ELECTRONIC GAME FURNITURE

Abstract: Electronic game furniture comprising a table (1) with seating means (14) at least along one side and including in the table (1) visible through the face (2) of the table at least one television tube (4) actuated by controls (6) on the table (1) but by electonics (20) remote from the table (1) to reduce the space beneath the table (1) required for the television tube (4) to a minimum and by means optionally to feed display matter to the television tube (4) when not used for playing a game by the person or persons seated at the table (1) principally characterised by adequate knee room (17) due to the remote installation of the electronic control circuitry (20) through transmission means (24).

Description: "ELECTRONIC GAME FURNITURE" Electronic games are now available in many form§, such games in their more sophisticated form comprising a television tube onto which is projected the game itself and on which are also recorded the moves made by a player or players depending on the type of game involved. One of the problems with the prior game tables of this type has been to provide comfortable seating for the participants because generally the television tube and the associated electronic equipment is relatively bulky and projects into the area below the table where a player had his or her knees and for that reason the seating as in the past being difficult to arrange unless the player, for instance, stands sideways at the edge of the table. Further no previous video games have incorporated animated advertising between games. At the very best the game logic words have only been able to incorporate what is known as static advertising. One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an improved electronic game and furniture system including a table for use with seats for one or more players which will have a minimal space requirement yet which will give comfortable seating with the knees and feet of the player given adequate room beneath the table top to allow relatively close seating to the television screen. '- A further object is to so arrange the furniture that it is suitable for food consumption during or after a game. A still further object of the invention is to allow a variation of functions of the electronic game system whereby the television screen will produce for viewing video games, films, advertising, etc., all coupled with audio sounds as necessary. A -further object is to provide an electronic system which includes a viewing television screen and remotely coupled thereto is a modular intelligence sending and control means including a videotape recorder, game logic board all fed by switching means into a video monitor and thence through cables to the said television screen. - Another object of the invention is to provide a relatively compact intelligence sending and control means and system which can be programed to display on said television screen an advertising film such as placed in a conventional videotape recorder (VCR) for pre-selected time periods when a conventional video game is not being played by those seated at a table and the system is capable of homogenizing analogue as well as digital signals for visual perception through the tube and accompanying drawings. A further object of the invention is to utilize as a part of the sending and control means an intelligent switching device to accomplish the homogenous form of signals for final transmission to the video monitor and then to the tube. Another object of the invention is to provide electronic game furniture wherein a table supports a television tube or two or more television tubes in position to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through an aperture in the table top, and including game control modules on at least one side of the longitudinal axis of the table for each of the television tubes, the table having on its under side a housing shaped to generally encase the television tube and having a configuration which is shaped inwardly from the opposite sides of the table to terminate in a longitudinal extending box-like structure which preferably supports the table from leg means extending down from the box-like • structure, the housing being shaped to conform generally to the cross-sectional shape of a television tube itself whereby to minimize the space required and to allow persons seated on each side of the television screen to have adequate knee and leg room. There may also be provided coin or token receiving means on the table with collecting means within the housing to retain the coins or tokens to activate a video game for single or multiple person play. Another object is to provide a remotely placed electronic module which operates either a single television tube or being arranged to couple a series of tubes for community participation and to supply advertising, films or other displays, and may include clock means or switching means to regulate the data and program matter fed to the television tube or tubes. _ O. v -PI Further objects and advantages of the invention may be brought out in the following part of the specification wherein small details have been described for the competence of disclosure, without intending to limit scope of the invention which is setforth in the appended claims. Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are for illustration purposes: FIG. 1, is a side elevation partially in section to show supporting means -for a table and seats and showing the table and one seat fragmented to indicate the remote placement of an electronic module unit for the television tube; FIG. 2, is a top plan view of FIG. 1; FIG. 3, is a sectional side elevation of the form shown in FIG. 1 taken on line 303 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4, is an enlarged longitudinal section of a table housing a pair of television tubes as shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5, is a schematic view showing, by means of a block diagram, one form of the general system involved, indicating how the signal can be transmitted from the driver unit which includes a remote game logic and video advertising controller using trans- mission line cables which may be coupled with a fibre optics transmission line; FIG. 6, shows schematically how the television screens of a series of tables can be actuated from o . a remotely placed driver unit; FIG. 7, is a top plan view showing how a series of tables can be arranged and controlled from a remote studio area; FIG. 8, is a side elevational view, partially in section of a modified electronic driver unit module positioned in the furniture; FIG. 9, is a view taken on line 9-9 of FIG. 8 illustrating two modules in place between the seat backs; FIG. 10, is a perspective view of the modified electronic driver unit module adapted to be connected to a television tube; FIG. 11, is a block diagram of the modified electronic driver unit module and videotape recorder; FIG. 12, is a schematic diagram of the micro¬ computer switching means forming a part of the electronic driver unit. Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 4 a table 1 has a transparent top 2, the table being apertured to allow a display screen 3 of a television tube 4, which is relatively coplanar with the table top, to be viewed from each side. The table has longitudinal control panels 5 along two sides which include electronic game control units 6 by means of which the participant in the game makes the required moves. W EΛ The table has inwardly sloping underparts 7 arranged about a longitudinal axis which terminate in a narrow longitudinally extending box-like structure 8 to which supporting leg means 9 are fixed, preferably on the medial axis of the table. The leg means can be fixed to the floor or could be coupled to seats positioned on each side of the table, the illustration showing the leg means 9 fixed to a floor 10. Seats 14, having backrests 15 are supported from downwardly extending leg means 16, the seating part itself extending to the edge of the table 1 but with sufficient remaining space at 17 to allow the knees and feet of the player adequate room beneath the table itself. In the form shown the leg means 16 are also fixed to the floor 10, but as will be appreciated later other forms of support for the table 1 and seats 14 are possible such as fixing the table and seats against side walls, with or without leg means, in which case the transmission lines to be subsequently detailed, can be fixed to or embedded in the wall generally as shown by the dotted lines 18 in FIG. 1. To minimize the size of the underpart of the table 1 the electronic television driver unit or electronic module unit, generally identified as 20 which feeds and controls the said television tube 4 is housed remotely from the table 1 and in the form shown is located in a cavity 21 in the back 22 of one of the seat 14, although the unit 20 may be housed below the seat cushions 23 when this is found more advantageous. The electronic ' unit 20 is connected to the television tube 4 and to the electronic game control units 6 which are situated in the longitudinal panels 5 in each side of the table 1, by means of a transmission line 24 which can be concealed in suitable ducting in the floor or elsewhere. In form shown in the drawings the line passes through the floor after passing down through the leg means 9 of the table 1 and then up the leg means 16 of the seats 14. The table 1 and seats 14 can conveniently be constructed of timber or of plastics and as said can be varied in form depending on whether a four seat or a two seat arrangement is required and particularly whether the players are to sit on each side of the table, which is the preferred arrangement, and in that case the display on the television tube is so arranged that when the player on one side is registering his moves the display faces him but when the player on the other side makes a move the display is reversed to face him. The advantage of having a structure of the type explained so far is that it is possible, by separating the electronic unit 20 from the tube 4 itself, to greatly reduce the dimensions of the table 1 in the area beneath the top 2 to provide comfortable seating near to the table with the operators then being able to use the table for other purposes such as dining. It will be realised that the table top 2 can extend toward the participants in a manner very similar to a normal table because the space beneath the top 2 slopes inwards to a medial area to give adequate room for the knees and feet of the participants. As the table top can be of glass or plastic it can be uninterrupted but will allow clear viewing of the display on the television tubes 4 and also allows the game control units 6 to be situated at least in part beneath or adjacent to the glass top of the table where the controls are readily viewable. The width of the table 1 itself does not have to be lessened, and the table can still serve as an ordinary food consuming table if required while incorporating the television tube 4 and the game control units 6 of the electronic game as well as the token control where this is used. Referring now to FIG. 5, which shows schematically a one simple arrangement according to the invention as applied to a single table and remote operating mechanism, the transparent top 2 has below it the display screen 3 of the television tube 4 and shows a -First and a second game control unit 6 which with the tube 4 may be connected by a remote trans- mission line 26 to an optical fibre interface unit 27 which converts electrical energy to optical energy and vice versa. This unit 27 may be coupled by an optical fibre transmission line 28 to a central control unit 29 which again includes an optical fibre interface and connects to the electronic unit 20 in this case conventional printed circuit logic game boards generally designated 30 which form the game logic in multiples consistent with the number of display screens being supplied or with the number of games possible. Also included may be a video advertising unit or videotape recorder (VCR) 31 allowing the central unit 29, preferably under control of a clock or other control mechanisms \_ \J \rlE generally designated 32, to insert advertising matter at appropriate times or to show film or any other matter which is suitable for display at the table. It will be realised that the central unit 29 as well as the logic boards 30, videotape recorder 31 can be used in an area very remote from the games table. Referring to FIG. 6 there is illustrated one form of a multiple table unit wherein the single table 1 shown is positioned between a pair of seats 14. A remote cable 26 is connected to the interface unit 27 which in turn is connected to the central control unit 29 by means of the transmission line 28. It must be appreciated that a number of cables 26A to 26F from tubes 4 can be directed to the unit 27. FIG. 7 illustrates how an establishment can be set up using the system, the space 36 of the establishment being shown as housing a group of tables A along a wall and a group of tables B centrally in the space and a pair of single tables C along another wall, the control enclosure 37 which houses the electronic module unit 20 can conveniently be in the form as a planter house or can take any other form remote from the tables. The leads from the control enclosures 37 to the various tables indicating how the tables are controlled from the common control enclosure by use of what is preferably a combination of cable and fibre optics transmission lines whereby to allow considerable distances of BUREΛ " transmission which would not necessarily be possible with cable transmission lines only, but it will be realized that any form of transmission line can be used between the controls and the remote tables. The arrangement of the furniture is such that adequate ventilation of the table can occur through, for instance, a perimeter gap 40, shown particularly in FIG. 4, and the space in which the television tube 4 is housed can be ventilated by apertures 41, positioned at any convenient locality. Loud speakers 42 are shown in FIG. 4 to transmit sound to the tables 1 and to act as a transducer means when music or advertising matter is being supplied while ventilation of the control unit 20 may be assured by a conventional fan 43 in the base of at least that seat 23 in which the unit is housed, when it is so housed. A conventional coin feed or token mechanism generally designated by the channels 44 communicate with coin receiving slots 45 at an appropriate position in the longitudinal panels 5. The coin mechanism 44 is shown specifically in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 as leading into a coin receiving box 46 housed in the botom of the box-like structure 8 which forms the lower part of the table. Another modified and detailed electronic module unit 20' is illustrated in FIGS. 8 to 12. In this embodiment one module unit 20' is utilized for each television tube 4 and are preferably interfitted between the two backs 15 (see FIG. 8). The cable 24 " BURE may pass through the frame 50 where convenient to the table leg 9 and thence to the conventional control panel 6, speakers 42 and coin mechanism 44. The unit 20' is portable in nature which in turn makes service thereof or replacement relatively simple. Assuming there is a defect in the electronic circuitry or elements of the unit 20' a service person has but to remove the seat 23, unhinge the seat back 15 for access to the space 21. At that point a standard isolation transformer 52 may be switched off by switch 54 which turns off the power source such as 110 volts (see FIG. 11). The module 20' may then be rendered electrically safe by removing plug 58 which interfits into a socket 56 and the module 20' can be removed and replaced. In this way the necessary repairs can be conducted in a repair shop or facility. The unit 20' includes a housing 60 which preferably has a bottom 62, end walls 64 and 66 with upwardly tapered edges 68 and 70 and doors 72 and 74 which are hingedly connected to bottom 62 by hinges 76. There also may be a top 78 inter¬ connected to the end walls 64 and 66 and to which the doors 72 and 74 may be secured by clips or other conventional latch means 80. In addition the bottom 62 may be recessed at 82 for strengthening purposes. The housing 60 may be formed from wood or plastic and the exterior configuration is such to conform to the opening 22 between seat backs. In order to maintain the unit 20' in place on the frame 50 there are provided one or more V shaped clips 84 which are secured on the underside 86 of the bottom 62 and extend downward. The size of the clips 84 are such as to clamp on and about a girder of the frame 50 as best seen in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10. All of the electronics such as the game logic board 30, and other items to be described are contained within the housing 60 to accomplish the separation ' of the tube 4 from the control unit 20' . Turning now to the electronic unit 