Abstract The present invention pertains to an apparatus and method, in conjunction with standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display, manipulation, and use of symbols or geometric figures upon the screen of the television receivers for the purpose of training simulation, for playing games, and for engaging in other activities by one or more participants. The invention comprises in one embodiment a control unit, connecting elements and in some applications a television screen overlay mask utilized in conjunction with a standard television receiver. The control 10 unit includes the control, switches and electronic circuitry for the generation, manipulation and control of video signals which are to be displayed on the television screen. The connecting elements couple the video signals to the receiver antenna terminals thereby using existing electronic circuits within the receiver to process and display the signals. An overlay mask which may be removably attached to the television screen may determine the nature of the game to be played or the training simulated. Control units are provided for each of the participants. In the present invention dots are generated on a television screen and controls are provided to cause one dot to overlap the other. Alternatively, a photoelectric element senses light emitted by a displayed dot and denotes that the light has been sensed.
A method of employing a standard television receiver for active participation by players, comprising the steps of: generating controlled television video signals representing ''''dots'''' displayed on the screen of a single television receiver; directly coupling said video signals only to a single television receiver being viewed by the players; and moving the ''''dots'''' over the television screen.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
57 words
A method of employing a standard television receiver for active participation by players, comprising the steps of: generating controlled television video signals representing ''''dots'''' displayed on the screen of a single television receiver; directly coupling said video signals only to a single television receiver being viewed by the players; and moving the ''''dots'''' over the television screen.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
91 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said step of generating video signals includes the steps of: generating positive and negative pulse trains at the horizontal sync frequency; generating positive and negative pulse trains at the vertical sync frequency; delaying said positive pulse trains amounts proportional to the desired position on the screen where the ''''dots'''' are to be displayed; AND gating said delayed positive pulse trains; summing said negative pulse trains and said AND gate delayed pulse trains; generating an rf signal; and modulating said rf signal with said summed signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein two ''''dots'''' are generated and displayed, further including the step of causing one of the ''''dots'''' to disappear when the two ''''dots'''' are moved to the same position.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 1 further including the steps of sensing light emitted by a displayeD dot with a photoelectric element, and denoting that light has been sensed.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 1 employed in conjunction with video information broadcast by a cooperative station, further including the step of receiving video information from a cooperative station and displaying same along with said ''''dots.''''
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1, said step of coupling said signals including the step of attaching a wire to the antenna terminals of the television receiver to directly couple the generated video signals to the television receiver.