GB2415145A

GB2415145A - An interchangeable electronic board game

Info

Publication number: GB2415145A
Application number: GB0408285A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony Daniel Wallace
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-04-14
Filing date: 2004-04-14
Publication date: 2005-12-21
Anticipated expiration: 2024-04-14
Also published as: GB2415145B; GB0408285D0

Abstract

An interactive and interchangeable illuminated board game comprises an electronic game board, a computer, and an infra red controller. The game board unit has polycarbonate top, which is interchangeable according to the game to be played. The associated game disc is inserted into the computer; and individual information for each player may also be entered. Positions of playing pieces may be detected by the game board using magnetic sensors in the base. The board is illuminated by light emitting diodes. Question and answer games are also provided, with a variable level of difficulty according to the player information input into the computer. The computer may display visual information on a domestic television screen, and may also provide audio cues and information. Dice suspended in a liquid in a container are also provided.

Description

An Electronic 'Intelligent' Family Board Game For The 2lSt Century I-B

OAR[) Game Design & Concept By A.D. Wallace & B.C. Wallace Contents Section 1. Game Overview 2. Rules 3. Game graphic prototype 4. Drawing/sketches 5. Equipment and Component details Appendices Appendix A - 'Space Quest' Themed Game: Example 1 Appendix B - 'Mythology' Themed Game: Example 2.

Appendix C - 'Garden' Themed Game: Example 3.

Appendix D - Liquid Crystal Display/Television Display Layout Appendix kC - Interchangeable Games Application 'Theme' Strategy Appendix F - Game Dice Design Appendix G - Game Theme insets Appendix 11- System Component Layout Section 1

Game Oveniew/Detailed Description

The I-Board is a revolutionary Electronic Family/Group Board Game, for 28 players integrating the use of audio and visual stimulation via the use of the conventional television set. It aims to get the family and friends together and to create a new fun environment from the old unimaginative Board Games and the 'anti-social' computer games of our age.

The board is an electronic platform able to change from different types of games by changing the polycarbonate board on top. Therefore a space game with questions on general knowledge can change to a sport game with questions just on sport all achieved by changing of the board and the disc.

General Overview/Detailed Description

The 'I' Board is an entirely new unique 21 Century concept game. Essentially it is a family board game that encapsulates the excitement and qualities that are normally generated from an electronic computer game.

The 17 essentially represents the following: Intelligent Interactive Interchangeable Illuminated Intelligent The game is programmed by each new player that inputs all his or her own individual information into the game. This is basically their name and their age, which will normally be saved on the games memory for future games. The game will then select a selection of questions and missions for that personas age group.

This then obviously provides the player to truly compete as the questions/graphics/audio that relates to a 7 year old, as it would in turn provide for a 17 year old. This then provides distinct levels of age and ability, which can be modified between a) Easy b) Nonnal c) difficult. The default can also be selected to any one of these.

Therefore the range of 3 multiple choice questions will range for say: 7 year old - How many letters in the alphabet? A 22 B 26 C 30 17 year old Who won the 1998 football world cup heal? A Germany B Brazil C None of these 77 year old - when was the treaty of Versailles signed? A 1918 B 1919 C 1920 It will also generate cross knowledge between the age groups.

The visual imagery that will appear on either the television or built in LCD which can range from a picture of the Eiffel tower and question ranging 7 year old - what tower is this? 17 year old' who built it? 77 year old how many thousands of tons of steel was used? All multiple choice.

Imagery can then show paintings/landscape/animals/landmarks, which if required could then be abstracted to give further intrigue and amusement.

What happens next? Where in the world are we? What is this tool used for? Question will also be asked without revealing the answers as on multiple choices. It could be complete the next line of the following nursery rhyme or passage Seven year old Hwmpty dumpty sat on the wall, humpty dumpy have a great fall ? 17 year old Rorneo Romeo ? From which the display will only display the answer when the question has been answered, and is then acknowledged as being correct or incorrect.

