DE4207534A1 - Electronic chess game with identification built into pieces - has resonance circuits built into base of chess pieces to provide frequency and voltage identification. - Google Patents

Abstract

The electronic chess game has a board (1) that is formed by a matrix of discrete fields (2) each with a sensor (6) located beneath the surface. Each sensor has a coil that is accessed by a multiplexer (14) coupled to a sine-wave generator (23). The outputs of the rows of the matrix are handled by a second multiplexer (13) coupled via a comparator (18) to a target memory (21a, b). In operation the identification of the voltage change is coupled with the state of a counter which is used to identify the position. Each piece has an internal resonance circuit with a coil and capacitor that generates a specific frequency. ADVANTAGE - Rapid and reliable identification of chess pieces.

Description

The invention relates to a game, in particular a chess game, with a figure identification.

In a known such game, which is in the form of a Chess game or similar board game is designed, are sensors under the individual game fields provided, each a coil, a resistor and a Have full-wave rectifiers and a signal generator can be controlled with different frequencies. Every game Element expediently comprises an oscillation inside circuit with an inductance and a capacitance as well as with one for a game element or a game element type specific resonance frequency. If now on  a game element stands on a discrete playing field, if the sensor with the resonance frequency of the concerned Game element is controlled and thereby a Fre frequency coupling results, the coil of the one under that Energy removed from the playing field of the sensor. This ef fect, which is known as the so-called suction circle effect, is called Recognition criterion used, with that in the respective Coupling frequency formed sensor signal with that of a Reference sensor is compared and evaluated. Through the different resonance frequency in the resonant circuits of the encoded elements is thus via the relevant sensor not just the fact that a game element is at stake field stands, recorded, but also the type of the concerned Game element itself.

In such a game there is a need to manufacture lower the cost of the sensors and more precise figures enable detection.

The invention therefore aims to be a game of the genus Provide appropriate type, which is for universal use availability and extremely low production costs figure identification for the entire game allowed to ensure a smooth gameplay possible.

For this purpose, according to the invention, a game, especially chess game provided, which is characterized by the features of the Pa distinguished claim 1.

In the design according to the invention it is essential that the respective sensor of the figure identification circuit in essentially has only one coil.  

With such a configuration according to the invention results as a special advantage that the coil of the sensor very small inductance compared to their control frequency may have. This makes it possible for the sensor coil, in particular interpret in particular in the form of a printed circuit or to choose any other suitable manufacturing method for this len. Such a method of manufacture is extremely inexpensive stig, since winding a coil from many turns one Enamelled copper wire can be omitted. Another advantage is cite that the game elements due to the invention provided figure identification circuit very quickly and reliably recognized.

The individual sensors are controlled by means of a sinusoidal signal source. As a result, there are no harmonics that lead to radio interference. Due to the low inductance vity of the coil compared to its drive frequency remains the radiation from the sensors outside and inside the reso The frequency of a game element is extremely low. Of course, instead of a sinusoidal control the sensor also some other suitable signal form can be used for control.

Finally, it is also advantageous that for detection and Er know the resonance frequency no frequency measurement and also no analog / digital conversion is necessary because of the counter stood a counter in identifying a game item tes serves as a measurand. In the embodiment according to the invention tion is the voltage increase occurring at resonance as typical signal used and due to the detection of the Be gins and / or the end of this voltage increase with resonance and the evaluation of this information is an exact one Identification possible.

Finally, the visual impression of the game remains, e.g. B. of a chess game, since it is not necessary to obtain the  Surface and / or shape of the game board and / or the To change game elements.

Further advantageous configurations according to the invention are reproduced in claims 2 to 14.

Below are preferred embodiments of the invention explained in more detail with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view of a game board for a game of chess with the individual fields and game play elements,

Fig. 2 is a schematic partial sectional view according to line II-II in Fig. 1 sensors with game elements and their associated elements, and coded with the playing fields associated Sen,

FIGS. 3 and 4 shows a schematic diagram of two exporting approximately forms a figure identification TIC with a schematic representation of the current paths, and

FIGS. 5a-c are diagrams showing the relation between the sensor voltage and the time at unoccupied field (Fig. 5a) and is busy with a game element pitch (Fig. 5b and c).

As can be seen from the drawing, in particular from FIGS . 1 and 2, a chess game is shown as an example of a game. This game comprises a game board 1 with 64 discrete playing fields 2 . In addition, differently designed game elements (game figures) 3 , 4 , 5 are provided, which can be placed on discrete game fields 2 . The Spielele elements 3 , 4 , 5 can be detected by means of sensors 6 which, according to FIG. 2, are expediently arranged beneath the surface of the game board 1 and are each assigned to one of the game fields 2 .

As can be seen from FIG. 2, each sensor 6 has a coil. In this case, the sensors 6 according to FIG. 3 or 4 are driven by a sine generator 23 in columns via egg NEN multiplexer 14 . The multiplexer 13 is used to query the sensors 6 and thereby the information line by line.

As can further be seen from FIG. 2, each of the game elements 3 , 4 , 5 has coded elements 7 , 8 , 9 in its interior. These each form a resonant circuit which, in the manner illustrated, comprises a coil 10 and a capacitor 11 . Here, the individual coils 10 and capacitors 11 of the coded elements 7 , 8 , 9 are selected so that they have different resonance frequencies.

The resonant circles or the coded elements 7 , 8 , 9 are arranged in the art in the individual game elements 3 , 4 , 5 that their bottom-side end surface is as close as possible to the bottom surface 12 of the game elements 3 , 4 , 5 or is in the vicinity thereof.

The game elements 3 , 4 , 5 are such that they can be placed on a level as well as on an arbitrarily structured upper surface of a discrete playing field 2 . It can (see in particular Fig. 1) the respective game field 2 may also be larger than the floor area 12 of the Spielele elements 3 , 4 , 5th The game elements 3 , 4 , 5 can assume any position within the playing field 2 without the identification being impaired. Ideally, the sensor 6 should occupy the area of a playing field 2 and should be circular, square, rectangular or polygonal.

In Fig. 5a and 5b are two diagrams shown ei ner activated sensor column for a sensor 6. In this example, 14 rows of rectangles are provided, each of which symbolically represents the presence of sine waves of a frequency that corresponds to the resonance frequency of one of 14 possible identifying game elements 3 , 4 , 5 .

The signal curve in FIG. 5a relates to a complete scanning of a playing field 2 if no playing element 3 , 4 , 5 is present. Indicated in Fig. 5a are the time of the counter ready signal (counter end signal) and the counter start signal and an intermediate signal pause. This is used to read out and / or the catchment memory 21 A and 21 B in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5b shows the signal curve corresponding to FIG. 5a when a game element 3 , 4 , 5 is identified. This can be seen from the increase in amplitude with resonance. The signal in FIG. 5a need not have a straight-line amplitude curve in an unoccupied playing field 2 , but can have any other desired curve. The straight-line amplitude course has the considerable advantage that a DC voltage can be used as a reference signal and a reference sensor can be omitted.

Thus, if on a discrete playing field 2, a game element 3, 4 or 5 is arranged, of the Sen is caused sors 6 with the resonant frequency of a game element 3, 4, 5, an amplitude increase in the sensor 6 when activated. This is converted into a voltage increase in the unit 15 and compared with the reference signal and / or the reference voltage 16 by means of a comparison unit 17 . If the signal at the sensor 6 and / or at the amplification and / or rectifier unit 15 is different from that of the reference signal and / or the reference voltage 16 , the drive frequency corresponds to the resonance frequency of the resonant circuit of the coded element 7 , 8 , 9 of the game element 3 , 4 , 5 .

The sinusoidal control of the respective sensor column and thus the sensors 6 takes place via a counter 20 clocked by a clock generator 19 ( FIGS. 3 + 4). The counter output gives its information on the one hand to one and / or several catch memories 21 A + 21 B and on the other hand to a digital-to-analog converter 22 which controls the sinus generator 23 with its output signal. Each level of the output signal of the digital / analog converter 22 is associated with the level of the frequency of the Sinusge generator 23 . The result of the measurement is recorded in and / or the catchment memories 21 A + 21 B by a stop signal which is output by the comparison unit 17 only when a game element 3 , 4 , 5 is identified.

At a voltage increase, the comparison unit 17 which compares the signal of the sensor 6 and the gain and / or rectifier unit 15 with the reference signal and / or the reference voltage 16 is a signal from, for example, passed via the unit 18 to the latch 21 A which stores the counter reading of the counter ( 20 ). At the end of the voltage increase, a signal is again emitted by the comparison unit 17 and transferred via the unit 18 to the buffer store 21 B, which stores the current count of the counter ( 20 ).

With the content of one and / or both catchment stores 21 A, 21 B, the respective game element 3 or 4 or 5 can be classified.

FIGS. 4 and 5c illustrate another preferred From guide die. Here, the stop signal, which is emitted by identifying a game element 3 , 4 , 5 from the comparison unit 17 , is not passed on to the and / or the catch store, but rather to the counter 20 so as to stop the counting process. At the same time, the flow of information to the digital / analog converter 22 and thus the sine generator 23 also stops. Now the catchment 21 can be read out immediately, and the scanning of the next playing field 2 can begin ( FIG. 5c). It is therefore not necessary to wait until the 14 sine frequencies in the example according to FIG. 5b have been read through with the readout of the buffer memory 21 , although a game element 3 , 4 , 5 was recognized earlier. By appropriate de selection of the sine frequencies and thus the resonance frequencies of the most frequently used game elements, the reaction time of the corresponding game, for example chess, is considerably shortened.

Basically corresponding game elements 3 or 4 or 5 , such as several black pawns or several white pawns, can have coded elements 7 or 8 or 9 with the same resonance frequency. But it is also possible to assign the game elements 3 or 4 or 5 of the same type coded elements 7 or 8 or 9 with different resonance frequencies, so that one has different conditions for all game elements 3 , 4 , 5 .

Then when using the game the individual Spielelemen te 3 , 4 , 5 are placed on the different playing fields 2 , due to the different resonance frequency in the resonant circuits of the coded elements 7 , 8 , 9 via the sensor 6 , the type of each similar Spielelemen tes 3 or 4 or 5 itself recognized. The course of the game can be recorded with a microprocessor. The evaluation can be done selectively, for example by displaying on a screen, printing on a printer or evaluating by a computer, e.g. B. chess computer.

The figure identification circuit described can itself understandable not only with a chess game, but also apply to any other suitable game, for example, in a mill game with accordingly designed game board and associated game elements. There with some games the game situation requires game play elements take on a different function, can add che game elements are present, which is then a wild card tion. Such game elements with joker function zen then its own coded elements and accordingly under different resonance frequencies for detection.

As can be seen from Fig. 3 or 4, in the figure identification circuit shown, a low pass 24 is also provided, which is connected in the illustrated example to the Si generator 23 and, in cooperation with the respectively controlled sensor 6 , serves a ge linear amplitude response and thus to obtain a uniform voltage and / or vibration at the comparison unit 17 in the case of an unoccupied playing field 2 . Here, it is also possible to arrange the low-pass filter 24 at any other suitable location, provided that it is only ensured that the aforementioned goal is achieved. Menhang in this together it is also possible, TIC technical design the sine generator 23 such that it miterfüllt the function of the low-pass filter 24 in order in an unoccupied field 2 a linear amplitude response and thus a uniform high voltage and / or vibration, as shown in Figure FIG. 5a to obtain.

With regard to the above, not explained in detail The other features of the invention are expressly stated the claims and reference to the drawing.

Claims (14)

1. Game, in particular chess game, with a game board having a plurality of discrete game fields, a plurality of discrete game elements and a figure identification circuit for identifying a game element, which has differently assigned to the individual game elements, coded elements, which as oscillating circles with a coil and one Capacitors are formed and their coding is detectable by means of a sensor connected on the input side to the playing fields, characterized in that each discrete field ( 2 ) of the game board ( 1 ) has an associated sensor ( 6 ) and a coil and a signal generator ( 23 ) can be controlled with different frequencies. 2. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil of each sensor ( 6 ) is laid out as a printed circuit. 3. Game according to claim 1, characterized in that the coil ( 6 ) is circular, square, rectangular or polygonal. 4. Game according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an increase in amplitude at the coil of the sensor ( 6 ) of the corresponding playing field ( 2 ) occurs by coupling at a certain frequency, which the Re resonance frequency of the coded element ( 7 , 8th , 9 ) corresponds to a game element ( 3 , 4 , 5 ). 5. Game according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the signal at the respective sensor ( 6 ) at the respective frequency represents an increase in amplitude at Re sonanz and serves as a detection criterion, the type of the game element ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) ( Fig. 5b). 6. Game according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the signal to be measured on the respective sensor ( 6 ) and / or on a provided amplification and / or rectifier unit ( 15 ) with one outside the playing fields ( 2 ) Reference signal and / or reference voltage ( 16 ) is compared. 7. Game according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at the beginning and / or end of the amplitude increase at the sensor ( 6 ), a comparison unit ( 17 ) emits a signal and the counter reading of a counter in one and / or more buffer memories for Evaluate saves. 8. Game according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at the beginning and / or end of the amplitude increase at the sensor ( 6 ) a comparison unit ( 17 ) emits a signal and thus stops the counter ( 20 ) ( Fig. 4) . 9. Game according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that both the counter reading at the beginning of the amplitude increase on the sensor ( 6 ) and the counter reading at the end of the amplitude increase on the sensor ( 6 ) and the Ver linkage of these two information for the detection the game elements ( 3 , 4 , 5 ) can be used individually or together. 10. Game according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that in the coil ( 10 ) of the coded elements ( 7 , 8 , 9 ) a threaded core made of ferrite material is used to increase the coil quality and / or the exact setting of the resonance frequency . 11. Game according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that in the coil ( 10 ) of the coded elements ( 7 , 8 , 9 ) a threaded core, threadless core, tube core or rod core and / or another shape of a core and / or a housing and / or shell core halves made of ferrite or another soft or hard magnetic material are inserted and / or enclose them. 12. Game according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the figure identification circuit comprises a low-pass filter ( 24 ) which, in cooperation with the respectively controlled sensor ( 6 ), results in a linear amplitudes and thus a uniformly high voltage and / or vibration the comparison unit ( 17 ) in an unoccupied playing field ( 2 ). 13. Game according to claim 12, characterized in that the low-pass filter ( 24 ) is connected downstream of the signal generator ( 23 ). 14. Game according to claim 13, characterized in that the signal generator ( 23 ) is designed in terms of circuitry so that it also has the function of the low-pass filter ( 24 ) to a linear amplitude response and thus a uniformly high voltage and / or vibration at the comparison unit ( 17 ) to be provided.