JP2008522694A - Electronic game device including specific tools capable of identification or localization - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a game board (300) and at least one game device such as a dice (200) or a pawn (100) that can be brought into contact with the game board (300) or led to the vicinity of the game board. The game apparatus further includes control means (700, 120), at least a part of the area of the game board (300) includes electromagnetic signal detection means, and the game equipment uses the control means. Sometimes the information data is transmitted to the electromagnetic signal transmitting means indicating the data stored in the memory so that these electromagnetic signals are received by the detecting means (700) and then sent to the central processing unit (1000). Therefore, a memory unit (150, 250a) capable of storing information data and reading these information data is provided. The device further includes a touchpad (500) that at least partially covers one side of the game board (300), the touchpad (500) being a generally flat surface of the body having predetermined mechanical properties. A contact with a free surface can be sensed to generate a signal relating to the contact made on this surface, which is sent to the central processing unit (1000), where the central processing unit receives the touch pad (500). And the signal received from the detection means (700) can be integrated as the electronic game data being executed.

Description

  The present invention relates generally to electronic games, and more particularly to indoor games played by several people.

  Many indoor games are played using pawns and / or dice (for example, Monopoly, Trivial Pursuit, Yams, etc. (all are registered trademarks)). In parallel, it has already been attempted to move these games to an electronic game environment (dedicated console or personal computer).

  However, such a transition does not maintain the fun of touching a game that is played, for example, by throwing a dice or moving a pawn or equivalent. In fact, these dice and pawns are simply and simply replaced by virtual dice or pawns that appear on the system screen, and throwing and moving is generally a button operation (keyboard key, Actuated by mouse button, game lever button, etc.)

  For this reason, the user loses an operational sensation for obtaining a certain result, and in particular, features such as an arbitrary feature related to throwing a die are not easily detected by the user. In fact, game players often have the impression that machines play games on their behalf, and have doubts about the quality and algorithms of probabilistic laws that produce arbitrary results executed by the game's information processing program Sometimes.

  Further, such movement, throwing, etc. with a button or equivalent does not contribute to reproducing the enjoyment that exists when such actions are performed by hand.

  Therefore, several intermediate games have been proposed that retain the manual (ie, tactile and mechanical) aspects of traditional indoor games, and also the virtual aspects of modern indoor games. In this case, the information transmission means between the manual operation means and the electronic means can provide the possibility of play with various play variations. This allows the game's electronic logic to identify, for example, the results obtained during such manual operation.

  For example, a game that includes a pawn that emits sound or light and can be moved by a command sent from a control unit arranged in the preceding stage (International Publication No. 04/056430, British Patent No. 2271724), or a game player , A handy virtual card display device (WO 04/056424 or Ravensburger (registered trademark)) with touch means for allowing game commands to be sent to a central processing unit connected by an interface. ), And a game called “Arthur King” (copyright) in which an intelligent interface is arranged between the game equipment and the central processing unit.

  US Pat. No. 6,168,158 proposes a checkerboard type game platform on which a pawn type game part including an induction coil is arranged. The game platform itself includes two sets of induction coils, one for transmitting magnetic fields and the other for receiving, and each set of coils is stacked perpendicular to the other set of coils, so The presence of gaming equipment on top of (trust / receive) will interfere with magnetic resonance between these coils. In that case, the position of the component on the board can be determined from this disturbance. Further, by arranging a unique coil in each game tool, it is possible to generate a specific interference in each game tool and recognize which interference tool is.

  Although this game device can identify and locate parts on the board, it has a drawback that it can interfere with the game due to interference between the coils or interaction with the external environment. In particular, a complementary coil is required and a signal processing system in the front and / or back must be provided. Therefore, this game device is complicated and expensive to manufacture.

  With the same intention, U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,327 has a matrix-like induction coil placed in the game platform and when the pawn is placed over one of the platform coils, the induction provided in this pawn A game platform has been proposed in which each of the coils can be individually excited to locate the game pawn on the surface. In this way, the pawn can be identified and located.

  However, the pawn shown here needs to have a battery connected to the transponder's electrical circuit or a capacitive resonant circuit, which also has an inductive reception that is also built into the pawn. Arranged after the antenna. Further, the transmitter and the receiver are two different coils, and the means used in the game apparatus is increased accordingly. In addition, the response signal sent back from the pawn to the game platform receiver can only be modified by replacing the internal electrical circuit system, which means providing a pawn-opening exchange means and operating the electronic components. Since it is necessary, it is necessary to provide different components in each modified embodiment, resulting in extra costs.

  In U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,371, the die is thrown and the exit surface is automatically determined, and the die surface has their own permanent magnetic properties so that the Hall effect sensor located on the cup pedestal An identifiable dice cup-shaped dice game apparatus has been proposed. Therefore, this apparatus can recognize the surface which came out with the dice thrown from the cup as a pulse of a game player.

  However, this device seems to be able to perform die face detection only if the die is in the exact final position placed at the bottom of the cup (so the bottom of the die cup is intentionally recessed. ) As such, this device appears to be able to operate with only one die. Operating this device with multiple dies requires additional means and, from a commercial point of view, the price of the final product can be too high.

  In addition, the device includes a coil, an iron core that requires precise manufacturing due to the need for precise dimensions, a Hall effect sensor, and a die incorporating a permanent magnet, both of which are economically sensitive. It is a member that may raise the price of the product.

