US20020111202A1 - Transformable game - Google Patents
Transformable game Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20020111202A1 US20020111202A1 US09/780,193 US78019301A US2002111202A1 US 20020111202 A1 US20020111202 A1 US 20020111202A1 US 78019301 A US78019301 A US 78019301A US 2002111202 A1 US2002111202 A1 US 2002111202A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- elongated
- segment
- game
- body segment
- segments
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
- A63F9/08—Puzzles provided with elements movable in relation, i.e. movably connected, to each other
- A63F9/088—Puzzles with elements that are connected by straps, strings or hinges, e.g. Rubik's Magic
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
- A63F2009/2448—Output devices
- A63F2009/247—Output devices audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
- A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
- A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
- A63F2009/2483—Other characteristics
- A63F2009/2492—Power supply
- A63F2009/2494—Battery, e.g. dry cell
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Multimedia (AREA)
- Toys (AREA)
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.
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- 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.
- 2. Background Art
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- straight in which three elongated segments are generally aligned;
- 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;
- 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.
- For a better understanding of the present invention, reference may be had to the accompanying drawings in which:
- 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;
- FIG. 1B is a reduced scale perspective view showing the game configured straight in which the three elongated segments are generally aligned;
- 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;
- 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;
- 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;
- FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view taken generally along line2-2 of FIG. 1A;
- FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken generally along line3-3 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken generally along line4-4 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along line5-5 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along line6-6 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 7 is a sectional view taken generally along line7-7 of FIG. 2;
- FIG. 8 is an exploded view, partially in section, of components of one of the position sensing switches;
- FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of one of the hinge connection joints; and
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the switches, circuitry and electronic components.
- 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 opposedends central body segment 22,adjacent ends elongated end segments - As is best shown in FIG. 2,
end segment 28 is connected tobody segment 22 by ahinge 32 which permits bending or angular movement ofend segment 28 into one of three positions relative tobody segment 22. Hinge 32 hasouter slots 34 for securing spaced apartarms 36 extending fromend 24 of body segment. 22.Arms 36 are mounted for rotation about apin 38 extending throughhinge 32. Thus,end segment 28, together withhinge 32, rotates relative toarms 36 andbody segment 22 providing bending or angular articulation ofend segment 28 relative tobody segment 22.End segment 28 has afree end 42opposite hinge 32. - The other
elongated end segment 30 is similarly connected through ahinge 44 for bending or angular articulation relative tocentral body segment 22. The details ofhinge 44 are similar to those ofhinge 32 and hence will not be further described. However, rather than being connected through itsarms 46 to fixedend 26 ofbody 22,hinge 44 is connected, through its arms 46 (only one of which is shown), to arotatable plug 50 carried incentral body segment 22, adjacent itsend 26. Thus,hinge 44, and inturn end segment 30, are rotatable relative tobody segment 22, in addition to being bendable or angularly articulated with respect tobody segment 22.End segment 30 has afree end 48opposite hinge 44. - As is best shown in FIG. 2,
end 24 ofbody segment 22 carries aposition sensing switch 52 which includes apin 54 biased outwardly by a spring 56.Pin 54 carries acollar 58 against which spring 56 pushes.Collar 58 also serves to selectively close one of three, normally open,momentary switches far pin 54 has been pushed by spring 56. As is also best shown in FIGS. 2 and 9, ofhinge 32 has acam groove 68 which receives extendedpin 54. Asend segment 28 is rotated through 180°,pin 54 will be pushed out ofbody segment 22 to various lengths or positions depending upon the depth ofcam groove 68 presented by the angular position ofend segment 28 andhinge 32. To facilitate positioning ofend segment 28 relative tobody segment 22 at either right angle position or aligned withbody segment 22, suitable detents (not shown) may be provided. -
End 26 ofbody segment 22 also carries aswitch 72 for sensing the relative angular or bendable articulation ofend segment 30. In view of the similarity of the details ofswitch 72 withswitch 52, they will not again be described. However, as is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, switch 72 is carried withinrotatable plug 50. There is also a rotatableposition sensing switch 74 withinbody segment 22 with which rotatable plug 50 cooperates. As is best shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 there are four, normally open,momentary switches inner periphery 84 ofbody segment 22, generally at the 12:00, 3:00, 6:00 and 9:00 positions. Aradial projection 88 onplug 50 engages, and selectively closes one ofswitches end segment 30 and hinge 44 relative tobody 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. - An
electronic control module 90 is conveniently carried inbody segment 22.Control module 90 includes a printedcircuit board 92 with a central processing chip 94. Also carried inbody 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 inbody segment 22. There is also an on/offswitch 100. - Circuitry, schematically indicated as 102 in FIG. 10 connects each of the
positions sensing switches circuit board 92 for input of the position ofend segments body segment 22. In addition, as is schematically illustrated in FIG. 10, master on/offswitch 100 may be interposed betweenbattery power source 98 and processing unit 94 for activation of the game. Thecontrol module 90 also contains programs 104 with directions for a number of different games. - 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. - 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.
