JP2005533621A - Game board having detection means and game element - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of playing a game with game elements, a game element for the method, and a game board. The method places a game element in a first position relative to the game board, determines a first position of the game element by the game board, represents the game content and depends on the position and the first game being played. The steps include determining a first information item, transferring it to the game element, and receiving and presenting the first information item on the game element. The first information item may include plain text, pictures, etc., word processor data, etc., game elements, etc., text or picture messages, etc., and combinations thereof. The step of determining the first position includes transmitting one or more signals identifying the game element with one or more transmitters disposed on the game element, and one or more with one or more sensors disposed on the game board. And receiving a first identification signal and determining a first position based on the one or more identification signals by the game board. There is an advantage that a new game element can be added to the game without actually purchasing a new element because the information presented and changed on the game element can change the type and appearance.

Description

  The present invention relates to a method of playing a game with game elements. The invention also relates to a computer system for performing the method. The invention further relates to a computer program product for performing the method. The invention further relates to game elements for playing a game. The invention further relates to a game board for playing games.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a board game having a game piece and a board. A game piece may interact with the board by light transmission, electromagnetic induction, ultrasonic, or electrical contact. The game piece can receive predetermined information from the board. The information can then be displayed on the playing piece.

  However, the above-described prior art method has a problem that only predetermined information such as color, brightness, light intensity, and constant text information can be displayed on the game piece.

The static characteristics of board games often have the problem that game content and game pieces generally result in being usable only for one particular game. The game elements that ship with many board games are predetermined physical objects that are dedicated to a given type of game, and when a user tries to add a feature or new game element to a game , You need to get new game elements. This is a further problem that game elements are generally limited to a few predetermined games.
International Publication No. 97/13563 Pamphlet

  Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a game element and a game board that present information that reflects the type of game element in a specific game.

The above and other problems are the above methods,
Placing the game element in a first position relative to the game board;
Determining a first position of a game element with a game board;
Determining, by means of a game board, a first information item representing game content, wherein the first information item depends on the position and the first game being played;
Transferring a first information item to a game element by a game board;
Receiving and presenting a first item of information on a game element.

  In the first stage, the user can place the game element in any desired position relative to the game board.

  In the second stage, the game board finds that the game element is placed against the game board, and then the game board can find the position of the game element.

  In the third stage, the first information is made dependent on the position of the game element and the game is played on the game board.

  The first information item may include plain text, pictures, frames, videos, word processor data, game figures, game elements, text or picture messages, and combinations thereof. This may reflect which game is being played and the position and / or state of one or more game elements of the game.

  In the fourth stage, information is transferred to the game element.

  Finally, the information is received by the game element and then presented, ie displayed and / or played if possible.

  By these steps, the problem of the game element as a predetermined physical object dedicated to a predetermined type of game is solved, because the information presented on the game element identifies the type. A game element is therefore no longer a predetermined object because the information presented on it changes its appearance.

  The purpose of providing the presented information reflecting the game type to the game element is further achieved because the presented information can depend on the selected game.

  The present invention has the advantage that new game elements can be added to the game (without actually purchasing new elements) because the changed information presented on the game elements can change their type and appearance There is.

  In addition, game elements can have dependent information presented to them during the game when their position is changed, thus adding functionality to the game.

  Furthermore, the game element has the advantage that it can be used as another type in different games when the type and appearance of the game element is changed by the changed information sent to the game element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, determining the first position of the game element comprises
Transmitting at least one signal identifying the game element by at least one transmitter disposed on the game element;
Receiving at least one identification signal by at least one sensor disposed on the game board;
Determining by the game board a first position based on at least one identification signal.

  In the first of these stages, one or more transmitters located on or integrated into the game element are used to identify the game element to the game board Because one or more signals are currently being transmitted from the game element.

  Thus, in the second of the above phases, one or more signals are received by one or more sensors located on the game board.

