Abstract:
An electronic game, including a base, and a spinning unit affixed to the base and adapted to spin relative thereto. The spinning unit includes a display mechanism adapted to displaying text that dictates actions to be taken in the electronic game. The electronic game also includes a circuit for controlling the display mechanism, and a sensor including a magnet disposed in the base and a magnetic switch disposed in the spinning unit for communicating with the circuit. Whereby the circuit triggers the display mechanism based on the communications from the sensor independent of a minimum speed requirement.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    The present invention claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/446,550 of Mark Siegel et al., entitled “ELECTRONIC GAME WITH SPINNING AND ELECTRONIC DISPLAY FEATURES,” filed on Feb. 12, 2003, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates to an electronic game that once spun provides an illuminated text display. More specifically, the present invention relates to an electronic game that displays a dot matrix message via a single line of LEDs upon rotation of the game. The game compensates for fluctuations in rotational speed to provide an undistorted synchronized display.  
           [0003]    Conventional rotation games which display text typically require a minimum speed of rotation and generally fail to compensate for changes in rotational speed such that the display becomes distorted; e.g. as the speed of rotation slows down.  
           [0004]    For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,791,966 to Capps et al., the subject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference, discloses a rotational toy that includes a single spinning body 103 and a row of seven LEDs 107 for displaying a message. The display is initiated when a switch 147 is actuated to provide power to the circuitry of the toy. Specifically, as the body 103 rotates, centrifugal force counteracts the force of a spring 155 of switch 147 and permits the end of the spring to swing out against a contact 159. When this occurs, the circuit is completed and the microcontroller displays the message. Thus, a minimum speed of rotation is required to create the centrifugal force such that spring 155 engages contact 159 in order to display text.  
           [0005]    Some conventional spinning devices have used reed-switches to synchronize a text display, and therefore properly display text at various rotational velocities. However, these devices generally use a centrifugal force switch to activate the display at a minimum rotational speed.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game that can be spun to provide an illuminated display of text.  
           [0007]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game that compensates for fluctuations in rotational speed to provide an undistorted and synchronized display.  
           [0008]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game that provides an illuminated display upon any movement of the game without the requirement of a minimum rotational speed.  
           [0009]    The objects of the present invention are obtained by an electronic game, including a base, a spinning unit affixed to the base and adapted to spin relative thereto, the spinning unit including a display mechanism adapted to displaying text that dictates actions to be taken in the electronic game, a circuit for controlling the display mechanism, and a sensor including a magnet disposed in the base and a magnetic switch disposed in the spinning unit for communicating with the circuit, whereby the circuit triggers the display mechanism based on the communications from the sensor independent of a minimum speed requirement.  
           [0010]    The objects of the present invention are further obtained by a method of displaying text for an electronic gaming device, the gaming device having a spinning unit and a base, the method including the steps of rotating the spinning unit relative to the base, using a sensor to generate information by determining when the spinning unit makes a complete revolution, and the rate at which the spinning unit revolves; and initiating a text display based on the information from the sensor. 
       
    
    
       [0011]    Other objects, advantages and salient features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, which, taken in conjunction with annexed drawings, discloses a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0012]    Referring to the drawings which form a part of this disclosure:  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of the electronic game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 with game chips inserted in the peripheral apertures.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 2 without game chips inserted in the peripheral apertures.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the game illustrated in FIG. 3.  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the game illustrated in FIG. 1.  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the electronic display “FORTUNE TELLER”.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the electronic display “DOUBLE DARE”.  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the electronic display of an arrow.  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the electronic display “GIVE OR TAKE”.  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a top plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1 showing the electronic display “ORANGE”.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a plan view of the electronic game illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the spin activation sensor arrangement.  