20' the purpose of the unit is to control and direct visual and audio reception on the television tube 4 and through the speakers 42. The embodiment of unit 20' will allow advertising and/or other film presentations to appear on the tube 4 which present¬ ations can be overridden by a patron when a coin or token is inserted to play a conventional video game. After the game is concluded the unit 20' is programed so as to reinstitute the advertising on programed cycles. In order to accomplish the intended result reference is made to FIGS. 10 to 12 particularly. Conventional video games have been known and used for some time. The logic game board 30 is in reality a circuit board containing TTL devices, which are types of digital chips arranged to produce the patterns and digital movement required. Such a board 30 will put out red, green, blue in sync. (synchronization) signals. These transmitted signals are of the digital type represented by an on-off binary code system. When used with a video monitor through to the television tube as in most video games the monitor is preset to receive the binary decimal code transmitting the same to the tube as individual small squares that can be increased in number and removed on the tube depending on the arrangement and programing of the TTL devices. However, with the advent of the desire to also show advertising film or other motion film on the television tube 4 serious difficulties have heretofore been encountered. It is recognized that conventional videotape recorders, known as VCR have utilized digital code characteristics which are not compatible with game logic analogue code characteristics. Accordingly, the unit 20' has been developed which answers the above problem. The unit 20' includes a conventional logic game board 30 which includes the desired video game. The board 30 is preferably mounted on the hinged door 74, best seen in FIG. 10. Also mounted on the door 74 is a master volume control 88 with a control knob 90 to adjust the sound emitting from the speaker 42. Mounted on the opposite hinged door 72 is a conventional video monitor 92 whereby both the image is passed to the television tube 4 and the audio to the speaker 42. Adjacent the monitor 92 there is mounted micro computer and switching means, -BUREA v. i generally designated 94. The housing 60 also includes, preferably mounted on the bottom 62 a multi power source 96 which is of the conventional type having a plurality of output leads 98 wherein the power coming into it such as 110 volts may be stepped down into voltages necessary to power the various parts of the unit 20'. In the case of the embodiment being described there are 110, 12 and 5 volt outlet leads 98. Finally, in the present embodiment there is a conventional fan 100 which is mounted over an opening (not seen) through the bottom 62 to draw air into the housing 60. The hot air rises and is discharged through ventilation openings 102 in the end wall 64. In the present embodiment a single conventional videotape recorder or VCR 104 is used and is not directly mounted in the housing 60. It has been found that advertising, motion picture, etc., can simultaneously be transmitted to a number of the units 20' for multiple viewing. Therefore, the VCR can be located either with the unit 20' or remotely and connected to the one or more of units 20' through a cable directly to a VCR plug 106 on the end wall 64 of the housing 60. As an added safety feature the isolation trans¬ former 52 may be positioned in the area 21 on the frame 50. From the transformer 52 a lead line 108 is connected to a 110 volt power source by a conventional male plug 110. Another line 112 from the transformer 52 extends to another male JURE V.P plug 58 which in turn is seated in the female 110 volt plug 56, mounted on the end wall 64. A power lead line 116 leads from the plug 56 to the multi power source 96. From the multi power source 96 respective lead lines furnish the appropriate voltage to each of the other elements . in the housing 60. In the case of the master volume control 88 lead line 118 extends from the 12 volt output lead 98 to the control 88 (see FIG. 11). The logic game board 30, and micro computer and switching means 94 are each fed 5 volt power through lead line 120 and 122 respectively. The fan 100 and video monitor 92 are each fed 110 voltages through lead lines 124 and 126 respectively. In addition, each of the respective elements are also interconnected as can best be seen in the schematic drawing of FIG. 11. The logic game board 30 is connected to the micro computer and switching means 94 by a pair of lead lines 128 and the video monitor 92 is connected to the micro computer and switching means 94 by a lead line 130. Also the video tape recorder plug 106 is connected to the micro computer and switching means 94 by a pair of lead lines 132. The master volume control 88 is connected to the video monitor 92 by line 134 so that it • in turn can pass the audio signal to the television tube 4 through high voltage cable 136. The cable 136 terminates in a high voltage connector plug and insulator 138 mounted on the end wall 64. 