  Finally, one or more signals may allow the game board to find coordinates for the game element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the method further comprises:
Moving the game element from the first position;
Placing the game element in a second position relative to the game board.

  Adding functionality to the game is a further advantage because the information presented on the game elements depends on where the game elements are located and how they move. It is.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method further comprises receiving a second information item representing a second game being played.

  It is a further advantage that the user or player can have new content presented on the game element reflecting the selected new game, ie the second game.

The above and other problems are game elements for playing a game,
Means for placing this in a first position relative to the game board;
Means for transmitting by at least one transmitter located on the game element at least one signal identifying the game element;
Means for receiving and presenting a first information item representing game content, the first information item depending on the first position and the first game being played, the first information Is further resolved by game elements sent from the game board.

This problem is a game board for playing games,
Means for determining the first position of the game element;
Determining a first information item representing game content, wherein the first information item depends on the first position and the first game being played;
Solved by a game board comprising means for transferring a first information item to the game element.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the means for determining the first position of the game element is:
Means for receiving at least one identification signal from at least one sensor disposed on the game board;
Means for determining the first position based on at least one identification signal.

  The game element and the game board each provide the same advantages for the same reasons as described above for the method.

  The invention will be described in more detail in connection with a preferred embodiment and with reference to the drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate similar or corresponding features, functions, etc. FIG. 1 shows game elements and game boards that share the same view. However, the game elements will be described mainly by their characteristics, and then the game board will be described based on the characteristics of the game elements.

  The game element 10 has a front surface 11. In front of this front, a player or user, indicated by reference numeral 18, can obtain information from the display 13 and / or the speaker 15 of the game elements each placed on the front. Such information can be displayed on a display, and if such information includes sound or music, it can optionally or additionally be emitted by a speaker 15 or similar device. A game element can be used as an element in a game or in a sporting event that is played in a simulated manner and can be manipulated with other game elements, thus providing the player with game-related information displayed and / or played by the game element . Accordingly, as will be described in connection with FIG. 4, the game element may be used with other units of the same type as play elements on or against the game board. One or more transmitters 12 may be located on or incorporated into the game element.

  This or these transmitters can be used to notify the game board that the game element is being used in the game. The transmitter can be any sensor capable of transmitting signals known in the prior art, such as light signals, infrared signals, and the like. Further, the signal can be used to identify the game element and its type. With such a transmitter, the position of the game element relative to the game board or relative to other game elements may be determined. Once the position of the game element is known, game information reflecting that position can subsequently be transferred from the game board to the game element for later presentation.

  Such game information may include plain text, pictures, frames, videos, word processor data, game figures, game elements, text or picture messages, and combinations thereof.

  The player may still refer to the game element and respond to the game information provided by the input device indicated by reference numeral 14. For example, before or during a particular game, the player may want to change from one game being played to another game to be played later. Thus, the game board and game elements may present different information that reflects the new game being played or about to be played.

  The input device may be a keyboard, other push buttons, and / or a field sensitive to touch on the display. The input device can further be a pointing device such as a button and / or an array of buttons, a mouse, a trackball, a touchpad, a digital pen, and the like.

  The information can be displayed by the processor and / or played by the game board or directed to other game elements. The game element can be connected to the game board by a connector 19 physically or logically by an identifier. The game element can receive the information by the communication device 16 connected to the processor 17. A communication device may receive or transmit information over, for example, a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or any combination thereof, such as the Internet, an intranet, or an extranet. The network may have a wired or wireless communication link. The network may be a general solution known in the prior art or may be dedicated to optimized communication between the game element and the game board. The communication device can communicate with the connector.

  The processor is adapted to receive input from the display, from the input device and from the communication device if it has a touch-sensitive field on its front side. The processor is further adapted to generate display data on the display, sound or music data on the speakers, signals to the transmitter, and other data to the communication device.