  Therefore, the object of the present invention is to solve the problem in realizing such a game device that the game player throws the way (the route and the energy transmitted to one (or more) predetermined dice). Imposed by the game device, and the surface that emerges with one or more dice that the player throws on a flat game platform, depending on the arbitrary nature of the outcome determined by the three-dimensional shape of the die It is to recognize. Another problem is the automatic recognition of dice that can be operated with multiple dice and does not involve game participants.

  Another object of the present invention is to propose a gaming device that allows the location of gaming equipment (pawns, dice, or other types) on a simple and inexpensive gaming platform.

  Another object is to equip these gaming devices with additional interactivity between players and electronic means.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide the above-mentioned game apparatus equipped with a continuous operation type game tool which does not require any recharging, storage battery, dry battery or the like.

  Another object of the present invention is to allow players to personalize pawns.

Thus, according to the first aspect, the present invention provides:
A game board in which at least a part of the area includes means for detecting electromagnetic signals;
At least one game tool such as a dice or a pawn, including a memory unit that can be brought into contact with the game board or led to the vicinity of the game board and capable of storing data, and means for transmitting electromagnetic signals;
A central processing unit (1000) of data capable of executing an electronic game;
A game apparatus including a control means is proposed.

  The control means can start reading of the stored data and transmission of electromagnetic signals indicating the read data by the transmission means, whereby the data is received by the detection means and then sent to the central processing unit. I am trying to do it.

The gaming device further includes a touchpad that at least partially covers one side of the game board, the touchpad senses contact with a generally flat free surface of the body having predetermined mechanical properties, and A signal relating to the contact made on the surface can be generated and this signal is sent to the central processing unit.

  The central processing unit can integrate the signal received from the touch pad and the signal received from the detection unit as data of the electronic game being executed.

Some preferred features of this game device are as follows.
The sensing means comprise at least one winding of conductive material;
-One or more rolls are screen printed on the back of the game board.
The device further comprises a substantially flat display device at least partly covered by the back of the game board;
The part of the game plate covering the display device is transparent to at least two wavelengths of light and the detection means are made of a material that transmits or semi-transmits these two wavelengths of light, such as glass or the like. .
The game board is a touchpad with surface waves in some cases.

According to a preferred first game device of the present invention,
The control means is an electromagnetic control signal generating means, and the generating means and the detecting means are the same means arranged on at least a part of the area of the game board, and the game equipment receives the control signal; Including at least one possible antenna, the central processing unit can transmit control signals to the generating / detecting means and receive electrical signals from these means.
The memory unit is an electrically passive component and the antenna further allows energy transfer to the memory unit.
The memory unit is arranged so that data to be stored can be written to it, and the generating / detecting means is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal enabling writing to the memory unit;
-Each game tool is configured to be set directly on the touchpad and is configured not to be detected by the touchpad when set.
-The surface on which each game tool comes into contact with the touchpad is made of a material such as rigid plastic that is sufficiently hard so that it cannot be detected by the touchpad.
-The game equipment is pawn type and the memory unit can store pawn identification data.
-The memory unit can store other data types such as personal data.
-The game tool is a die type and has a plurality of surfaces, and the game tool includes an antenna and a memory unit connected to the antenna in the vicinity of each surface.
The device comprises a plurality of dice-type gaming equipment, wherein the memory unit on each side of each die is stored on the other side of the same die and on the other side of the other dice; Stores different data.
The generating / detecting means consists of a single winding surrounding the surface of the game board capable of receiving a die-type gaming device;
The generating / detecting means is formed from an array of substantially adjacent windings capable of independently transmitting electromagnetic signals to the game equipment disposed thereon and receiving signals sent from the memory unit from the game equipment; The
-The central processing unit can supply each turn in succession for a short moment and read the signal received by the turn.
The central processing unit is then
-The position of the pawn can be derived according to the position of the winding that received the signal,
-The pawn can be identified from the signal received by this winding.
-The central processing unit can then derive the position of the pawn according to the position of the multiple turns that received the same signal, in which case the pawn straddles these various turns.
-The central processing unit can derive the position of a plurality of pawns arranged in the same winding, each pawn having its own stored data.
-The central processing unit can guide the surface exited by the dice.

According to a preferred second game device of the present invention,
The control means is arranged on each gaming device and is manually operable, and is arranged with a memory unit so as to start transmission of the electromagnetic signal when activated;
The memory unit is an electrically passive component, the processing device is further capable of supplying energy to the sensing means, the transmitting means is further capable of receiving electromagnetic energy sensing means, and An antenna that can supply energy to the memory unit by transferring energy to the memory unit, and each game device is set directly on the touchpad and can be detected by the touchpad when the control means is activated. ing.
The control means is coupled to a support means made of a sufficiently flexible material, such as rubber, so that it can be detected by the touchpad when the control means is activated.
-The game equipment is pawn type and the memory unit can store pawn identification data.
-The memory unit can store other types of data, such as personal data.
The sensing means is formed from a single winding surrounding the surface of the game board;
The central processing unit can derive the position of the game equipment in response to a signal received from the touchpad;

  According to a second aspect, the present invention proposes a game device such as a pawn that can be brought into contact with or directed to the game platform, which stores and loads data, Comprising a memory unit capable of being transmitted to an electromagnetic signal transmitting means indicative of the data of the data, and a manually operable control means arranged with the memory unit to initiate the transmission of the electromagnetic signal when activated. And

Other features of this game tool are as follows.
The control means further comprises a sufficiently flexible material such that at least a position of a surface configured to be in contact with the game platform is detectable by a touchpad included in the platform upon actuation of the control means; ing.
-The flexible material is rubber.

According to a third aspect, the present invention proposes a game tool such as a die or a pawn that can be brought into contact with or directed to the game platform, the game tool receiving a control signal from the platform. At least one antenna that can be received and data can be stored and read by being connected to each antenna. When receiving a control signal, the same signal is generated by transmitting the data to the electromagnetic signal transmission means indicating these data. A memory unit configured to be received by the sensing means.
-It is configured so that it cannot be detected by a touchpad whose surface senses the contact of the flexible body close to a finger when set.
-For this reason, the contact surface between each game tool and the touch pad is made of a material such as a rigid plastic that is sufficiently hard so that it cannot be detected by the touch pad.
The memory unit is an electrically passive component and the antenna is further configured to allow energy transfer to the memory unit;
The memory unit is configured to write stored data;
-According to the first embodiment, the game equipment is of the die type and has a plurality of faces for that purpose, and includes an antenna and a memory unit connected to the antenna in the vicinity of each face.
-The data stored in the memory unit on one side is data for identifying the opposite side.
Each side of the game equipment further includes an electromagnetic shielding plate for each “antenna-memory unit” assembly on each side, each shielding plate being arranged to electromagnetically isolate the protection assembly from the other assembly; Yes.
-According to the second variant embodiment, the gaming equipment is of pawn type and the memory unit can store pawn identification data.
-The memory unit can further store other types of data, such as personal data.

  Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment, given by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  The present invention is applied to the electronic game platform described in International Publication No. WO02 / 20110A in the name of the present applicant as a premise, but in certain cases, an electronic game system with a vertical screen or the following will be described. Thus, it can be applied to an electronic game system without a screen.

  According to the present invention, the game device includes a game platform, one or more game tools (types such as pawns and dice), and a data central processing unit. Signals and data are transmitted between the game platform and each gaming device via an electromagnetic (preferably radio frequency) wireless connection. The signal is generated upstream by the central processing unit and the data is received, read and interpreted downstream by the same central processing unit or possibly another data processing unit.

  The game platform is preferably divided into cells, each cell including signal generation / detection means. Each game tool includes a transponder including a memory for storing data unique to the game tool. In this way, when the game equipment is on the cell, the generation / detection means generates a signal that can read the data stored in the memory of the transponder.

  Referring initially to FIGS. 1 a and 1 b, a pawn-type gaming device 100 for an electronic game is shown that includes a body 110 with a pedestal or bottom plate 112. The pedestal 112 is provided with an antenna 140 that receives an electromagnetic signal such as a radio frequency signal, and a memory unit 150 connected to the antenna. The antenna 140 can be, for example, a coil, a single turn, or any other antenna capable of receiving radio frequency type electromagnetic signals. In this embodiment, the antenna 140 takes a simple circular shape, for example. The memory unit 150 starts reading the memory upon receipt of a predetermined control signal (sent from the antenna 140) between the antenna 140 and the memory capable of storing and reading data (preferably as digital). An interface configured to be capable of transmitting electromagnetic signals such as radio frequency signals indicating data stored in the memory and read into the memory to a game platform (not shown here) disposed below Means.

  The transmission means may be incorporated in the memory unit 150, or may be constituted by an antenna 140 that transmits a signal as an additional function.

  Preferably, the memory unit 150 is an electrically passive component, and the antenna 140, in addition to transmitting signals sent from the game platform, releases the data stored in the memory unit and these data. Is configured to be able to transmit energy to the memory unit 150 so as to supply sufficient power to start the conversion to the electromagnetic signal. Therefore, the pawn 100 does not have a built-in power source.

  Referring to FIGS. 2a and 2b, a game die 200 incorporating the same principle is shown. The die 200 generally has, as is conventional, a cubic body of generally rounded corners, for example made of plastic material. Receiving antennas 240a to 240f for electromagnetic signals (radio frequency signals or the like) are fitted or embedded on each of the six surfaces of the die 200 (the antennas 240e and 240f are not shown in these two drawings). ), Memory units 250a-250f are connected to the antennas (antennas 250e, 250f are not shown in the two figures). Each antenna may be, for example, a coil, a single turn, or any other antenna capable of receiving radio frequency type electromagnetic signals. In this embodiment, each antenna has a simple shape such as a circle. Each memory unit is preferably digitally storable and can store this data between a memory capable of reading this data and the antenna on the same plane upon receipt of a predetermined control signal (sent from the antenna). And an electromagnetic signal, such as a radio frequency signal indicating data stored in the memory and read into the memory, to an underlying game platform (not shown here). Means.

  The transmission means may be incorporated in the memory unit 150, or may be constituted by an antenna 140 that transmits a signal as an additional function.

  Preferably, each memory unit is an electrically passive component, and each antenna has a release of data stored in the memory unit in addition to transmission of signals sent from the game platform and these data. Is configured to be able to transmit energy to the memory unit 150 connected to the antenna so as to supply enough to start the conversion to the electromagnetic signal. Therefore, the die 200 does not have a built-in power source.

  When the die 200 is thrown, the surface that is in contact with the surface of the platform is read.

  Each of the six “antenna / memory unit” assemblies of the die 200 are separated by individual electromagnetic shielding plates 260a-260f (shielding plates 260e and 260f are not shown in the two figures) and the other five “antennas”. / Memory unit "assembly so that only the antenna on the hidden surface (ie the surface on the surface of the game platform) receives the signal sent from the game board. In addition, a signal transmitted from the memory unit to be coupled is not detected by another antenna. Thus, each electromagnetic shielding plate can include an “antenna / memory unit” assembly so that it has an electromagnetic opening only at the level of the die surface on which it is placed.

