Electronically operable game scoring apparatus

Claims

Having thus described my invention, what I desire to claim and secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electronically operable athletic game scoring apparatus for scoring information on an athletic game in which two or more players compete and events of the game and for the competing players of the athletic game, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a relatively small and hand-held portable housing,

(b) a plurality of manually actuable input switches on said housing for introducing scoring information relevant to an athletic game and to several events of said game, said input switches also capable of introducing information relevant to each of the players of the game and the events of the game,

(c) at least one first manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to each of such players of the game,

(d) at least one second manually actuable display control switch on said housing for permitting display of total scoring information of said game or of scoring information of one or more of the events in said game,

(e) at least one third manually actuable display control switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to a scoring parameter of the game or the events of the game, and

(f) a display means on said housing for displaying scoring information of the game or events upon actuation of the first display control switch and for displaying scoring information of any or all of the players upon actuation of the second display control switch.

2. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that a plurality of individual display means are located on said housing for separably and simultaneously displaying scoring information, one of said display means displaying scoring information about the game and events of the game, and a second of the display means displaying scoring information about the players of the game.

3. The scoring apparatus of claim 2 further characterized in that said first display control switch permits display of scoring information relevant to said game and events of the game and is associated with the first display means for operation of same, and said second display control switch permits display of scoring information relevant to the players and is associated with a second of the display means for operation of same.

4. The scoring apparatus of claim 3 further characterized in that a third display control switch permits display of total scoring information for said game and a fourth display control switch permits display of scoring information of an event in said game.

5. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that manually actuable switch means is on said housing for introducing handicap information with respect to one or more players of said game.

6. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for printing scoring information on a permanent record.

7. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for introducing information relevant to maintaining scores from an external source.

8. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said game scoring apparatus is adapted to score information on the game of golf and is capable of providing hole information, par information, yard score information and handicap information for the game and for each player of the game.

9. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises microprocessor means operatively connected to said input means and said display controlling switch, said microprocessor means generating scoring information relevant to each of the events of the game and total scoring information for all of the events thus far completed during the course of the game even though the game is not completed, and for the entire game when the game is completed, said microprocessor means further generating scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game for the events of the game and for the total game.

10. The scoring apparatus of claim 1 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a microprocessor capable of generating scoring information about a parameter of the game and scoring information about the game or an event of the game and scoring information about at least one or more players of the game for substantially simultaneous display.

11. The scoring apparatus of claim 10 further characterized in that:

(a) said display means is a first display means which is operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying information about a parameter of the game relative to a score, said apparatus also comprises:

(b) a second display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about the game or an event of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter of the game on the first display means, and

(c) a third display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about at least one or more players of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter on the first display means and the display of the scoring information on the second display means.

12. The scoring apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a fourth display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about another player of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of scoring information about one or more players of the game on the third display means.

13. The scoring apparatus of claim 11 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises:

(a) a first display control switch associated with the first display means for controlling the display of information therein,

(b) a second display control switch associated with the second display means for controlling the display of information therein, and

(c) a third display control switch associated with the third display means for controlling the display of information therein.

14. An electronically operable athletic game scoring apparatus for scoring information on an athletic game in which two or more players compete and events of the game and for the competing players of the athletic game,

(a) a housing,

(b) manually actuable keyboard input means on said housing for introducing information relevant to scoring of an athletic game, and to several events of said game, said input means also capable of introducing information relevant to each of the players of the game and events of the game,

(c) input storage means for receiving and temporarily storing the introduced information,

(d) data storage means operatively connected to said input storage means for receiving introduced information,

(e) electronic microprocessor means operatively connected to said data storage means for processing the introduced information in accordance with a program therein, said microprocessor means generating scoring inforamtion relevant to each of the events of the game and total scoring information for all of the events thus far completed during the course of the game even though the game is not completed, and for the entire game when the game is completed, said microprocessor means further generating scoring inforamtion relevant to each of the players of said game for the events in the game and for the total game,

(f) switch means on said housing for selecting the type of scoring inforamtion to be generated, and for permitting display of scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game or the events of the game and for permitting display of scoring information of any or all of the players,

(g) display means on said housing for displaying the generated scoring information.

15. The scoring apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises:

(a) at least one first manually actuable display controlling on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to an event of said game,

(b) at least one second manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of total scoring information of said game, and

(c) at least one third manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game.

16. The scoring apparatus of claim 15 further characterized in that said microprocessor is capable of generating scoring information about a parameter of the game as well as the scoring information about the game or an event of the game and scoring information about at least one or more players of the game, and such information is capable of being substantially simultaneously displayed.

17. The scoring apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said display means is:

(a) a first display means which is operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying information about a parameter of the game relating to a score, said apparatus also comprising

(b) a second display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about the game or an event of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter of the game on the first display means, and

(c) a third display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about at least one or more players of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter on the first display means and the display of the scoring information on the second display means.

18. The scoring apparatus of claim 16 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a fourth display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about another player of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of scoring information about one or more players of the game on the third display means.

19. The scoring apparatus of claim 17 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises:

(a) a first display control switch associated with the first display means for controlling the display of information therein,

(b) a second display control switch associated with the second display means for controlling the display of information therein, and

(c) a third display control switch associated with the third display means for controlling the display of information therein.

20. The scoring apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that a plurality of individual display means are located on said housing for separately and simultaneously displaying scoring information.

21. The scoring apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that a first display means permits display of scoring information relevant to said game and a second display means permits display of scoring information relevant to one or more players.

22. The scoring apparatus of claim 21 further characterized in that a third display means permits display of total scoring information for said game and a fourth display means permits display of scoring information of an event in said game.

23. The scoring apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that manually actuable switch means is on said housing for introducing handicap information with respect to one or more players of said game.

24. The scoring apparatus of claim 14 further characterized in that said data storage means comprises at least a read only memory and said microprocessor means comprises a random access memory means.

25. The scoring apparatus of claim 24 further characterized in that said microprocessor means comprises an arithmetic control unit for performing calculations.

26. The scoring apparatus of claim 25 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a keyboard to enable functioning as a multi-function calculator.

27. An electronically operable game scoring apparatus for scoring information on an athletic game in which two or more players compete and events of the game and for competing players of the athletic game, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a relatively small and hand-held portable housing,

(b) a plurality of manually actuable input switches on said housing for introducing scoring information relevant to an athletic game and to several events of said game, said input switches also capable of introducing information relevant to each of the players of the game and events of the game,

(c) at least one first manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relating to said game,

(d) at least one second manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relating to each of the players of the game or the events of the game,

(e) a first display means on said housing for displaying scoring information relating to said game and to events of said game upon actuation of at least one of said display controlling switches, and

(f) a second display means on said housing for individually displaying scoring information relating to each of said players upon actuation of another one of said display controlling switches.

28. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said apparatus is provided with at least one third manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for also permitting display of scoring information relating to one or more of such players.

29. The scoring apparatus of claim 28 is further characterized in that the first display controlling switch controls the first display means and the second display controlling switch controls the second display means.

30. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that a plurality of additional individual display means are located on said housing for separately and simultaneously displaying scoring information relating at least to one or more additional players.

31. The scoring apparatus of claim 30 further characterized in that a third display controlling switch permits display of total scoring information for said game and a fourth display controlling switch permits display of scoring information of an event in said game.

32. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that a manually actuable switch means is on said housing for introducing handicap information with respect to one or more players of said game.

33. An electronically operable game scoring apparatus of claim 27 comprising:

(a) input storage means for receiving and temporarily storing the introduced information,

(b) data storage means operatively connected to said input storage means for receiving introduced information, and

(c) electronic microprocessor means operatively connected to said data storage means for processing the introduced information in accordance with a program introduced therein, said microprocessor means generating scoring information relevant to said game and scoring information relevant to one or more players of said game.

34. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for printing scoring information on a permanent record.

35. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for introducing information relevant to maintaining scores from an external source.

36. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises microprocessor means operatively connected to said input means and said display controlling switch, said microprocessor means generating scoring information relevant to each of the events of the game and total scoring information for all of the events thus far completed during the course of the game even though the game is not completed, and for the entire game when the game is completed, said microprocessor means further generating scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game for the events of the game and for the total game.

