exists within the device, additional or replacement memory can be plugged into the device.

Claims

1. A portable electronic puzzle device for increasing a user'"'"'s knowledge of geography by causing said user to develop responses to questions about a geography topic, said device comprising:

an enclosure means, said enclosure means having a face for viewing by said user;

microprocessor means, including memory means, within said enclosure means for storing codes corresponding to a plurality of random sets of alphanumeric characters, each set being a geography topic together with a random cue to provide a question to said user relative to said geography topic and an answer to each said question;

user input means connected with said microprocessor means, said user input means being a keypad mounted in said face of said enclosure means including an on/off switch key for energizing and de-energizing said device, a topic/cue switch key for scrolling through game, category, and answer choices of said geography topic and for selection of said question, and an answer display switch key;

timing means within said enclosure means connected to said user input means and said microprocessor for generating an unknown random time duration and for generating a signal at a conclusion of each said random time duration to indicate completion of a game to a user; and

display means in said face of said enclosure means connected to said microprocessor means, said display means having a first portion and a second portion, said first portion for displaying said question upon operation of said topic/cue switch key by a user, and said first and second portions for displaying said answer to said displayed question upon operation of said answer display switch key and upon completion of a game at a conclusion of said time duration.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said memory means includes pluggably interchangeable external memory modules, each said external expansion memory modules containing selected individual and sets of alphanumeric characters for use in said display means.

3. The device of claim 1 further comprising a further timing means, within said enclosure means said further timing means having a fixed timing duration for governing a time interval for said user to answer said question.

4. The device of claim 1 further comprising a geography map means for coordinating designated areas on said map means with said geography questions.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein said signal generated at a conclusion of each random time duration causes a user'"'"'s score to be displayed in said display means.