  The memory units on each side of the die 200 store different data from the memory units on the other side. Similarly, the present invention can provide a plurality of dice, and the memory units on each side of each die store different data than other memory units on the other side of the same die and other dice.

  Therefore, each surface has a unique identification means. In that case, the central processing unit can assign the signal sent from the memory unit 250a to the surface (ie, the opposite surface) of the die 200 incorporating the memory unit 250c, so that the memory unit 250a is in a signal transmission state. If this is the case, that is, if the surface to be joined is in contact with the game platform, the memory unit 250a will transmit data regarding the actual surface that was issued.

  Of course, the die 200 may be, for example, a six-numbered die identified by the number of points on each side or another type of die, but has normal markings on that side.

  As will be described later, the antennas (140, 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d) are configured to receive electromagnetic signals set by electromagnetic signal generation means and detection means provided in the electronic game platform, The platform is further equipped with a display device such as a liquid crystal.

  Thus, FIG. 3 is such a gaming platform 600 that includes a signal generation / sensing means that is electrically independent of each other and connected to the central processing unit and comprising a small winding array 700 of conductive material. Is shown schematically. These small wraps 700 are now generally contiguous and of similar size, forming a regular array that extends primarily in one plane. In this way, a checkerboard-like game platform is obtained, and a small winding array 700 forms a “grid” array. In that case, checker board line control means 800 and column control means 900 are provided to electrically connect each winding 700 independently to the central processing unit 1000 to which the control means 700 and 800 are connected. ing. Reading can be performed per se by conventional techniques using sequential addressing or scanning of line buses L1, L2, L3, etc. and column buses C1, C2, C3, etc.

  Each of these windings 700 thus produces an electrical signal that locally generates a corresponding electromagnetic signal that can be detected by the antenna of the gaming equipment (pawn 100, dice 200 or other type) disposed thereon. It can be received. The control signal can be transmitted continuously in each winding 700 so that only one winding is activated at a time, and in this way the control signal is transmitted in one line and one column. As a result, only one communication can be performed simultaneously between the game tool and the platform. Therefore, communication can be performed according to the principle of RFDC (Radio Frequency Data Collection). The excitation period of the winding 700 can be set to 1/2 second, for example.

  In that case, the antenna (140, 240a, 240b, 240c, 240d) of the game equipment (100, 200, etc.) catches the control signal of the winding 700 arranged below, and this is stored in the memory. Is transmitted to the memory unit (150, 250) in electrical form, which can then start reading and can start transmission of the electromagnetic signal coupled to the stored data from the memory unit, , And is caught by the winding 700 which has been de-energized.

  In fact, each turn 700 can further reproduce an electrical signal indicative of the value of the electromagnetic signal at that level. Therefore, when a game tool arranged on such a winding 700 transmits a signal (indicating data stored in the gaming tool), the winding 700 detects this and converts it into an electrical form. can do.

  The signal present in the winding 700 is received from the signal central processing unit 1000 via, for example, a line 800 and column 900 scan reading system as schematically shown in FIG. By reading the signal at each of the 600 points, the position and / or identification of the pawn facing the dice or other gaming equipment is derived from this signal. These data are then communicated to the game program running on the platform.

  According to the present invention, the position of the game tool can be determined by the cooperation of the winding array 700 and the electrical parts of the pawn 100, the die 200, or other game tools.

  In accordance with the present invention, the cooperation of such an array 700 of windings with the electrical parts of pawn 100, dice 200, or other gaming equipment, and the data stored by the pawn is unique to this pawn. If recognized by the central processing unit 1000, the pawn 100 can be identified.

  In accordance with the present invention, the cooperation of such an array of windings 700 and the electrical portion of one or more dies 200 allows identification of one (or more) surfaces that have been ejected, The data stored on each side of the die 200 is unique to this side and is recognized by the central processing unit 1000.

  In a particular configuration, the memory unit (150, 250) is configured to write data to be stored, and the winding 700 can transmit an electromagnetic signal that allows writing to the memory unit. In this way, personal data can be stored in the game tool by simply writing a protocol. As such, a number of alternative embodiments in later electronic games can be developed from offerings that indicate such writeability (modifiable personal data can actually be processed by the game software). Furthermore, these personal data can be reviewed according to the player's wishes, giving the gaming device according to the invention additional enjoyment.

  Next, the configurations of various embodiments of the game platform 600 according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.

  According to each of the three configurations, the game platform 600 includes a game board 300 on which a winding array 700 is screen printed. This screen printing is performed on the back side, that is, the side that is not on the side configured to receive gaming equipment (100, 200, etc.).

  Optionally, a flat display device 400, such as a liquid crystal or plasma, or a simple support of carton or plastic, connected to the central processing unit 1000, at least partially covers the back of the game board 300. The display device 400 can display a game image, for example. In order for the display device 400 to be visible to the player, the game board 300 needs to be made of a material that transmits at least two wavelengths of light transmitted (or reflected) by the display device 400. The screen-printed pattern 700 is also preferably made of a material that, in this case, transmits or semi-transmits at least these two wavelengths of light. Furthermore, fine screen printing is preferable.

  According to another configuration (not shown), for example, a liquid crystal or plasma screen type display device is not placed under the game board 300 but in a vertical position such that it is set on a side, eg, a flat surface. Provided. Further, the display device is connected to the central processing unit 1000.

  According to another configuration (not shown), no display device is provided.

  Referring to FIG. 4, which is a partial cross-sectional view of the game platform 600 according to the first configuration of the present invention, the game board 300 is made of glass or other transparent material, and the winding 700 is disposed on the entire game board 300. ing. The pawn is set directly on the game board 300.

  Referring to FIG. 5, which is a partial cross-sectional view of a game platform 600 according to the second configuration of the present invention, the game board 300 is made of glass or other transparent material, and the winding 700 is disposed on the entire game board 300. ing. The game platform 600 further includes a touch pad 500 made of a transparent material that covers at least a part of the front surface of the game board 300 here. The touch pad 500 can sense a contact made of a body having a predetermined physical property with a substantially flat free surface, such as a surface wave touch pad manufactured by ELO TouchSystems (registered trademark), for example. . The touch pad 500 serves as an interactive interface between the player and the game platform 600. In this case, the central processing unit 1000 can integrate these control information in the electronic game. The radio frequency for RF communication is selected so as not to interfere with the mechanical wave of the touch pad 500. Furthermore, it is preferable that the pawn 100, the die 200, or other game equipment to be used set on the touch pad 500 does not affect the result of touch control (finger movement exerted on the touch pad 500). For this reason, the material of the game tool is selected to be sufficiently hard so as not to generate a control signal on the touch pad 500. In the case of the pawn 100 used in the touch pad 500 having surface waves, the contact surface of the pawn 100 made of a material that does not absorb surface waves so that the pawn 100 cannot be detected by the touch pad 500, or in particular the pedestal 112. select. Therefore, Applicants have confirmed that the rigid plastic pawn 100 is undetectable by the touchpad 500 (as opposed to softer materials such as clay, rubber, or fingers).

  Referring to FIG. 6, which is a partial cross-sectional view of a game platform 600 according to the third configuration of the present invention, the game board 300 is a touch pad made of a transparent material, and the winding 700 is a lower surface of the touch pad 300. Is placed directly on. The touch pad 300 is substantially the same as the touch pad described above with reference to FIG. 5 except that the winding 700 is screen printed on the bottom surface. FIG. 6 further shows that the pawn 100 is on the turn 700, thereby showing a cooperative system of the pawn 100 and the turn 700.

  According to these two variants of the present invention (with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6), the platform 600 is characterized by two types of sensing on the same substrate: touch sensing on the top and electromagnetic (especially radio frequency) sensing on the bottom. It is in the combination with. In this way, the gaming device according to the present invention provides a new game perspective with additional variant embodiments.

  Referring to FIGS. 7a to 7d, the various positions of the pawn that are possible on the surface of the game platform are shown. These positions can be detected by the present invention.

  Referring to FIG. 7a, two pawns 101, 102 are arranged in two turns 701, 702, respectively. In that case, the position of the pawn is found by the central processing unit 1000 by recognizing the position of the windings 701, 702 in the winding array and reading the transmitted signal indicative of the data stored in the individual pawns. The pawns 101 and 102 are distinguishable from their own data transmitted to the central processing unit 1000.

  Referring to FIG. 7 b, the pawn 103 is disposed between the two turns 703 and 704. The pawn 103 responds to the inquiry of the two windings 703, 704, and the central processing unit 1000 can determine the position of the pawn at this exact position.

  Referring to FIG. 7c, the two pawns 104, 105 are located in the same turn 705 (the pawn 105 may also span between the turns 705 and 706). The winding 705 must be able to communicate information sent from the two pawns 104, 105 to the central processing unit 1000. For this reason, the signals sent from the two pawns 104 and 105 must be different to the extent that they do not interfere.

  Referring to FIG. 7 d, the pawn 106 is disposed across the four turns 707, 708, 709, 710. The pawn 106 responds to the inquiry of the four turns 707, 708, 709, 710, and the central processing unit 1000 then allows the pawn to be accurately located at this location.

  Therefore, the game device according to the present invention can detect and identify a game tool such as a pawn very accurately when placed on the platform.

  The advantage of this embodiment of the present invention is that the pawn, dice, or other gaming device is completely passive, does not require a built-in power supply, and maintains approximately the same appearance as a conventional game.

  In addition, such a contactless electromagnetic system allows the system to be placed directly above a liquid crystal, plasma, or other flat screen, and thus does not interfere with any screen display generated by the game program.

  The present invention has numerous applications in the field of game play.

  First, the present invention can specify the position of the pawn when the player manually moves the pawn. In games where there are multiple pawns on the board, each pawn stores different data so that the system can distinguish the position and movement of each pawn. For example, the present invention is applicable to checkers, chess and the like.

Secondly, as mentioned above, the present invention throws a real die, reads the throwing result directly and inputs it as input data to the running game program, so that the program incorporates several operations. Or allow / prohibit.
In this regard, young children (generally 3-5 years old) have not yet mastered the controls, especially the mouse, graphical board, light pen, and other educational software interfaces, and on the other hand, It can be confused by virtualizing the tools used in the game on the screen.

  Therefore, the present invention enables operation of 3D real equipment and software that can be easily operated by children so that the child does not need to switch their heads between real and virtual tools. Can be combined with educational offerings.

  Furthermore, the improvement of the present invention consists in providing a touch interface that allows an additional interface between the player and the electronic device, and the display device can display a grid that the player may press.

  Many variations and corrections can be made to the present invention.