The specialist questioning can be applied to specifically biased Theme' games as identified under appendix E. These could under the movies theme, show a short video clip of ' Casablanca' and could ask any of the following questions: Name the film? Name the two stars that appeared in this film? When was this filmed made? (Multiple choice) The game theme insert would then be possibly Hollywood, with the game pieces being coloured cinematic camera's, with the object of the game being going around the movie studios (Columbia/Disney/20 Century Fox), buying stars to ultimately make a fihn, to then win the game. Note

(This could easily be developed as a simple inexpensive cardboard board game with plastic pieces) Under specialist theme music, short snippets of audio sound can be played, intros or choruses of tracks for classicaVcountry/pop/jazzlblues etc. The intelligence will also 'personalize the game, because depending upon the piece/theme the commander of say the ship will be referred as 'Commander William' or Commander Beatrice' in the movie theme you would be a film director In the sports theme you would be a team captain In the garden theme you would be a bug, caterpillar, ladybird or snail In the dinosaur theme you will be a type of dinosaur Interactive The game is totally interactive due to the specific selection of questions and puzzles to the individual player, of which the player has to interact to carry on with the game Interchangeable (components! The game has been design to be interchangeable, so the customer can select a more specific theme of game to his or her own preference.

The facility of interchangeability is through the removal of the game inset from the intelligent base. It is the game inset that provides the themes along with its oven inset theme badge and unique play pieces to the particular theme.

A mini CD of run software for the particular theme will also be provided. Therefore once the customer has purchase the base game i.e. Spacequest, this will comprise of the following components o intelligent '1' board base (complete with magnetic sensory and LED's) o Spacequest inset game board o Spacequest inset badge o Main hardware computer driver o Software mini disc/cartridge for game theme incorporating questions/visuals/audio o Infra red answer pad o 12 volt transformer o Scart TV connector leads o Dice ring * Above based on economical version utilizing home television I. Theme' Game Components Additional theme game components can be purchased as a package which will include the following: o 'Theme' inset board o 'Theme' inset badge o Software mini disc/cartridge for game theme incorporating questions/visuals/audio Illuminated The board independent squares of the game will be illuminated with a very low output (0.5 watt) LED's which will provide the game with a very gentle and contrasting glow.

This will illuminate the game to provide the 'vibrancy' of colour to make the game stand out and come to life.

It could also be considered to use a continuous coloured fibre optic

Summary Features

The main aspects of this game are that: 1. It is the ultimate family board game experience 2 It is a game of knowledge, skill and excitement 3. It is a game that allows true competitive few across all age groups.

4. It is a game that appeals to all age groups 5. It is a game that provides different exciting outcomes every time 6. It is a game that can be played on different levels from simple to extremely difficult for each individual pLayer's ability, therefore providing a truly even fun filled game.

7. It is an extremely versatile game that can be 'themed' from Outer Space, Fantasy, and Mythology to Under the Sea. It is truly unlimited, as it uses the same electronic intelligent base, with the main 'theme' game board inset, being interchangeable.

8. It is a game that provides both audio and visual stimulation.

9. It is a learning tool 10. It is a game that is multilingual and relate specifically to the language of each individual player.

] I. It is a game that has an unlimited amount of questions/video/audio/graphics It is a game that has been designed to bring board games truly up to date, with a real family fun objective.

Section 2 Rules Rules (leased in SpaceQuest Theme) General The object of the game is to travel throughout the universe to accomplish a number of 6 missions. When each mission is complete, it allows you to carry on to the next. When the final mission is complete it allows the starships captain and his crew to return to the own star base to reunite with their people. The object is to assist and provide friendship and equilibrium throughout the galaxies.

I. Each player starts the game by selecting there own starship, which can remain as the default ship; otherwise they may wish to rename it themselves. Once you he-v e selected your ship you may select a crew (see note 1).

11. Each player to enter there name and age (see note 2).

III. Each player will then be allocated (fuel) (Medical supply) (Armory) (Currency). This he will need to review throughout the game to obviously maintain. (This will always be display on the TV screen when it is the particular players turn) IV. Before leaving their star base, each player will be given a 'mission' (see note 3) to set him/her off on his/her jotuney.

V. These mission are or course numerous, they will range from liberating the red planet Zubron to taking the medical power herb from the blue island of ranjia to the plagued tribe of the mascara.

Planets having different civilizations and races, some uninhabited with vast quantities of minerals. Players acquiring allies on route to help achieve their mission objective Vl. To achieve these goals each player will move around the board to there identified mission, tested on skill, chance but mainly knowledge. The questions of knowledge will indeed be endless.

O For these may be straightforward visual questions that require a straightforward answers.

O They may be multiple-choice visual questions, from which the player selects A B C. O Or they may be straightforward audio questions that require straightforward answers.

O They may be multiple-clloice audio questions, from which the player selects A B C. From this combination the fun factor goes extremely high, because you can be asked to listen to three types of birds, or whale calls and identify them, or the introduction of a musical soundtrack or song. You can identify objects, shapes, pictures, paintings, or places. It is basically unlimited to any type of visual and audio intrigue.

From both a learning prospective factor and fun factor, this has everything.

VII. Whilst on the mission the players will be roaming around the board in a vertical or horizontal manner, with no set trail.

VIII. The game is littered with hidden 'Destiny Zones' these zones are uncharted. They are potential 'friendly' and provide a service of bonus fuel, Medical supply, Armory, Currency, or other assisting features.

They are also potentially 'unfriendly' and will provide a series of problems from attack, abduction of the crew, and held to ransom, damage to the starship, and areas to confine and throw the ship off course.

These uncharted areas when landed on will involve a risk of the unknown, and therefore when landed on provide the following probability: 40% chance of nothing happening 30% chance of something positive and helpful 30% chance of something negative and a hindrance (See Note 4) IX. Whilst traveling around the universe you will be challenged and it will be necessary for you to visit space service stations to get your ship repaired after an attack from space pirates or bombardment of asteroids. Space stations will provide you with fuel and Armour at a cost. If you require health you will be required to space medical ships. These services will be carried out by trade or currency, from which you will start out with and build up from your travels. If you do not have funds you will have to work for them, or trade something.

X. When the player then completes all his missions successfully, he then will return to his starship. It is on this return he provides all the wisdom he has learned on his travels to his people and therefore wins the game. 1Z Notes

1. Each default captain has a life and personality, as each does each of his main crew.

Commander, Star Navigator, Chief M.edical officer, Chief Engineer.

2. This allows the game to reference the player, who is from then on defined as Commander Ben' as example, and by providing the age the games computer will select questions for the child's age group. This will also have internal level of a. b.

and c. these are varying difficulties in which the default b will normally be selected.

3. Missions are co-ordulates of example 'The green Planet Argus, coordinates 'G6' in the universe, where the players are required to go to achieve their mission. (This will always be display on the TV screen when it is the particular players turn) 4. Destiny zones are areas of the board that are not highlighted and are hidden. These remain in the same location throughout any one single game, with the exception of the event of a 'Destiny Zone Shower' where they all move to new hidden locations to keep the mission route unknown.

These will automatically reset themselves at the start of a new game.

Ship default names Captain default names I Andronmeda Reno II Nexus Canton II Atlantis Kalama IV Calypso Mears V Venus Nebo VI Trod an Zantoni

IS

Section 3 Game graphic prototype A. Attached a colour graphic of board layout (not to Scale) Section 4 Drawings/sketches

T*le/description Drawing Number

General Details SK0 1 Base game - Util zing TV for Screen and Sound SK02 Game Concept (Option B) without LCD & Speaker Utilizing Television SK03 Section 5 Equipment and Component details This section is a random compiled selection of current technology from a variety of manufacturers that is used in commercial and industry applications such as car manufacture and processing, and identifies die technology that is available for LED lighting Magnetic Sensory Touch Screen Technology It should also be noted that the level of technology to locate the game piece position, is similar to that which is used in electronic chess, which is very inexpensive.

Appendices Appendix A - 'SpaceQuest' Themed Game: Example 1 Appendix B 'Mythology' Themed Game: Example 2.

Appendix C - 'Garden' Themed Game: Example 3.

Appendix D - Liquid Crystal Display/Television Display Layout Appendix E Interchangeable Games Application 'Theme' Strategy Appendix F - Game Dice Design Appendix G - Game Theme insets Appendix H - System Component Layout Appendix A - iSpaceQuest' Themed Game: Example 1 Interchangeable board for CSpaceQuest' game. Replacement game pieces are board inset, 4-6 space ship pieces, theme inset badge and specific mini disc, incorporating specific game theme and questions/visuals/audio. . .

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Interchangeable board for Mythology Game. Replacement game pieces are board inset, 4-6 Greek ship pieces, theille inset badge mId specific mini disc, incorporating specific game theme and questions/isuals/audio.

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Appendix C 'Garden' Themed Game: Example 3.

Interchangeable board for tile (garden Game. Replacement game pieces are board inset, 4- 6 garden insect/creatures pieces, theme Inset badge and specii:ic mini disc, incorporating specific Dante theme and questions/visuals/audio. This game is aimed at children between 3-7 years old as an early learning game

___

^. In they Garden. O ===== =, k - ! $b : W: i" Appendix D - Liquid Crystal Display/Television Displav Layout Touch Screen' - The Games Screen Display r,

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FEDERAlIOff me| _ _ Hi r 311 ALL = Rae 1 It IS he capital of Spain? 1 - _.

Appendix E - luterchanaeable Games Application 'Theme' Strategy General Knowledge Specialist Theme's Theme's Space Cinema Underwater iAlildlife Mythology Science Dinosaurs Literature/Art Haunted House Music Fantasy Sport Global Trekker History Am Appendix F Game Dice Desien Aqua Diced Top (Ease)

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Hi_. __ 0 Note: The kilogram abwe Is a concept of the 'Aqua 0Ice' Simple nvertthe 'aqua Dce'in orderto throw) the dice as you would with a typical egg timer Appendix G- Game Theme insets

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i_ _ 1 = 1i,,. ' -,..., Sketch 1 Legend A. 'Interchangeable' board inset (Polycarbonate). This is a colour/tint hologram' to portray game theme. Universe, Fantasy, Greek Mythology, Undersea etc. B. 'Intelligent' sensors & 1 watt '12 volt' LED,s.

C. Electronic Reader 'Sensor' that 'Reads' the reflector chip in the base of tile Ship. Therefore ',=.owswh2t ship is in what cocoon on the board matrix. Therefore board becoming intelligent).

D. Coloured LED E. Board F. 'Reflector'/chip G. Plastic coated space ship H. Audio 'high quality' speaker 1. 'Board grid' J. Liquid crystal display (LCD) 'touch screen' mini computer with relevant' game chip.

Sketch 1 Legend Continued K. LED lighting continuously 'on? providing an 'illuminated' board.

L. 'Transformed' 12 volt DC supply into the game (power supply). Notes

1. Body High impact polycarbonate 2. Weight 2pprox 2kg (4 /2!b).

Sketch 2 Leeend A. High Quality speaker (not required under option B. see skO3).

B. Liquid crystal display panel (not required under option 'B' see skO3).

C. Star base D. Interchangeable game inset E. Planets F. Interchangeable inset board- Remove and replace for: Fantasy/pirate/Greek myology/undersea etc. Sketch 3 Leeend A. Home television B. Questions are shown on TV along with audio output C. TV bi pin/scart connection D. Game option (B) components 1. Supply transformer 2. Main computer driver 3. Board 4. Wired hand set (answer pad) 5. Infra red (answer pad) E. Game board (complete with LEDS) F. Options of using hand held programmer and answer (A/B/C) pad G. Computer driver

Claims

Claims 1. Interactive, intelligent, interchangeable and illuminated

electronic board game.
2. Intelligent board game that as claimed in claim] allows the programming of individual players via microcomputer based technology.
3. A board game that as claimed in claim 1 and 2 can identify exactly where each individual players game piece is located on the board via magnetic sensors located within each square in the board. (SEE DETAIL 1 DRG No. SKO 1)
4. A game that as claimed in claim 1 and 2 allows individual player settings that will adapt the difficulty of the questioning for the different ages/ability of all players.
5. A game that as claimed in all preceding claims is illuminated through LED lighting.
6. An electronic board game that as claimed in all preceding claims has an interchangeable game board insert with different 'themes' utilizing the single electronic intelligent base.
7. A game that as claimed in all preceding claims can either have an individual liquid crystal display and speaker or utilize the home TV for the visuals and sound aspects of the game.
8. An electronic board game that as claimed in all preceding claims provides visual and audio stimulation.
9. A game that as claimed in all preceding claims provides sound and visual display via a CD/cartridge/chip that is inserted Into the microcomputer
10. A game that as claimed in all preceding claims is constructed from a combination of high impact plastic and metal materials
11. A game that as described and illustrated in accompanying drawings SKO 1, SK02 & SK03
12. A dice design that is a liquid filled plastic designed container complete with dice
13. The 'I-Board' name and trade mark for this game