US4333657A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic dart game
Assignee: Glass Marvin and Associates
•
Filing: 1980-02-08
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Granted: 1982-06-08
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Expires: 2000-02-08
Abstract
Abstract An electronic dart game includes the provision of a housing and a plurality of generally radially positioned target areas. The housing may be self-supporting or may include means for supporting the housing on a vertical surface such as a wall or door. The targets comprise a plurality of generally tapered or pie-shaped segments, each segment being a depressible panel or switch for establishing an electrical contact when depressed. A plurality of projectiles, preferably loosely filled flexible packets, are hurled by the players toward the targets. Because of the proximity to one another and the adjacent nature of the innermost tips of the panels, a plurality of panels, or switches, may be actuated upon being hit by one of the projectiles. Each of the panels includes a light source, such as a light emitting diode, to indicate when the panel has been actuated. A microcomputer and associated circuitry is programmed to provide a plurality of games for a predetermined number of players. The housing may include a catch gutter for the projectiles and a plurality of switches for operating the game as well as a display for indicating a score or other relevant information.
Inventors
- 👤 Eugene Jaworski
- 👤 Harry Disko
- 👤 Jeffrey D. Breslow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:35
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J5/00; F41J5/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
121 words
A microcomputer controlled target game, comprising; a housing; a plurality of player actuable target elements mounted on said housing, said target elements being arranged in a generally radial array; at least one game object; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of a target element by a game object; means for producing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the detection by said control means of the actuation of a target element; microcomputer means for detecting the simultaneous actuation of more than one element; means for automatically accruing a game point value for the simultaneous actuation of more than one target element; and microcomputer means for automatically accumulating the accrued point values of the target elements actuated by a game object.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
121 words
A microcomputer controlled target game, comprising; a housing; a plurality of player actuable target elements mounted on said housing, said target elements being arranged in a generally radial array; at least one game object; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of a target element by a game object; means for producing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the detection by said control means of the actuation of a target element; microcomputer means for detecting the simultaneous actuation of more than one element; means for automatically accruing a game point value for the simultaneous actuation of more than one target element; and microcomputer means for automatically accumulating the accrued point values of the target elements actuated by a game object.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said target elements are generally pie-shaped and are arranged in side-by-side alignment.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game of claim 1 wherein said object is a particulate filled flexible container, sized for launching by hand at said target elements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The game of claim 1 including microcomputer means for accumulating the number of elements actuated simultaneously and means for determining the amount of a bonus point assignment in accordance with the number of elements simultaneously actuated.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The game of claim 1 including selectively actuable means for switching the state of said target elements between a first and second state in response to each actuation of the target element and means for visually indicating the state of said target elements.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
The game of claim 1 including selectively actuable means for randomly assigning distinctive point values to a plurality of said elements and means for indicating the randomly assigned value and the element to which said value is assigned.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
The game of claim 1 including microcomputer means for assigning a point value to at least two of said target elements to be added to said accrued point value in response to actuation of only one of said elements.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The game of claim 7 wherein all of said elements have the same point value.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The game of claim 1 including means for displaying the accrued point value after each actuation of a target element.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
A microcomputer controlled target game, comprising: a housing; a plurality of player actuable target elements arranged on said housing; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of said target elements; means for providing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the actuation of an element; microcomputer means for randomly assigning a distinctive point value to a plurality of said elements; and means for indicating the randomly assigned point value and the element to which said value is assigned.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
78 words
A microcomputer controlled target game, comprising: a housing; a plurality of player actuable target elements arranged on said housing; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of said target elements; means for providing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the actuation of an element; microcomputer means for randomly assigning a distinctive point value to a plurality of said elements; and means for indicating the randomly assigned point value and the element to which said value is assigned.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The game of claim 10 wherein said indication of said assigned point value is of short duration such that a player must memorize the assigned point value in order to actuate the most desirable elements.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
24 words
The game of claim 11 including means for deactuating a target element after its initial actuation such that a repeated actuation is not detected.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The game of claim 11 including means for assigning the point value of the element which is the lowest of those actuated when multiple elements are simultaneously actuated.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
16 words
The game of claim 10 including means for indicating the duration of said point value assignment.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
The game device of claim 14 wherein said point value assignment is sequentially varied from one element to the next adjacent element in a timed sequence.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game device of claim 15 including means for automatically discontinuing said indication of the point value assignment after a period of time.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
47 words
The game of claim 15 wherein said point value indication includes means for illuminating only one of said elements at a time, thereby indicating that at that time only one of said elements has a point value, said illuminating means including means for sequentially illuminating said elements.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
23 words
The game device of claim 10 wherein the time duration of said event is indicative of the value assigned to the associated element.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
19 words
The game of claim 10 wherein said target elements are arranged in a radial array and are generally pie-shaped.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The game of claim 15 wherein said point value assignment is varied at a constant rate.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
135 words
A microcomputer controlled game, comprising: a housing; a plurality of player actuable elements arranged on said housing; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of said elements; means for providing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the actuation of an element; means for monitoring an element to determine if it is actuated within a predetermined time period, including means for successively monitoring at a constant rate one element after another; means for indicating when an element is being monitored; and means for discontinuing said indication when the element is being monitored after a period of time such that a player must mentally time the monitoring sequence in order to actuate the proper element in rhythm with the sequence of said monitoring means without the benefit of the indication that the element is being monitored.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
135 words
A microcomputer controlled game, comprising: a housing; a plurality of player actuable elements arranged on said housing; microcomputer control means for detecting the actuation of said elements; means for providing a sensorially perceptible event in response to the actuation of an element; means for monitoring an element to determine if it is actuated within a predetermined time period, including means for successively monitoring at a constant rate one element after another; means for indicating when an element is being monitored; and means for discontinuing said indication when the element is being monitored after a period of time such that a player must mentally time the monitoring sequence in order to actuate the proper element in rhythm with the sequence of said monitoring means without the benefit of the indication that the element is being monitored.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
20 words
The game of claim 21 wherein said elements are target elements, said game including a projectile for actuating said elements.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
18 words
The game of claim 22 wherein said elements are pie-shaped and are arranged in a side-by-side radial array.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
The game of claim 23 wherein said monitoring means proceeds from one element to its adjacent element in succession.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
31 words
The game of claim 21 including means for assigning a point value to each element and means for accruing the point values of the elements actuated within the predetermined time period.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1985-06-07 | 1985-12-07 | 1986-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-06-07 | 1989-12-07 | 1990-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-06-07 | 1993-12-07 | 1994-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |