US4824121A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Dart game with programmable displays
Assignee: Arachnid Inc
•
Filing: 1987-10-28
•
Granted: 1989-04-25
•
Expires: 2007-10-28
Abstract
Abstract In an electronic dartboard game having a visual display for providing players with game scores and the like, an apparatus for providing a customized image on the visual display when the electronic dartboard game is not in use is provided having, a processor operable in first or second modes. The first mode is responsive to game conditions for providing scoring information and the like to the visual display. The second mode is responsive to a manual input device for providing a customized image on the visual display. Additionally, there is provided an apparatus for transferring the processor from the first mode to the second and returning the processor to the first mode after the customized image has been entered.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul F. Beall
- 👤 Eugene G. Harlan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 19:42
CPC Classifications
F; F41; F41J; F41J3/00; A; A63; A63F; A63F9/00; A63F9/02; A63F9/0204; A63F9/0208; A63F9/24; A63F2009/2448; A63F2009/245; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S273/00; Y10S273/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
An electronic target game for automatically tallying and displaying the score of a game, wherein projectiles are thrown at a target board, said electronic target game comprising: a display; said target board comprising a plurality of moveable segments mounted to a switch martrix such that each segment is associated with at least one switch of said switch matrix such that movement of a segment activates at least one switch; a processor means responsive to the activation of the switches of said switch matrix in both a first mode and a second mode; and a means for placing said processor means in either said first mode or said second mode; said first mode responsive to activation of the switches of said switch matrix for providing game condition information to said display; and said second mode responsive to activation of the switches of said switch matrix for providing a customized image to said display when said electronic target game is not tallying and displaying said score of said game.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
An electronic target game for automatically tallying and displaying the score of a game, wherein projectiles are thrown at a target board, said electronic target game comprising: a display; said target board comprising a plurality of moveable segments mounted to a switch martrix such that each segment is associated with at least one switch of said switch matrix such that movement of a segment activates at least one switch; a processor means responsive to the activation of the switches of said switch matrix in both a first mode and a second mode; and a means for placing said processor means in either said first mode or said second mode; said first mode responsive to activation of the switches of said switch matrix for providing game condition information to said display; and said second mode responsive to activation of the switches of said switch matrix for providing a customized image to said display when said electronic target game is not tallying and displaying said score of said game.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An electronic target game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said processor means includes a symbol memory that associates a first selected group of segments of said target board to symbols such that movement of a segment when said processor means is in said second mode causes an associated symbol to be displayed by said display.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
42 words
An electronic target game as set forth in claim 2 wherein said processor means in said second mode includes means responsive to a second selected group of segments of said target board for controlling the placement of said symbols on said display.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An electronic target game as set forth in claim 1 wherein said display is a video display.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electronic dartboard game for automatically tallying and displaying the score of a game wherein projectiles are thrown at a target head and for displaying a customized image comprising: a visual display operable in a first or second mode; input means for alternatively receiving scoring data or for entering customized image data, said display displaying said customized image when said electronic dartboard game is not tallying and displaying said score of said game; a first means responsive to game conditions to store said game conditions for display on said visual display; a second means responsive to said input means for programming a customized image for storing said customized image for display on said visual display; means for switching said visual display between said first and second modes; said first mode responsive to said first means for providing game condition information; and said second mode responsive to said second means for providing said customized image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
154 words
An electronic dartboard game for automatically tallying and displaying the score of a game wherein projectiles are thrown at a target head and for displaying a customized image comprising: a visual display operable in a first or second mode; input means for alternatively receiving scoring data or for entering customized image data, said display displaying said customized image when said electronic dartboard game is not tallying and displaying said score of said game; a first means responsive to game conditions to store said game conditions for display on said visual display; a second means responsive to said input means for programming a customized image for storing said customized image for display on said visual display; means for switching said visual display between said first and second modes; said first mode responsive to said first means for providing game condition information; and said second mode responsive to said second means for providing said customized image.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said target head has at least a first selected group of segments such that movement of a segment causes a symbol associated with said segment to be stored in said second means for display on said visual display when said visual display is in said second mode.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
45 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein said target head has at least a second selected group of segments, said second group of segments operable to control the placement of symbols on said visual display when said visual display is in said second mode.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus as claimed in claim 5 wherein said visual display is a video display.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said input means includes (1) a keyboard for entering said customized image when said visual display is in said second mode and (2) said target head for receiving scoring data when said visual display is in said first mode.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
An apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said input means is said target head such that said target head alternatively receives scoring data when said display is in said first mode and enters customized image data when said display is in said second mode.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4516781A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-04-24 | 1992-10-24 | 1993-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-04-24 | 1996-10-24 | 1997-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-04-24 | 2000-10-24 | 2001-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |