BACKGROUND
Field
This application relates to two-player games of skill, specifically those using actuators and indicators.
This application uses the following defined terms:
Actuator—a physical means of sending a signal to the device embodying the invention
Actuators—more than one Actuator
Pressed—the state of an Actuator while it is being activated by physical means
Indicator(s)—one or more visually observable devices capable of changing state
DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing the steps described in the First Embodiment.
FIG. 2 is a photograph of the gaming device which plays a number of games, including the First Embodiment of the invention
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The invention is both a process of operating a microcontroller to enable said microcontroller to facilitate a game comprising the steps of:
- a. determining whether or not a signal from one of two distinct sets of Actuators (herein referred to as the First Set and Second Set) is consistent with being Pressed, and, if not, using Indicator(s) to show a first distinct state, and if so, using said Indicator(s) to show a second distinct state if said First Set is being Pressed or a third distinct state if said Second Set is being Pressed,
- b. and during the time said First Set is being Pressed and said second distinct state is being shown by said Indicator(s), determining whether said signal from said Second Set is consistent with being Pressed, and if so, storing a point in memory as part of a distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set, and comparing said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set with a predetermined value, and if said predetermined value is not equal to said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set, using said Indicator(s) to show a fourth distinct state, and if said predetermined value is equal to said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set, using said Indicator(s) to show a fifth distinct state and ending the game,
- c. and during the time said Second Set is being Pressed and said third distinct state is being shown by said Indicator(s), determining whether said signal from said First Set is consistent with being Pressed, and if so, storing a point in memory as part of a distinct cumulative score corresponding to said First Set, and comparing said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said First Set with said predetermined value, and if said predetermined value is not equal to said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set, using said Indicator(s) to show a sixth distinct state, and if said predetermined value is equal to said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said First Set, using said Indicator(s) to show a seventh distinct state and ending the game,
as well as a gaming machine comprising two distinct sets of Actuators, herein referred to as the First Set and Second Set; a signal input that receives said signal from said First Set and said Second Set; a microcontroller that analyzes said signals from said First Set and said Second Set and awards a point based on that analysis under certain circumstances described herein; a memory that stores points as part of distinct cumulative scores corresponding to said First Set and said Second Set; a microcontroller that compares the total of said distinct cumulative scores with a predetermined value; and a means of visually displaying at least seven distinct states using Indicator(s), whereby said gaming machine determines whether or not said signal from either said First Set or said Second Set is consistent with being Pressed and, if not, using said Indicator(s) to show a first distinct state, and if so, using said Indicator(s) to show a second distinct state if said First Set is being Pressed or to show a third distinct state if said Second Set is being Pressed, and during the time said First Set is being Pressed and said second distinct state is being shown by the Indicator(s) determining whether said signal from said Second Set is consistent with being Pressed, and if so, storing a point in memory as part of a distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set, and comparing said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said Second Set with said predetermined value, and if said predetermined value has not been reached, using said Indicator(s) to show a fourth distinct state, and if said predetermined value has been reached, using said Indicator(s) to show a fifth distinct state and ending the game, and during the time said Second Set is being Pressed and said third distinct state is being shown by said Indicator(s) determining whether said signal from said First Set is consistent with being Pressed, and if so, storing a point in memory as part of a distinct cumulative score corresponding to said First Set, and comparing said distinct cumulative score corresponding to said First Set with said predetermined value, and if said predetermined value has not been reached, using said Indicator(s) to show a sixth distinct state, and if said predetermined value has been reached, using said Indicator(s) to show a seventh distinct state and ending the game.
Please refer to FIG. 1 which is a flowchart illustrating the steps of the Process.
The First Embodiment of the invention that is currently being sold by various retailers is a hand-held electronic game unit with two tactile switch buttons (one for each player) (the “Actuators”), an LED for each player (one green, one red) along with a 2-color red/green center LED (collectively the “Indicator(s)”), a microcontroller, and power source. See FIG. 2.
In the First Embodiment, the microcontroller is pre-programmed to accept signals from the Actuators, analyze said signals, and display information using the Indicator(s). The steps involved in the microcontroller program are illustrated in FIG. 1.
In the First Embodiment, each of the two players in the game is assigned an Actuator. The object of the game is for each player to try to press his or her Actuator when the other player is already pressing, thereby scoring a point. Each player's LED indicator is only on while pressing his or her Actuator. A point is indicated by flashing the LED Indicators that correspond to the color of the scoring Player.
In the First Embodiment, the microcontroller determines whether a point has been scored and by whom, and keeps track of each player's cumulative score in memory. When one player's score reaches a predetermined value, the center LED Indicator turns solid and the winning Player's LED indicator flashes.
Although the First Embodiment uses the aforementioned design, the invention is equally well-suited to countless other embodiments. One could easily utilize Actuators consisting of touch-sensitive switches, light sensors, wireless controls, or any other type of physical means of control. The invention is equally well-suited to countless other types of Indicator(s) such as LCD screens, or any type of electrical or mechanical apparatus that is capable of being seen by the Players and showing at least seven distinct states.
Similarly, there are countless different methods of visually indicating the various states of the game. Those in the First Embodiment were chosen for their cost.
The steps in FIG. 1 are shown in their approximate order, but certain steps can precede different steps without altering the fundamental game. For example, the box that says “Use Indicator(s) to show neither the First Set or Second Set is being Pressed” could be the first step in the game, and the diamond which asks “Is the First Set still being Pressed?” could loop back to the box which says “Use Indicator(s) to show the First Set is being Pressed” following a YES, however FIG. 1 attempts to minimize redundancies and streamline the flow.
Additional embodiments that are planned include, but are in no way limited to, the following:
- Mobile Phone application
- Internet application
- Video game
- Electro-Mechanical toy
Patent Grant
8460077