16 From the micro computer and switching means 94 there are leads 140 and 142 respectively to a television tube focus plug 144 and coin and players panel plug 146 both mounted on the end wall 64. With regard to the micro computer and switching means 94, best seen in FIG. 12, there is encapsulated within a housing 148 a soft ware program 149 which will be explained connected to a central processing unit or C.P.U. 150 which in turn has an input-output connection to a random-access memory unit of semiconductors or R.A.M. 152. The C.P.U. 150 is also connected to an input-output controller element 154 which in turn is linked to a switching means 156. The pairs of lead lines 128 and 132 extend from the controller 154 and switching means 156 to the board 30 and recorder 104 respectively. In addition lead line 130 extends to the monitor 92. In a situation where it is desired to run advertising on the television tube, broken up with instructions or visual means of attracting persons to play the video game (attract mode) as well as stopping the advertising when a person desires to play the game a program control sequence may be placed in the program 149 as follows: 1. Set up VCR board 104, 2. Set up game board 30, (Insert instruction to complete following steps, but sense coin or token insertion to break sequence) , 3. Turn VCR on and search for beginning of advertising or commercial, 4. Turn VCR off, 5. Turn on game attract mode, 6. Hold an attract mode on for pre-set period, 7. Turn off attract mode, 8. Turn on VCR for advertising, 9. Switch back to point 4 above and repeat, 10. When coin or token inserted move directly to point 2 above and hold until game is completed then switch to point 8 above and repeat cycle 4 to 9 above. The above program is but one illustration how the entire system may be setup. However, it must be appreciated that the programing of program 149 can be varied depending on specific circumstances. In operation, the unit 20' is electrically activated by passing 110 volt power to the transformer 52 and thence to the multi outlet power source 96 where it is passed on directly or stepped down to the appropriate voltage to each of the elements in the modular intelligence sending and controlling means. At this point the micro computer and switching means 94 takes over to carry out the program such as the one set out above. The program 149 will pass to the C.P.U. 150 and R.A.M. 152 the functions which in turn pass to the controller 154. At this point an impulse is sent to the game board 30 to prepare it for discharging its logic through the switching means 156 which can include relays, or other conventional mechanical devices to the video monitor. From the monitor 92 the image will pass through cable BUKEA O.V.PI 136 to plug 138 a companion plug 158 connected to cable 24 will be locked with plug 138 and the impulses carried by cable 24 (see FIG. 4) to the tube 4. With regard to the VCR 104 the same operation is carried out as above, except the VCR at this point only runs and moves to its beginning commercal program on the video tape: The switch means 156 will then turn off the VCR until needed. At this point in the program the logic game board 30 with its digital impulses will pass to the tube 4 enticing persons at the table to play the video game. This attract mode is programed for a fixed duration such as 45 to 55 seconds, then it is turned off. The controller 154 and switching means 156 then activate the VCR so that the commercial film message will be passed to the monitor 92 and then to the tube 4, until the timing sequence tur-is off the VCR and switches on the game attract mode. At any time a coin or token is inserted in the slot 45 this will be sensed by mechanism within the table control panel 5 and transmitted by through lead line 142 to the switching means 156 which in turn communicates with the input-output controller 154 wherein the logic game board 30 is activated and the impulse passed to the tube where the players may use control elements 6 to play the video game. It is important to note that the whole effect of the variable input-output controller module 154 is to accept either the input of the RGB digital signals from the game board 30 or the complex analogue video signals from the video tape recorder 104 and to output either of such signals in a homogenous form compatible with the video monitor. The module 154 can operate through a variety of switching mediums in the switching means 156. The mediums can be either mechanical or solid state devices. The invention and its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangements of t-:he parts of the invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof or sacrificing its material advantages, the arrangements hereinbefore described being merely by way of example. I do not wish to be restricted to the specific forms shown or uses mentioned except as defined in the accompanying claims, wherein various portions have been separated for clarity of reading and not for emphasis. OMPI

Claims: 20. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS: 1. Electronic game furniture comprising a table which supports at least one television tube to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through a space in the table top, and includes game control modules on the said table, characterised by an electronic driver unit to power the said television tube placed remotely of the said table, and by electrical transmission line means between the said television tube and game control modules on the said table and the said remotely placed driver unit, further characterised in that the said table has on its underside a housing shaped to generally encase the said television tube, said housing having a configuration inwardly formed from at least one side of the said table to terminate in a longitudinally extending box-like structure beneath the table, and by means to support the said table, and further characterised by at least a seat adjacent at least one side of the said table adjacent the said inwardly formed side. 2. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 wherein the said table is disposed between a pair of seats arranged one on each side of the table, and wherein the said table has both sides inwardly formed and has a first game control module on one side of the said table and a second game control module on the other side of the said table. 3. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the said electronic driver unit is disposed in at least one said seat and ϋK t is connected by said transmission line means to the said television tube and game control module in the said table. 4. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 wherein the said transmission line terminates at the electronic driver unit in a central control unit connecting the said transmission line to a game logic unit. 5. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 wherein the said transmission line terminates at the electronic driver unit in a central control unit connecting the said transmission line to a game logic unit, a clock and a video advertising control unit. 6. Electronic game furniture according to claim 4 or 5 wherein the said transmission line includes along its length a fibre optics transmission line and joining interface units. 7. Electronic game furniture as claimed in claim 1 wherein a table supports at least one tele¬ vision tube to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through a transparent member forming the table top, said table having on its underside a housing shaped to generally encase the said television tube, characterised in that (a) the said housing has a configuration inwardly formed from two opposite sides of the table to provide a knee space beneath the said table from each side, said table having a first control unit on one said side of the said table and a second control O PI unit on the other said side of the said table, (b) a pair of seats one on each side of the said table positioned to have that edge of the said seats facing the said table substantially coincident with the edge of the said table top whereby to position the knees of a user in the said knee space beneath the said table, (c) an electronic driver unit for the said television tube positioned remote from the said table and comprising a PC board and optionally a game unit, a clock and a video advertising unit, and (d) a transmission line between the said tele¬ vision tube, including the said first and the said second game control unit, and the said television driver unit. 8. Electronic game furniture according to claim 7 wherein the said transmission line includes an interposed length of fibre optic transmission line and interface units at each end of the said fibre optics transmission line to interchange light and electrical signals. 9. Electronic game furniture according to claim 7 or 8 wherein a master television driver unit and multiple PC board assembly is connected to multiple television tubes whereby each said television tube is controlled by at least one of the said PC boards of the multiple assembly through a transmission line between the said television tube and the said PC board. 10. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 in which a table supports at least one television tube to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through a space in the table top, and includes game control modules on two opposite sides of the said table, characterised by an electronic driver unit to power the said television tube placed remotely of the said table, and by electrical transmission line means between the said television tube and game control modules on the said table and the said remotely placed driver unit, further characterised in that the said table has on its underside a housing shaped to generally encase the said television tube, said housing having a configuration inwardly formed from both sides of the said table at the area of the game control units to terminate in a longitudinally extending structure beneath the table. 11. Electronic game furniture according to claim 10 wherein the said table is disposed between a pair of seats arranged one on each side of the table, and positioned to locate the knees of the persons sitting on the said seats beneath the edge of the said table in the space defined by the said inwardly formed portion of the said housing. 12. Electronic game furniture according to claim 11 wherein the said electronic driver unit is disposed in at least one said seat and is connected by said transmission line means to the said television tube and game control module in the said table. 13. Electronic game furniture according to claim 10 wherein the said transmission line terminates at an electronic driver unit in a central control area remote from either the said table or the said o.y. i seats, said transmission line connecting to a game logic unit, a clock and a video advertising control unit. 14. Electronic game furniture according to claim 13 wherein the said transmission line includes along its length a fibre optics transmission line and joining interface units. 15. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 wherein a table is arranged for use from one side and supports at least one television tube to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through a transparent member forming the- table top, said table having on its underside a housing shaped to generally encase the said television tube, characterised by (a) said housing having a configuration inwardly formed from one side of the table to provide a knee space beneath the said table, said table having a first control unit on one said side of the said table, (b) an electronic driver unit for the said television tube positioned remote from the said table and comprising a PC board and optionally a game unit, a clcok and a video advertising unit, and (c) a transmission line between the said tele- vision tube, including the said game control unit, and the said television driver unit. 16. Electronic game furniture according to claim 15 wherein the said transmission line includes an interposed length of fibre optic transmission - _ RE line and interface units at each end of the said fibre optics transmission line to interchange light and electrical signals. 