37. The scoring apparatus of claim 27 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a microprocessor which is capable of generating scoring information about a parameter of the game as well as scoring information about the game or an event of the game and scoring information about at least one or more players of the game for substantially simultaneous display.

38. The scoring apparatus of claim 37 further characterized in that said first display means is operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying information relating to the game and scoring information relating to events of the game, said second display means is operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about the players of the game or events of the game substantially simultaneously with the display on the first display means, said apparatus comprises a third display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about a parameter of the game relating to scoring substantially simultaneously with the display on the first display means and the display on the second display means.

39. The scoring apparatus of claim 38 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises a fourth display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about another player of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of scoring information about one or more players of the game on the third display means.

40. The scoring apparatus of claim 38 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises:

(a) a first display control switch associated with the first display means for controlling the display of information therein,

(b) a second display control switch associated with the second display means for controlling the display of information therein, and

(c) a third display control switch associated with the third display means for controlling the display of information therein.

41. An electronic device for calculating and presenting scoring information for an athletic game in which two or more players compete and events of the games and for competing players of the athletic game, said device comprising:

(a) a small and portable hand-held housing,

(b) first manually operable input means on said housing for introducing scoring data relating to an athletic game and to several events of said game, said input switches also capable of introducing information relevant to each of the players of the game and events of the game,

(c) second manually operable input means on said housing for introducing instructional commands related to determination of scoring information,

(d) first programmed memory means operatively connected to said first and second input means to receive data and instructional commands,

(e) arithmetic control means operatively connected to said first memory means to perform mathematical computations on the data pursuant to the instructional commands to thereby determine score information,

(f) second random access memory means operatively connected to said arithmetic control means and input means, said random access memory means storing and processing data and operating in conjunction with said arithmetic control means,

(g) at least one manually actuable display control switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to the game and events of the game and to each of the players of the game,

(h) and display means operatively connected to said second memory means for displaying computational results of the mathematical computations on the data.

42. The electronic device of claim 41 further characterized in that clocking means is provided for generating timing signals for controlling the computations on a clock time basis.

43. The electronic device of claim 41 further characterized in that said calculator comprises decimal point logic means operatively connected to said second memory means for controlling decimal point location in the computational results thus displayed.

44. The electronic device of claim 41 further characterized in that said display means operates in conjunction with decoding means operatively connected to an output of said second memory means, multiplexing means operatively connected to said second memory means, and a plurality of individual display devices receiving inputs from said decoding means and said multiplexing means.

45. An electronically operable athletic game scoring apparatus for scoring information on an athletic game in which two or more players compete and events of the game and for the competing players of the athletic game, said apparatus comprises:

(a) a relatively small and hand-held portable housing,

(b) a plurality of manually actuable input switches on said housing for introducing scoring information relevant to an athletic game and to several events of said game, said input switches also capable of introducing information relevant to each of the players of the game and events of the game.

(c) microprocessor means operatively connected to said input switches for generating scoring information relevant to each of the events of the game and total scoring information for all of the events thus far completed during the course of the game even though the game is not completed, and for the entire game when the game is completed, said microprocessor means further generating scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game for the events of the game and for the total game, said microprocessor also capable of generating scoring information about a parameter of the game and with the scoring information about at least one or more players of the game for being generated for substantially simultaneous display,

(d) a first display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying information about a parameter of the game relating to a score,

(e) a second display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about the game or an event of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter of the game on the first display means,

(f) a third display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about at least one of the players of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of a parameter on the first display means and the display of the scoring information on the second display means,

(g) a fourth display means operatively connected to said microprocessor for displaying scoring information about another player of the game substantially simultaneously with the display of scoring information about the one player of the game on the third display means,

(h) at least one first manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to said game and said events, and for permitting display of scoring information relevant to each of the players of the game, and

(i) at least one second manually actuable display control switch on said housing for permitting display of total scoring information of said game or of scoring information of one or more of the events in said game.

46. The scoring apparatus of claim 45 further characterized in that said first display control switch is associated with the first display means for controlling the display of information therein, said second display control switch associated with the second display means for controlling the display of information therein, said apparatus comprising third and fourth display control switches associated with the third and fourth display means respectively for controlling the display of information therein.

47. The scoring apparatus of claim 45 further characterized in that manually actuable switch means is on said housing for introducing handicap information with respect to one or more players of said game.

48. The scoring apparatus of claim 45 further characterized in that said apparatus comprising means for printing scoring information on a permanent record.

49. The scoring apparatus of claim 45 further characterized in that said apparatus comprises means for introducing information relevant to maintaining scores from an external source.

50. The scoring apparatus of claim 45 further characterized in that said game scoring apparatus is adapted to score information on the game of golf and is capable of providing hole information, par information, yard score information and handicap information for the game and for each player of the game.

51. An electronically operable game scoring apparatus for scoring information on the game of golf, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a relatively small and hand-held portable housing,

(b) a plurality of manually actuable input switches on said housing for introducing scoring information relevant to the event and one or more players of the game and the events of the game of golf,

(c) at least one manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relevant to said game, or for permitting display of scoring information relevant to one or more of such players,

(d) at least one manually actuable display control switch in said housing for permitting display of total scoring information of said game or of scoring information of an event in said game, and for permitting display of hole information, par information, yard score information and handicap information for the game and for each player of the game, and

(e) a display means on said housing for displaying such scoring information upon actuation of at least one display switch.

52. An electronically operable game scoring apparatus for scoring information of the game of golf, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a housing,

(b) manually actuable keyboard input means on said housing for introducing information relevant to scoring of the game of golf,

(c) input storage means for receiving and temporarily storing the introduced information,

(d) data storage means operatively connects to said input storage means for receiving introduced information,

(e) electronic microprocessor means operatively connected to said data storage means for processing the introduced information in accordance with a program therein, said microprocessor means generating scoring information relevant to said game and scoring information relevant to each of the players of said game and total scoring information and scoring information of an event in the game and yard score information,

(f) switch means on said housing for selecting the type of scoring information to be generated, and

(g) display means on said housing for displaying the generated scoring information, and for displaying hole information, par information and handicap information for the game and for each player of the game.

53. An electronically operable game scoring apparatus for scoring information on the game of golf, said apparatus comprising:

(a) a relatively small and hand-held portable housing,

(b) a plurality of manually actuable input switches on said housing for introducing scoring information relevant to the game and one or more players of the game,

(c) means operatively connected to said input switches for calculating scoring information relevant to the game and one or more players of the game and providing hole information, par information, yard score information and handicap information for the game and for each player of the game,

(d) at least one first manually actuable display controlling switch on said housing for permitting display of scoring information relating to said game or to said players,

(e) a first display means on said housing for displaying such scoring information relating to said game upon actuation of at least one said display controlling switches, and

(f) a second display means on said housing for displaying such scoring information relating to one or more of said players upon actuation of another one of said display controlling switches.

54. An electronic device for calculating and presenting scoring information on the game of golf, said device comprising:

(a) a small and portable hand-held housing,

(b) first manually operable input means on said housing for introducing scoring data relating to the game of golf or one or more players of the game,

(c) second manually operable input means on said housing for introducing instructional commands related to determination of scoring information,

(d) first programmed memory means operatively connected to said first and second input means to receive data and instructional commands,

(e) arithmetic control means operatively connected to said first memory means to perform mathematical computations on the data pursuant to the instructional commands to thereby determine score information,

(f) second random access memory means operatively connected to said arithmetic control means and input means, said random access memory means storing and processing data and operating in conjunction with said arithmetic control means,

(g) and display means operatively connected to said second memory means for displaying computational results of the mathematical computations on the data and displaying hole information, par information, yard score information and handicap information for the game of golf and for each player of the game.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates in general to certain new and unusual improvements in scoring apparatus for games, and more particularly, to an electronically operable scoring apparatus which is capable of providing scoring information about a game and scoring information about the players of the game.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art

Various game forms, including athletic events, card games, various board games, and the like, are an important aspect of recreational activity for many people. In many games, one or more events or rounds are required in the course of the game and usually one or more players compete with respect to each of these rounds or events. In this way, each player of the game has an opportunity to score points in each round or event, and the number of events which are included in a game can, of course, be fixed or variable. Generally, the winner of the game is determined by accumulating the individual scores for each event and for each player into a total score.

Accurate recording of the scores for each round of the game and for the entire game is always desirable, and in many cases, even mandatory. Poor scorekeeping often leads to dissatisfied players and thus defeats the recreational value of the game. Inasmuch as there are usually several events in a game and several scores generated for each player, it is usually necessary to record the scores of various elements leading to scores inasmuch as there are too many variables to be remembered. The typical method of scorekeeping involves the writing of the appropriate numbers of other scorekeeping indicia on a piece of paper or a pre-printed scorecard designed for a particular game. The total scores of the game and for each player are typically calculated manually.

There are several problems in manual scorekeeping techniques, that is, by writing the scores on a piece of paper or scorepad. The legibility of the scorekeeper's penmanship, to be sure, is an important factor inasmuch as the recorder must write clearly enough for all players to be able to read their scores for each event. In addition, there is always a possibility of human error in calculating, since the scores are accumulated manually, and this oftentimes requires someone to proof the scorekeeper's calculations. In any event, the game may be delayed while scores are being calculated, inasmuch as it is oftentimes necessary for a particular player to know his score at any particular point during the game. This may be particularly true in athletic games, such as golf.

One of the important problems in manual scorekeeping techniques is that the rules of the game may be circumvented or modified, either deliberately or through ignorance. This oftentimes gives rise to disputes and maybe even the necessity of referring to an official rule book if one is available, thereby again creating a delay in the game. One of the principal difficulties in manual scorekeeping is the lack of a suitable writing surface, typically in many athletic events, again, such as the game of golf. Moreover, the lack of a suitable writing instrument oftentimes creates a problem, as for example, a broken pencil point or a soiled scorecard inhibiting the writing of the score. All of these difficulties of manual scorekeeping reduce the full satisfaction which could otherwise be obtained from the game.

To date, there has been no effective special function calculator which has been designed to provide scoring information for games such as athletic games, board games, and other forms of games. It becomes apparent that the ability of a special function electronic games scoring apparatus would be advantageous in easing the burden of keeping score and thus rendering less burden and more enjoyment to the play of the game.

In recent years, there have been many significant advances in electronic calculators of the type which are designed to solve general mathematical computational problems. Generally, there are two basic types of calculators which are commercially available. The first type of calculator is the typical four function calculator which is capable of solving basic mathematical problems, such as addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. These calculators have found a widespread use among a large segment of the population for both business and personal use. A second type of calculator has been designed for the more technologically oriented user, as for example, the scientific user. This latter form of calculator has been designed in a variety of forms to solve specific technological problems.

To date, there have only been a few effective special function calculators which have been designed to provide electronic calculating capabilities for specific end uses. One form of special function has been designed to solve accounting problems. Consequently, there has been a wide acceptance of this latter type of special function calculator by those parties working in the accounting field or in areas relating to the accounting field. Another form of special function calculator has been designed to provide aircraft navigational information.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

It is, therefore, a primary object of the present invention to provide an electronically operable game scoring apparatus which is portable and hand-held and capable of being manually actuable by players of the game to calculate and provide scoring information about the game and about one or more of the players of the game.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronically operable game scoring apparatus of the type stated, which may include a plurality of individual and substantially simultaneously operable display members for substantially simultaneously displaying different types of scoring information.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a game scoring apparatus of the type stated which can be constructed with commercially available microprocessors requiring only a mask type programming in order to accomplish the intended results.

It is an additional object of the present invention to provide an electronically operable game scoring apparatus which is capable of calculating and storing individual scores for multiple players, calculating and storing scores for each player for several rounds or events, parameters for each round or event and for the entire game, calculating and displaying scores for each round and for the game and for each player and displaying all such required score information.

It is another salient object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type stated which is compact, light in weight and ruggedly constructed so as to be able to withstand rough handling and abuse of the type normally encountered in various athletic type activities.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus of the type stated which is conveniently adapted to accept auxilliary components, as for example, data information input devices and printer devices, and the like.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide a method of electronically storing and calculating and displaying scoring information for a game and for one or more players of the game on an electronically operable game scoring apparatus.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an easy and convenient method for introducing all of the required data regarding the score for each of the particular players of the game and to present various playing parameters for the game and for the events in the game.

With the above and other objects in view, my invention resides in the novel features of form, construction, arrangement and combination of parts presently described and pointed out in the claims.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

An electronically operable scoring apparatus, preferably in the nature of a small portable hand-held housing, which contains all of the necessary input and output functions thereon. The scoring apparatus of the invention is adaptable to be implemented for a wide variety of games, including, but not limited to, athletic games such as golf, tennis, pool, billiards, football, baseball, basketball, etc. In addition, the game scoring apparatus can be used with a variety of card games such as bridge, canasta, gin rummy, and other forms of known card games. The scoring apparatus is also adaptable for scoring with various board games, as for example, scrabble, dominoes, etc. In essence, the electronically operable game scoring apparatus of the invention is adaptable for use in essentially any type of game activity in which games are comprised of one or more events or rounds where scores are or can be generated.

The game apparatus of the present invention can be constructed so that it is adapted for providing scoring functions for a number of games without any external programming required. For example, the game apparatus of the invention could be constructed so as to provide a multiple function keyboard to enable calculation and display of scoring information for games such as baseball, and also games such as football or golf on a single apparatus.

The game apparatus of the present invention is provided with a first set of manually actuable input switches or so-called "keys" which are capable of introducing data, typically numeric data, into the apparatus, and particularly into a storage member in the apparatus. A microprocessor or other memory in the apparatus would be suitably programmed in order to receive the introduced information and process this information in accordance with the rules of a game in which scores are to be calculated and presented. Thus, for example, the microprocessor or other memory in the apparatus could be suitably programmed in order to receive and calculate introduced data with respect to a game of golf. In this way, the apparatus could provide certain output information, as for example, the scores of each of the players and the total score of the game, the handicap for each of the players, the par value for a particular hole, and like information. With respect to certain information of the game, as for example, par information and handicap information, the apparatus can be suitably adapted to enter this information.

In one of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the apparatus can be provided with a plurality of display devices which may be substantially simultaneously operated for displaying different types of scoring information. Thus, for example, in the case of the apparatus being adapted for a game of golf, the apparatus could simultaneously display scoring information for several players, e.g., three or four players, or more. The apparatus could also simultaneously display certain information about the game or the course of the game. For example, the apparatus could display the hole of the game and the par for that hole game. It could also display the number of yards for a particular hole and a particular handicap rate. In like manner, individual manually actuable display operable switches could be provided for initiating any of these display devices.

The apparatus of the invention could also be adapted for use as a conventional calculator. For example, the same keyboard which is used for introducing scoring data can also be used to introduce information for calculations. A separate function keyboard would be provided to enable the apparatus to perform various calculations such as additions, subtractions, etc.

The game apparatus would be normally provided with a means for displaying the information but also retaining the information which has been displayed for later use. In like manner, the apparatus would be provided with a clear switch in order to clear information and a reset switch in order to reset any particular form of data. In like manner, the display format would be easy to read and also constructed with respect to the nature of the game. The apparatus could also be adapted to operate on an external source of power, such as AC source of power, or a portable source of power, such as batteries, or the like.

The apparatus may also be adapted for receiving input data as for example, by a pre-coded magnetic card. In this way, various cards could be pre-established for certain aspects of a game and for certain plays of a game. For example, in the game of golf, a pre-recorded magnetic card containing data about the number of holes, the par for each hole, the handicaps, and the like, could be introduced into a sensing member capable of reading a magnetic card or other source of introduced data. In like manner, the apparatus of the invention may be adapted for a printer so as to enable printing of hard copy. In this way, the apparatus can provide a hard copy record including dates, names, etc. for each of the players. An auxiliary printer could be connected to the apparatus for this purpose. Moreover, the apparatus could be constructed with a printing matrix circuit for adaption to a conventional printer device.

This in