  Thus, referring to FIG. 8, an alternative embodiment of the present invention is a game board made of a transparent material such as glass, a “touch” material, or possibly another material as described above that covers the display device 400. 3 includes a single turn 700 that surrounds the surface of the game board 300 for receiving one or more dice, rather than including the array 700 of turns as shown in FIG. This variant embodiment applies to games where it is not necessary to know the position of one or more dies on the platform 600. In fact, such a single turn 700 interrogates one or more dies that have been thrown to identify (via control means 800) the central processor 1000 the identification of the surface or faces that have been issued. Return information only. This game device is easier to implement and less expensive.

  Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another alternative embodiment of the game device according to the present invention is shown.

  The gaming device includes a platform 600 that is substantially the same as the platform described above with reference to FIG. 8, and as described above, the platform includes a touchpad.

  In particular, the various variant embodiments of the platform described with respect to FIGS. 5 and 6 can also be used in this variant embodiment according to the invention.

On the other hand, the touchpad and the central processing unit 1000, here, the central processing unit 1000 receives the touchpad signal and interprets it, from there,
The surface of the touchpad is in contact with a body having predetermined physical and / or mechanical properties, and
-Arranged and connected together so that which surface area is in contact can be derived.

  Therefore, the central processing unit 1000 can determine the position on the touch pad where the contact is set.

  Further, the central processing unit 1000 processes information sent from the winding 700 via the interface 800.

  Referring to FIG. 9, which is a longitudinal sectional view of the pawn 100 used in the game apparatus, the main body 110, a pedestal or bottom plate 112, a memory unit 150 (RFID module, etc.), and a control means 120 such as a push button. Including.

  The memory unit 150 may have a built-in antenna for transmission, or the pawn 100 may include a transmission and / or reception antenna (not shown in FIG. 9) that is substantially the same as in FIG. 1A.

  The memory unit 150 can be an electrically passive component, and is supplied with energy from the central processing unit 1000 via a winding 700 and an antenna, and the energy sent between the two members is electromagnetic energy. It is.

  Referring to FIG. 10, the pedestal 112 is coupled to the main body 110, and this whole is rotationally symmetric about the axis 1.

  The body 110 extends generally longitudinally relative to the pedestal 112 so as to define an upper portion of the pawn 100 and a lower portion of the pedestal 112.

  The pedestal 112 is configured to be installed on the game platform 600 at a position of the contact surface 114 substantially perpendicular to the axis 1.

  The pedestal 112 is advantageously made of a material that is not detectable by a mechanical wave touchpad, such as a rigid plastic.

  A cavity 119 that is rotationally symmetric about the axis 1 is configured to penetrate the body 110 and the pedestal 112, and the cavity 119 communicates from the pedestal 112 to the upper end of the body 110 at the position of the support surface 114 of the cavity. .

  Advantageously, the cavity 119 consists of three continuous cavity portions (upper cavity 119 ′, middle cavity 119 ″, lower cavity 119 ′ ″), each of which is substantially cylindrical and whose individual average cross-section is continuously larger. Composed. As such, the upper end of the intermediate cavity 119 ″ ″ is bounded by an annular surface 117 that extends from the lower end of the upper cavity 119 ′.

  Referring to FIG. 9, the intermediate piece 116 is housed in the bottom of the lower cavity 119 ″ ″. This intermediate piece 116 is perforated extending along axis 1 selected to have a much smaller cross-section than intermediate cavity 119 ″.

  In this way, the part 116 partially closes the lower end of the intermediate cavity 119 ″ by an annular surface 118 centered on the end of the hole.

  The pawn 100 further includes a push button type control means 120 including a head 121 and a support leg 113 at both ends, and a shaft 122 extends between the both ends in the longitudinal direction with respect to the axis 1.

  The shaft 122 of the control means 120 is a lower cavity in which the head 121 is positioned outside the main body 110 and the support leg 113 is provided on the pedestal 112 so that translational movement along the axis 1 is possible. The body 110, the body 112, and the part 116 are penetrated at the position of the provided cavity 119 and hole so as to be arranged at 119 ′ ″.

  For example, the elastic means 123 such as a spring is disposed between the head 121 and the upper end of the main body 110, so that the elastic means 123 is positioned above the control means 120 where the support leg 113 does not contact the contact surface 114. , It is defined by the equilibrium position.

  On the other hand, when the pawn 100 is set on the touch pad and the user presses the head 121 of the control means 120, the support leg 113 comes into contact with the touch pad.

  For this reason, a material that forms at least the lower portion of the support leg 113 is selected to be sufficiently flexible so that the contact point set with the touch pad can be detected by the touch pad when the control unit 120 is operated.

  For example, a material such as rubber that can be easily detected by a touch pad having a mechanical wave can be selected.

  This material can be bonded to the shaft 122, for example, by gluing. For this purpose, the shaft includes a distal end 124 to which a support leg 113 is coupled.

  A portion of the intermediate piece 116 can be further configured to releasably receive the distal end 124 when the control means 120 is in the upper position.

  On the other hand, the shaft 122 of the control means 120 includes an intermediate portion 122 '' that is received in an intermediate cavity 119 '' having a larger cross section than the other two end portions 122 ′, 122 ′ ″ of the shaft (at the end). The shaft portion is at least partially housed in an upper cavity 119 ′ and a lower cavity 119 ″, respectively.

  In this manner, the lower end 152 and upper end 153 of the shaft intermediate portion 122 "extend along the annular surfaces 152, 153, respectively, from the upper end and the lower end of the shaft end portion 122 ', 122"', respectively.

