Electronic maze game

Details Electronic maze game Electronic maze game

1999-07-13

2001-08-14

Harrison, Jessica J. (Department: 3713)

Amusement devices: games

Puzzles

Jumping movement

C273S109000, C273S237000, C273S258000, C273S263000, C463S009000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06273420

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to games and, in particular, to a computer generated maze game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Maze games are well known. Typically, maze games are comprised of a series of walls or barriers that form a labyrinth through which one or more players proceed to a particular goal. Players observe and evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of proceeding down alternative paths. Often players proceed down a pathway only to backtrack to avoid unforeseen dead-ends or other adverse consequences. Many maze games are embellished with hazards, clues, and other game devices that add visual appeal and depth to the game. Various electronic maze games are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,326,719, 4,323,342, 4,288,537, 4,103,895, 4,240,638, and 4,089,524.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a fast-action computer game for two players, a cat and a mouse. The invention is comprised of a computer program residing or otherwise integrated into a personal computer or on another interactive electronic processing device, having an input device such as a keyboard and a monitor. The hardware and software program of the invention are collectively referred to herein as the “system.” In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the computer program of the invention randomly generates a maze, comprised of plurality vertical and horizontal running segments forming a two-dimensional array of squares, that is initially invisible to the players. Each segment is assigned a particular wall type: an open segment (passageway), a solid wall, one way, cat only, mouse only, teleport, randomizer, and mouse hole wall types. As the players move through the initially invisible maze, the maze walls adjacent each player's position become visible in a manner dictated by a particular vision setting selected by the player at the beginning of the game. The cat's object of the game is to catch the mouse by occupying the mouse's location, i.e., by landing on the mouse. The mouse's object is to reach the mouse hole, which is located at a unique location within the maze, before being caught.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3625516 (1971-12-01), Handweller
patent: 4089524 (1978-05-01), Hauck
patent: 4103895 (1978-08-01), Pressman et al.
patent: 4240638 (1980-12-01), Morrison et al.
patent: 4288537 (1981-09-01), Knetzger
patent: 4323242 (1982-04-01), Rosenfeld
patent: 4326719 (1982-04-01), Tran et al.
patent: 4511143 (1985-04-01), Sankrithi
patent: 4674753 (1987-06-01), Hochstim
patent: 4850592 (1989-07-01), Winter
patent: 5050883 (1991-09-01), Goldfarb et al.
Internet, “www.billsgames.com/invisiblemaze/,”.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Electronic maze game does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Electronic maze game, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electronic maze game will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2479872