Television gaming apparatus

Abstract

The present invention pertains to an apparatus .[.and method.]., in conjunction with standard monochrome and color television receivers, for the generation, display, manipulation, and use of symbols or geometric figures upon the screen of the television receivers for the purpose of .[.training simulation, for.]. playing games.[., and for engaging in other activities.]. by one or more participants. The invention comprises in one embodiment a control unit, .Iadd.an apparatus .Iaddend.connecting .[.means.]. .Iadd.the control unit to the television receiver .Iaddend.and in some applications a television screen overlay mask utilized in conjunction with a standard television receiver. The control unit includes the control .[.means.]. .Iadd.circuitry.Iaddend., switches and .Iadd.other .Iaddend.electronic circuitry for the generation, manipulation and control of video signals which are to be displayed on the television screen. The connecting .[.means.]. .Iadd.apparatus selectively .Iaddend.couples the video signals to the receiver antenna terminals thereby using existing electronic circuits within the receiver to process and display the signals .Iadd.generated by the control unit in a first state of the coupling apparatus and to receive broadcast television signals in a second state of the coupling apparatus.Iaddend.. An overlay mask which may be removably attached to the television screen may determine the nature of the game to be played or the training simulated. Control units .[.are.]. .Iadd.may be .Iaddend.provided for each of the participants. Alternatively, games.[., training simulations and other activities.]. may be carried out in conjunction with background and other pictorial information originated in the television receiver by commercial TV, closed-circuit TV or a CATV station.

I claim: .[. 
     
       1.  In combination with a standard television receiver, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signal to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant..]. .[.   
     
     
       2.  The combination of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes: a horizontal sync generator;   a vertical sync generator;   at least one dot generator coupled to said horizontal and vertical sync generators;   means for generating an rf signal; and   means for modulating said rf signal with an output signal from said dot generator, said modulated rf signal being coupled to said television receiver..]. .[.3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said horizontal sync generator includes an astable multivibrator and said vertical sync   
     
     
        generator includes as astable multivibrator..]. .[.4.  The combination of claim 2 wherein said "dot" generator includes horizontal and vertical 
     
     
        delays and an AND gate coupling the outputs from said delays..]. .[.5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said means for generating a modulated rf signal includes: means for summing the signal outputs from said horizontal sync generator, said vertical sync generator and said dot generator to provide a video signal; and   means for modulating the video signal with a carrier signal the frequency of which is selected in accordance with which channel of the television receiver the "dots" are to be displayed..]. .[.6. The combination of claim 2 wherein said dot generator includes means for varying the position of the generated "dots" on the television receiver screen..]. .[.7. The combination of claim 2 wherein said control unit includes first and second dot generators coupled to said vertical sync generator and said horizontal sync generator..]. .[.8. The combination of claim 7 wherein said means for generating a modulated rf signal includes:   means for summing the signal outputs from said horizontal sync generator, said vertical sync generator and said first and second dot generators to provide a video signal; and   means for modulating the video signal with a carrier signal the frequency of which is selected in accordance with which channel of the television   
     
     
        receivers the "dot" are to be displayed..]. .[.9.  The combination of claim 8 wherein each of said dot generators includes means for varying the position of the generated "dots" on the television receiver screen..]. .[.10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said position varying means includes a control for varying the vertical position of each generated "dot" and a control for varying the horizontal position of each generated "dot"..]. .[.11. The combination of claim 9 wherein said position varying means includes one control for varying the horizontal and vertical position of each generated "dot.".]. .[.12. The combination of claim 11, said control being a joystick..]. .[.13. The combination of claim 9, further including means for denoting coincidence when a "dot" generated by one of said dot generators is located in the same position on the television screen as a "dot" generated by another of said dot 
     
     
        generators..]. .[.14.  The combination of claim 13 wherein said coincidence denoting means includes a coincidence detector and crowbar circuit coupled to said first and second dot generators such that coincidence of position of said "dots" will be indicated by having said first dot generator turned off causing disappearance on the screen of the 
     
     
        television receiver of its respective "dot.".]. 15. The combination of claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.50 .Iaddend.wherein said coincidence detector and crowbar circuit includes a semiconductor switch and means for turning on said switch when a signal is received simultaneously from said first and 
     
     
        second dot generators. 16. The combination of claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., further including means for resetting said coincidence 
     
     
        denoting means after the "dots" are made noncoincident. 17. The combination of claim .[.14.]. .Iadd.50.Iaddend., further including means operatively responsive to .Iadd.the presence of .Iaddend.a displayed "dot" 
     
     
        .Iadd.at a location upon said screen of said receiver.Iaddend.. 18. The combination of claim 17, wherein said means responsive includes: means for sensing light; and   means for actuating said coincidence denoting means when said light sensing   
     
     
        means detects a "dot" displayed on the television receiver screen. 19. The combination of claim 18 wherein said actuating means includes a switch which couples the output from said light sensing means to said coincidence 
     
     
        denoting means. 20. The combination of claim 19 wherein said light sensing means is a photosensitive element arranged within the barrel of a toy gun. .[.21. The combination of claim 14 in which said television receiver is a color receiver, said combination further including a chroma generator having inputs from said horizontal sync generator and said coincidence denoting means and an output to said signal summing means, such that coincidence will also be indicated by a changing of background color of 
     
     
        said television receiver screen..]. 22. The combination of claim .[.21.]. .Iadd.48 .Iaddend.wherein said chroma generator includes a control for 
     
     
        varying the background color of the television receiver screen. 23. The combination of claim 22 further including a wheel coupled to said control for varying background color which when spun will cause the background color to be of non-predetermined selection. .[.24. The combination of claim 1, further including an overlay mask attached to the television receiver screen, said overlay mask having a predetermined pattern thereon..]. .[.25. The combination of claim 1, further including means for 
     
     
        automatically moving said "dots" about said television screen..]. 26. .[.The.]. .Iadd.In .Iaddend.combination .[.of claim 25, further including.]. .Iadd.with a raster scan home television receiver previously employed only for passive viewing of programs, apparatus for adding active home entertainment capability to the home television receiver by generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver, means for manipulating the position of at least one of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver to play amusement games and means for permitting alternate movement of said "dots" wherein said alternate movement means includes means for automatically moving at least one of said "dots" about said television screen;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver, wherein the receiver is also adapted to receive broadcast television signals, whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant; and .Iaddend.   means for "shooting" at said moving "dots", said "shooting" means including light responsive means responsive .Iadd.only .Iaddend.to a displayed "dot" .Iadd.when aligned therewith and disposed a substantial distance from the television screen when playing a shooting game thereby simulating actual target shooting, said light responsive means not being responsive to the television raster scan of said receiver except where the raster is   
     
     
        modulated to display a dot.Iaddend.. 27. .[.The.]. .Iadd.In .Iaddend.combination .[.of claim 1, further including.]. .Iadd.with a raster scan home television receiver, apparatus for permitting the playing of amusement games on the screen of the television receiver by generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver wherein the receiver is also adapted to receive broadcast television signals, whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant; and .Iaddend.and   means for "shooting" at said "dots," said "shooting" means including light responsive means responsive .Iadd.only .Iaddend.to a displayed "dot" when aligned therewith .Iadd.and disposed a substantial distance from the television screen when playing a shooting game thereby simulating actual target shooting, said light responsive means not being responsive to the television raster scan of said receiver except where the raster is modulated to display a dot.Iaddend.. .[.28. Television gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27, further including means for causing one of said "dots" to disappear when said "shooting" means receives light from a   
     
     
        displayed "dot"..]. .[.29.  Television gaming apparatus as defined in claim 27 in which said television receiver is a color receiver, further including means for causing the background color of said television screen to change color when a "hit" is made..]. .[.30. The combination of claim 27 wherein said light responsive means includes a photocell..]. .[.31. The combination of claim 1, further including means for receiving background information generated on the television receiver screen by a cooperative television station..]. .[.32. In combination with a standard television receiver including horizontal and vertical deflection circuitry which is synchronized with horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit responsive to the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals for generating signals representing "dots" to be displayed, including means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of the receiver; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant..]. .[.33. The combination of claim 32, further including:   means for receiving information generated by a cooperative television station; and   means for applying the received information to said television receiver to   
     
     
        be displayed thereby..]. .[.34.  The combination of claim 33 wherein said applying means includes means for modulating said received information by 
     
     
        said generated signals..]. .[.35.  The combination of claim 34 wherein said modulating means includes means for momentarily causing a reduction of signal strength of said received information when generated signals are being applied, whereby the generated "dots" are displayed at their particular position of the screen in place of the received information..]. .[.36. The combination of claim 33, further including means synchronizing the generated signals with the received information..]. .[.37. The combination of claim 36 wherein said synchronizing means includes: means for receiving a horizontal scan signal generated by the television station; and   means for detecting a vertical synchronizing component provided on the screen of the television receiver..]. .[.38. The combination of claim 37 wherein said means for receiving a horizontal scan signal includes a pickup coil and said means for detecting a vertical synchronizing component includes a photocell..]. .[.39. The combination of claim 36 wherein said synchronizing means is mechanically coupled to the television   
     
     
        screen..]. .[.40.  Apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of a television receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize a television raster scan of a receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to a single television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen   
     
     
        of the single receiver being viewed by the participant.].. 41. Apparatus .[.as in claim 40, further including.]. .Iadd.for permitting the playing of amusement games on the screen of a raster scan home television receiver by generating "dots" upon the screen of the raster scan television receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize a television raster scan of a receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to a single television receiver, wherein the receiver is also adapted to receive broadcast television signals, whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of the single receiver being viewed by the participant; and .Iaddend.   means for "shooting" at said "dots", said means including light responsive means responsive .Iadd.only .Iaddend.to a displayed "dot.[...]." .Iadd.when aligned therewith and disposed a substantial distance from the television screen when playing a shooting game thereby simulating actual target shooting, said light responsive means not being responsive to the television raster scan of said receiver except where the raster is   
     
     
        modulated to display a dot. .Iaddend. 42. .[.The.]. .Iadd.In .Iaddend.combination .[.of claim 1 wherein said control unit includes.]. .Iadd.with a standard raster scan home television receiver, apparatus for generating "dots"upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed wherein said control unit includes means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver comprising .Iaddend.   means for providing horizontal sync signals.[.;.]. .Iadd.and .Iaddend.   means for providing vertical sync signals;   a first RC network coupled to said means for providing horizontal sync signals;   a second RC network coupled to said means for providing vertical sync signals;   a first transistor coupled to said first RC network;   a second transistor coupled to said second RC network;   first pulse shaping means coupled to the output of said first transistor;   second pulse shaping means coupled to the output of said second transistor; .[.and.].   an AND gate coupled to said first and second pulse shaping means.Iadd.;   means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said   
     
     
        receiver being viewed by the participant.Iaddend.. .[.43.  The combination of claim 1 wherein at least two "dots" are displayed on the screen of said receiver..]. .[.44. Apparatus for use within a television receiver, which receiver includes horizontal and vertical deflection circuitry which is synchronized with horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals, said apparatus including means for generating "dots" upon the screen of said receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit responsive to the horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals for generating signals representing "dots" to be displayed, including means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver..]. .[.45. Apparatus as in claim 44 wherein said horizontal and vertical synchronization signals are received from a television   
     
     
        station..]. .[.46.  Apparatus as in claim 45 wherein said received synchronization signals are the standard synchronization signals generated 
     
     
        by the television station..]. .Iadd.47.  Apparatus for adding active home entertainment capability to a home raster scan television receiver previously employed only for the passive viewing of programs by permitting the playing of games on the screen of the television receiver by at least one participant and generating "dots" upon the screen of the television receiver to be manipulated by a participant, said apparatus comprising: .Iadd.a control for generating signals representing the "dots to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating horizontal and vertical synchronizing signals to synchronize a television raster scan of a receiver, means for generating first signals representing the horizontal position of said "dots", means for generating second signals representing the vertical position of said "dots", means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen for playing amusement games, and AND gate circuitry for AND gating selected ones of said first and second signals representing two of said dots for detecting coincidence of said two dots; and means for directly and selectively coupling the generated signals representing the dots to be displayed and the synchronizing signals only to a single television receiver whereby in a first state said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of the single receiver being viewed by the participant and in a second state such television receiver is capable of   
     
     
        receiving broadcast television signals. .Iaddend. .Iadd.48.  In combination with a standard raster scan home color television receiver, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means comprising a horizontal sync generator and a vertical sync generator for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver, first and second dot generators coupled to said vertical sync generator and said horizontal sync generator and each including means for manipulating and varying the position of the generated "dots" on the television receiver screen, means for denoting coincidence when a "dot" generated by one of said dot generators is located in the same position on the television screen as a "dot" generated by another of said dot generators, and a chroma generator having inputs from said horizontal sync generator and said coincidence denoting means, said coincidence denoting means including a coincidence detector and crowbar circuit coupled to said first and second dot generators such that coincidence of position of said "dots" will be indicated by having said first dot generator turned off causing disappearance on the screen of the television receiver of its respective "dot" and such that coincidence will also be indicated by a changing of background of color of said television receiver screen;   means for generating an rf carrier signal of desired frequency; and   means for modulating said rf carrier signal with an output signal from said dot generators including means for summing the signal outputs from said horizontal sync generator, said vertical sync generator, said chroma generator and said first and second dot generators to provide a video signal, and means for modulating the video signal onto said carrier signal the frequency of which is selected in accordance with which channel of the television receiver the "dots" are to be displayed, said modulated rf signal being coupled to said television receiver; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant. .Iaddend. .Iadd.49. In combination with a standard raster scan home color television receiver, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising:   a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver, wherein the receiver is also adapted to receive broadcast television signals, whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant;   means for "shooting" at said "dots," said "shooting" means including light responsive means responsive only to a displayed "dot" when aligned therewith and disposed a substantial distance from the television screen when playing a shooting game thereby simulating actual target shooting, and said light responsive means not being responsive to the television raster scan of said receiver except where the raster is modulated to display a dot; and   means for causing the background color of said television screen to change color when a "hit" is made. .Iaddend. .Iadd.50. In combination with a standard raster scan home television receiver, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising:   a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means comprising a horizontal sync generator and a vertical sync generator for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver, first and second dot generators coupled to said vertical sync generator and said horizontal sync generator and each including means for manipulating and varying the position of the generated "dots" on the television receiver screen and   means for denoting coincidence when a "dot" generated by one of said dot generators is located in the same position on the television screen as a "dot" generated by another of said dot generators, said coincidence denoting means including a coincidence detector and crowbar circuit coupled to said first and second dot generators such that coincidence of position of said "dots" will be indicated by having said first dot generator turned off causing disappearance from the screen of the television receiver or its respective "dot";   means for generating an rf carrier signal; and   means for modulating said rf carrier signal with an output signal from said dot generators including means for summing the signal outputs from said horizontal sync generator, said vertical sync generator and said first and second dot generators to provide a video signal and means for modulating the video signal onto said rf carrier signal the frequency of which is selected in accordance with which channel of the television receiver the "dots" are to be displayed, said modulated rf signal being coupled to said television receiver; and   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said   
     
     
        receiver being viewed by the participant..Iaddend. .Iadd.51.  In combination with a standard raster scan home television receiver including horizontal and vertical deflection circuitry which is synchronized with horizontal and vertical synchronization signals, apparatus for generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit responsive to the horizontal and vertical synchronization signals for generating signals representing "dots" to be displayed, including means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of the receiver;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver where said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant;   means for receiving information generated by a cooperative television station and for applying the received information to said television receiver to be displayed thereof; and   means synchronizing the generating signals with the received information, said synchronizing means including means for receiving a horizontal scan signal generated by a television station including a pickup coil and means for detecting a vertical synchronization component provided on the screen   
     
     
        of a television receiver including a photocell. .Iaddend. .Iadd.52.  In combination with a raster scan home television receiver, apparatus for permitting the playing of amusement games on the screen of the television receiver by generating "dots" upon the screen of the receiver to be manipulated by a participant, comprising: a control unit for generating signals representing the "dots" to be displayed, said control unit further including means for generating synchronizing signals to synchronize the television raster scan of said receiver and means for manipulating the position of the "dots" on the screen of said receiver;   means for directly coupling the generated signals only to said television receiver, wherein the receiver is also adapted to receive broadcast television signals whereby said "dots" are displayed only upon the screen of said receiver being viewed by the participant;   means for "shooting at said "dots", said "shooting" means including light responsive means responsive only to a displayed "dot" when aligned therewith and disposed a substantial distance from the television screen when playing a shooting game thereby simulating actual target shooting, said light responsive means not being responsive to the television raster scan of said receiver except where the raster is modulated to display a dot; and   means for causing one of said "dots" to disappear when said "shooting " means receives light from a displayed "dot". .Iaddend.