         [0024]    FIGS.  12 - 15  are a flow chart of the general game play of the electronic game in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0025]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , an electronic game  10  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention generally includes a spinning body  12  with a display mechanism  14 , preferably a row of LEDs  18 , and a stationary base  20  having batteries and the associated electronics, particularly a microprocessor or a circuit  16 , to produce a text display  22   a -E (FIGS.  6 - 10 ) via display mechanism  14  upon rotating spinning body  12  with respect to base  20 . The microprocessor  16  (FIG. 11) triggers the display  22  upon movement of spinning body  12 . A minimum speed of rotation of spinning body  12  is not required for the microprocessor  16  to trigger one of the displays  22   a - e  (as long as the rotational speed is greater than zero). Also, the microprocessor monitors the rotational speed of spinning body  12  and mathematically corrects or compensates for any changes in the rotational speed so that the displays  22   a - e  and LEDs  18  remains undistorted and synchronized as body  12  rotates. Body  12  and base  20  are preferably made of an elastomer and generally form the shape of a flower. However, game  10 , including body  12  and base  20 , can be any desired shape or any suitable material.  
         [0026]    Spinning body  12  is preferably made of a translucent plastic and is rotatably attached to base  20  and includes a central outwardly extending spinner handle  26  that has a handle base  28 . The handle has a substantially cylindrical portion  27  that extends from the handle base  28 . Handle portion  27  extends at about a 90 degree angle from base  28  and the spinning body  12 . On the top surface of handle portion  27  a button  29  is disposed. This button can be for a variety of purposes, but is preferably used as a “truth detector” or “lie detector”. In other words, during game play, this button is pushed when answering a question posed, and the game determines, by random selection, if the player has told the truth to the posed question.  
         [0027]    Handle base  28  generally surrounds portion  27  and has a variety of buttons thereon. Preferably base  28  has six areas or protrusions  31  extending outwardly from portion  27 . However, the shape and configuration of base  28  can be any suitable shape or configuration desired. Additionally, base  28  does not necessarily need to have six areas or protrusions, but can have as many (or as few) portions desired.  
         [0028]    Handle base  28  supports several buttons  30  (preferably on at least three of the protrusions  31 ) associated with the electronics of the game, such as an “On/Mode” button, a “Play/Enter” button, a “Record” button and a “Reset” button  50  (see FIG. 2). A microphone  32  is also disposed in handle base  28  on a near buttons  30  on one of the protrusion  31  (see FIG. 2). The buttons  30 , the microphone  50  the reset button do not necessarily need to be disposed on the protrusions  31 , let on the handle itself and can be positioned in any suitable location.  
         [0029]    Extending between handle base  28  and the peripheral edge  40  of body  12  is display mechanism  14  comprising a single row of seven light emitting diodes (LEDs)  18  (see FIGS. 1 and 2). However, the display mechanism can be any type of lighted display desired and does not need to be a single row of LEDs. Body  12  also includes a magnetic switch  34  for triggering the microprocessor to produce text displays  22   a - e.  When body  12  is spun, LEDs  18  produce a display grid. LEDs are preferably yellow-green LEDs. See FIGS.  6 - 10  for examples of text displays  22  associated with game  10 . Note that game  10  can be programmed to display any word or phrase desired.  
         [0030]    Spinning body  12  supports substantially all of the electronics associated with game  10  such as batteries, circuit board having a circuit, at least a microprocessor and a voice chip, and one or more speakers  33  (FIG. 5). As shown in FIG. 11, microprocessor or microcontroller unit (MCU)  16  is electrically coupled to the magnetic switch  34  and in communication therewith.  
         [0031]    Microcontroller unit  16  is preferably a conventional microcontroller capable of being programmed and storing memory. Therefore, the microcontroller unit can instruct the LEDs to display stored text, instruct the speaker to transmit stored sounds and store new sounds therein. However, the microcontroller can be capable of performing any desired function, such as storing new text messages, if desired. Furthermore, the use of a microcontroller or microprocessor is not necessary and any circuit or electrical and/or mechanical components suitable (or any other suitable means) for playing any feature of this invention can be used.  
         [0032]    As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, base  20  has six protrusions  25  that hold cards and/or chips  21  used for playing game  10 . Chips  21  are disposed in apertures or openings  23  and are used by the game players. Once all six different types are collected, the player that has collected the chips is the winner. However, it is noted that this is only a preferred method of game play and the winner or no winner can de determined in any manner desired. Additionally the game can have cards (not shown) that are stored in the base or in another container and used to instruct the players as to the truth to tell or the dare to perform. It is noted that the base does not need to have apertures for chips, but may have slots for the cards or no slots or apertures or any combination thereof.  
         [0033]    A magnet  36  is disposed in base  20  that cooperates with magnetic switch  34  of spinning body  12  to communicate with the microprocessor of game  10 . the combination of magnet  36  and switch  34  is preferably a reed-switch or any other suitable switch or sensor that would allow the game to perform the desired text display. For example, other suitable switches can be a mechanical switch, an optical switch or any other suitable switch or sensor. Additionally, a second magnetic switch (not shown) can be disposed in the same manner as switch  34  that would allow the microprocessor to detect spin direction by leading or trailing switch  34 , thus allowing a proper display regardless of spin direction.  
         [0034]    As shown in FIG. 5, the base  20  substantially surrounds the spinning body and has a bottom surface  44  that is substantially flat and planar so as to provide a stable surface of game play. However, base  20  does not necessarily need to surround the spinning body and can have suitable configuration that would allow the present invention to work in the desired manner. For example, the base can only have one portion adjacent the spinning body, in which magnet  36  is disposed. Surface  44  has an opening therein that exposes the bottom of spinning body  12  and speaker  33 . Several structural rods  51  are connected to base  20  and a center portion  53  to increase the structural integrity of the base  20 . Connected to rods  21  is the battery compartment  45 . Compartment  45  has a door  46  therein to access the battery or batteries in the battery compartment. However, it is noted that the game  10  can have any suitable power supply, such as a non-accessible, rechargeable battery or batteries, solar power, kinetic power or an electrical plug.  
         [0035]    If desired some of the electronics can be disposed in the base  20  rather than in the spinning body. For example, only the magnet or the magnetic switch can be stored in the spinning body (along with the display mechanism and necessary electronics for the display mechanism), as long as the required components are in electrical communication with the microprocessor and the device operates in a suitable manner.  
         [0036]    Furthenmore, it is noted that the game can have a reset button  50 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, that can reset the game. This reset preferably erases all memory and restarts the game, but can be programmed to perfonn any level of reset desired.  
         [0037]    Operation  
         [0038]    In general, a player spins body  12  with respect to base  20  to produce text display  22 . The microprocessor turns the individual LEDs  18  on and off to produce text display  22 . A spin activation sensor comprising the magnetic switch  34  of spinning body  12  and the magnet  36  of base  20  communicates to the microprocessor the number of rotations and the rotational speed of spinning body  12  with respect to base  20  to initiate a text display, such as displays  22   a - e  or any other suitable display. More specifically, when spinning body  12  is spun, as magnetic switch  34  of spinning body  12  passes by magnet  36  of base  20 , a pulse is produced. Thus one pulse defines one full rotation of spinning body  12  with respect to body  20 . Each pulse is recognized by the microprocessor, thereby communicating to the microprocessor both that spinning body  12  is rotating and the number of rotations. Additionally, using the sensor of the magnetic switch  34  and magnet  36 , the microprocessor calculates the time between pulses and thus the rotational speed and any changes in the rotational speed.  
         [0039]    The sensor comprising magnetic switch  34  and magnet  36  is used in two ways. The first way is to start the game  10  and particularly to start a text display. Microprocessor is programmed to start game  10  after any predetennined amount of pulses, e.g. 3 pulses or a low to high back to low trigger event, and a text display will be initiated. In other words, body  12  will be assumed to be spinning after some amount of these events or pulses. This pulse start routine of the microprocessor has no time restraints so that any number of pulses can start the sequence. If no more pulses are detected within a predetermined set of time after the start routine is triggered, spinning of body  12  is assumed to have ceased and the microprocessor will time out and end the display.  
         [0040]    The second way of using the sensor is as a sync position, so that the text display remains visually in a fixed position as body  12  is spinning. A pulse produced by the magnetic switch will be the only means to trigger the starting position for outputting the text display. The microprocessor monitors timing between pulse events in order to modify the display based on rotational timing. This allows the microprocessor to correct for changes in rotational speed so that LEDs  18  are illuminated to produce text display in the same or fixed place, thereby ensuring the display is not distorted due to fluctuations in rotational speed. Some correction techniques include leaving the LEDs  18  illuminated for a shorter or longer time, or starting the illumination of the LEDs  18  sooner or later. By mathematically dividing the time period between pulses by 360, the microprocessor can determine where the LED is in its rotational travel in degrees.  
         [0041]    Game Play  
         [0042]    FIGS.  12 - 15  illustrate the preferred basic steps for playing game  10 . It is noted that the game does not necessarily need to be played in the order of FIGS.  12 - 15  and does not necessarily need to include each of the shown steps. The game is preferably started by turning the game on by pressing the on/mode button. The game system will then request, through speaker  33  that you select a game, preferably Truth, Dare, Double Dare or Fortune Teller. Toggle through the Press/Play/Enter button to select a choice.  
         [0043]    Assuming the game of FORTUNE TELLER is selected, the game will display “FORTUNE TELLER”, as shown in FIG. 6. The game player then asks a question, either out loud or not, and then spins the handle  26 . The blue dome will display, through the text display one of following answers to your question, Definitely, You Bet, Sure, Don&#39;t Know, Whatever, Who Knows, No Way, Not likely, or Dream on. However, it is noted that these specific text messages or answers do not need to be displayed and any text desired can be displayed  
         [0044]    Assuming the game of TRUTH, DARE, DOUBLE DARE is selected, the game will display “DOUBLE DARE”, as shown in FIG. 7. The game will then prompt the players to record the games double dares. At this point the players can record the up to 4 double dares by pressing and holding the record button and speaking into the microphone, or the players can merely spin the handle and move to the game. Prior to spinning the handle, a player is randomly selected. This randomly selected player then spins the handle. The LED display will display a series of instructions. The first instruction is preferably give, take or give or take. The game will display one of these instructions, such as “GIVE OR TAKE”, as shown in FIG. 9. These instructions require the player selected by the game (see below) to either give, take or choose whether to give or take the dare, double dare or truth. The next instruction is preferably the category from which to select the truth or dare. For example, the categories can be truths and dares that involve physical activity or ability, truths and dares that are unpleasant or truths and dares that you would hope or dream about. The game will display one of these instructions as a color category, such as “ORANGE”, as shown in FIG. 10. The third instruction is whether the player must tell the truth, perform a dare, perform a double dare or choose between truth and dare. The game will then display one of these instructions, such as “DOUBLE DARE”, as shown in FIG. 7. The fourth and final instruction at this time is an arrow that will randomly point at a game player, as shown in FIG. 8. The arrow determines who has to give or take the truth, dare or double dare. The arrow can point in a consistent direction (i.e., at one player) as the rotating body spins.  
         [0045]    The player at which the arrow points then must select a card or choose another player to select a card from. a specific category (depending on the instructions) and perform either the truth or dare on that specific card.  
         [0046]    If desired when the game instructs the player to tell the truth, the players can require the player telling the truth to place their thumb (or any other finger) on the “lie detector” button. If the game determines the player is telling the truth, the player is awarded. If the game determines the player is telling a lie, the player is not awarded.  
         [0047]    Please note that if the game selects double dare and there are double dares recorded, no category will be displayed. A prerecorded double dare will be randomly selected and played through the speaker. The player who has been chosen must now perform this double dare.  
         [0048]    Each step of game play described above is optional and any step may be skipped or ignored during any phase of play. Furthermore, additional steps can be inserted and the game instructions and steps can be performed in any suitable order. The above described steps are merely exemplary and preferred.  
         [0049]    While a particular embodiment has been chosen to illustrate the invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.