  Further, the length of the intermediate portion 122 "is shorter than the height of the intermediate cavity 119".

  Also, since the cross section of the intermediate portion 122 '' is larger than the cross section of the lower cavity 119 'and larger than the cross section of the hole through the intermediate part 116, when the control means 120 is translated, the surfaces 152, 153 are Each of the surfaces 118 and 117 can be supported.

  Surface 152 is coated with a conductive material that extends at least partially protruding between closed contacts 151 on surface 118.

  In addition, the pedestal 112 or the intermediate part 116 includes a memory unit 150 in which data such as pawn identification data or other data is stored, and an electrical closing contact 151 in electrical connection with a portion different from the memory unit 150. Therefore, the memory unit cannot transmit an electromagnetic signal unless these contacts 151 are electrically connected.

  These closing contacts 151 are arranged on the surface 118 near the axis 1.

  Also, the closing contact 151 can be point-shaped, or can form a ring centered on the axis 1, for example.

  Therefore, when a force is applied to the control means 120, the electrical material covering the surface 152 contacts the closed contact 151 to close the circuit of the memory unit 150 and preserves it from the memory unit (or the coupled antenna). The transmission of electromagnetic signals indicating data is performed.

As a result, when the player activates the control means 120, the control means
-In contact with the touchpad, the central processing unit 1000 allows the game platform 600 to locate the pawn;
Start transmitting an electromagnetic signal to the winding 700 indicating the data relating to the pawn, which sends it (via the interface 800) to the central processing unit 1000;

  These various pieces of information (data regarding pawns and pawns) are then incorporated as data in a running electronic game managed by the central processing unit 1000.

1 is an elevational view of a pawn for an electronic game according to the present invention with the pawn's electrical elements visible. 1b is a top view of the pawn of FIG. It is sectional drawing by the symmetrical surface of the dice | dies for electronic games which can see the electric element of a pawn through four of six faces of a die. 2b is a front view of the die according to FIG. 2a, with the electrical elements of the pawn incorporated below the illustrated face of the die visible. FIG. 3 shows an array of windings of the present invention included in a game platform according to the present invention. 1 shows a first game platform according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 3 shows a second game platform according to the present invention. FIG. 6 shows a third game platform according to the present invention. It is a figure which shows each various arrangement | positioning structure of the pawn on a game platform. It is a figure which shows each various arrangement | positioning structure of the pawn on a game platform. It is a figure which shows each various arrangement | positioning structure of the pawn on a game platform. It is a figure which shows each various arrangement | positioning structure of the pawn on a game platform. FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment of a platform according to the invention for receiving a die-type gaming device. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the pawn type game tool by another modified embodiment of the game device by this invention. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view which shows a part of game tool by FIG.

Claims (46)

A game board (300) in which at least part of the area includes a means for detecting electromagnetic signals;
A die (including a memory unit (150, 250a) capable of being brought into contact with the game board (300) or guided to the vicinity of the game board and capable of storing data, and means for transmitting electromagnetic signals ( 200) or pawn (100) and the like, and
A central processing unit (1000) for data capable of executing electronic games;
-Control means (700, 120),
The control means (700, 120) reads the stored data and indicates the read data so that the data is received by the detection means (700) and then sent to the central processing unit (1000). A game device capable of starting transmission by the electromagnetic signal transmission means,
The game device further includes a touchpad (500) that at least partially covers one side of the game board (300), the touchpad (500) being a generally flat free of body having predetermined mechanical properties. A contact with the surface can be sensed to generate a signal relating to the contact made on the surface, which is sent to the central processing unit (1000), which causes the central processing unit from the touch pad (500). The apparatus characterized in that the received signal and the signal received from the detecting means (700) can be integrated as the electronic game data being executed.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the detection unit includes at least one winding made of a conductive material.   The game apparatus according to claim 2, wherein one (or a plurality of) windings are screen-printed on a back surface of the game board.   The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a substantially flat display device (400) that is at least partially covered by a back surface of the game board.   The portion of the game plate that covers the display device transmits at least two wavelengths of light, and the detection means is made of a material that transmits or semi-transmits these two wavelengths of light. Item 5. A game device according to Item 4.   The game device according to claim 5, wherein the game board is made of glass or the like.   The game device according to claim 1, wherein the game board is a touch pad.   The game device according to claim 7, wherein the touch pad has a surface wave.   The control means is an electromagnetic control signal generation means (700), and the generation means and the detection means are the same means arranged in at least part of the area of the game board (300), The tool includes at least one antenna (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) capable of receiving a control signal, and the central processing unit (1000) is connected to the antenna and receives the control signal received from the antenna. The game device according to claim 1, wherein transmission can be performed based on reception.   10. The game board device according to claim 9, wherein the memory unit is an electrically passive component, and the antenna further enables energy transfer to the memory unit.   The memory unit is configured to write data to be stored therein, and the generation / detection means is capable of transmitting an electromagnetic signal that enables writing to the memory unit. The game device according to 9 or 10.   The game according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein each game tool is configured to be set directly on a touch pad and is not detected by the touch pad when set. apparatus.   The game device according to claim 12, wherein a surface on which each game tool comes into contact with the touch pad is made of a material such as a rigid plastic that is sufficiently hard so that it cannot be detected by the touch pad.   The game device according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the game tool is a pawn type, and the memory unit can store identification data of the pawn.   15. The game apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the memory unit is capable of storing a touch pad data type such as personal data.   The game tool is a die type and has a plurality of surfaces, and the game tool includes an antenna and a memory unit connected to the antenna in the vicinity of each surface. 14. The game device according to any one of 13.   Data including a plurality of game tools of the above-mentioned die type, in which the memory unit of each surface of each die is different from the data stored on the other surface of the same die and the data stored on the other surface of the other die The game device according to claim 16, wherein the game device is stored.   The game device according to claim 16 or 17, wherein the generation / detection means comprises a single winding surrounding a surface of a game board capable of receiving a die-type game tool.   The generating / sensing means is formed from an array of substantially adjacent windings that can independently transmit electromagnetic signals to the game equipment disposed thereon and receive signals sent from the memory unit from the game equipment. The game device according to claim 9, wherein the game device is characterized in that   20. A game device according to claim 19, wherein the central processing unit (1000) is capable of supplying each turn in succession for a short moment and reading the signal received by the turn.   21. A game according to claim 19 or 20 in combination with claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the central processing unit (1000) can then derive the position of the pawn according to the position of the winding that received the signal. apparatus. The central processing unit (1000)
-Deriving the position of the pawn according to the position of the winding that received the signal,
21. A game device according to claim 19 or 20, in combination with claim 15, characterized in that the pawn can be identified from the received signal.   The central processing unit (1000) can then derive the position of the pawn according to the position of multiple turns that received the same signal, in which case the pawn spans these various turns The game device according to any one of claims 21 to 22, wherein the game device is characterized in that:   24. The central processing unit (1000) is capable of deriving the position of a plurality of pawns arranged in the same winding, each pawn having their own stored data. The game device according to any one of the above.   21. A game device according to claim 19 or 20 in combination with claims 16 and 17, characterized in that the central processing unit (1000) is capable of guiding a die exit surface.   The control means (120) is mounted on each game device, is manually operable, and is arranged with a memory unit so as to start transmission of the electromagnetic signal when activated. The game device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.   The memory unit is an electrically passive component, the processing device is further capable of supplying energy to the sensing means, the transmitting means is further capable of receiving electromagnetic energy sensing means, and the energy 27. The game device according to claim 26, wherein the game device is an antenna capable of supplying the memory unit as electricity and supplying the memory unit.   28. A game according to any one of claims 26 to 27, characterized in that each game tool is set directly on the touch pad and can be detected by the touch pad when the control means is activated. apparatus. 29. The control means according to claim 28, characterized in that the control means is coupled to a support means made of a sufficiently flexible material such as rubber so that it can be detected by a touchpad when the control means is activated. Game device.   30. The game apparatus according to claim 26, wherein the game tool is a pawn type, and the memory unit is capable of storing pawn identification data.   The game device according to claim 30, wherein the memory unit is capable of storing other types of data such as personal data.   The game device according to any one of claims 26 to 31, wherein the detection means is formed from a single winding surrounding the surface of the game board.   33. A game device according to any one of claims 26 to 32, wherein the central processing unit (1000) is capable of deriving a position of a game tool in response to a signal received from a touchpad.   A game tool such as a pawn (100) that can be brought into contact with or led to the game platform (600), the game tool storing and reading data, and electromagnetic signals indicating these data A memory unit (150, 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d) capable of being transmitted to the transmission means, and a manually operable control means arranged with the memory unit to start transmission of the electromagnetic signal when activated. Game equipment characterized by including.   The control means further includes support means supported on the platform when the control means is activated, the support means having a contact point set with the platform by the actuated control means (120) to the platform (600). 35. A gaming device according to claim 34, characterized in that it is made of a material that is sufficiently flexible so that it can be detected by an integrated touchpad.   36. A game tool according to claim 35, wherein the flexible material is rubber.   A gaming device, such as a die (200) or pawn (100), that can be brought into contact with or directed to the gaming platform (600), the gaming device being capable of receiving control signals from the platform At least one antenna (140, 140a, 140b, 140c, 140d) is connected to each antenna and can store and read data. When receiving a control signal, it is used as an electromagnetic signal transmitting means indicating these data. A gaming device comprising a memory unit (150, 150a, 150b, 150c, 150d) configured to transmit data and be received by the same generation / detection means (700).   38. The game device according to claim 37, wherein the game device is configured so that it cannot be detected by a touch pad whose surface senses contact of a main body having flexibility close to a finger when set.   39. The game tool according to claim 38, wherein a contact surface between each game tool and the touch pad is made of a material such as rigid plastic that is sufficiently hard so that it cannot be detected by the touch pad.   40. Any of claims 37 to 39, wherein the memory unit is an electrically passive component and the antenna is further configured to allow energy transfer to the memory unit. The game tool according to one item.   41. The game device according to any one of claims 37 to 40, wherein the memory unit is configured to write saved data.   42. The die type according to any one of claims 37 to 41, wherein the die type has a plurality of surfaces, and includes an antenna and a memory unit connected to the antenna in the vicinity of each surface. Game tools.   43. The game tool according to claim 42, wherein the data stored in the one-side memory unit is data for identifying the opposite side.   Each side of the game equipment further includes an electromagnetic shielding plate (160a, 160b, 150c, 160d) for each “antenna-memory unit” assembly on each side, each shielding plate electromagnetically protecting the protective assembly from the other assembly. 44. The game device according to claim 42, wherein the game device is configured to be insulated from the game device.   44. The game tool according to any one of claims 39 to 43, wherein the game tool is a pawn type, and the memory unit is capable of storing pawn identification data.   46. A gaming device according to claim 45, wherein the memory unit is capable of storing other types of data such as personal data.

Images