Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6572469
-
Patent Number
6,572,469
-
Date Filed
Thursday, February 8, 200123 years ago
-
Date Issued
Tuesday, June 3, 200321 years ago
-
Inventors
-
Original Assignees
-
Examiners
Agents
-
CPC
-
US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 463 7
- 463 9
- 463 35
- 463 64
- 273 143 R
- 273 153 S
- 273 153 R
- 273 264
- 273 271
- 273 281
- 273 287
- 200 5 A
- 200 5 D
- 200 5 R
- 200 6 A
- 200 9
-
International Classifications
-
Abstract
A game apparatus includes a housing supporting a three by three grid of tic-tac-toe game play squares. The housing further supports a pivotable multi-function launch control which provides three game function inputs to the game microprocessor. The display further includes a trio of paths for each of the three columns in the tic-tac-toe square array. The game simulates launch of a game object down one of the paths selected by pivotal movement of the launch control to attempt marking a particular square in the tic-tac-toe array. The launch control includes a depressible launch button which performs a second function of setting game object launch power and a third function of triggering game object simulated launch.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to electronic games and particularly to those electronic games which are configured to play the game of tic-tac-toe.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Tic-tac-toe is a well known game which is played by a broad range of players. The game is easy to learn and deceptively simple to play. Notwithstanding this ease of learning and simplicity of play, however, the game of tic-tac-toe can be extremely challenging to master. In its most pervasive form, the game of tic-tac-toe is played within a simple grid formed by perpendicular intersecting pairs of parallel lines to define a center square and eight adjacent outer “squares”. Because of the simplicity of play and ease of drawing the play grid, tic-tac-toe is for the most part played with simple pencil and paper supplies. The game is typically played between two players, one of which utilizes a symbol such as an “X” while the other utilizes a different symbol such as an “O”. The players alternate turns placing their respective symbols in selected ones of the nine squares within the grid. The objective of game play is the successful placement of symbols by one player to form a three row symbol pattern. The three row symbol patterns may include any three adjacent squares as well as either of the two diagonals of the grid. As each player places their respective symbols within the grid squares, a secondary objective must also be considered in symbol placement which involves “blocking” the opposing player from successfully achieving a winning three square combination.
In addition to its wide appeal as a game readily played with simple pencil and paper apparatus, the game of tic-tac-toe is also very well suited in its “move and countermove” play pattern for play against a computer by a single player. Upon this recognition, practitioners in the art began providing computerized or microprocessor based game play devices which included stored software having the necessary probability tables and move and countermove rules stored in memory. The typical game play unit further includes a display having the tic-tac-toe grid thereon together with an input device utilized by a player in game play. The software necessary for game play by the processor is readily manageable by even the smallest of software memories in that the processor simply responds to each player's move by computing the most effective countermove within the stored alternatives of game play.
In most computerized or microprocessor based tic-tac-toe games, an alternate two player mode in which players compete against each other is also usually provided.
As the popularity of computerized or microprocessor based tic-tac-toes increased, practitioners in the art have provided a virtually endless variety of game apparatus. Notsurprisingly, the complexity of this simple basic game has been enhanced with various features such as light, sound or other attractive enhancements. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,184,676 issued to Barish sets forth an ELECTRONIC TIC-TACK-TOE GAME having a pocket calculator type apparatus which includes a keyboard having a three-by-three matrix of keys each of which may be depressed once to input an “O” and twice to input an “X”. The device further includes a matrix display for displaying the inputted “X's” and “O's” together with a mode selector for operating the device in various display modes.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,275,442 issued to Underwood, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC TIC-TAC-TOE GAME having a display board supporting a tic-tac-toe array thereon. The game controls the display of selected “X's” and “O's” on the display board. A game mode select switch enables the game to be played in a solitary mode of operation against a microprocessor programmed to play tic-tac-toe or in a dual mode of operation between two players.
U.S. Pat. No 4,813,681 issued to Volpert, Jr. sets forth a METHOD OF PLAYING AN ALIGNMENT GAME having a plurality of playing markers adapted to be arranged in rows and columns. The playing markers include four playing markers having a first indicia thereon, four playing markers having a second indicia thereon and a single playing marker having both a first and second indicia thereon.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,927,714 issued to Kaplan sets forth an INTERACTIVE TIC-TAC-TOE SLOT MACHINE having three parallel spaced reels each reel being covered around their circumference with spaced symbols of two different configurations such as “X's” and “O's” as well as blanks. The “X's” and “O's” and blanks are intermixed on each strip in an orderly fashion. Three of the same symbols aligned in a row designates a winner. The slot machine includes a window that displays three rows of symbols in different horizontal planes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,655,773 issued to Marks sets forth a COMBINATION TIC-TAC-TOE GAME AND NUMBERED CARD COMPETITION which includes a game board divided into a plurality of zones arranged in a plurality of rows and columns as well as a plurality of diagonals. The game device also includes first and second sets of playing pieces respectively utilized by first and second players. At least three of the first and second sets of playing pieces are placed into at least three of the zones of the game board until at least three of the first or second playing pieces have been placed in a plurality of rows or diagonals.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,796 issued to Orak, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC GAME having a housing defining a plurality of spaces thereon. Each of the spaces has an input device and an indicator corresponding to the space. Each indicator defines an off state and a plurality of distinct player states. Within the housing, a controller communicates with each of the input devices and indicators and limits the number of indicators to a predetermined number.
In other related electronic games and game apparatus, different types of game apparatus have been provided. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,346,892 issued to Kitchen, et al. sets forth an ELECTRONIC POOL GAME having a matrix display supported upon a housing generally representative of a surface of a pool table. A control and driving circuit is provided for applying signals to the matrix display for the display of indicia representative of pool balls including a cue ball. The driving and control circuit is adapted for the selective application of further driving signals to the matrix display to represent a selected direction of travel, placement and orientation, and velocity for the travel of the cue ball.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,513 issued to Lam sets forth an ELECTRONIC MATCHING AND POSITIONING GAME having a housing with a plurality of spaces defined on the exterior thereof. Each of the spaces has an input device and an indicator associated therewith. The indicator defines an off state and an on state. Inside the housing a controller communicates with each of the input devices and indicators and controls game play operation.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,863,172 issued to Rosenwinkel, et al. sets forth a FRONT AND BACK GRIDS COMPRESSING PUZZLE WITH MOVABLE SQUARES in which alphabet letters or other graphics are displayed in movable squares forming a grid on the front side of the puzzle. A second grid of movable squares containing alphabet letters or other graphics is supported on the back side of the puzzle. Each square is a part of each of two mutually transverse continuous bands.
While the foregoing described prior art devices have to some extent advanced the art and have in some instances enjoyed commercial success, there remains nonetheless a continuing need in the art for evermore improved, interesting and entertaining electronic tic-tac-toe games and apparatus therefor.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic game. It is a more particular object of the present invention to provide an improved electronic game which is uniquely suitable for amusing operation in playing the game of tic-tac-toe.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an electronic tic-tac-toe game play apparatus comprising: a housing defining an interior cavity; a display, supported on the housing, defining a three row—three column matrix of squares and a trio of paths each joined to one of the columns; a microprocessor and memory for playing a tic-tac-toe game; a launch control supported on the housing and having a pivotable path selection ring, a launch button, a plate having a wiper contact and a switch board secured to the housing and supporting a plurality of conductive paths and a launch switch, the path selection ring, the launch button and the plate being pivotably movable upon the housing as a single assembly to select one of the paths and the launch button being depressible to close the switch and releasable to open the switch.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the several figures of which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:
FIG. 1
sets forth a top view of an electronic tic-tac-toe game constructed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2
sets forth a section view of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines
2
—
2
in
FIG. 1
;
FIG. 3
sets forth a partial section view of the switch mechanism of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines
3
—
3
in
FIG. 2
; and
FIG. 4
sets forth a partial section view of the switch mechanism of the present invention electronic tic-tac-toe game taken along section lines
4
—
4
in FIG.
2
.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1
sets forth a top view of a game apparatus constructed in accordance with the present invention and generally referenced by numeral
10
. Game apparatus
10
includes a housing
11
which, as is better seen in
FIG. 2
, defines an interior cavity
15
. Housing
11
further defines an aperture
12
within which a display unit
13
is supported. Display unit
13
is configured for play of tic-tac-toe and thus defines a grid
14
formed by a three by three matrix of squares
20
through
28
. In addition, grid
14
further includes a trio of paths
30
,
31
and
32
each extending upwardly to the bottom side of the right, center and left columns of grid
14
. In depiction of a typical game play scenario, various “X” and “O” icons are showed placed upon grid
14
. Thus, by way of example, square
26
supports an “X” icon
40
while squares
24
and
25
also support similar “X” icons
41
and
42
. In contrast, square
27
supports an “O” icon
43
. A bean bag icon
33
is shown within path
32
. The use of bean bag icon
33
will be set forth below in greater detail. Suffice it to note here that the game play utilized by game apparatus
10
involves a simulated launch of a bean bag game object which is simulated upon display
13
by icons such as bean bag icon
33
. Finally, display
13
further includes an alphanumeric segment group
34
which is used to communicate various game play information to the player or players such as time interval, score or game level selected.
In accordance with an important aspect of the present invention, game apparatus
10
includes a three function launch control
50
supported upon the lower end of housing
11
and having a path selector ring
51
supporting a depressible launch button
52
. Also supported on housing
11
adjacent launch control
50
is a plurality of game play and setup buttons
60
through
65
which are utilized to make certain initialization and play mode selections particularly at the initiation or completion of a game. In the manner set forth below in greater detail, path selector ring
51
is movable along with launch button
52
in either direction as indicated by arrows
53
and
54
. The point of having path selector
51
and launch button
52
pivotable in this manner is found in the selection of a single one of paths
30
,
31
or
32
for launch of the simulated bean bag game object. Thus, for example, positioning of path selector ring
51
and launch button
52
in the centered position shown in
FIG. 1
provides a selection of path
31
allowing the player to execute a game object launch upwardly through the column occupied by squares
27
,
24
and
21
. Alternatively, pivotal movement of path selector ring
51
and launch button
52
in the direction indicated by arrow
53
provides selection of path
30
for the launched game object allowing access to squares
26
,
23
or
20
. Finally, pivoting selector ring
51
and launch button
52
in the direction indicated by arrow
54
provides selection of path
32
which in turn provides access to squares
28
,
25
and
22
.
In operation, the basic game of tic-tac-toe is played upon grid
14
of display
13
in general accordance with the normal rules of game play. However, an additional skill requirement has been added to the basic tic-tac-toe game play of game apparatus
10
by the addition of launch control
50
. Launch control
50
is a three function control which is utilized in adding a skill level to the placement of a player's icon upon an unoccupied square within grid
14
. The three functions selected and controlled by launch control
50
include the selection of one of paths
30
,
31
and
32
with the resulting selection of the right, center or left column of grid squares. The second function of launch control
50
is activated by pressing launch button
52
once selector ring
51
and launch button
52
have been pivoted to the desired selected path. The pressing of launch button
52
operates a switch (switch
81
seen in
FIG. 2
) which, as is described below in greater detail, initiates the preparation for the simulated launch of the bean bag game object. As launch button
52
is pressed, the launch power to be simulated in the launch of the bean bag game object along the selected path and column of squares is increased so long as launch button
52
remains pressed. The user attempts to exercise skill in selecting the desired launch power in order to control the “landing” point of the launched bean bag game object to the desired square. Once the desired launch power has been set, the third function of launch control
50
is implemented by releasing launch button
52
which, as is set forth below in greater detail, opens switch
81
(seen in FIG.
2
). With launch button
52
released, further increase in launch power is terminated and the simulated launch of the game object is initiated. Thus, the players utilizing the present invention game apparatus are required to devise a correct game play strategy in accordance with conventional tic-tac-toe game play which is further complicated or challenged by the skill level required in actually successfully placing an icon upon the target square which the player decides to mark. It has been found that the use of a three function integrated control mechanism for launch control
50
renders the play pattern of the present invention game apparatus both enjoyable and amusing as well as challenging.
FIG. 2
sets forth a section view of game apparatus
10
taken along section lines
2
—
2
in FIG.
1
. As described above, game apparatus
10
includes a housing
11
defining an interior cavity
15
. Housing
11
further defines an aperture
12
behind which a display unit
13
is supported to be visible therethrough. Housing
11
further supports a pivotable path selector ring
51
which in turn supports a launch button
52
. A speaker
114
is supported within housing
11
together with a plurality of conventional batteries such as battery
115
. A printed circuit board
110
is supported within housing
11
and provides a support base for display unit
13
. In addition, printed circuit board
110
further supports a microprocessor integrated circuit
111
together with an associated memory
112
. Additional digital electronic circuit components such as component
113
are also supported by circuit board
110
. It will be understood that circuit board
110
is fabricated in accordance with conventional fabrication techniques and provides a plurality of electrical connections between the various components and circuit elements supported upon the circuit board to form an operative digital electronic microprocessor game playing circuit.
Housing
11
further supports a switch board
80
, the structure of which is set forth below in
FIG. 4
in greater detail. Suffice it to note here that switch board
80
is supported beneath path selector ring
51
and launch button
52
and includes a depressible switch
81
. As is better seen in
FIG. 4
, switch board
81
further includes a plurality of additional switches
70
through
75
as well as a plurality of conductive pads
105
,
106
,
107
and
108
.
Returning to
FIG. 2
, launch button
52
is secured in a pivotal attachment to ring
51
at a pivot
56
. Launch button
52
further includes a post
57
extending downwardly toward switch
81
of switch board
80
. A return spring
58
is received upon post
57
and the outer edge of switch
81
and provides a spring force urging launch button
52
upwardly to raise post
57
away from switch
81
. The upward travel of launch button
52
produced by the force of spring
58
is limited by the combination of a post
59
extending downwardly from launch button
52
and passing through a slot
87
(seen in
FIG. 3
) formed in a plate
90
together with a fastener
66
. Fastener
66
is larger than slot
87
and thus prevents the extensive upward pivoting movement of launch button
52
beyond the position shown.
Plate
90
is better seen in FIG.
3
and is supported beneath path selector ring
51
and is secured to selector ring
51
by a plurality of fasteners such as fasteners
38
and
39
(seen in FIG.
3
). Thus, the combination of selector ring
51
, launch button
52
and plate
90
are movable in a pivotal movement as a single unitary assembly.
In further accordance with the present invention, a wiper contact
92
preferably formed of a spring steel material is secured to the underside of plate
90
and extends downwardly to touch the upper surface of switch board
80
. With temporary reference to
FIG. 4
, it will be noted that conductive pads
105
through
108
are positioned upon switch board
80
so as to be contacted by wiper contact
92
.
Returning to
FIG. 2
, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that microprocessor
111
utilizes a stored instruction set within memory
112
to provide control of display
13
and to respond to input switch conditions from launch control
50
. It will be further understood that the stored instruction set within memory
112
is utilized in providing the above-mentioned game play of tic-tac-toe. It will be noted that the normal raised position of launch button
52
is provided by the cooperation of spring
58
, post
59
and fastener
66
. The user exercises the above-described game play action by forcing launch button
52
downwardly in the direction indicated by arrow
55
overcoming the force of spring
58
. As launch button
52
pivots downwardly against the force of spring
58
, the lower end of post
57
contacts the depressible member of switch
81
actuating the switch and causing a signal input to microprocessor
111
. In the desired game play described above, the result of the signal input from activation of switch
81
causes microprocessor
111
to sequentially and incrementally increase the power level to be applied to the launch of the simulated game object. Continuing with the above-described game play, the release of launch button
52
allows spring
58
to pivot launch button
52
upwardly until fastener
66
limits further upward travel. This upward pivotal movement withdraws the lower end of post
57
from switch
81
restoring switch
81
to an open condition. The return of the open condition of switch
81
provides a further signal input to microprocessor
111
which initiates the launch of the game object.
The pivotal movement of launch button
52
and path selector ring
51
together with plate
90
is subjected to a three position detent provided by detent mechanism
91
. Detent mechanism
91
is better seen in FIG.
3
. However, suffice it to note here that the use of a three position detent mechanism limits the pivoting position of launch control
50
to the three paths formed on display
13
(seen in FIG.
1
). In addition and as is also better seen in
FIG. 3
, the pivoting movement of launch control
50
is further limited by a limit stop
102
. This maintains the pivoting movement of launch control
50
within the desired three position range.
FIG. 3
sets forth a partial section view of launch control
50
taken along section lines
3
—
3
in FIG.
2
. Of importance to observe in
FIG. 3
is the provision of the above-mentioned three position detent mechanism (detent
91
) as well as the travel limit function of limit stop
102
.
