Patent · US Expired

Electronic game with animated host

US4799678A · kind A · utility

24Cited by
5References
13Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateFeb 6, 1987
Grant dateJan 24, 1989
Priority date
Expiry dateFeb 6, 2007

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA63F2009/2476
  • WIPO fieldFurniture, games
  • WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

An electronic game playing device including an animated character and a synthesized voice. Game play instructions, required responses and awards, are contained in a program memory within a base on which the character is mounted. Carried by the base are a player input touch pad including the letters of the alphabet and individual player input buttons as well as a gridwork of lightable spaces. Animation of different features of the character is initiated at different times in response to audio signals emanating from the voice synthesis, or from an interfaced tape player, through an animation drive powered by a single motor. The animiation drive includes a shaft carrying relatively rotatable components some of which are rotated by other of the components after a predetermined amount of rotation by such other components. Movement of the character's mouth is accomplished by a second motor having a drive engaging the edge of an inner extension of the lower jaw.

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