WO1991004773A1

WO1991004773A1 - Discriminator

Info

Publication number: WO1991004773A1
Application number: PCT/GB1990/001496
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard D. Smith
Original assignee: Smith Richard D
Priority date: 1989-10-06
Filing date: 1990-10-01
Publication date: 1991-04-18
Also published as: GB8922571D0; AU6443290A

Abstract

A discriminator which comprises two or more switches (3) capable of operation by individuals or members of a team, each of the switches (3) being connected to an interface (17) which, on receiving a signal from one of the switches (3) disables the remainder. The interface (17) is also connected to visible and/or audible devices corresponding to each of the switches, for example a flashing light (6) and/or buzzer (4) correspoonding to each of the switches whereby the particular switch actuated first results in the corresponding warning device being actuated.

Description

ISCRIMINATOR

This invention relates to a discriminator and in particular relates to a discriminator for use in connection with quiz games .

Quiz games, whether in the home with family and friends, or in the more competitive area of quiz leagues and competitions, are extremely popular. Often the format of such games requires someone, possibly even a member of one of the teams, to decide which of two opposing teams or individuals gave an answer first. Furthermore, scoring is usually recorded by fairly primitive means such as pen and paper.

The invention seeks to provide, in easily portable form, a discriminator which is capable of deciding which of two or more teams or individuals reacted first and furthermore, is optionally capable of recording scores.

According to the present invention there is provided a discriminator which comprises two or more switches capable of operation by individuals or members of a team, each of the switches being connected to an interface which, on receiving a signal from one of the switches, disables the remainder, and the interface being connected to visible and/or audible devices corresponding to each of the switches whereby the particular swwitch actuated first results in the corresponding warning device being actuated.

Preferably, the device further comprises electronic memory and display means whereby scores can be entered and displayed. Advantageously timing means are provided also so that a set time can be programmed within which one or

SUBSTITUTE SHEET other of the switches must be actuated.

The device of the invention can be made small enough to be portable and may be operable by means of internal batteries or may be connectable to the electric mains supply. Preferably the circuitry will be contained within an attractive box which may be made from a suitable material, for example moulded plastics material. The warning devices may be audible or visible but preferably are both. For example a buzzer and flashing light may be employed and, advantageously, a different coloured light would be used for each switch. Switches may be independant, for independant individuals or teams, or parallel switches may be provided for each member of the same team. These switches are preferably simple push button and it is prefered that relatively large and robust swwitches are provided for ease of operation and durability in use.

The invention will be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic front elevational view of a device in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 2 is a block diagram of circuitry which may be employed .

Referring to the drawings, the apparatus of the invention comprises a box like body 1 preferably made of a light weight moulded plastics material and of such a size to be portable. When a quiz game is to commence the apparatus is placed in a prominent position where all participants can see it clearly. Team or individual names can be written on, for example, a piece of white card and placed in holders 9 for easy identification. Each team or individual is then given a plunge button switch 3 each of which is a different colour, for example, red and yellow, and is connected by means of electrical cable 5 to the apparatus by means of detachable ja ck plugs 8. Corresponding flashing lights 6 are provided of colours matching thee respective switches 3. An audible warning in the form of a buzzer operating via a loudspeaker 4 is alos provided. LED displays 2, one for each team or individual, display the latest score and/or the elapsed time as will be described more fully hereinafter. The device is provided with an on/off switch 10 and additional LED display 11 to enable the operator or "quizmaster" seated behind the device to see what is shown on displays 2 and a keyboard 13 for operating the device. A handle 12 is also provided for carrying the apparatus.

The internal circuitry comprises a microprocessor 14 which executes instructions held in a read only memory 15 and communicates with all the other components . The instructions held in the memory 15 make it the control programme to produce the various functions of the device. The software causes the microprocessor 14 to interrogate the keyboard circuit via the keyboard interface 16 to see if any key has been pressed. If so, then the respective function is carried out, for example adding to a team score which will be displayed on one or other of the LED displays 2,11.

The pushbuttons 3 are connected to a pushbutton interface 17 which is also regularly interrogated by the microprocessor 14 to see if a push button has been pressed. If so, then the correct sound is generated and the respective lamp 6 is flashed on and off. The first pushbutton to be pressed causes the interface circuit to automatically disable all other pushbuttons until a reset key on the keyboard is depressed. In this way only the first pushbutton causes actuation of its repective warning

SUBSTITUTE SHEET light and the buzzer circuit. The buzzer loudspeaker 4 is driven through the amplifier circuit 18. The lamps 6 are driven via a driver circuit 19.

A counter timer circuit 20 is also provided and is used to control the regularity of lamp flashes, and the like, together with a timer function. That is, a given time, for example 30 seconds, can be set which will display on the LED displays 2, 11. Such timer display may be arranged to count backwards to zero after which a further warning is given, for example the buzzer sounding. The displays 2 are driven via numerical display driver circuit 21 and may comprise of a seven segment LED display. The information displayed may be held in the microprocessors registers since no read/write memory external to the microprocessor is available in the embodiment described.

All the above circuits are directly controlled by the microprocessor 14 and most of the control functions have been handled by software to enable future alterations to be carried out by changing the one read only memory chip which holds the software.

In operation, the quizmaster sets the apparatus up and gives a pushbutton 3 to each team or individual taking part. If a question is asked in a competitive situation the first pushbutton 3 to be depressed will de-activate the rest and flashes corresponding team light 6 and cause the buzzer to sound through the loudspeaker 4. The score may then be entered by the quizmaster via the keyboard after which the pushbuttons 3 may be reset by pushing the reset button. The points awarded v/ould register on the corresponding LED display 2 for the team as well as on the quizmasters display 11. As illustrated two digits may be shown on each display giving a maximum score of 99 but of course a larger number of digits may be em loyed if

SUBSTITUTESHEET desired. The device may be operated by means of internal batteries or via the electrical mains supply connected to an outlet 7.

Additional modifications to the basic idea include the use of aditional pushbuttons 3 either independant and with associated warning lights 6, or in parallel to enable each members of a particular team to have a button each. Compartments may be provided for audio taped cassettes for use with prepared audio tapes, or indeed video taped cassettes together with a video monitor screen.

The device of the invention provides a simple and effective discriminator together with optional scoring facilites to enhance the popular and widely played quiz games.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET

Claims

1. A discriminator which comprises two or more switches capable of operation by individuals or members of a team, each of the switches being connected to an interface which, on receiving a signal from one of the switches, disables the remainder, and the interface being connected to visible and/or audible devices corresponding to each of the switches whereby a particular switch actuated first results in the corresponding warning device being actuated.

2. . A discriminator as claimed in claim 1 further comprising an electronic memory and display means whereby scores can be entered and displayed.

3. A discriminator as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2 where a timing means are provided so that a set time can be programmed within which one or other of the switches must be actuated.

4. A device as claimed in any of claims 3 to 3 in wlich the visible and/or audible devices comprise a buzzer and flashing light.

5. A discriminator as claimed in claim 4 wherein a different coloured light is provided for each switch.

6. A discriminator as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 including a microprocessor which executes instructions in a read only memory so as to interrogate a keyboard circuit via an interface so as to discover whether fresh instructions have been supplied, and to interrogate a push button interface connected to the switches to see if a switcl has been pressed.

7. A discriminator as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first switcli to be pressed causes the interface circuit automatically to disable all otl er switches until a reset key on the keyboard is depressed.