More specifically, game
10
includes a housing
11
within which a plurality of game play buttons
60
through
65
are supported. Housing
11
further includes a generally cylindrical wall
66
which defines a pair of edges
100
and
101
together with a trio of detent slots
93
,
94
and
95
. A plate
90
is supported within wall
66
by a pair of fasteners
38
and
39
which secure plate
90
to path selector ring
51
(seen in FIG.
2
). Plate
90
is thus pivotable about a post
57
and spring
58
which extend downwardly from launch button
52
(seen in FIG.
2
). Plate
90
defines a limit stop
102
which prevents excessive pivotal movement of plate
90
by the cooperation of edges
100
and
101
of wall
66
. Plate
90
further defines a slot
87
which receives post
59
(seen in
FIG. 2
) of launch button
52
and a fastener
89
. A wiper contact
92
is secured to the underside of plate
90
. Plate
90
further defines a detent spring portion
96
which resiliently supports a detent rib
97
. Detent rib
97
is resiliently received within detent slots
93
,
94
or
95
to fix the position of plate
90
at one of three detented positions. Thus, plate
90
is pivotable from the centered detent position shown in
FIG. 3
in the direction of arrow
83
to the detent position defined by slot
93
or, alternatively, pivotable in the direction indicated by arrow
82
to the detent position shown at slot
95
.
It will be noted that wiper contact
92
forms a generally U-shaped structure known generally in the art as a “bridging contact”. With temporary reference to
FIG. 4
, it will be noted that the two prongs of wiper contact
92
are in contact with conductive pad
105
in all three detent positions and are further in contact with one of conductive pads
106
through
108
depending upon the pivotal position of plate
90
.
FIG. 4
sets forth a partial section view of launch control
50
taken along section lines
4
—
4
in FIG.
2
. Launch control
50
includes a switch board
80
supporting a switch
81
described above which is actuated by launch button
52
(seen in FIG.
2
). Switch board
80
further supports a plurality of switches
70
,
71
,
72
,
73
,
74
and
75
which are positioned in alignment with buttons
60
through
65
(seen in FIG.
3
). In addition, a plurality of circuit board conductive paths
109
provide interconnection between switches
70
through
75
as well as switch
81
and a multi-conductor flat cable
84
. With temporary return to
FIG. 2
, it will be noted that flat cable
84
provides a plurality of electrical connections between switch board
80
and circuit board
110
. Returning to
FIG. 4
, switch board
80
further supports a conductive pad
105
together with a trio of conductive pads
106
,
107
and
108
. Conductive pad
105
is maintained in contact with wiper contact
92
in all three detent positions of plate
90
described above in FIG.
3
. Conversely, conductive pads
106
,
107
and
108
correspond to the three detent positions also described above for launch control
50
. Thus, as plate
90
(seen in
FIG. 3
) is moved pivotally between detent positions, a selected one of conductive pads
106
through
108
is brought into electrical connection to conductive pad
105
by the U-shaped structure of wiper contact
92
. In this manner, a three condition signal set is provided to microprocessor
111
(seen in
FIG. 2
) for path selection in the above-described game play.
While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. Therefore, the aim in the appended claims is to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
- 1. An electronic tic-tac-toe game play apparatus comprising:a housing defining an interior cavity; a display, supported on said housing, defining a three row—three column matrix of squares and a trio of paths each joined to one of said columns and a game icon; a microprocessor and memory for playing a tic-tac-toe game and for simulating a launch and travel of said game icon; a launch control supported on said housing for selecting a path and launch power for said game icon and having a pivotable path selection ring, a launch button, a plate having a wiper contact and a switch board secured to said housing and supporting a plurality of conductive paths and a launch switch, said path selection ring, said launch button and said plate being pivotably movable upon said housing as a single assembly to select one of said paths and said launch button being depressible to close said switch and releasable after a player chosen interval to open said switch and thereby provides a launch power input signal to said microprocessor for simulated launch of said game icon along said selected one of said paths.
- 2. The electronic tic-tac-toe game play apparatus set forth in claim 1 wherein said launch control includes a return spring coupled to said launch button urging said launch button away from said switch.
- 3. The electronic tic-tac-toe game play apparatus set forth in claim 2 further including a three-position detent mechanism operative upon said launch control.
US Referenced Citations (12)