17. Electronic game furniture according to claim 15 or 16 wherein a master television driver unit and multiple PC board assembly is connected to multiple television tubes whereby each said television tube is controlled by at least one of the said PC boards of the multiple assembly through a transmission line between the said television tube and the said PC board. 18. Electronic game furniture according to claim 15 characterised by a seat adjacent to the said table to form with the said table a unit arranged so that the knees of a person sitting on the said seat are accommodated in the said inwardly formed portion of the said housing. 19. Electronic game furniture according to claim 1 wherein a table is arranged to be used from two opposite sides and wherein the table supports at least one television tube to be relatively coplanar with the table top and visible through a transparent member forming the table top, said table having on its underside a housing shaped to generally encase the said television tube, characterised by (a) said housing having a configuration inwardly formed from two opposite sides of the table to provide a knee space beneath the said table from each side, said table having a first control unit on one said side of the. said table and a second control unit on the other said side of the said table, (b) an electronic driver unit for the said television tube positioned remote from the said table and comprising a PC board and optionally a game unit, a clock and a video advertising unit, and, (c) a transmission line between the said tele¬ vision tube, including the said first and the said second game control unit, and the said television driver unit. 20. Electronic game furniture according to claim 19 wherein the said transmission line includes an interposed length of fibre optic transmission line and interface units at each end of the said fibre optics transmission line to interchange light and electrical signals. 21. Electronic game furniture according to claim 19 or 20 wherein a master television driver unit and multiple PC board assembly is connected to multiple television tubes whereby each said television tube is controlled by at least one of the said PC boards of the multiple assembly through a transmission line between the said television tube and the said PC board. 22. Electronic game furniture according to claim 15 characterised by a pair of seats adjacent to the said table one on each side thereof to form with the said table a unit arranged so that the knees of persons sitting on the said seats are IJUKEA 0MPI accommodated in the said inwardly formed portions of the said housing. 23. An electronic game system according to claim 1 adapted for use with a piece of furniture containing a television tube positioned therein, a game control unit and speaker characterised by (a) an electrically activated electronic driver unit capable of delivering a video game to said television tube and programing the delivery of impulses from a video tape recorder to said television tube when said game is not displayed on said tube, (b) a logic game board connected with said electronic driver unit and including video monitor and micro computer switching means, and (c) a video tape recorder connected to said electronic driver unit the activation of which is controlled thereby. 24. An electronic game system as defined in claim 23 wherein said electronic driver unit is self contained and portable. 25. An electronic game system as defined in claim 23 wherein (a) said electronic driver unit includes a master volume control to regulate the volume of sound emanating from said speaker, and (b) said micro computer switching means includes a computer program to deliver the impulses of said video game and said video tape recorder to said television tube. 26. An electronic game system as defined in claim 1 wherein said electronic driver unit includes a housing and mounted in said housing a logic game board, video monitor, a master volume control and micro computer switching means interconnected by lead lines, and wherein said housing including plug means therein which are connected to said various elements above named and adapted to interconnect with plug means from transmission lines to carry impulses to said television tube, said game control unit and said speaker, and including a power source connected to said electronic driver means. 27. An electronic game system as defined in claim 1 including a micro computer and switching means therefor and characterised by (a) a soft ware program to selectively control two images to be shown on said television tube, (b) a central processing unit connected to said program, (c) a plurality of semiconductors receiving and returning to said control proceeding unit impulses transmitted thereby, (d) an input-output controller element receiving impulses from said central processing unit and capable of transmitting and receiving the impulses of said game logic board and said video tape recorder, and ( e) a switching element receiving information from said input-output controller adapted to transmit and receive impulses from said game logic board and said video tape recorder and to transmit impulses to said video monitor. -βϋ E O.V.PI

Inventors: HORAN PHILIP
Applicants: HORAN PHILIP
Application year: 1982
Main classification: A47B81
IPC codes: A63F13