Claims (9)
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.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/780,193 US20020111202A1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Transformable game |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/780,193 US20020111202A1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Transformable game |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20020111202A1 true US20020111202A1 (en) | 2002-08-15 |
Family
ID=25118905
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/780,193 Abandoned US20020111202A1 (en) | 2001-02-09 | 2001-02-09 | Transformable game |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
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US (1) | US20020111202A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7351148B1 (en) | 2004-09-15 | 2008-04-01 | Hasbro, Inc. | Electronic sequence matching game and method of game play using same |
US7410170B1 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2008-08-12 | Hasbro, Inc. | Game having an electronic instruction unit |
US20080293470A1 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | Ian Douglas Proud | Electronic outdoor game apparatus |
US7780166B1 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2010-08-24 | Big Monster Toys, Llc | Game having an electronic instruction unit with a mechanical die agitator |
US7985137B1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2011-07-26 | Klitsner Industrial Design, Inc | Hand-held electronic game device |
US8070162B1 (en) | 2004-09-23 | 2011-12-06 | Hasbro, Inc. | Game having an electronic instruction unit |
CN103111071A (en) * | 2011-11-16 | 2013-05-22 | 美泰有限公司 | Electronic toy |
-
2001
- 2001-02-09 US US09/780,193 patent/US20020111202A1/en not_active Abandoned
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7351148B1 (en) | 2004-09-15 | 2008-04-01 | Hasbro, Inc. | Electronic sequence matching game and method of game play using same |
US8070162B1 (en) | 2004-09-23 | 2011-12-06 | Hasbro, Inc. | Game having an electronic instruction unit |
US7985137B1 (en) | 2005-07-13 | 2011-07-26 | Klitsner Industrial Design, Inc | Hand-held electronic game device |
US7780166B1 (en) | 2006-06-01 | 2010-08-24 | Big Monster Toys, Llc | Game having an electronic instruction unit with a mechanical die agitator |
US7410170B1 (en) | 2006-06-26 | 2008-08-12 | Hasbro, Inc. | Game having an electronic instruction unit |
US20080293470A1 (en) * | 2007-05-23 | 2008-11-27 | Ian Douglas Proud | Electronic outdoor game apparatus |
CN103111071A (en) * | 2011-11-16 | 2013-05-22 | 美泰有限公司 | Electronic toy |
US8888100B2 (en) | 2011-11-16 | 2014-11-18 | Mattel, Inc. | Electronic toy |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BRESLOW, MORRISON, TERZIAN & ASSOCIATES, L.L.C, IL Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:ANNIS, ROBERT E.G.;STAMBOLIC, ZARKO;ROSENWINKEL, DONALD A.;REEL/FRAME:011748/0737;SIGNING DATES FROM 20010416 TO 20010417 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |