U.S. patent application number 09/780193 was filed with the patent office on 2002-08-15 for transformable game.
Invention is credited to Annis, Robert E. G., Rosenwinkel, Donald A., Stambolic, Zarko.
Application Number | 20020111202 09/780193 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25118905 |
Filed Date | 2002-08-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020111202 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Annis, Robert E. G. ; et
al. |
August 15, 2002 |
Transformable game
Abstract
A hand-held electronic game with audio directions has a center
with two connected elongated ends for bending and rotating relative
to the center by a player. Position sensing switches provide input
to a control module. Various pre-programmed games may be played
according to directions from the control module. In one, players
are given "hot"/"cold" directions as they attempt to transform the
game into a predetermined, but undisclosed, configuration. For
another, there are directions, such as "bend it", which have a
number of correct responses. There is a "bend it back" direction
which requires recall of the prior "bend" move for the one correct
response. Another variation gives a sound that must precede a
direction to authorize the player to follow the direction. Each
particular configuration may also be identified by a sound effect
requiring the player to recall the shape associated with the
sound.
Inventors: |
Annis, Robert E. G.; (Park
Ridge, IL) ; Stambolic, Zarko; (Oak Park, IL)
; Rosenwinkel, Donald A.; (Oak Park, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF DICK AND HARRIS
Suite 3800
181 West Madison Street
Chicago
IL
60602
US
|
Family ID: |
25118905 |
Appl. No.: |
09/780193 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/7 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20130101; A63F
2009/247 20130101; A63F 2009/2494 20130101; A63F 9/088
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/7 |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/24 |
Claims
What is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent
is:
1. A transformable game comprising: a body segment; two extension
segments; a joint connecting each of the extension segments to the
body segment for articulation relative to the body segment; a
position sensing switch carried by each joint; an electronic
control module; a power source for the electronic control module;
an audio component operated by the electronic control module;
circuitry connecting each position sensing switch with the
electronic control module and providing input from each position
sensing switch to the electronic control module; and preprogrammed
directions included in the control module for a game responsive to
input from the position sensing switches.
2. The transformable game of claim 1 in which each joint connects
the respective extension segment for articulation by bending
relative to the body segment.
3. The transformable game of claim 2 in which each of the body
segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the
extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable
into one of the following configurations: straight in which the
three elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the
elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments
are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is
disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;
a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is
disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated
extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension
segments generally oriented in the same direction; and an S shape
in which each of the elongated extension segments is generally
disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment and each of the elongated extension segments are
substantially parallel to each other with their respective free
ends oriented in opposite directions;
4. The transformable game of claim 1 in which at least one
extension segment is rotatable relative to the body segment.
5. The transformable game of claim 1 in which each joint connects
the respective extension segment for articulation by bending and at
least one extension segment is rotatable relative to the body
segment.
6. The transformable game of claim 5 in which each of the body
segment and the two extension segments are elongated, each of the
extension segments has a free end, and the game is transformable
into one of the following configurations: straight in which the
three elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the
elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments
are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is
disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;
a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is
disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated
extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension
segments generally oriented in the same direction; an S shape in
which each of the elongated extension segments is generally
disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment and each of the elongated extension segments are
substantially parallel to each other with their respective free
ends oriented in opposite directions; and a twist shape in which
each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at
substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with
each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane
substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated
extension segment lies.
7. A method of playing a game with a transformable game device
having an electronic control module with an audio component and a
plurality of segments connected for articulation with respect to
each other by physical manipulation by the player, comprising the
steps of: activating the game device; responding to directions from
the audio component of the electronic control module by physically
manipulating at least one segment of the game device to reconfigure
the game device into the following configurations in accordance
with audio directions from the game: straight in which the three
elongated segments are generally aligned; an L in which the
elongated body segment and one of the elongated extension segments
are generally aligned and the other elongated extension segment is
disposed at generally a right angle to the elongated body segment;
a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is
disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated
extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension
segments generally oriented directed in the same direction; an S
shape in which each of the elongated extension segments is
generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated
body segment and each of the elongated extension segments are
substantially parallel to each other with their respective free
ends oriented in opposite directions; and a twist shape in which
each of the elongated extension segments is generally disposed at
substantially a right angle to the elongated body segment and with
each of the elongated extension segments lying in a plane
substantially perpendicular to a plane in which the other elongated
extension segment lies.
8. A method of playing a game of claim 7, including: assigning a
non-verbal sound to each of the shapes.
9. A method of playing a game of claim 7, including: assigning a
non-verbal sound that must precede directions from the audio
component in order to authorize a player to follow such
instructions; and randomly issuing directions without the
authorizing sound.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates generally to hand-held electronic
games, and more particularly to a game transformable by the
player's physical manipulation of the game in response to audio
directions.
[0003] 2. Background Art
[0004] Games in which players must physically respond to commands
from an electronic control module with an audio component are old
in the art. A well known example of such games is the "SIMON" game
shown in Morrison et al. U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,087 issued Jun. 10,
1980. In that game, the player must respond to the same sequence of
light and sound signals that the game emits by depressing selected
ones of four buttons carried by a central console. More recent
examples of such games are the "STIX" games shown in Stambolic et
al. U.S. Pat. No. 5,685,776 which are in elongated tubular form
with a generally, centrally mounted electronic display and various
types of controls at either end, e.g., push buttons, pull switches,
spring-loaded balls, flip switches, momentary switches, slide
switches, twist knobs, mouse controls, pointer balls, lever arms,
or the like. Another example of such prior art games is the game
shown in Klitsner et al. U.S. Pat. No. 6,086,478 issued Jul. 11,
2000. That hand-held game, which includes a plurality of input
devices, gives a command that the player must respond to by
activating the correct input device within a set time limit. Each
of the input devices requires a different mechanical action such as
depressing a switch, pulling a switch, or rotating a switch. When
the player correctly responds to the command by actuating the
proper switch, within a predetermined period of time, the game
issues a second command again requiring actuation of a correct
input device, within another predetermined time, or passage of the
game device to another player.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention is concerned with providing a
transformable game having a body segment, two extension segments, a
joint connecting each of the extension segments to the body segment
for articulation relative to the body segment, a position sensing
switch carried by each joint, an electronic control module, a power
source for the electronic control module, an audio component
operated by the electronic control module, circuitry connecting
each position sensing switch with the electronic control module and
providing input from each position sensing switch to the electronic
control module, and preprogrammed directions included in the
control module for a game responsive to input from the position
sensing switches.
[0006] The present invention is also concerned with providing a
game that includes responding to electronic audio directions by
physically manipulating at least one segment of a game device to
reconfigure the game device into the following configurations in
accordance with the directions:
[0007] straight in which three elongated segments are generally
aligned;
[0008] an L in which an elongated body segment and one of two
elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the other
elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right angle
to the elongated body segment;
[0009] a U shape in which each of the elongated extension segments
is disposed at a substantially right angle to the elongated body
segment, and is substantially parallel to the opposed elongated
extension segment and with the free ends of each of the extension
segments generally oriented directed in the same direction;
[0010] an S shape in which each of the elongated extension segments
is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to the
elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension segments
are substantially parallel to each other with their respective free
ends oriented in opposite directions; and
[0011] a twist shape in which each of the elongated extension
segments is generally disposed at substantially a right angle to
the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated extension
segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to a plane in
which the other elongated extension segment lies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] For a better understanding of the present invention,
reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0013] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention showing the game configured in a U shape in which
each of the elongated extension segments is disposed at a
substantially right angle to the elongated body segment, and is
substantially parallel to the opposed elongated extension segment
and with the free ends of each of the extension segments generally
oriented in the same direction;
[0014] FIG. 1B is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game
configured straight in which the three elongated segments are
generally aligned;
[0015] FIG. 1C is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game
configured in a twist shape in which each of the elongated
extension segments is generally disposed at substantially a right
angle to the elongated body segment and with each of the elongated
extension segments lying in a plane substantially perpendicular to
a plane in which the other elongated extension segment lies;
[0016] FIG. 1D is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game
configured in an L in which the elongated body segment and one of
the elongated extension segments are generally aligned and the
other elongated extension segment is disposed at generally a right
angle to the elongated body segment;
[0017] FIG. 1E is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game
configured in an S shape in which each of the elongated extension
segments is generally disposed at a substantially right angle to
the elongated body segment and each of the elongated extension
segments are substantially parallel to each other with their
respective free ends oriented in opposite directions;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along
line 2-2 of FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line 3-3 of
FIG. 2;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line 4-4 of
FIG. 2;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line 5-5 of
FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line 6-6 of
FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line 7-7 of
FIG. 2;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an exploded view, partially in section, of
components of one of the position sensing switches;
[0025] FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of one of the hinge
connection joints; and
[0026] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the switches, circuitry
and electronic components.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] Referring now to the drawings in which like parts are
designated with like reference numerals throughout the several
views, a transformable game 20 is shown in FIGS. 1A-1E in various
configurations or shapes into which the game may be physically
manipulated by players. Game 20 includes a generally elongated,
central body segment 22 that is conveniently cylindrical, or
tubular. Central body segment 22 has opposed ends 24 and 26.
Connected to central body segment 22, adjacent ends 24 and 26, are
elongated end segments 28 and 30, respectively.
[0028] As is best shown in FIG. 2, end segment 28 is connected to
body segment 22 by a hinge 32 which permits bending or angular
movement of end segment 28 into one of three positions relative to
body segment 22. Hinge 32 has outer slots 34 for securing spaced
apart arms 36 extending from end 24 of body segment. 22. Arms 36
are mounted for rotation about a pin 38 extending through hinge 32.
Thus, end segment 28, together with hinge 32, rotates relative to
arms 36 and body segment 22 providing bending or angular
articulation of end segment 28 relative to body segment 22. End
segment 28 has a free end 42 opposite hinge 32.
[0029] The other elongated end segment 30 is similarly connected
through a hinge 44 for bending or angular articulation relative to
central body segment 22. The details of hinge 44 are similar to
those of hinge 32 and hence will not be further described. However,
rather than being connected through its arms 46 to fixed end 26 of
body 22, hinge 44 is connected, through its arms 46 (only one of
which is shown), to a rotatable plug 50 carried in central body
segment 22, adjacent its end 26. Thus, hinge 44, and in turn end
segment 30, are rotatable relative to body segment 22, in addition
to being bendable or angularly articulated with respect to body
segment 22. End segment 30 has a free end 48 opposite hinge 44.
[0030] As is best shown in FIG. 2, end 24 of body segment 22
carries a position sensing switch 52 which includes a pin 54 biased
outwardly by a spring 56. Pin 54 carries a collar 58 against which
spring 56 pushes. Collar 58 also serves to selectively close one of
three, normally open, momentary switches 62, 64 or 66, depending on
how far pin 54 has been pushed by spring 56. As is also best shown
in FIGS. 2 and 9, of hinge 32 has a cam groove 68 which receives
extended pin 54. As end segment 28 is rotated through 180.degree.,
pin 54 will be pushed out of body segment 22 to various lengths or
positions depending upon the depth of cam groove 68 presented by
the angular position of end segment 28 and hinge 32. To facilitate
positioning of end segment 28 relative to body segment 22 at either
right angle position or aligned with body segment 22, suitable
detents (not shown) may be provided.
[0031] End 26 of body segment 22 also carries a switch 72 for
sensing the relative angular or bendable articulation of end
segment 30. In view of the similarity of the details of switch 72
with switch 52, they will not again be described. However, as is
best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, switch 72 is carried within rotatable
plug 50. There is also a rotatable position sensing switch 74
within body segment 22 with which rotatable plug 50 cooperates. As
is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 there are four, normally open,
momentary switches 76, 78, 80 and 82 mounted about inner periphery
84 of body segment 22, generally at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00
positions. A radial projection 88 on plug 50 engages, and
selectively closes one of switches 76, 78, 80 and 82 to indicate
the relative rotational position of end segment 30 and hinge 44
relative to body segment 22. As for the angular positions, suitable
detents (not shown) may be provided to facilitate rotational
positioning at a selected one of the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00
positions.
[0032] An electronic control module 90 is conveniently carried in
body segment 22. Control module 90 includes a printed circuit board
92 with a central processing chip 94. Also carried in body segment
22 is an audio speaker component 96 controlled by processing chip
94. In addition, batteries 98 providing power for the printed
circuit board and the speaker are conveniently carried in body
segment 22. There is also an on/off switch 100.
[0033] Circuitry, schematically indicated as 102 in FIG. 10
connects each of the positions sensing switches 52, 72 and 74 to
printed circuit board 92 for input of the position of end segments
28 and 30 relative to body segment 22. In addition, as is
schematically illustrated in FIG. 10, master on/off switch 100 may
be interposed between battery power source 98 and processing unit
94 for activation of the game. The control module 90 also contains
programs 104 with directions for a number of different games.
[0034] Various types of games may be played in accordance with the
directions programmed using conventional programming techniques,
some of which may be randomly generated, and issued by control
module 90 through speaker 96. In one such game, the player is given
"hot"/"cold" directions as the player attempts to transform the
game into a configuration that the control module has
predetermined, but not disclosed to the player. Another type of
game may be played in which the control module gives general
directions such as "bend it" for which there are a number of
correct responses. In such a game, a direction relating to a prior
move could also be given, such as, "bend it back", for which there
is only one correct response and which requires a player to recall
the prior move of that type. A variation on the previous game
involves a particular sound effect, randomly generated for a given
game, which must precede a direction in order for the player to be
authorized to follow the direction. Yet another game identifies
each particular configuration into which the game may be
transformed by a random sound effect, requiring the player to
recall the configuration or shape associated with the particular
sound effect as directions are given.
[0035] While particular embodiments of the invention have been
shown and described, with some further suggested alternatives,
further variations and modifications will occur to those skilled in
the art. It is intended in the appended claims to cover all such
variations and modifications that come within the true spirit and
scope of the present invention.
* * * * *