  A game board can basically be designed with some kind of electronic component, such as a game element. However, the game board has one or more sensors instead of a transmitter because it needs to keep track of where one or more of the game elements are currently located. Also good. This or these can be found by its or their transmitter which can indicate itself or their own identity to the game board.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a physical implementation of game elements. In the preferred embodiment, the display area, ie the display of the game elements, is larger than the physical layout of the game elements. The following figure shows more layouts. Since it may be possible to place or connect game elements to the game board, the physical layout of the connector is of interest to the player, for example if the player desires connection compatibility with his particular game board. It can be something. The connector may also be a non-electrical connector, such as Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Chess, Ludo, Parchesi, Nine Menmorris. Configure, reconfigure, or deploy game elements for various game boards used in various games such as' s Morris, Checkers, Checkers, Settlers, Strategy Games, Roulette, etc. Can be used. Other games with corresponding game boards can be, for example, Bridge, Whist, Black Jack, Poker, etc.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing various forms of game elements. Also here, in the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the display area, i.e. the display of the game elements, can be large compared to the illustrated layout of various other physical game elements. Reference numeral 20 indicates a hexagonal layout game element, or reference numeral 21 indicates a rectangular layout game element, or reference numeral 22 indicates a triangular layout game element. Furthermore, the display may be in the form of another shape such as a circle or an ellipse. The shape of the game element may reflect a specific application as an element in the game, for example, a die may have a cubic shape of its housing, a game element used as a playing card is rectangular, etc. It is.

  In addition, each game element may also have a stand, floorboard, or foot with means for physical contact or connection to similar game elements or for placing it on the game board. In the stand, bottom plate, or leg, the connector indicated by reference numeral 19 may be an integral part. The connector may be connectable to a predetermined position on the game board.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating various arrangements of various forms of game elements on a game board. A game board is indicated by reference numeral 40. Reference numeral 44 indicates a hexagonal layout game element placed on the game board, or alternatively, reference numeral 43 is used as a rectangular layout game element all placed on the game board. The reference numeral 42 indicates another game element as a triangular display that is also placed on the game board. Thus, the shape of the game elements can reflect their initial use in the game.

  However, for example, when the initial state of a game piece (game element) in a pawn or chess game is promoted to a queen, of course, the physical appearance of this particular game element is the same, but the present invention As an advantage, Kuhn is displayed (on the display of this game element) instead of the farmer.

  In general, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, one or more game elements may be placed on the game board or positioned relative to the game boat. Generally, the game element is arranged near or on the play field of the game board. However, game elements may also be placed in the hands of players playing a particular game.

  The game board itself can be a play field for different games. Examples of games include: Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Chess, Ludo, Parchesi, Nine Men's Morris, Checkers, Draghts , Snakes And Ladder, Settlers, strategy games, roulette, and the like. Another game having a corresponding game board may be a card game such as Bridge, Whist, Black Jack, Poker, and the like.

  Although the game board has been described as a play field, it generally defines and has an area in which the game is played. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the play field may have means for presenting information to one or more users.

  On the game board, one or more sensors, indicated by reference numeral 41, may be placed to find the position, or one or more game elements may be held in the hand of the game board. It may be placed near, far from, or on the play field. The one or more sensors may be one or more integrated on or within the game element to determine the position of the game element, i.e., the game element located relative to the game board. It is used by receiving a signal transmitted from the above transmitter. In other words, the sensor enables the game board to find the game element, that is, the position of the game element.

  The game board can monitor the game, check the rules, and transfer the game element with information reflecting the game state and the position of the game element.

  In other words, the game board can determine information depending on the location and / or the game being played, and the information can be transferred to the game element for game content to be presented subsequently. Can be represented.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a method of playing a game using game elements.

  In step 90, the method according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is started. The state of the game elements placed on the game board, as well as variables that track the position, game content, one or more information items, one or more identification signals, etc., corresponding to a given game state; Flags, buffers, etc. are set to default values. When the method is started a second time, only the variables, flags, buffers, etc. that were incorrect are reset to their default values.

  Throughout this application, when terms such as “present”, “present”, etc. are used, it is intended that game content may be displayed on a corresponding display of game elements. Furthermore, when the game content is suitable for being emitted through a speaker, i.e. when the game content has sound and / or music, the game content is also played. This is possible because the game element can have a speaker or similar device.

  The term “game content” usually represents a normal physical game element known in the prior art, but according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is information that can be presented by a display and / or speaker. Understood. Such information or content may include plain text, pictures, frames, videos, word processor data, spreadsheet data, game figures, game elements, text or picture messages, and combinations thereof.

  In step 100, the game element may be placed in a first position relative to the game board. This can generally be a player action because the player may want the position of the game element to affect the outcome of the game. For example, in a chess game, a pawn placed or repositioned in a new position, i.e., moving forward towards the opponent, can be promoted to any officer, such as a queen, according to chess rules, This increases the likelihood that the player will win the chess game.

  The position may be relative, i.e. outside, inside, above, above or on the edge of the game board. The game element may be held in the player's hand in order for the player to rearrange it or to obtain information presented thereon.

  This may be the case when this stage is repeated to place more game elements. Subsequent steps can be applied correspondingly.

  In step 200, the game board may determine the initial position of the game element. Step 200 constitutes a generalization of steps 300, 400 and 500.

  In step 300, at least one transmitter disposed on the game element may transmit a corresponding signal identifying the game element. As shown in FIG. 1, one or more transmitters may be placed on or integrated into the game element. These transmitters can then be used to notify the game board that the game element is located relative to it. Such signals can be used to identify the game element, its type, kind, layout, and / or shape.

  In step 400, the at least one sensor may receive at least one identification signal. The one or more sensors may be placed on the game board. As described in the above steps and FIG. 1, one or more identification signals are transmitted from one or more transmitters located on the game element.

  In step 500, the game board may determine an initial position of the game element based on the at least one identification signal. In other words, the game board may determine specific X, Y, Z coordinates of the game element based on one or more identification signals in this step. Such coordinates can be defined relative to a fixed point on the game board and are measured by the identification signal received thereby.

  In other words, in steps 300, 400, and 500, the game board may determine the position of the game element placed or held relative to itself.

  In step 600, the game board may determine a first information item representing game content. The first information item may depend on the determined position and the first game being played on the game board.

  For example, in a chess game, a king that is checked by one or more opponent game elements will receive a “checked king” or similar message generated to be presented later on the king game element. Can have. In other words, the message reflects the position of the king and the state of the game being played.

  The first information item may include plain text, pictures, frames, videos, word processor data, spreadsheet data, game figures, game elements, text or picture messages, and combinations thereof.

  In step 700, the game board may transfer the first information item to the game element. The first information item can be transferred to the game element connector. The first information item has been transferred and is received by the network, as in a general solution known from the prior art, or by optimized communication dedicated to the game element. May be.

  In step 800, the game element may receive and present the first information item on the game element. As mentioned above, the term present is understood to “display” and / or “play” the content, ie the first information item, on the game element.

  Continuing with the promoted pawn example, the physical shape of this particular game element is of course maintained, but as an advantage of the present invention, this step includes the appearance of a queen on the previous game element of that pawn. Can be displayed.

  With the above steps, the following examples illustrate further uses of the present invention.

Example 1:
Each time the player rolls the dice (which can be a small cube-shaped game element), the other game elements must be moved on the game board by the number of steps indicated by the dice.

Example 2:
Peter and Monica, two users or players, are playing a game called Monopoly. Corresponding game elements showing pictures of Peter and Monica are used to represent the player's pieces during the game. After the third lap, Peter goes into prison. Peter's picture on Peter's game element changes, showing Peter wearing a prisoner's suit and behind the barred.

Example 3:
Continuation of Example 2: On the next lap, Monica comes to a chance spot on the game board. A message about the chance spot then appears in one of Monica's game elements. The message says that Monica can go beyond the starting point of the game and receive $ 2000 as a result.

