Amusement devices: games – Including means for processing electronic data – Player-actuated control structure
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-31
2001-08-14
Chiu, Raleigh W. (Department: 3711)
Amusement devices: games
Including means for processing electronic data
Player-actuated control structure
C463S046000, C463S037000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06273819
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a hand held electronic game for more realistically simulating an activity. More specifically, the invention relates to sensors that require a user to perform functions similar to those performed during the activity simulated by the game or device in order to determine inputs for playing the game. In the preferred embodiment both finger-movement and ball housing-movement sensors positioned within a hand held electronic bowling game determine the movement characteristics of an electronic ball while playing the electronic game.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Prior art hand held electronic games, such as for bowling, generally, if at all, use crude mechanisms to determine traveling characteristics of the ball, such as ball direction and ball force. These prior art devices are lacking in a number of ways. The most glaring deficiency stems from the prior art's inability to simulate actual movements of an individual performing the activity simulated by the electronic device.
For example, the prior art commonly uses buttons and joysticks to determine direction of the ball and simple on-off switches to determine movement of the ball. More complicated systems requiring potentiometers with a spring loaded mass attached to the shaft and spring loaded weights with mechanical switching devices are also known but these systems are expensive, complex, and require precision manufacturing.
Thus, there is a continuing need to provide inexpensive yet realistic hand held electronic devices that are simple and easy to manufacture and assemble. This invention addresses this needs in the art as well as other needs, which will become apparent to those skilled in the art once given this disclosure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One object of the present invention is to provide an increased simulation effect for hand held electronic games.
Another object of the invention is to provide uncomplicated and inexpensive mechanisms to simulate a game electronically.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide both finger and ball sensors in a electronic bowling game to determine the traveling characteristics of an electronic ball.
A further object of the invention is to provide sensors for electronic games that permit the user to realistically simulate the activities associated with the real games.
The foregoing objects are basically attained by providing a hand held electronic game, comprising: a housing; a finger activated element coupled to the housing at a fixed end, and having a first finger receiving area and an actuating element coupled to a free end, the first finger activated element being capable of moving between a first position and a second position and the finger receiving area having an open end adjacent the fixed end and a closed end adjacent the free end; and a finger-movement sensing device rigidly coupled to the housing and coupled to the actuating element at both the first position and the second position.
The foregoing objects are also attained by providing a hand held electronic game, comprising: a housing; a housing-movement sensing device rigidly coupled to the housing, the device including a resilient element coupled to a weight-extension assembly, the resilient element coupled between the housing and the weight-extension assembly and the weight-extension assembly capable of moving upon movement of the housing; a light source; and a light sensor for receiving light from the light source, the weight-extension assembly having an extension positioned between the light source and the light sensor.
The foregoing objects are further attained by providing a hand held electronic game, comprising: a housing; a finger activated element coupled to the housing at a fixed end, and having a first finger receiving area and an actuating element coupled to a free end, the first finger activated element being capable of moving between a first position and a second position and the finger receiving area having an open end adjacent the fixed end and a closed end adjacent the free end; a finger-movement sensing device rigidly coupled to the housing and coupled to the actuating element at both the first position and the second position; a housing-movement sensing device rigidly coupled to the housing, the device including a resilient element coupled to a weight-extension assembly, the resilient element coupled between the housing and the weight-extension assembly and the weight-extension assembly capable of moving upon movement of the housing; a light source; and a light sensor for receiving light from the light source, the weight-extension assembly having an extension positioned between the light source and the light sensor.
Other objects, advantages, and salient features of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with the annexed drawings, discloses preferred embodiments of the invention.
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Bao Zhou Hui
Bristow Steve
Chiang Eric
Lee Isaac
Ng Brian
Chiu Raleigh W.
Radica China Limited
Roylance,Abrams,Berdo & Goodman, L.L.P.
LandOfFree
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