US4672541A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video game with interactive enlarged play action inserts
Assignee: Hasbro Inc
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Filing: 1984-05-31
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Granted: 1987-06-09
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Expires: 2004-05-31
Abstract
Abstract A method of operating a video game which comprises storing at least two different but related playfield displays and changing playfield displays in response to the player-initiated selection of a designated switch, representing a specific game action.
Inventors
- 👤 Eric Bromley
- 👤 Beverly D. Sustare
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 22:47
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N5/00; H04N5/44; H04N5/445; H04N5/45; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/50; A63F13/53; A63F13/537; A63F13/5378; A63F13/52; A63F13/55; A63F13/57; A63F13/80; A63F13/812; A63F13/20; A63F13/24; A63F9/00; A63F9/001; A63F2009/0036; A63F2009/0039; A63F2009/0041; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/10; A63F2300/1043; A63F2300/30; A63F2300/303; A63F2300/60; A63F2300/64; A63F2300/66; A63F2300/80; A63F2300/8011
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of operating a video game which comprises a video display processor and a video random access memory, said processor including means for addressing said video random access memory to read display elements therefrom for display on a video screen, a central processing unit communicating with said video display processor, a replaceable game memory device readable by said central processing unit, said game memory device containing digital data indicative of at least two playfield displays for the video game, said central processing unit being in communication with said game memory device to transfer display data therein to said video random access memory, and player controller means connected to said central processing unit for control of movement or objects on the video display, comprising the steps of storing in said game memory device digital data representative of at least two related playfield displays where one playfield display depicts portions of the other playfield display, transferring data indicative of one playfield display from said game memory device to said video random access memory for display, sensing a first game event in one of said displays and transferring data indicative of a second display from said game memory device to said video random access memory for display, and sensing another game event in said second display and transferring data indicative of said one of said displays to said video random access memory, at least one of the sensing steps being in response to a game player selection made by a game player through said player controller means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
255 words
A method of operating a video game which comprises a video display processor and a video random access memory, said processor including means for addressing said video random access memory to read display elements therefrom for display on a video screen, a central processing unit communicating with said video display processor, a replaceable game memory device readable by said central processing unit, said game memory device containing digital data indicative of at least two playfield displays for the video game, said central processing unit being in communication with said game memory device to transfer display data therein to said video random access memory, and player controller means connected to said central processing unit for control of movement or objects on the video display, comprising the steps of storing in said game memory device digital data representative of at least two related playfield displays where one playfield display depicts portions of the other playfield display, transferring data indicative of one playfield display from said game memory device to said video random access memory for display, sensing a first game event in one of said displays and transferring data indicative of a second display from said game memory device to said video random access memory for display, and sensing another game event in said second display and transferring data indicative of said one of said displays to said video random access memory, at least one of the sensing steps being in response to a game player selection made by a game player through said player controller means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the playfield display depicting a portion of the other display depicts said portion in at least one isolated block.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 2 where a movable game object is displayed in said isolated block corresponding to a movable game object of the other display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 where one of said sensing steps is coincidence of game objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein one of said displays is a baseball field showing all defensive players, and the other of said displays is an enlarged pitcher and batter together with isolated inserts of the areas about first, second and third bases.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 5 where base runners, if any, are shown on both of said displays.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 5 where base runners, if any, are shown in said isolated inserts.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 where at least one of said playfield displays show movable objects, and using said player controller for selecting an object for movement and causing movement of the selected object.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 8 further including the step of controlling the rate of movement of the selected object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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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) | 1990-06-08 | 1990-12-08 | 1991-06-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-06-08 | 1994-12-08 | 1995-06-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-06-08 | 1998-12-08 | 1999-06-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |