EP1762285A1 - Play body for a play apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

Claimed are the electro-mechanical modular parts of a game. Each modular component consists of a cylindrical housing with either a male probe or a female socket, a battery, electrical wires and light emitting diodes, mechanical, electrical, electro-magnetic, optical, acoustic and/or magnetic connectors.

Description

The invention relates to a game body for a game device. The invention further relates to game devices with such game bodies.

Game devices, including certain game device having game devices are known in the art in principle. In most cases, such game devices are game devices for board games, in which often several game objects on a game pad of the game device according to certain rules of the game must be moved by the players. Examples of such gaming devices are the games "chess", "human trouble not" or "backgammon".

These known game devices have several disadvantages. For one, they always need a game pad on which the players are moved by the players. On the other hand, the game body usually serve only to a the game underlying the rule by a indicate certain position on the game pad after appropriate positioning by the player.

The object of the present invention is therefore to overcome the disadvantages known from the prior art and to provide an improved game device and improved game objects for a game device.

This object is achieved according to the present invention by a gaming device according to claim 1 and a game device according to claim 12.

The advantages of the game device according to the invention or the game device according to the invention with the game bodies according to the invention are that a direct interaction between the individual game bodies of the game device or a direct interaction of the game body according to the invention with at least one further associated game body is made possible. The game objects according to the invention are therefore no longer exclusively passive components of the game device, but rather active components of the game device. This means that the game objects according to the invention are themselves part of the game and can determine the further course of the game on its own. This happens, for example, in that when the game body is coupled to another gaming device, the identification device determines that the coupled gaming device has predetermined identification features, such that a display device arranged in the gaming device generates an optical display, for example, which indicates to the player that the game device is being used coupled game body has the predetermined identification features. On this technical basis can then build a variety of games.

So it is conceivable, for example, that the one whose body illuminated in coupling due to the identified identification features, the other gamblers a certain amount of money must pass. Furthermore, it is possible that builds on the game device according to the invention, a game in which when, if both bodies a display on the Identification of predetermined identification features in the other game body lights up, a profit is distributed in a corresponding lottery.

Moreover, it is particularly advantageous in the game device according to the invention that the game device can be used with any number of game bodies. Due to the technical design of the game body of the game device, it is thus possible, for example, to use the game device with a very large number of players, such as 1000 players. Each player receives a game body. In such a game device, it is thus possible to play a correspondingly based on the game device game even in very large social events and major events.

In the game device according to the invention, it is preferred if the coupling device of the game body is designed such that with about 50% of all game objects of the game device a coupling can be produced. In this way, it is possible that the game body can be divided quite naturally and without great effort on male and female players.

The coupling device preferably has at least one mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, optical and / or magnetic coupling element. In this case, the coupling device is further preferably designed such that with the aid of a coupling element which is associated with a complementary coupling element in the at least one further game body, a coupling between the game body and the at least one further associated game body can be produced. Such coupling elements may be formed, for example, as mechanical coupling elements in the form of a male and an associated female coupling element. In this case, the coupling element may be formed as a key element which has, for example, a beard in the male coupling element, which upon insertion of the male coupling element in the female coupling element in a groove in the associated female key body of the female coupling element engages the at least one other game body. However, in addition to the aforementioned elements beard and groove any mechanical male and female coupling elements or key body can be used to establish a coupling between the game bodies.

It is also possible that a coupling between the game bodies is made by balancing electric or magnetic fields between the coupling means of the game body. Finally, it is also possible to produce such a coupling, for example by optical or electromagnetic connections, for example by infrared or so-called "Bluetooth" connections.

In an exemplary embodiment of the game body according to the invention, the coupling device may comprise a line or elongated groove mounted on the game body, which is aligned with the at least one further game body with an associated line or elongated groove on the at least one other game body when coupling the game body. In this way it is possible for the game participants to determine that a coupling between the game bodies to be coupled has taken place in a proper manner.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the gaming device according to the invention, the identification device has electrical contacts which can be brought into contact with associated electrical contacts of the at least one further gaming device when the gaming device is coupled to the at least one further gaming device. In this case, the game body preferably has a certain number of electrical contacts, which is more preferably identical to all others, at least identical to those of the complementary, game bodies.

The identification device according to the invention preferably has an electrical circuit connected to the electrical contacts, with which certain identification features can be predetermined, so that when coupled with the at least one other game body is determined whether the at least one other game body has the predetermined identification features. The identification features may be predetermined in the use of the electrical circuit, for example by the structure of the electrical circuit itself, but may also, for example, by combining an electronic processor with an electronic memory and corresponding connections between the processor, the memory and the electrical contacts from the memory at produced coupling can be retrieved. Electrical circuit, or processor, memory and other conventional electronic components are preferably powered by a conventional power supply, such as a battery with energy.

In a further preferred embodiment of the invention, two identification features are programmed in the electrical circuit or in the aforementioned memory. When establishing a coupling between the game body and the at least one other game body is then determined by means of the identification device, for example, the electrical circuit or provided with the memory processor, whether the at least one other game body none, one or both of the stored or programmed Identification features. Depending on the matches then certain signals or displays can be submitted via the display device according to the invention.

Thus, it is conceivable, for example, that if the coupled game objects do not have matching identification features, an acoustic signal is emitted by both gaming bodies. If only one identification feature is identical in this embodiment, an optical display, for example, illuminates in the case of the gaming device provided with the male coupling element. However, if this embodiment detects coincidences in both identification features of the electrical circuit, then both game bodies light up. Depending on the rules of the game, this may, for example, result in winning the game, winning a prize money or any lottery jackpot.

In addition, however, any consequences when lighting up both game bodies are conceivable. It is also possible that the two game objects not only light up when the two identification features match, but also deliver mechanical signals, for example vibration signals, or are coupled to one another more strongly by magnetic fields.

Further preferred embodiments are specified in the subclaims.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be explained with reference to the drawing.

• Figur 1 a einen Querschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Spielkörpers;
• Figur 1b einen Querschnitt durch eine Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Spielkörpers, der zu dem Spielkörper der Figur 1a komplementär ist;
• Figur 2a eine Seitenansicht des Spielkörpers der Figur 1a;
• Figur 2b eine Seitenansicht des Spielkörpers der Figur 1b;
• Figur 3a eine Aufsicht auf den Spielkörper der Figur 1a;
• Figur 3b eine Aufsicht auf den Spielkörper der Figur 1b;
• Figur 4a eine Vorderansicht des Spielkörper der Figur 1a; und
• Figur 4b eine Vorderansicht des Spielkörpers der Figur 1b.

The drawings show:

• Figure 1 a shows a cross section through an embodiment of a game body according to the invention;
• FIG. 1b shows a cross section through an embodiment of a game object according to the invention, which is complementary to the game object of FIG. 1a;
• Figure 2a is a side view of the game body of Figure 1a;
• Figure 2b is a side view of the game body of Figure 1b;
• 3a shows a plan view of the game body of Figure 1a;
• Figure 3b is a plan view of the game body of Figure 1b;
• Figure 4a is a front view of the game body of Figure 1a; and
• FIG. 4b is a front view of the game body of FIG. 1b.

FIG. 1a shows a cross section through an exemplary embodiment of a gaming device 1 according to the invention. The gaming device 1 has a cylindrical housing 2 with an initially likewise cylindrical, but provided with a smaller diameter extension 4 and an adjoining, flattened extension 6. The extension 6 is formed as a male, a mechanical coupling element forming key body for producing a detachable coupling of the game body 1 with at least one other associated game body, such as the game body 100 of Figure 1b.

On its front side 8, the key body 6 is provided with two electrical contacts 10a and 10b. The electrical contacts 10a and 10b are electrically connected to an electrical circuit 14 via electrical leads 12a and 12b, respectively. The electrical circuit 14 is supplied via a supply line 16 with electrical energy of a battery 18. Via an electrical connection line 20, the electrical circuit 14 is further connected to an optical display device 22, for example an LED.

FIG. 2b shows a side view of the game body 1 of FIG. 1a. FIG. 2a shows that the game body 1 carries a black line-shaped optical marking 26 on the cylindrical surface of its housing 2. Furthermore, it can be seen in FIG. 2a that the extension of the housing 2 designed as a key body 6 carries a beard 28 (see also FIG. 3a for a further side view of the bar 28 or FIG. 4a for a front view of the bar 28).

FIG. 1b shows a game body 100 that is complementary to the gaming device 1 of FIG. 1a. Parts of the gaming device 100 that correspond to parts of the gaming device 1 are labeled with the corresponding reference symbols of FIG. 1a, but increased by 100. The function of these parts corresponds to the corresponding parts of Figure 1a, so that a renewed description is omitted here.

In contrast to the game body 1 of Figure 1, the game body 100 of Figure 1b has a recess 140 whose inner diameter d the outer diameter of a male key body 6 of the game body. 1 equivalent. The recess 140 therefore forms the female key body 140 of the game body 100, which is designed to complement the game body 1 so far. Accordingly, not only the designed as a recess 140 female key body 140 is configured to form the coupling device of the game body 100 complementary to the key body 6 of the game body 1, but the recess 140 also has a to the beard 28 of the male key body 6 complementary groove 142 (see Also, the figures 2b, in which the groove 142 is shown in dashed lines, and Figure 3b, in which the groove 142 is also shown in dashed lines in a side view, or Figure 4b, in which the groove 142 shown in a front view within the opening 140 is). The opening 140 is also flattened in its side view according to Figure 3b also symmetrical to the longitudinal axis of the housing 102, as is the male key body 6 of the game body 1 in complementary form.

The function of the illustrated game bodies 1 and 100 is as follows:

To produce a releasable coupling of the game body 1 with the associated game body 100, the male key body 6 of the game body 1 is inserted into the receptacle 140 of the key body 100 serving as a female key body. In this case, the black lines 26 and 126 on the housings 2 and 102 of the game body 1 and 100, which align with each other in the planets shown in Figures 2a and 2b, when the game body 1 and 100 are properly inserted into each other. By nesting, there is a contact between the electrical contacts 10a and 110a or 10b and 110b. The electric circuit 14 serving as an identification device of the game body 1 can thus exchange electrical impulses with the electrical circuit 114, which also serves as an identification device of the game body 100. With the help of the identification devices 14 and 114 can be determined during the coupling of the game body 1 and 100, if the game body 100 has the predetermined by the identification device 14 identification features or if the game body 1 has the predetermined by the identification device 114 of the game body 100 identification features.

If both identification devices 14 and 114 determine that the respective other identification device 114 or 14 does not have the predetermined identification features, nothing happens. However, if, for example, the identification device 14 determines that the identification device 114 has the identification features predetermined by the identification device 14, then the identification device 14 sends a signal via the line 20 to the LED 22 of the optical display of the gaming device 1, so that the LED 22 lights up.

If in return only the identification device 114 determines that the identification device 14 has the identification features predetermined by the identification device 114, then the identification device 114 sends a signal via the line 120 to the optical display 122 of the gaming device 100, so that the LED 122 of the gaming device 100 lights.

Accordingly, both LEDs 22 and 122 of the game body 1 and 100, respectively, light up when both the identification device 14 and the identification device 114 determine that the respective other game body in the respective identification device 114 or 14 provides the required or predetermined identification features ,

The game body 1 and the game body 100 together form a game device according to the invention. It is not shown that the game bodies 1 and 100 can be provided in any number to form a game device with any number of game bodies 1 and 100.

Claims (14)

Game body (1, 100) for a game device,
with a coupling device (6, 140) for producing a releasable coupling of the game body (1, 100) with at least one further associated game body (1, 100),
with an identification device (14, 114) connected to the coupling device (6, 140), with the help of which at least during the coupling of the game body (1, 100) to the at least one further game body (1, 100) can be determined whether the at least one further game body (1, 100) has predefinable identification features,
with a display device (22, 122) connected to the identification device (14, 114) for generating an indication when the identification device (14, 14) has established that the at least one further game device (1, 100) has the predetermined identification features. Game body (1, 100) according to claim 1,
wherein the coupling device (6, 140) has at least one mechanical (6, 140), electrical, electromagnetic, optical, acoustic and / or magnetic coupling element. Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the coupling device (6, 140) has at least one coupling element (6, 140) which is designed to be complementary to a coupling element (6, 140) of the at least one further associated toy body (1, 100). Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the coupling device (6, 140) has a male and / or a female key body (6, 140) as a mechanical coupling element (6, 140), which forms a complementary, as male and / or female key body (6, 140), mechanical coupling element (6, 140) of the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) is assigned. Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein a male key body (6) of the coupling device (6, 140) has a beard (28) which is complementary to a groove (142) in an associated female key body (140) of the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) , Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the coupling device (6, 140) has a line (26, 126) mounted on the game body (1, 100), an elongate groove and / or an elongate projection which, when the game body (1, 100) is coupled to the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) with an associated line (26, 126), an associated elongated groove and / or an associated elongated projection on the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) is aligned. Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the identification device (14, 114) has at least one electrical contact (10a, 10b, 110a, 110b) which, in the case of a manufactured coupling of the game body (1, 100) with the at least one further game body (1, 100) in contact with at least an electrical contact (10a, 10b, 110a, 110b) of the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) can be brought. Game body (1, 100) according to the preceding claim,
wherein the game body (1, 100) and the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) have the same number of electrical contacts (10a, 10b, 110a, 110b). Game body (1, 100) according to one of the two preceding claims,
wherein the identification device (14, 114) has an electrical circuit (14, 114) connected to the at least one electrical contact (10a, 10b, 110a, 110b), which provides certain identification features, such that in the established coupling with the at least another associated game body (1, 100) can be determined whether the at least one further associated game body (1, 100) has these identification features. Game body (1, 100) according to the preceding claim,
wherein with the aid of the electrical circuit (14, 114) two identification features can be predetermined, wherein upon detection of one of the identification features in the at least one other associated game body (1, 100) by means of the identification device (14, 114) only in the at least one further Game body (1, 100), a display can be generated, while in a determination of the two predetermined identification features using the identification device (14, 114) in both game bodies (1, 100) a display with the display device (22, 122) can be generated. Game body (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims,
wherein the display device (22, 122) has at least one mechanical, electrical, electromagnetic, optical, acoustic and / or magnetic display element (22, 122). Game device, comprising at least two game bodies (1, 100) according to one of the preceding claims. A game device according to claim 12,
wherein the coupling means (6, 140) of the at least two game bodies (1, 100) are formed such that about 50% of the gaming devices (1, 100) of the gaming device are complementary to the remaining approximately 50% of the gaming devices (1, 100) of the gaming device are. Game device according to the preceding claim,
wherein approximately 50% of the at least two game bodies (1, 100) have a male key body (6), while the remaining approximately 50% of the at least two game bodies (1, 100) have a female key body (6, 140).

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