US3844564A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Educational game relating to computers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1973-05-21
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1993-05-21
Abstract
Abstract An educational game relating to computers comprises a data-chip and a control-chip for each player, representing data and control signals respectively. The game further includes a board marked with a path of movement for the data-chips, which path includes AND-gates, OR-gates, INHIBIT-gates, and a number of other digital devices such as delays, diodes, inverters, counter, memory drum, and the like. The game further includes binary dice serving as a random number generator which are thrown by each player in his turn to determine the number of steps he may move his data-chip or control-chip. The control-chip may be used offensively, to open gates for him; or defensively, to close gates against his opponent. As each player advances his data-chip, he encounters the various digital devices in its path of movement, which devices influence the advance in accordance with their normal functions in a computer. In an electrical version of the game, an indicator lamp is provided for each of the gates. The data-chips and control-chips are provided with metal bases which, when positioned at the gates, bridge interruptions in the lamp circuits to energize the lamps under appropriate circumstances to indicate that the gates are open.
Inventors
- 👤 B Barish
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 09:03
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/04; A63F3/0457
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A game simulating the operation of digital computers, comprising: a. a first set of playing pieces each designating a data signal, there being one such data-signal playing piece for each player; b. a second set of playing pieces each designating a control signal, there being one such control-signal playing piece for each player, said control-signal playing pieces being of distinguishing physical characteristics from said data-signal playing pieces; c. a board marked with a data-signal path of movement divided into a plurality of steps for said data-signal playing pieces, and with a plurality of control-signal paths of movement divided into a plurality of steps for said control-signal playing pieces, said board carrying indicia designating logical gates used in digital computers, each gate having tWo inputs and one output, one input and the output of each gate being in the path of movement of the data-signal playing pieces, and the second input of each gate being in a path of movement of the control-signal playing pieces; d. and random number generator means manipulatable by the players to determine the number of steps to be taken by each player in his turn in moving his respective data-signal playing piece and/or control-signal playing piece.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
200 words
A game simulating the operation of digital computers, comprising: a. a first set of playing pieces each designating a data signal, there being one such data-signal playing piece for each player; b. a second set of playing pieces each designating a control signal, there being one such control-signal playing piece for each player, said control-signal playing pieces being of distinguishing physical characteristics from said data-signal playing pieces; c. a board marked with a data-signal path of movement divided into a plurality of steps for said data-signal playing pieces, and with a plurality of control-signal paths of movement divided into a plurality of steps for said control-signal playing pieces, said board carrying indicia designating logical gates used in digital computers, each gate having tWo inputs and one output, one input and the output of each gate being in the path of movement of the data-signal playing pieces, and the second input of each gate being in a path of movement of the control-signal playing pieces; d. and random number generator means manipulatable by the players to determine the number of steps to be taken by each player in his turn in moving his respective data-signal playing piece and/or control-signal playing piece.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein at least some of said gates designate logical AND-gates permitting the passing therethrough of the data signal playing pieces when the second input of said gate is occupied by a control signal playing piece.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
64 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said gates designates an OR-gate having two inputs and one output, one input and the output being in the main path of movement of the data signal playing pieces, the other input being in a branch path of movement of the data signal playing pieces joining same to the main path of movement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said gates designates an INHIBIT-gate inhibiting the passing therthrough of a data signal playing piece when the second input thereof is occupied by a control signal playing piece.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein said gates include indicators indicating when the gate is closed or open, the board including means operated by the respective data signal and control signal playing pieces for actuating said indicators.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A game according to claim 5, wherein said indicators are electric lamps, the board including an electric circuit, and the playing pieces including electrical conductors adapted to bridge portions of the electric circuit for actuating the indicator lamps.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein said random number generator means comprises a plurality of elements carrying indicia designating numbers in the binary notation, said pluality of elements including further indicia designating, when displayed, that all said gates are open.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
60 words
A game according to claim 1, wherein said board indicia also designates data processing elements each having one input for the data signal playing pieces and a plurality of outputs at least some of which direct the data signal playing pieces to different branches of said data signal path, according to the number displayed by the random number generator means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
62 words
A game according to claim 1, further including a stack of instruction cards each marked with an instruction to be performed by the player who receives same, certain of said stops on the board being designated as instruction stops requiring the player who lands on same to take the top instruction card in the stack and to perform the instruction marked thereon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |