Patent · US Expired

Microprocessor controlled game apparatus

US4240638A · kind A · utility

126Cited by
13References
22Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJan 6, 1978
Grant dateDec 23, 1980
Priority date
Expiry dateJan 6, 1998

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63F9/0078
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An electronic game having a field of play arranged in an array as a key board of individually operable key pad switches defining array positions on which one or more players attempt to discover a hidden maze path from a designated starting point. A player wins or completes the game when the maze path is traversed from start to finish. The device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, generate different maze paths for each play of the game, monitor the entry of key board information, and control the output of indications to the players as to the progress of the game. The microprocessor also controls the generation of distinct aural tones and/or tone sequences representing each players' turn, incorrect moves, not responding within the time period for a move, the duration of each player's turn, and a game completion message. In an alternative scheme of play, two players start at opposite ends of a common maze path and attempt to reach other others' starting point. In other schemes of play, penalties are programmed into the microprocessor requiring a player to return to start upon operation of an incorrect key pad. The microprocessor in other schemes of play is …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.