US4189728A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for generating a plurality of moving objects on a video display screen utilizing associative memory
Assignee: Midway Games West Inc
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Filing: 1977-12-20
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Granted: 1980-02-19
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Expires: 1997-12-20
Abstract
Abstract In a video game where several objects are moved across the screen in a horizontal axis in 16 different zones, a RAM type memory has memory locations exclusively dedicated to each zone to provide a starting address for the object in its zone. A single time shared horizontal counter responds to the various starting addresses to successively cause video signals to be generated which provides images of such objects.
Inventors
- 👤 David R. Stubben
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:23
CPC Classifications
G; G09; G09G; G09G5/00; G09G5/42; A; A63; A63F; A63F13/00; A63F2300/00; A63F2300/20; A63F2300/203
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for generating a plurality of moving objects on a video display screen scanned in successive frames by an image forming beam traversing said screen along a plurality of horizontal lines in response to horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals comprising; memory means having a plurality of addressable memory locations each exclusively associated with one of a plurality of effective horizontal zones on said screen, each of said zones including a plurality of said horizontal lines, each of said memory locations including stored data indicative of the horizontal starting location of a said object exclusively dedicated to such zone; means for accessing said addressable memory locations of said memory means in accordance with the horizontal line count of said display; and horizontal counter means presettable with said stored data and responsive to each horizontal traverse of said beam for comparing such beam location with said starting location to provide a video display signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
152 words
Apparatus for generating a plurality of moving objects on a video display screen scanned in successive frames by an image forming beam traversing said screen along a plurality of horizontal lines in response to horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals comprising; memory means having a plurality of addressable memory locations each exclusively associated with one of a plurality of effective horizontal zones on said screen, each of said zones including a plurality of said horizontal lines, each of said memory locations including stored data indicative of the horizontal starting location of a said object exclusively dedicated to such zone; means for accessing said addressable memory locations of said memory means in accordance with the horizontal line count of said display; and horizontal counter means presettable with said stored data and responsive to each horizontal traverse of said beam for comparing such beam location with said starting location to provide a video display signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
Apparatus as in claim 1 including a graphics memory for storing video data representing said objects such graphics memory being activated by said video display signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
30 words
Apparatus as in claim 2 where each said memory location also stores data indicative of the type of object to be displayed said graphics memory being responsive to said data.
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) | 1983-02-18 | 1983-08-20 | 1984-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-02-18 | 1987-08-20 | 1988-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-02-18 | 1991-08-20 | 1992-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |