Balancing tube game and apparatus

Abstract

An amusement device in the form of a balancing tube game is described. In typical use, the balancing tube is balanced in a vertical orientation on a user's palm, finger, head, elbow, foot or wherever they wish to balance it. The balancing tube game comprises an elongated cylindrical tube with built-in tilt-sensing electronics and audible, visual and tactile feedback. The tilt-sensing electronics are adapted to sense whenever the tube tilts off-vertical by more than a predetermined critical angle. The built-in electronics comprise a microprocessor, tilt sensor, lights, a noise-generating element, such as a speaker, and a vibrator. Optionally, a motion sensor can be added so that game can confirm that it is being manipulated (rather than simply fixed in a vertical orientation). While playing the game, the user progresses through a predetermined series of game levels, each level being characterized by a specific set of lights, sounds and/or vibrations emanating from the game. Once the game is started, a first sequence of lights, sounds and/or vibrations begins to indicate that the game is in the first level. If the balancing tube remains balanced, the game progresses to a second level, indicated by a new set of lights sounds and/or vibrations. As long as the tube remains balanced, the game continues advancing through various game levels until a final level is reached. Throughout the levels, various lights illuminate on the balancing tube, sounds are emitted, and the vibrator may activate or deactivate.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.