US5528223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Video game cartridge including a security device and method of deterring theft of same
Assignee: Sensormatic Electronics Corp
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Filing: 1994-09-27
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Granted: 1996-06-18
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Expires: 2014-09-27
Abstract
Abstract A video game cartridge includes a memory and a security device, which comprises a magnetically operated switch and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to the switch. The switch has first and second states with the first state for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and the second state for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge. The magnetic element has a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert L. DiLonardo
- 👤 Douglas A. Narlow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 18:16
CPC Classifications
G; G08; G08B; G08B13/00; G08B13/02; G08B13/14; G08B13/1409
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 30
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A video game cartridge including: a memory; and a security device comprising: a magnetically operated switch having first and second states connected to said memory of said cartridge, said first state of the switch for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and the second state of the switch for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge; and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said magnetic element having a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A video game cartridge including: a memory; and a security device comprising: a magnetically operated switch having first and second states connected to said memory of said cartridge, said first state of the switch for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and the second state of the switch for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge; and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said magnetic element having a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state when said element is magnetized and is in said second magnetic state when said element is demagnetized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 2, wherein: said switch includes contacts which are closed when said switch is in the first state and the magnetic element is magnetized and said contacts are open when said switch is in the second state and the magnetic element is demagnetized.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
35 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 3, further comprising: resistor means connected to said memory to keep an input to said memory at logical high when said contacts are in said open position.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said switch is a reed switch.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 5, wherein: said magnetic element is comprised of a semi-hard magnetic material.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said switch is a Hall effect device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
58 words
A video game cartridge in accordance with claim 1, wherein: said magnetic element is a semi-hard magnetic element of a marker, said marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system being secured to said video game cartridge to enable detection by the electronic article surveillance system of the cartridge and for activating and deactivating the security device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
102 words
A video game player including: operating means; and a security device comprising: a magnetically operated switch having first and second states connected to said operating means of said player, said first state of the switch for inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and the second state of the switch for permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player; and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said magnetic element having a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
102 words
A video game player including: operating means; and a security device comprising: a magnetically operated switch having first and second states connected to said operating means of said player, said first state of the switch for inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and the second state of the switch for permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player; and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said magnetic element having a first magnetic state for placing the switch in the first state and a second magnetic state for placing the switch in the second state.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state when said element is magnetized and is in said second magnetic state when said element is demagnetized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 10, wherein: said switch includes contacts which are closed when said switch is in the first state and the magnetic element is magnetized and said contacts are open when said switch is in the second state and the magnetic element is demagnetized.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 11, further comprising: resistor means connected to said operating means to keep an input to said operating means at logical high when said contacts are in said open position.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said switch is a reed switch.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
20 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 13, wherein: said magnetic element is comprised of a semi-hard magnetic material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said switch is a Hall effect device.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
58 words
A video game player in accordance with claim 9, wherein: said magnetic element is a semi-hard magnetic element of a marker, said marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system being secured to said video game player to enable detection by an electronic article surveillance system of the player and for activating and deactivating the security device.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for permitting or inhibiting the functioning of a video game cartridge including a memory and a security device, comprising the steps of: providing and positioning said security device in said cartridge, said security device comprising a magnetically operated switch connected to the memory of the cartridge and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said switch having a first state for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and a second state for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and said magnetic element having first and second magnetic states; and placing said magnetic element in said first or second magnetic state so that when said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state, said switch is placed in the first state thereby inhibiting the functioning of the memory and when said magnetic element is in said second magnetic state, said switch is placed in the second state thereby permitting the functioning of the memory.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
162 words
A method for permitting or inhibiting the functioning of a video game cartridge including a memory and a security device, comprising the steps of: providing and positioning said security device in said cartridge, said security device comprising a magnetically operated switch connected to the memory of the cartridge and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said switch having a first state for inhibiting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and a second state for permitting the functioning of the memory of the cartridge and said magnetic element having first and second magnetic states; and placing said magnetic element in said first or second magnetic state so that when said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state, said switch is placed in the first state thereby inhibiting the functioning of the memory and when said magnetic element is in said second magnetic state, said switch is placed in the second state thereby permitting the functioning of the memory.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
61 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein: said switch in said first state is closed when said magnetic element in said first magnetic state is magnetized thereby inhibiting the functioning of the memory and said switch in said second state is open when said magnetic element in said second magnetic state is demagnetized thereby permitting the functioning of the memory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method in accordance with claim 18, said method further comprises: providing resistor means connected to the memory of the cartridge to keep an input to the memory at logical high when the switch is open.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein: said switch is a reed switch.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
56 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein: said magnetic element is a semi-hard magnetic element of a marker, said marker for use in an electronic article surveillance system being secured to said video game cartridge to enable detection by an electronic article surveillance system of the cartridge and for activating and deactivating the security device.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 17, wherein: said switch is a Hall effect device.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for permitting or inhibiting the functioning of a video game player including operating means and a security device, comprising the steps of: providing and positioning said security device in said player, said security device comprising a magnetically operated switch connected to the operating means of the player and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said switch having a first state for inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and a second state for permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player and said magnetic element having first and second magnetic states; and placing said magnetic element in said first or second magnetic state so that when said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state, said switch is placed in the first state thereby inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and when said magnetic element is in said second magnetic state, said switch is placed in the second state thereby permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
173 words
A method for permitting or inhibiting the functioning of a video game player including operating means and a security device, comprising the steps of: providing and positioning said security device in said player, said security device comprising a magnetically operated switch connected to the operating means of the player and a magnetic element positioned adjacent to said switch, said switch having a first state for inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and a second state for permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player and said magnetic element having first and second magnetic states; and placing said magnetic element in said first or second magnetic state so that when said magnetic element is in said first magnetic state, said switch is placed in the first state thereby inhibiting the functioning of the operating means of the player and when said magnetic element is in said second magnetic state, said switch is placed in the second state thereby permitting the functioning of the operating means of the player.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said switch in said first state is closed when said magnetic element in said first magnetic state is magnetized thereby inhibiting the functioning of the operating means and said switch in said second state is open when said magnetic element in said second magnetic state is demagnetized thereby permitting the functioning of the operating means.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said switch is a reed switch.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method in accordance with claim 23, wherein: said switch is a Hall effect device.
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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) | 1999-06-18 | 1999-12-18 | 2000-06-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-06-18 | 2003-12-18 | 2004-06-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-06-18 | 2007-12-18 | 2008-06-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |