US3659285A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Television gaming apparatus and method
Assignee: Lockheed Martin Corp
•
Filing: 1969-08-21
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Granted: 1972-04-25
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Expires: 1989-08-21
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus and methods are herein disclosed for use in conjunction with standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display and manipulation of symbols upon the screen of the television receivers for the purpose of playing games, training simulation and for engaging in other activities by one or more participants. The invention comprises in one embodiment a control unit, connecting means and in some applications a television screen overlay mask utilized in conjunction with a standard television receiver. The control unit includes the control means, switches and electronic circuitry for the generation, manipulation and control of video signals representing symbols which are to be displayed on the television screen. The symbols are generated by voltage controlled delay of pulses and coincidence gating. The connecting means couples 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. Control units may be provided for each of the participants. Alternatively, games may be carried out in conjunction with background and other pictorial information originated in the television receiver by commercial TV, closedcircuit TV or a CATV station.
Inventors
- 👤 Ralph H Baer
- 👤 William T Rusch
- 👤 William L Harrison
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 20:11
CPC Classifications
A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F13/40; A63F13/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
212 words
In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus for generating signals representing a first and second ''''hitting'''' symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayed on the screen of said television receiver, comprising: means for generating horizontal and vertical sync signals; means for generating a vertical train of square pulses; means for generating a horizontal train of square pulses; a first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for applying said vertical and horizontal trains of square pulses to said symbol generators; means for generating first and second control signals for said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first and second control signals to said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating third and fourth control signals for said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said third and fourth control signals to said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating fifth and sixth control signals for said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said fifth and sixth control signal to said ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first, second, third and fourth control signals to said means for generating fifth and sixth control signals; and means for coupling the outputs of said symbol generators and said sync signals to the television receiver.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
212 words
In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus for generating signals representing a first and second ''''hitting'''' symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayed on the screen of said television receiver, comprising: means for generating horizontal and vertical sync signals; means for generating a vertical train of square pulses; means for generating a horizontal train of square pulses; a first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for applying said vertical and horizontal trains of square pulses to said symbol generators; means for generating first and second control signals for said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first and second control signals to said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating third and fourth control signals for said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said third and fourth control signals to said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating fifth and sixth control signals for said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said fifth and sixth control signal to said ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first, second, third and fourth control signals to said means for generating fifth and sixth control signals; and means for coupling the outputs of said symbol generators and said sync signals to the television receiver.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus for generating symbols upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by at least one participant, comprising: means for generating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating a movable ''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit'''' symbol; means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit'''' symbol and said ''''hit'''' fixed symbol; means for causing said movable ''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol when coincident therewith; and means for displaying said symbols.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
84 words
In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus for generating symbols upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by at least one participant, comprising: means for generating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating a movable ''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit'''' symbol; means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit'''' symbol and said ''''hit'''' fixed symbol; means for causing said movable ''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol when coincident therewith; and means for displaying said symbols.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for playing volleyball type games by displaying and manipulating symbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot; means for generating a ''''net'''' symbol; means for changing the vertical position of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changing the vertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to move from an off-screen left position of an off-screen right position and vice versa; means for changing said off-screen right and off-screen left positions; means for denoting coincidence between either of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and either of said ''''hitting'''' dot; means for denoting coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said ''''net'''' symbol; and means for displaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
161 words
Apparatus for playing volleyball type games by displaying and manipulating symbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot; means for generating a ''''net'''' symbol; means for changing the vertical position of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changing the vertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to move from an off-screen left position of an off-screen right position and vice versa; means for changing said off-screen right and off-screen left positions; means for denoting coincidence between either of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and either of said ''''hitting'''' dot; means for denoting coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said ''''net'''' symbol; and means for displaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
31 words
Apparatus for playing volleyball type games is defined in claim 3, further including means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to disappear upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said ''''net'''' symbol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for generating signals representing a first and second ''''hitting'''' symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayed on the screen of a television receiver, compriSing: means for generating horizontal and vertical sync signals; means for generating a vertical train of square pulses; means for generating a horizontal train of square pulses; a first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for applying said vertical and horizontal trains of square pulses to said symbol generators; means for generating first and second control signals for said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first and second control signals to said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating third and fourth control signals for said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said third and fourth control signals to said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating fifth and sixth control signals for said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said fifth and sixth control signals to said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first, second, third and fourth control signals to said means for generating fifth and sixth control signals; and means for coupling the outputs of said symbol generators and said sync signals to a television receiver.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
205 words
Apparatus for generating signals representing a first and second ''''hitting'''' symbol and a ''''hit'''' symbol to be displayed on the screen of a television receiver, compriSing: means for generating horizontal and vertical sync signals; means for generating a vertical train of square pulses; means for generating a horizontal train of square pulses; a first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; a ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for applying said vertical and horizontal trains of square pulses to said symbol generators; means for generating first and second control signals for said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first and second control signals to said first ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating third and fourth control signals for said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said third and fourth control signals to said second ''''hitting'''' symbol generator; means for generating fifth and sixth control signals for said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said fifth and sixth control signals to said ''''hit'''' symbol generator; means for coupling said first, second, third and fourth control signals to said means for generating fifth and sixth control signals; and means for coupling the outputs of said symbol generators and said sync signals to a television receiver.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for generating symbols on the screen of a television receiver to be manipulated by at least one participant, comprising: means for generating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating a movable ''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit'''' symbol; means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit'''' symbol and said first ''''hit'''' symbol; means for causing said movable ''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol when coincident therewith; and means for coupling said generated symbols to a television receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
83 words
Apparatus for generating symbols on the screen of a television receiver to be manipulated by at least one participant, comprising: means for generating a ''''hitting'''' symbol; means for generating a movable ''''hit'''' symbol; means for generating a fixed ''''hit'''' symbol; means for denoting coincidence between said movable ''''hit'''' symbol and said first ''''hit'''' symbol; means for causing said movable ''''hit'''' symbol to move away from said fixed ''''hit'''' symbol when coincident therewith; and means for coupling said generated symbols to a television receiver.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for playing handball type games by displaying and manipulating symbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a ''''second'''' hitting dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot; means for generating a wall symbol; means for changing the vertical position of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changing the vertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for causing said hit dot to move off-screen away from said wall dot when coincidence is not made between eight of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for changing said off-screen position; means for denoting coincidence between said first ''''hitting'''' dot and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for denoting coincidence between said second ''''hitting'''' dot and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and either of said ''''hitting'''' dots; means for denoting coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol; and means for displaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
197 words
Apparatus for playing handball type games by displaying and manipulating symbols on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for generating a ''''second'''' hitting dot; means for generating a ''''hit'''' dot; means for generating a wall symbol; means for changing the vertical position of said first ''''hitting'''' dot; means for changing the vertical position of said second ''''hitting'''' dot; means for causing said hit dot to move off-screen away from said wall dot when coincidence is not made between eight of said ''''hitting'''' dots and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for changing said off-screen position; means for denoting coincidence between said first ''''hitting'''' dot and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for denoting coincidence between said second ''''hitting'''' dot and said ''''hit'''' dot; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and either of said ''''hitting'''' dots; means for denoting coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol; means for causing said ''''hit'''' dot to change horizontal direction upon coincidence between said ''''hit'''' dot and said wall symbol; and means for displaying said dots upon the screen of said cathode ray tube.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for playing a target shooting game on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a target on the screen of said cathode ray tube; means responsive to said target displayed on said cathode ray tube for ''''shooting'''' at said target; means for causing said target to move in a predetermined direction; means for causing said target to reverse direction upon hitting of said target by said means responsive; means for causing said target to go off-screen when not hit by said means responsive during a traverse across the screen.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
94 words
Apparatus for playing a target shooting game on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a target on the screen of said cathode ray tube; means responsive to said target displayed on said cathode ray tube for ''''shooting'''' at said target; means for causing said target to move in a predetermined direction; means for causing said target to reverse direction upon hitting of said target by said means responsive; means for causing said target to go off-screen when not hit by said means responsive during a traverse across the screen.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 8, wherein said Means responsive includes a photosensitive element and means for biasing said photosensitive element.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 9, wherein said biasing means includes a lamp.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for playing a target shooting game on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a target on the screen of said cathode ray tube; means responsive to said target displayed on said cathode ray tube for ''''shooting'''' at said target from a distance, including a biased photosensitive element; and means for causing said target to disappear when a hit is made.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
66 words
Apparatus for playing a target shooting game on the screen of a cathode ray tube, comprising: means for generating a target on the screen of said cathode ray tube; means responsive to said target displayed on said cathode ray tube for ''''shooting'''' at said target from a distance, including a biased photosensitive element; and means for causing said target to disappear when a hit is made.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
15 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 11, wherein said photosensitive element is biased by a lamp.
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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) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |