Electronic device

• US 20060079327A1
• Filed: 08/07/2003
• Published: 04/13/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Original Assignee: PolyIC GmbH & Co. KG (Leonhard KURZ Stiftung & Company KG)
• Inventors: Clemens, Wolfgang, Fix, Walter, Gerlt, Axel
• Application Number:
  US10/523,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20060079327A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 463/36
• 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

So that, in an electronic device, in particular a games device, the execution of a plurality of different functions, in particular game functions, can be performed in a very simple and inexpensive manner, the device comprises a main module (1) and at least one sub-module (2) connectable thereto, wherein the sub-module (2) includes a circuit (13) which in co-operation with a further circuit (5) in the main module (1) enables the device for executing a function specific for the respective sub-module (2) and wherein the circuit (13) in the at least one sub-module (2) is in the form of an organic circuit. In that case the sub-module (2) can be selected from a plurality of different types of sub-modules each having respectively different circuits for different functions.

Claims

1. An electronic device comprising;

a main module; and

at least one sub-module electrically connectable to the main module, wherein the sub-module includes an electric circuit which in co-operation with a further electric circuit in the main module enables execution of a function specific for the respective sub-module and wherein the circuit in the at least one sub-module is organic.

2. An electronic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the main module circuit and sub-module circuit are arranged to form a the function of a game.

3. An electronic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least one further sub-module is electrically connected to the main module, which sub-modules are selected from a plurality of different types of sub-modules each having respectively different circuits, wherein it is only with predetermined combinations of types of sub-modules, that the circuits thereof in cooperation with the further circuit in the main module, enable performance of a function specific to the respective combinations of types of sub-modules.

4. An electronic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein the sub-module is in the form of one of a plastic card and a plastic foil.

5. An electronic device as set forth in claim 1 wherein one of two circuits in the sub-module and the main module respectively has a switch-off arrangement which detects the use of the sub-module on the main module and permanently prevents further co-operation of the two circuits after a predetermined extent of use is exceeded.

6. An electronic device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the switch-off arrangement is adapted to monitor the progress of the function being performed, to detect the extent of use of the sub-module.

7. An electronic device as set forth in claim 5 wherein a circuit in the sub-module has enable means for enabling the respective specific function in the main module.

8. An electronic device as set forth in claim 5 wherein a circuit in the sub-module includes an additional logic which together with a function logic contained in the main module permits the execution of the respective function.

9. An electronic device as set forth in claim 5 wherein the sub-module has input means and/or display means for influencing the function or display of items of information occurring in connection with execution of the function.

10. An electronic device as set forth in claim 6 wherein a circuit in the sub-module has enable means for enabling the respective specific function in the main module.

11. An electronic device as set forth in claim 6 wherein a circuit in the sub-module includes an additional logic which together with a function logic contained in the main module permits the execution of the respective function.

12. An electronic device as set forth in claim 7 wherein a circuit in the sub-module includes an additional logic which together with a function logic contained in the main module permits the execution of the respective function.

13. An electronic device as set forth in claim 6 wherein the sub-module has input means and/or display means for influencing the function or display of items of information occurring in connection with execution of the function.

14. An electronic device as set forth in claim 7 wherein the sub-module has input means and/or display means for influencing the function or display of items of information occurring in connection with execution of the function.

15. An electronic device as set forth in claim 8 wherein the sub-module has input means and/or display means for influencing the function or display of items of information occurring in connection with execution of the function.