  In step 900, the game element is removed from its initial position. As a result, the game board and game element together detect that the game element is no longer participating in a particular game when performing the steps described above.

  For example, in a chess game, when a pawn is taken by an opponent player, the game element is no longer a game element of that game. This is therefore considered to be removed from the particular chess game. Game content such as “Pawn is out of game” may be presented on the game board and / or the removed game element.

  If that particular pawn is still inadvertently placed on the game board, the game board may generate a message “Remove this game piece” for the dead pawn by the steps described above. The message may be spoken or displayed on the pawn game element.

  In step 1000, the game element may be placed in a second position. This position may be different from the previous first position with respect to the game board. This is generally due to the player's behavior, as the player may want the new second position of the game element to affect the outcome of the game.

  This is the case when the steps are repeated for more repositioned game elements that have been repositioned by one or more players using the game board.

  In step 1100, one of the game board or game element may receive a second information item representing a second game being played. This may be the case when one or more users of a game board playing a given game using a given game element attempt to play another game. In this step, one or more users can start a new game by input to one of the game board or game elements.

  When a new game, and possibly a new initial position of the game element, is known, the game information continues from the game board to one or more game elements for later presentation as previously described in the above steps. Can be transferred.

  Accordingly, game information for a new second game can be presented on the game board.

  Typically, the method starts from the beginning as long as the game board and at least one game element are powered on. Otherwise, the method ends at step 1200; however, the method proceeds from step 100 when the game board is powered up again, and so on.

  The game board is any electronic device capable of detecting the position or positions of the game element or subsequently transferring corresponding game content dedicated to the game element. May be.

  Similarly, a game element may be connectable to, attachable to, or attachable to, or placed on, or on the game board, or may be held or placed with respect to the game board, and In addition, the game element may communicate with the game board, and the game element may receive, display, and / or play content from the game board.

  Computer-readable media include magnetic tape, optical disc, digital video disc (DVD), compact disc (recordable CD or writable CD), mini disc, hard disc, flexible disc, smart card, PCMCIA card, etc. It is possible.

It is a figure which shows a game element and a game board. FIG. 3 shows a physical implementation of game elements. It is a figure which shows the various structures of a game element. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing various arrangements of various forms of game elements on a game board. This is a method of playing a game by game elements.

Claims (9)

A method of playing a game by game elements,
Placing the game element in a first position relative to a game board;
Determining a first position of the game element by the game board;
Determining, by the game board, a first information item representing game content, wherein the first information item depends on the position and the first game being played;
Transferring the first information item to the game element by the game board;
Receiving and presenting the first information item on the game element. Determining the first position of the game element comprises:
Transmitting at least one signal identifying the game element by at least one transmitter disposed on the game element;
Receiving at least one identification signal by at least one sensor disposed on the game board;
The method of claim 1, further comprising: determining the first position by the game board based on at least one identification signal. Moving the game element from the first position;
3. The method of claim 1 or 2, further comprising placing the game element in a second position relative to the game board.   4. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising receiving a second information item representative of a second game being played.   A computer system for executing the method according to claim 1.   Computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 4 when the computer program is executed on a computer. A game element for playing a game,
Means for placing this in a first position relative to the game board;
Means for transmitting at least one signal identifying the game element by at least one transmitter disposed on the game element;
Means for receiving and presenting a first information item representing game content, the first information item depending on the first position and the first game being played, Information of 1 is a game element transmitted from the game board. A game board for playing a game,
Means for determining the first position of the game element;
Means for determining a first information item representing game content, said first information item being dependent on said first location and the first game being played;
Means for transferring said first information item to said game element. The means for determining the first position of the game element is:
Means for receiving at least one identification signal from at least one sensor disposed on the game board;
9. The game board according to claim 8, further comprising means for determining the first position based on at least one identification signal.

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