US20040195774A1 - Amusement device with a moving target and a clock - Google Patents
Amusement device with a moving target and a clock Download PDFInfo
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- US20040195774A1 US20040195774A1 US10/486,539 US48653904A US2004195774A1 US 20040195774 A1 US20040195774 A1 US 20040195774A1 US 48653904 A US48653904 A US 48653904A US 2004195774 A1 US2004195774 A1 US 2004195774A1
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- Prior art keywords
- disk
- target
- respect
- rotation
- amusement device
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- G—PHYSICS
- G04—HOROLOGY
- G04B—MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS
- G04B47/00—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece
- G04B47/04—Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece with attached ornaments or amusement apparatus
- G04B47/048—Clockwork combined with toys
Definitions
- the invention relates to an amusement device having a moving target and a remote controller which serves as a gun, and more particularly to an amusement device incorporating a clock.
- the invention of signal transmitters and receivers has permitted the development of target games which do not require firing a projectile at the target.
- a handheld “gun” which transmits a focused infrared beam or a light beam at a sensor mounted on a target.
- the sensor senses the beam, it can transmit a signal to a controller, which causes a motorized reaction in the target, including sound and lights.
- Wall clocks sometimes incorporate themes and mechanisms to make them more interesting.
- Mechanical clocks often incorporate pendulums driven by weights as part of their timing mechanism. Clocks having chimes which ring on the hour are known.
- Cuckoo clocks in addition to having a pendulum, incorporate a model cuckoo which emerges every hour and makes a number of calls to mark the time. However these clocks are not interactive.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442 discloses an alarm clock having a sensor for sensing a light beam transmitted by a remote controller in the form a gun which must be carefully aimed at the sensor.
- the remote controller incorporates optics for focusing the light emitted by a diode, and a trigger for switching it on.
- the sensor is located in a target, and is wired to turn off an alarm when it senses the light beam.
- the concept here is to wake up enough to aim the controller and turn off the alarm, without getting out of bed.
- the target is not moving, and no motion is initiated when the target is hit with the light beam.
- the reward is silence.
- the amusement device combines a game of skill incorporating a moving target with a wall clock.
- the amusement device includes a housing, a drive disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the housing, a target disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the drive disk, at least one target mounted to the target disk for rotation with respect to the target disk, and means such as an electric motor for driving the drive disk in opposite directions of rotation.
- the target disk is connected to the drive disk so that the target disk rotates synchronously with the drive disk during steady-state rotation of the drive disk, so that the target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to the drive disk when the direction of rotation of the drive disk is reversed, and so that at least one target rotates with respect to the target disk when the target disk rotates with respect to the drive disk.
- a remote controller which turns on the electric motor so that the drive disk begins rotating. This is accomplished by an infrared beam emitted by a diode in the remote controller toward a sensor which is fixed with respect to the housing.
- a player can aim the controller at a target on the target disk and “fire” by squeezing a trigger or otherwise activating a switch which allows a transmitted signal, preferably an infrared beam, to be received only when the remote controller is properly aimed.
- the sensor transmits a signal which causes the motor to run in the opposite direction, which causes relative motion between the target disk and the drive disk, and further causes the targets to rotate with respect to the target disk.
- the motor is automatically reversed to run in its original direction as soon as the relative motion between the disks is complete.
- the remote controller transmits a focused beam which is received by a sensor on the target disk when the gun is properly aimed.
- the sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor in the housing via a brush arrangement, and the microprocessor effects the reversal of current in the drive motor.
- transmitters are fixed to the target disk, and a receiving sensor is provided at the base of a tube such as a simulated gun barrel on the remote controller. This tube must be carefully aimed at a transmitter on the target desk in order for the remote controller to sense a “hit”.
- the afore-mentioned transmitter on the remote controller which is also used to start the game, then transmits another signal to the receiving sensor on the housing to reverse the drive disk, initiate sounds, and illuminate an LED to indicate the score.
- the advantages of this arrangement are the elimination of focusing optics for the infrared beam, and the concordant need for focusing the remote controller to begin initial rotation of the target disk.
- the amusement device is provided with a face plate which is fixed to the housing and has an aperture through which the target disk is visible over part of its rotation, for example 180 degrees. When two targets are provided, only one is fully exposed for target practice at a given time.
- the hands of a clock are fixed to the face plate so that the amusement device also functions as a clock on a full time basis.
- the clock may be driven by a clock module having an internal electrical switch which makes contact every hour, on the hour, to transmit a signal to the microprocessor for starting the motor, as well as activating a speaker to make sounds which alert a potential player that it is time to play.
- the disks will rotate for only a predetermined time if no target hits are sensed.
- the microprocessor is preferably programmed to end the game after a predetermined number of hits are scored, for example six.
- the amusement device is also provided with a pendulum which swings in front of the face plate, below the aperture.
- This pendulum is connected to a swing arm behind the face plate and driven by a pendulum module which is located with the clock module.
- the imagery provided on the target disk, the targets, the face plate, and the pendulum In the fashion of an old shooting gallery, the targets may be fancifully rendered ducks flying against a background of sky on the target disk.
- the edge of the aperture on the face plate may be profiled with waves, and the pendulum may likewise be provided with images of waves, to give a fanciful impression of moving water.
- the scoring of a hit is recognized by the ducks spinning first one way, then the other, and then plunging into the water as the target disk resumes rotation relative to the face plate. Background sound may occur at all times, and is overlaid by additional sound when a hit is scored. Additionally, LED's on the face plate light up sequentially as hits are scored.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of amusement device according to the invention.
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the housing with some of the components assembled thereto;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit
- FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the drive disk assembled to the clock disk
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the gear train in FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic section view of the amusement device
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the remote controller
- FIG. 9 is schematic diagram of the electronics in the clock.
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electronics in the remote controller.
- FIG. 1 shows the amusement device according to the invention, as it would appear hanging on a wall.
- the device includes a face plate 60 having a target aperture 61 , a target disk 40 mounted for rotation behind the face plate 60 and partially visible through the aperture 61 , a target 50 which is mounted for rotation relative to the target disk 40 , and LED's 62 which provide indicia of scoring.
- There are two targets 50 mounted for rotation on the target disk 40 but only one is visible through the aperture at a given time.
- the amusement device also incorporates a clock including hands 63 , a pendulum 66 , and a number ring 69 .
- the number ring 69 is mounted above the circumference of the face plate 60 so that the pendulum can swing freely between the face plate 60 and the number ring 61 .
- the device functions only as a clock until activated, whereupon the target disk rotates to effect a game of skill wherein a player attempts to “shoot” a sensor 56 adjacent to a target 50 with a remote hand-held controller.
- the target 50 spins relative to the target disk 40 , sound is emitted, and one of the LED's lights up. Each LED stays lit to indicate scoring as the game continues.
- FIG. 2 shows the housing 10 which serves as a base for mounting the other components including the target disk 40 and face plate 60 .
- the housing 10 is preferably made of injection molded plastic and includes an inner wall 15 , an outer wall 16 , and journals 13 , 14 for drive disk 30 and target disk 40 , respectively.
- a drive unit 20 fixed in the housing has a drive gear 29 which engages circumferential gear teeth 34 on the drive disk 30 to drive it in either of two directions, which in turn effects rotation of the target disk 40 as well as rotation of the targets 50 relative to the target disk 40 .
- the target disk 30 has a pair of infrared sensors 56 mounted near respective targets 50 , preferably so that the sensors are exposed when the targets, which may be irregularly shaped, are stationary with respect to the target disk 40 .
- Brushes 57 mounted underneath the target disk 40 extend through the apertures 36 in the drive disk 30 and make contact with conductive tracks 111 on a PCB 11 fixed in the housing 10 . Note that the tracks 111 do not form a complete circuit, as it is only necessary to receive a signal from a target which is exposed through the aperture 61 in the face plate 60 . The transmission and sensing of signals will be discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 8-10.
- a clock module 64 and a pendulum module 65 are fixed to the back of the face plate 60 for driving the hands 63 and the pendulum 66 , the latter being fixed to a swing arm 67 having an end portion which extends through an aperture 68 in the clock plate 60 .
- the pendulum is itself a plate which may be provided with apertures, profiled edges, and imagery to represent, for example, waves of water. Set against the background of a clock face having like profiling and imagery, the pendulum appears as animated waves.
- FIG. 3 shows the inside of the housing 10 , wherein five battery compartments 17 , accessible from the outside for placing C-cells, are molded in the floor between the inner wall 15 and the outer wall 16 .
- the drive unit 20 as well as a microprocessor 18 and a speaker 19 , are also mounted here.
- the floor area between the inner wall 15 and the journals 13 , 14 is provided with a recess which receives the PCB 11 flushly, so that the brushes 57 (FIG. 1) travel smoothly onto tracks without hopping or incurring wear.
- the central aperture 12 provides access for the clock module, and is surrounded by a tubular wall having a stepped outer surface which forms the journals 13 , 14 .
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit 20 , which includes a housing 21 , a high speed DC electric motor 22 , pulleys 23 , 25 and a belt 24 for reducing the speed, a worm gear comprising a threaded cylinder 26 and a toothed wheel 27 for further reducing the speed, and a drive gear 29 which is coaxially fixed to the wheel 27 by a vertical shaft 28 passing through the housing 21 .
- the drive gear 29 engages the teeth 34 on the circumference of the drive disk 30 to effect rotation in either of two directions depending on the direction of current in the motor 22 .
- FIGS. 5 and 6 show the connecting linkage between the drive disk 30 and the target disk 40 in some detail.
- the disk 30 has an aperture 36 profiled with an arcuate rack 38 .
- a pinion 45 is journaled on a pin 44 (idler shaft) fixed to the target disk 40 and engages the rack 38 .
- An intermediate gear 46 is coaxially fixed to the pinion 45 to form a stepped gear, the intermediate gear 46 overlapping the drive disk 30 to retain same to the target disk 40 .
- the target 50 is fixed to a hub 52 on the opposite side of the target disk 40 , and the hub 52 is fixed on an axle pin 53 passing through a bearing 48 molded on the target disk.
- a driving gear 54 is pressed on the end of the axle 53 , and engages the intermediate gear 46 so that the target 50 is driven to rotate by movement of the drive disk 30 relative to the target disk 40 , in response to the rack 38 driving the pinion 45 .
- relative movement between the disks 30 , 40 is limited by the length of the rack.
- the disks 30 , 40 rotate together (steady state) and there is no rotation of the targets 50 relative to the disk 40 .
- the drive disk 30 and the rack 38 move in the opposite direction and effect rotation of the target 50 until the pinion 45 reaches the other end of the rack 38 .
- the electronics cause such a reversal after a tine predetermined to correspond to the travel time of the pinion across the rack, whereby the target rotates first one way, then oppositely, until it resumes its original position relative to the target disk 40 and the disk 40 resumes rotation in its initial direction.
- FIG. 7 shows the complete assembly in section taken from 12 o'clock through 6 o'clock as seen in FIG. 1.
- the drive disk 30 has a downward facing collar 31 which is seated on journal 13 of the housing 10
- the target disk 40 has an upward facing collar 41 which is seated on the journal 14 of the housing 10 .
- the central column of the housing is stepped so that the journal 14 is smaller than the journal 13 .
- the stepped journals thus ensure a coaxial alignment of the disks 30 , 40 and space the disks from the bottom of the housing.
- the clock module 64 is accessible through the central opening 12 so that batteries for driving the clock and the pendulum, typically size AA, can be readily replaced.
- the batteries which provide power for the drive disk 30 can be accessed from the back of the housing.
- One or more of these compartments could be wired to the clock and pendulum modules, instead of having a battery in the clock module. Note that the two systems are almost completely independent, so that the clock will continue running if the batteries for the target system are depleted, and vice-versa.
- a time keeping clock module which contains an internal electrical switch that makes contact every hour, on the hour. This is a common feature of clock modules used in clocks that play a sound or have an action every hour. Such a switch can provide an input to the microprocessor so that the target disk will temporarily rotate every hour and invite a player to pick up the remote controller and test his skill with a moving target, somewhat like an interactive cuckoo clock.
- FIG. 8 shows a remote controller 70 comprising a plastic housing 71 in the shape of a gun having gunsight elements 72 , a trigger 73 which serves as an on-off switch, batteries 74 , a speaker 75 for providing sound such as a shot or ricochet, a light source 76 such as an LED, and focusing lenses 77 and a reflector 78 for generating a focused beam of radiation 79 .
- the LED serves as a transmitter for a signal in the form of beam 79 which can be aimed at the targets 50 , and thus at the infrared sensors 56 , to cause reversal of the drive current and rotation of the targets, together with broadcast of sound indicative of a score and the lighting of an LED.
- a remote controller and associated circuitry are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That patent discloses an alarm clock having a target which is used to turn off the alarm using a remote controller.
- the function of turning on the electric motor to effect rotation of the target disk in the amusement device of the present invention may be accomplished by an additional IR sensor which is fixed relative to the housing, for example between the inner and outer walls 15 , 16 , and visible through an aperture in the number ring 69 . This would require aiming the controller 70 just to activate the drive unit.
- FIG. 10 An alternative embodiment which offers several advantages is depicted in the schematic diagrams for the amusement device (FIG. 9) and the remote controller (FIG. 10).
- an IR sensor is fixed relative to the housing 10 , and IR transmitters, rather than IR sensors 56 , are fixed to the target disk.
- the remote controller is provided with an IR transmitter which, via the sensor on the housing, is used to start the electric motor. The signal from this transmitter is not focused, so the remote unit does not have to be carefully aimed.
- the remote controller also has an IR sensor which receives signals from the transmitters on the target disk, which are activated when the motor is started and powered via the brushes 57 .
- the remote unit is provided with an IR sensor at the base of a tube which must be carefully aimed at one of the moving targets in order to receive the transmitted signal.
- this tube may be formed in the shape of a gun barrel and the sensor in the remote unit may be activated by squeezing a trigger.
- the sensor in the remote controller receives a signal, it can activate the transmitter in the remote controller to transmit another non-focused signal back to the IR sensor on the housing 10 , which effects audible and visual awards such as sequential illumination of LED's 62 on the face plate 60 .
- This arrangement eliminates the need for focusing optics in the remote controller. The player, however, will still have the impression that he has carefully aimed and “fired”.
- the electronics in the housing include a pair of CPU's, a pair of transmitters D 1 , a receiver, a speaker, and six LED's for scoring.
- the transistors Q 1 -Q 9 include Q 1 which turns on the transmitter (only one transmitter is powered at a given time due to the arrangement of the brushes), Q 2 which amplifies the audio output for reward sounds to the speaker, and Q 3 which amplifies the output for background sounds to the speaker.
- the transistors Q 4 -Q 8 control the operation of the bidirectional drive motor. Once the motor is turned on, Q 4 in a first state turns on Q 5 and Q 9 . Once Q 9 is on, it allows current to flow from VCC through the motor to Q 5 , which completes the circuit to ground.
- Q 6 , Q 7 , and Q 8 perform the same function when the motor is reversed.
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Abstract
Description
- 1. Field of the Invention
- The invention relates to an amusement device having a moving target and a remote controller which serves as a gun, and more particularly to an amusement device incorporating a clock.
- 2. Description of the Related Art
- Arcade games having moving targets are well known. In their traditional form as found in amusement parks for over a century, moving targets such as metal ducks hinged to platforms drawn by a chain are fired at by a player using a gun which fires some sort of projectiles, even real bullets, at the targets. Hitting the target causes a mechanical reaction, such as flipping the duck backward, and generates a score for the player.
- More recently, the invention of signal transmitters and receivers has permitted the development of target games which do not require firing a projectile at the target. In particular, it is possible to have a handheld “gun” which transmits a focused infrared beam or a light beam at a sensor mounted on a target. When the sensor senses the beam, it can transmit a signal to a controller, which causes a motorized reaction in the target, including sound and lights.
- Wall clocks sometimes incorporate themes and mechanisms to make them more interesting. Mechanical clocks often incorporate pendulums driven by weights as part of their timing mechanism. Clocks having chimes which ring on the hour are known. Cuckoo clocks, in addition to having a pendulum, incorporate a model cuckoo which emerges every hour and makes a number of calls to mark the time. However these clocks are not interactive.
- U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442 discloses an alarm clock having a sensor for sensing a light beam transmitted by a remote controller in the form a gun which must be carefully aimed at the sensor. The remote controller incorporates optics for focusing the light emitted by a diode, and a trigger for switching it on. The sensor is located in a target, and is wired to turn off an alarm when it senses the light beam. The concept here is to wake up enough to aim the controller and turn off the alarm, without getting out of bed. However the target is not moving, and no motion is initiated when the target is hit with the light beam. The reward is silence.
- The amusement device according to the invention combines a game of skill incorporating a moving target with a wall clock. According to the invention, the amusement device includes a housing, a drive disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the housing, a target disk which is mounted for rotation with respect to the drive disk, at least one target mounted to the target disk for rotation with respect to the target disk, and means such as an electric motor for driving the drive disk in opposite directions of rotation. The target disk is connected to the drive disk so that the target disk rotates synchronously with the drive disk during steady-state rotation of the drive disk, so that the target disk undergoes limited rotation with respect to the drive disk when the direction of rotation of the drive disk is reversed, and so that at least one target rotates with respect to the target disk when the target disk rotates with respect to the drive disk.
- A remote controller is provided which turns on the electric motor so that the drive disk begins rotating. This is accomplished by an infrared beam emitted by a diode in the remote controller toward a sensor which is fixed with respect to the housing. Once the drive disk and the target disk are rotating, a player can aim the controller at a target on the target disk and “fire” by squeezing a trigger or otherwise activating a switch which allows a transmitted signal, preferably an infrared beam, to be received only when the remote controller is properly aimed. The sensor transmits a signal which causes the motor to run in the opposite direction, which causes relative motion between the target disk and the drive disk, and further causes the targets to rotate with respect to the target disk. In a preferred embodiment, the motor is automatically reversed to run in its original direction as soon as the relative motion between the disks is complete.
- The transmission and reception of signals for reversing the current can be accomplished in a variety of ways. According to a first embodiment, the remote controller transmits a focused beam which is received by a sensor on the target disk when the gun is properly aimed. The sensor provides a signal to a microprocessor in the housing via a brush arrangement, and the microprocessor effects the reversal of current in the drive motor. According to a second embodiment, transmitters are fixed to the target disk, and a receiving sensor is provided at the base of a tube such as a simulated gun barrel on the remote controller. This tube must be carefully aimed at a transmitter on the target desk in order for the remote controller to sense a “hit”. The afore-mentioned transmitter on the remote controller, which is also used to start the game, then transmits another signal to the receiving sensor on the housing to reverse the drive disk, initiate sounds, and illuminate an LED to indicate the score. The advantages of this arrangement are the elimination of focusing optics for the infrared beam, and the concordant need for focusing the remote controller to begin initial rotation of the target disk.
- The amusement device is provided with a face plate which is fixed to the housing and has an aperture through which the target disk is visible over part of its rotation, for example 180 degrees. When two targets are provided, only one is fully exposed for target practice at a given time. The hands of a clock are fixed to the face plate so that the amusement device also functions as a clock on a full time basis. The clock may be driven by a clock module having an internal electrical switch which makes contact every hour, on the hour, to transmit a signal to the microprocessor for starting the motor, as well as activating a speaker to make sounds which alert a potential player that it is time to play. Whether the game is commenced by the remote controller or automatically by the clock module, the disks will rotate for only a predetermined time if no target hits are sensed. The microprocessor is preferably programmed to end the game after a predetermined number of hits are scored, for example six.
- In addition to the hands of a clock, the amusement device is also provided with a pendulum which swings in front of the face plate, below the aperture. This pendulum is connected to a swing arm behind the face plate and driven by a pendulum module which is located with the clock module.
- Part of the charm of the amusement device is the imagery provided on the target disk, the targets, the face plate, and the pendulum. In the fashion of an old shooting gallery, the targets may be fancifully rendered ducks flying against a background of sky on the target disk. The edge of the aperture on the face plate may be profiled with waves, and the pendulum may likewise be provided with images of waves, to give a fanciful impression of moving water. The scoring of a hit is recognized by the ducks spinning first one way, then the other, and then plunging into the water as the target disk resumes rotation relative to the face plate. Background sound may occur at all times, and is overlaid by additional sound when a hit is scored. Additionally, LED's on the face plate light up sequentially as hits are scored.
- FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of amusement device according to the invention;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the device of FIG. 1;
- FIG. 3 is a plan view of the housing with some of the components assembled thereto;
- FIG. 4 is a plan view of the drive unit;
- FIG. 5 is a partial bottom plan view of the drive disk assembled to the clock disk;
- FIG. 6 is a side view of the gear train in FIG. 5;
- FIG. 7 is a schematic section view of the amusement device;
- FIG. 8 is a plan view of an embodiment of the remote controller;
- FIG. 9 is schematic diagram of the electronics in the clock; and
- FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the electronics in the remote controller.
- FIG. 1 shows the amusement device according to the invention, as it would appear hanging on a wall. The device includes a
face plate 60 having atarget aperture 61, atarget disk 40 mounted for rotation behind theface plate 60 and partially visible through theaperture 61, atarget 50 which is mounted for rotation relative to thetarget disk 40, and LED's 62 which provide indicia of scoring. There are twotargets 50 mounted for rotation on thetarget disk 40, but only one is visible through the aperture at a given time. The amusement device also incorporates aclock including hands 63, apendulum 66, and anumber ring 69. Thenumber ring 69 is mounted above the circumference of theface plate 60 so that the pendulum can swing freely between theface plate 60 and thenumber ring 61. The device functions only as a clock until activated, whereupon the target disk rotates to effect a game of skill wherein a player attempts to “shoot” asensor 56 adjacent to atarget 50 with a remote hand-held controller. When the player is successful, thetarget 50 spins relative to thetarget disk 40, sound is emitted, and one of the LED's lights up. Each LED stays lit to indicate scoring as the game continues. - FIG. 2 shows the
housing 10 which serves as a base for mounting the other components including thetarget disk 40 andface plate 60. Thehousing 10 is preferably made of injection molded plastic and includes aninner wall 15, anouter wall 16, andjournals drive disk 30 andtarget disk 40, respectively. Adrive unit 20 fixed in the housing has adrive gear 29 which engagescircumferential gear teeth 34 on thedrive disk 30 to drive it in either of two directions, which in turn effects rotation of thetarget disk 40 as well as rotation of thetargets 50 relative to thetarget disk 40. These rotations are effected via connecting linkage includingtoothed racks 38 profiled in diametricallyopposed apertures 36 in thedrive disk 30, and pinions 45 which cause thetargets 50 to rotate whenever the direction of rotation of thedrive disk 30 is reversed. This linkage will be discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 5 and 6. - The
target disk 30 has a pair ofinfrared sensors 56 mounted nearrespective targets 50, preferably so that the sensors are exposed when the targets, which may be irregularly shaped, are stationary with respect to thetarget disk 40.Brushes 57 mounted underneath thetarget disk 40 extend through theapertures 36 in thedrive disk 30 and make contact withconductive tracks 111 on aPCB 11 fixed in thehousing 10. Note that thetracks 111 do not form a complete circuit, as it is only necessary to receive a signal from a target which is exposed through theaperture 61 in theface plate 60. The transmission and sensing of signals will be discussed more fully in conjunction with FIGS. 8-10. - A
clock module 64 and a pendulum module 65 are fixed to the back of theface plate 60 for driving thehands 63 and thependulum 66, the latter being fixed to aswing arm 67 having an end portion which extends through anaperture 68 in theclock plate 60. The pendulum is itself a plate which may be provided with apertures, profiled edges, and imagery to represent, for example, waves of water. Set against the background of a clock face having like profiling and imagery, the pendulum appears as animated waves. - FIG. 3 shows the inside of the
housing 10, wherein fivebattery compartments 17, accessible from the outside for placing C-cells, are molded in the floor between theinner wall 15 and theouter wall 16. Thedrive unit 20, as well as amicroprocessor 18 and aspeaker 19, are also mounted here. The floor area between theinner wall 15 and thejournals PCB 11 flushly, so that the brushes 57 (FIG. 1) travel smoothly onto tracks without hopping or incurring wear. Thecentral aperture 12 provides access for the clock module, and is surrounded by a tubular wall having a stepped outer surface which forms thejournals - FIG. 4 is a plan view of the
drive unit 20, which includes ahousing 21, a high speed DCelectric motor 22, pulleys 23, 25 and abelt 24 for reducing the speed, a worm gear comprising a threadedcylinder 26 and atoothed wheel 27 for further reducing the speed, and adrive gear 29 which is coaxially fixed to thewheel 27 by avertical shaft 28 passing through thehousing 21. Thedrive gear 29 engages theteeth 34 on the circumference of thedrive disk 30 to effect rotation in either of two directions depending on the direction of current in themotor 22. - FIGS. 5 and 6 show the connecting linkage between the
drive disk 30 and thetarget disk 40 in some detail. Thedisk 30 has anaperture 36 profiled with anarcuate rack 38. Apinion 45 is journaled on a pin 44 (idler shaft) fixed to thetarget disk 40 and engages therack 38. Anintermediate gear 46 is coaxially fixed to thepinion 45 to form a stepped gear, theintermediate gear 46 overlapping thedrive disk 30 to retain same to thetarget disk 40. Thetarget 50 is fixed to ahub 52 on the opposite side of thetarget disk 40, and thehub 52 is fixed on anaxle pin 53 passing through a bearing 48 molded on the target disk. Adriving gear 54 is pressed on the end of theaxle 53, and engages theintermediate gear 46 so that thetarget 50 is driven to rotate by movement of thedrive disk 30 relative to thetarget disk 40, in response to therack 38 driving thepinion 45. Note that relative movement between thedisks pinion 45 reaches the end of therack 38, thedisks targets 50 relative to thedisk 40. When the current in the electric motor is reversed, however, thedrive disk 30 and therack 38 move in the opposite direction and effect rotation of thetarget 50 until thepinion 45 reaches the other end of therack 38. Thedisks target disk 40 and thedisk 40 resumes rotation in its initial direction. - FIG. 7 shows the complete assembly in section taken from 12 o'clock through 6 o'clock as seen in FIG. 1. The
drive disk 30 has a downward facingcollar 31 which is seated onjournal 13 of thehousing 10, whereas thetarget disk 40 has an upward facingcollar 41 which is seated on thejournal 14 of thehousing 10. The central column of the housing is stepped so that thejournal 14 is smaller than thejournal 13. The stepped journals thus ensure a coaxial alignment of thedisks clock module 64 is accessible through thecentral opening 12 so that batteries for driving the clock and the pendulum, typically size AA, can be readily replaced. The batteries which provide power for thedrive disk 30 can be accessed from the back of the housing. One or more of these compartments could be wired to the clock and pendulum modules, instead of having a battery in the clock module. Note that the two systems are almost completely independent, so that the clock will continue running if the batteries for the target system are depleted, and vice-versa. However use can be made of a time keeping clock module which contains an internal electrical switch that makes contact every hour, on the hour. This is a common feature of clock modules used in clocks that play a sound or have an action every hour. Such a switch can provide an input to the microprocessor so that the target disk will temporarily rotate every hour and invite a player to pick up the remote controller and test his skill with a moving target, somewhat like an interactive cuckoo clock. - FIG. 8 shows a
remote controller 70 comprising aplastic housing 71 in the shape of a gun havinggunsight elements 72, atrigger 73 which serves as an on-off switch,batteries 74, aspeaker 75 for providing sound such as a shot or ricochet, alight source 76 such as an LED, and focusinglenses 77 and areflector 78 for generating a focused beam of radiation 79. According to this embodiment, the LED serves as a transmitter for a signal in the form of beam 79 which can be aimed at thetargets 50, and thus at theinfrared sensors 56, to cause reversal of the drive current and rotation of the targets, together with broadcast of sound indicative of a score and the lighting of an LED. Such a remote controller and associated circuitry are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,926,442, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. That patent discloses an alarm clock having a target which is used to turn off the alarm using a remote controller. - The function of turning on the electric motor to effect rotation of the target disk in the amusement device of the present invention may be accomplished by an additional IR sensor which is fixed relative to the housing, for example between the inner and
outer walls number ring 69. This would require aiming thecontroller 70 just to activate the drive unit. - An alternative embodiment which offers several advantages is depicted in the schematic diagrams for the amusement device (FIG. 9) and the remote controller (FIG. 10). According to this embodiment, an IR sensor is fixed relative to the
housing 10, and IR transmitters, rather thanIR sensors 56, are fixed to the target disk. The remote controller is provided with an IR transmitter which, via the sensor on the housing, is used to start the electric motor. The signal from this transmitter is not focused, so the remote unit does not have to be carefully aimed. The remote controller also has an IR sensor which receives signals from the transmitters on the target disk, which are activated when the motor is started and powered via thebrushes 57. The remote unit is provided with an IR sensor at the base of a tube which must be carefully aimed at one of the moving targets in order to receive the transmitted signal. In practice, this tube may be formed in the shape of a gun barrel and the sensor in the remote unit may be activated by squeezing a trigger. When the sensor in the remote controller receives a signal, it can activate the transmitter in the remote controller to transmit another non-focused signal back to the IR sensor on thehousing 10, which effects audible and visual awards such as sequential illumination of LED's 62 on theface plate 60. This arrangement eliminates the need for focusing optics in the remote controller. The player, however, will still have the impression that he has carefully aimed and “fired”. - As shown in FIG. 9, the electronics in the housing include a pair of CPU's, a pair of transmitters D1, a receiver, a speaker, and six LED's for scoring. The transistors Q1-Q9 include Q1 which turns on the transmitter (only one transmitter is powered at a given time due to the arrangement of the brushes), Q2 which amplifies the audio output for reward sounds to the speaker, and Q3 which amplifies the output for background sounds to the speaker. The transistors Q4-Q8 control the operation of the bidirectional drive motor. Once the motor is turned on, Q4 in a first state turns on Q5 and Q9. Once Q9 is on, it allows current to flow from VCC through the motor to Q5, which completes the circuit to ground. Q6, Q7, and Q8 perform the same function when the motor is reversed.
Claims (26)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US10/486,539 US20040195774A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Amusement device with a moving target and a clock |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US31219701P | 2001-08-14 | 2001-08-14 | |
US10/486,539 US20040195774A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Amusement device with a moving target and a clock |
PCT/US2002/025855 WO2003017010A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Amusement device with a moving target and a clock |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20040195774A1 true US20040195774A1 (en) | 2004-10-07 |
Family
ID=23210313
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/486,539 Abandoned US20040195774A1 (en) | 2001-08-14 | 2002-08-14 | Amusement device with a moving target and a clock |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20040195774A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2005500107A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003017010A1 (en) |
Cited By (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20110193287A1 (en) * | 2010-02-09 | 2011-08-11 | David Hopkins | Center point game |
US20180352131A1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-12-06 | Fotonation Limited | Automatic exposure module for an image acquisition system |
US10380782B2 (en) * | 2016-03-18 | 2019-08-13 | Vivotek Inc. | Method for transmitting and displaying object tracking information and system thereof |
WO2020214535A1 (en) * | 2019-04-17 | 2020-10-22 | Newtonoid Technologies, L.L.C. | Watch having an intelligent display system |
US20210325654A1 (en) * | 2018-11-28 | 2021-10-21 | Nanjing University Of Science And Technology | A quantitative phase imaging method based on differential phase contrast with optimal lighting pattern design |
US20220280075A1 (en) * | 2021-03-08 | 2022-09-08 | Careview Communications, Inc. | Dual camera patient monitoring system |
US20230088783A1 (en) * | 2020-03-03 | 2023-03-23 | Thales | Method for assisting with the detection of elements, associated device and platform |
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Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2003017010A1 (en) | 2003-02-27 |
JP2005500107A (en) | 2005-01-06 |
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Legal Events
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Owner name: M.H. SEGAN LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, MASSACHUSETTS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:SEGAN, MARC H.;STRAUSS, GARY;PARKER, STEVEN;REEL/FRAME:013200/0601 Effective date: 20020814 |
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