Claims
- 1. An electronic gaming system comprising:
(a) a master computer; (b) at least one playing unit comprising a communication port, a power-supply port, a display device, and an input device. (c) at least one plug-in module comprising a communication port, a charge port, a memory device, and a battery device; wherein said battery device supplies power to said at least one playing unit and wherein said memory device supplies data for said at least one playing unit.
- 2. A system as set forth in claim 1 and further comprising a charging device adapted to connect to said at least one plug-in module for charging said battery device in said at least one plug-in module wherein said battery device is a rechargeable battery device;
- 3. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least one plug-in module further comprises control circuitry for reading the data stored in the memory device and for operating the playing unit.
- 4. A system as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one plug-in module further comprises monitoring circuitry for monitoring the charge status and recharge history of the rechargeable battery.
- 5. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said at least on plug-in module further comprises chaining circuitry for identifying a plug-in module to receive game data.
- 6. A system as set forth in claim 2 wherein said master computer comprises a database of possible game configurations, and wherein at least a subset of said possible game configurations is stored in said memory device.
- 7. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said possible game configurations are possible bingo card arrays.
- 8. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said at least one playing unit further comprises control circuitry for reading the data stored in the memory device and for operating the playing unit.
- 9. A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said display device is a color liquid crystal display.
- 10. A system as set forth in claim 9 wherein said at least one playing unit utilizes a dynamic random-access memory device to buffer video images for said display device.
- 11. A system as set forth in claim 8 wherein said playing unit is generally portable and is capable of folding down to protect the surface of said display device when not in use.
- 12. A system as set forth in claim 6 wherein said possible game configurations are possible adventure game scenarios.
- 13. A system as set forth in claim 12 wherein said at least one playing unit further comprises a microprocessor and control circuitry for reading the data stored in the memory device and for operating the playing unit.
- 14. A system as set forth in claim 13 wherein said display device is a color liquid crystal display utilizing a dynamic random-access memory device to buffer video images.
- 15. An electronic game system comprising a host computer, at least one game pack having a communication port, a charge port, a memory device, and a battery, and at least one handset unit having a communication port, a power-supply port, a display device, an input device,
wherein said game pack is adapted to be connected alternately to the master computer and then to said at least one handset unit.
- 16. An electronic game system as set forth in claim 15 and further comprising a charging device is adapted to connect to said at least one game pack for charging said battery and wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery.
- 17. An electronic game system as set forth in claim 15 wherein said master computer comprises a database of possible game configurations, and wherein at least a subset of said possible game configurations is stored in said memory device.
- 18. An electronic game system as set forth in claim 17 wherein said possible game configurations are possible bingo card arrays.
- 19. An electronic game system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said at least one handset unity further comprises a control circuitry for reading the data stored in the memory device and for operating the at least one handset unit.
- 20. An electronic game system as set forth in claim 18 wherein said display device is a color liquid crystal display utilizing a dynamic random-access memory device to buffer video images.
- 21. A method for administering an electronic game playing system comprising the steps of charging a battery contained in a game pack, storing game data on a memory unit contained in said game pack, utilizing the power from said battery to power a handset member, and utilizing the game data to provide images for a display device contained in said handset member.
- 22. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said game data comprise at least one bingo card configuration.
- 23. A method as set forth in claim 21 wherein said game data comprise at least one action adventure or fantasy game image or scenario.
- 24. An electronic plug-in module comprising
(a) a memory device, (b) a battery, (c) a connector for the transfer of data from said memory device to a playing unit connected thereto; and (d) a connector for the supply of power from said battery to said playing unit.
- 25. An electronic plug-in module as set forth in claim 24 wherein said data comprise at least one bingo card configuration.
- 26. An electronic plug-in module as set forth in claim 24 wherein said data comprise at least one action adventure or fantasy game image or scenario.
- 27. An electronic plug-in module as set forth in claim 24 wherein said battery is a rechargeable battery and wherein said power supply connector is capable of receiving power for recharging said battery.
- 28. An electronic plug-in module as set forth in claim 27 further comprising monitoring circuitry for monitoring the charge status and recharge history of said battery.
- 29. An electronic plug-in module as set forth in claim 27 further comprising chaining circuitry for enabling said module to receive data.
- 30. A method for operating an electronic playing unit comprising the steps of charging a rechargeable battery contained in a game pack, storing game data on a memory unit contained in said game pack, connecting said game pack to said playing unit, and powering said playing unit at least in part by said rechargeable battery.
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims the benefit of, and pursuant to 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) hereby makes express reference to, U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/101,390 filed on Sep. 21, 1998, which by this reference is incorporated as if fully set forth herein.
Provisional Applications (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
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60101390 |
Sep 1998 |
US |