US20120032394A1 - Electronic game piece - Google Patents

Electronic game piece Download PDF

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Publication number
US20120032394A1
US20120032394A1 US12/851,153 US85115310A US2012032394A1 US 20120032394 A1 US20120032394 A1 US 20120032394A1 US 85115310 A US85115310 A US 85115310A US 2012032394 A1 US2012032394 A1 US 2012032394A1
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
game piece
electronic game
proximity
major surface
pieces
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/851,153
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English (en)
Inventor
Jonathan E. Levine
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Lancer and Loader Group LLC
Original Assignee
Levine Jonathan E
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Levine Jonathan E filed Critical Levine Jonathan E
Priority to US12/851,153 priority Critical patent/US20120032394A1/en
Priority to AU2011285491A priority patent/AU2011285491A1/en
Priority to EP11815405.3A priority patent/EP2600952A4/fr
Priority to KR1020137005729A priority patent/KR20140016231A/ko
Priority to PCT/US2011/046859 priority patent/WO2012019166A2/fr
Priority to CA2807549A priority patent/CA2807549A1/fr
Priority to US13/204,581 priority patent/US20120032395A1/en
Publication of US20120032394A1 publication Critical patent/US20120032394A1/en
Priority to US13/763,672 priority patent/US20130225280A1/en
Assigned to LANCER & LOADER GROUP, LLC reassignment LANCER & LOADER GROUP, LLC ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LEVINE, JONATHAN E.
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/042—Mechanical, electrical, optical, pneumatic or hydraulic arrangements; Motors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F11/00—Game accessories of general use, e.g. score counters, boxes
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00—Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/00003—Types of board games
    • A63F3/00157—Casino or betting games
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/0073—Games for obtaining a particular arrangement of playing pieces in a plane or space
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
    • A63F9/0612—Electronic puzzles
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
    • A63F9/12—Three-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
    • A63F9/1208—Connections between puzzle elements
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63H—TOYS, e.g. TOPS, DOLLS, HOOPS OR BUILDING BLOCKS
    • A63H33/00—Other toys
    • A63H33/04—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts
    • A63H33/06—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements
    • A63H33/08—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails
    • A63H33/086—Building blocks, strips, or similar building parts to be assembled without the use of additional elements provided with complementary holes, grooves, or protuberances, e.g. dovetails with primary projections fitting by friction in complementary spaces between secondary projections, e.g. sidewalls
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/06—Patience; Other games for self-amusement
    • A63F9/10—Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles
    • A63F2009/1061—Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles with electric features, e.g. light, wires
    • A63F2009/1066—Two-dimensional jig-saw puzzles with electric features, e.g. light, wires completing a circuit if solved correctly
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2401—Detail of input, input devices
    • A63F2009/2436—Characteristics of the input
    • A63F2009/2442—Sensors or detectors
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63—SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63F—CARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00—Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24—Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for
    • A63F2009/2448—Output devices
    • A63F2009/245—Output devices visual
    • A63F2009/2451—Output devices visual using illumination, e.g. with lamps
    • A63F2009/2454—Output devices visual using illumination, e.g. with lamps with LED

Definitions

  • This disclosure concerns electronic game pieces, such as electronic game pieces that light up in certain arrangements, as well as sets of electronic game pieces and methods of using electronic game pieces.
  • Sweepstakes, games, and puzzles often involve the use of individual, interrelated pieces.
  • individual game pieces are distributed and used in conjunction with a game board. Participants in the sweepstakes collect the individual game pieces with the goal of forming a set, such as a set corresponding to indicia on the game board.
  • puzzles used primarily for amusement individual pieces often are arranged relative to one another in order to solve the puzzle.
  • solving a traditional jigsaw puzzle involves arranging differently shaped puzzle pieces until they fit together to form an image.
  • innovative game pieces can be useful in these and other contexts.
  • Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. Activation of the proximity sensor can cause the light to illuminate.
  • the proximity sensor can be a switch positioned in a circuit between the light and a battery.
  • the electronic game piece can be configured to light up when arranged with other electronic game pieces.
  • the proximity sensor for example, can be configured to be activated by a proximity-sensor target substantially identical to the proximity-sensor target of the electronic game piece, but separate from the electronic game piece.
  • the proximity-sensor target is magnetic and the proximity sensor can be activated by a magnetic field.
  • the light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within an internal portion of the electronic game piece, such as an internal portion that cannot be accessed without breaking the electronic game piece.
  • the proximity sensor or the proximity-sensor target is positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a top wall, the opposite side of which is a top major surface of the electronic game piece.
  • the other of the proximity-sensor or the proximity-sensor target can be positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a bottom wall, the opposite side of which is a bottom major surface of the electronic game piece.
  • the top and bottom major surfaces can have perimeters of substantially the same shape (e.g., substantially circular or substantially shaped as polygons having three or more sides of substantially the same length).
  • the light in some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece is visible on, a portion of a side surface extending between the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece.
  • the light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within the electronic game piece at three different radial positions, all of which are closer to the side surface than to a center axis substantially centered on and perpendicular to the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece.
  • a substantially circular pattern of alternating recesses and protrusions can be included on the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. These alternating recesses and protrusions can, for example, be used to facilitate physical interlocking between the electronic game piece and separate electronic game pieces.
  • Embodiments of the disclosed set of electronic game pieces can include first and second electronic game pieces, such as first and second electronic game pieces having substantially the same overall shape.
  • Each of the first and second electronic game pieces can include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target.
  • the first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate.
  • the first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate and, simultaneously, the proximity-sensor target of the second electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the first electronic game piece causing the light of the first electronic game piece to illuminate.
  • the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece only activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece when the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece is substantially aligned with the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece.
  • a top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and interlocking with a bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece.
  • the top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and not interlocking with the bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece.
  • side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned with each other.
  • the side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be exposed. The lights of the first and second electronic game pieces, when illuminated, can be visible on portions of the side surfaces.
  • the method can include arranging three or more electronic game pieces in a first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement. Simultaneous illumination of the lights on the electronic game pieces can represent a winning arrangement. If the lights on the electronic game pieces are not simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement, the method also can include arranging the electronic game pieces in a second stacked arrangement different than the first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the second stacked arrangement.
  • Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement can include positioning the electronic game pieces such that a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces.
  • Side surfaces of the electronic game pieces can be exposed in the first stacked arrangement.
  • the lights on the electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned on portions of the side surfaces of the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement.
  • Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement also can include physically interlocking a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces with a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece with a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece, as viewed from the top and one side.
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 4 is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 5 is a back profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 6 is a first side profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 7 is a second side profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 8A is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 8B is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 .
  • FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a light, a proximity sensor, batteries, and associated electrical connections of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the proximity sensor not activated and the light off, as viewed from the top and one side.
  • FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a light, a proximity sensor, batteries, and associated electrical connections of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the proximity sensor activated and the light on, as viewed from the top and one side.
  • FIG. 10A is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of a second embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece.
  • FIG. 10B is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 10A .
  • FIG. 11A is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of a third embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece.
  • FIG. 11B is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 11A .
  • FIG. 12 is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11B stacked such that the lights of all three electronic game piece embodiments are aligned and illuminated.
  • FIG. 13 is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11B positioned in a first electronic game piece holder embodiment and stacked such that the lights of all three electronic game piece embodiments are aligned, illuminated, and visible through a single vertical opening in the first electronic game piece holder embodiment.
  • FIG. 14 is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A-11B positioned in a second electronic game piece holder embodiment and stacked such that the lights of the three electronic game piece embodiments are not aligned, not illuminated, and positioned behind separate openings in the second electronic game piece holder embodiment.
  • Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are well suited for use in promotional games, such as sweepstakes, in which the electronic game piece is given away for promotional purposes.
  • Multiple electronic game pieces can be collected and grouped to create sets, which can be intrinsically desirable or exchangeable for a prize.
  • the electronic game pieces can be given away to the first customers at a new retail location, to customers who purchase certain items, to trade show attendees, or to individuals in any other scenario in which the prospect of receiving an electronic game piece serves a promotional purpose.
  • the electronic game pieces also can be purchased or traded.
  • Separate electronic game pieces can differ from one another in the quantity and/or arrangement of internal proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets.
  • the proximity-sensor target of one electronic game piece can activate the proximity sensor of a separate electronic game piece when the two are aligned. Activating a proximity sensor can cause a light to illuminate on the electronic game piece including the proximity sensor. Aligning multiple proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets can cause lights on multiple electronic game pieces to illuminate. In this way, multiple electronic game pieces can be arranged and rearranged as a puzzle to determine an arrangement in which all of the lights are illuminated.
  • a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned and simultaneously illuminated. This occurs, for example, when each of the electronic game pieces in the stack includes a proximity sensor activated by a proximity-sensor target of an adjacent electronic game piece in the stack.
  • a certain number of electronic game pieces e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number
  • Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be made to include no visible indication of their internal configuration.
  • the primary way to determine their internal configuration can be to test how the electronic game piece interacts with other electronic game pieces.
  • Some electronic game piece configurations can be less common than others. Controlling the availability of certain critical electronic game piece configurations can allow for control over the probability of obtaining a set of electronic game pieces capable of arrangement into a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated. This control is particularly useful when the electronic game pieces are used in a sweepstakes and a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated is exchangeable for a prize.
  • Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece also can be sold in sets as puzzles for amusement, in which case at least one of each electronic game piece configuration required to complete the puzzle can be included.
  • embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be designed to prevent tampering.
  • the electronic game piece can be sealed such that accessing an internal portion of the electronic game piece is only possible by breaking the electronic game piece.
  • Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are encased in a hard-plastic, tamper-evident shell. Tampering also can be prevented with the use of an identifier on the electronic game piece, such as a serial number and/or an RFID tag.
  • the internal configuration corresponding to each identifier can be recorded prior to distribution of the electronic game pieces for reference when a winning set of electronic game pieces is redeemed.
  • FIGS. 1-7 illustrate the external appearance of one embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece.
  • the electronic game piece 100 is shaped substantially as a short cylinder.
  • Other embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can have different shapes.
  • some disclosed embodiments are shaped as triangular prisms, cuboids, pentagonal prisms, hexagonal prisms, or octagonal prisms.
  • the top major surface 102 (as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the bottom major surface 104 (as shown, for example, in FIG. 3 ) are generally flat, round, and parallel with one another.
  • a side surface 106 joins the perimeter of the top major surface 102 and the perimeter of the bottom major surface 104 .
  • a window 108 is positioned in a portion of the side surface 106 .
  • the window 108 is made of clear plastic.
  • Other embodiments can have windows made of glass or another substantially optically transmissive material.
  • Opaque portions of the electronic game piece 100 are also made of plastic.
  • the opaque portions can be made of metal, resin composite, or another material with suitable strength characteristics.
  • recesses 110 and protrusions 112 are radially distributed around center portions 114 of the top major surface 102 and the bottom major surface 104 .
  • recesses 110 on the top major surface 102 there is a corresponding protrusion 112 on the bottom major surface 104 at the same radial position around the center portion 114 .
  • protrusion 112 on the top major surface 102 there is a corresponding recess 110 on the bottom major surface 104 at the same radial position around the center portion 114 .
  • the recesses 110 and protrusions 112 allow for an interlocking relationship between the top and bottom major surfaces of separate electronic game pieces having the same external configuration.
  • two electronic game pieces identical to the electronic game piece 100 can be stacked such that a bottom major surface of one of the electronic game pieces interlocks with a top major surface of the other electronic game piece.
  • each protrusion and recess on the bottom major surface of one of the electronic game pieces fits within or around a recess or protrusion, respectively, on the top major surface of the other electronic game piece.
  • two identical electronic game pieces can be rotated relative to one another and interlocked in one of eight rotational configurations.
  • the number of possible interlocking rotational configurations can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing, respectively, the number of alternating recesses and protrusions.
  • the center portions 114 of the top and bottom major surfaces 102 , 104 of the electronic game piece 100 are flat and slightly recessed.
  • text and/or images are affixed (e.g., printed or attached with a sticker) to one or both of the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces.
  • the text and/or images can be promotional or decorative. Text and/or images also can be affixed to other portions of the electronic game piece, such as around the side surface.
  • a corporate logo is affixed to the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces and a text trademark is affixed around the side surface of the electronic game piece.
  • FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate the configuration of internal components within the electronic game piece 100 shown in FIGS. 1-7 .
  • FIG. 8A shows the inside of a top portion 116 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • FIG. 8B shows the inside of a bottom portion 118 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • a seam 120 separates the top portion 116 and the bottom portion 118 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • the top portion and the bottom portion can be sealed together so that no visible seam remains (e.g., the top portion and the bottom portion can be fused with heat).
  • a top magnet 122 is attached to the underside of a top wall 124 .
  • the side of the top wall 124 opposite to the underside is the top major surface 102 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • a bottom magnet 126 is attached to the topside of a bottom wall 128 .
  • the side of the bottom wall 128 opposite to the topside is the bottom major surface 104 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • the topside of the bottom wall 128 includes a light 130 , a proximity sensor 132 , and a battery compartment 134 housing a battery stack 136 .
  • the battery stack 136 includes two button-cell batteries arranged in series. Other embodiments can include different power supply configurations. Embodiments powered by batteries can include any number, type, and arrangement of batteries, such as one button-cell battery, one AAA battery, or two AAA batteries arranged in parallel or in series.
  • the topside of the bottom wall includes seven proximity-sensor bays 138 radially distributed around the battery compartment 134 .
  • a first support wall 140 and a second support wall 142 create the sides of each of the proximity-sensor bays 138 .
  • Pegs 144 extend vertically from the first and second support walls 140 , 142 .
  • Struts 146 provide additional rigidity to the first and second support walls 140 , 142 and the pegs 144 .
  • FIG. 8B only the rightmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays 138 and its corresponding first and second support walls 140 , 142 , pegs 144 , and struts 146 are labeled with reference numbers. As show in FIG.
  • the proximity sensor 132 is positioned in the proximity-sensor bay 138 closest to the light 130 in a clockwise radial direction when viewed from above.
  • the pegs 144 of the first and second support walls 140 , 142 of this proximity-sensor bay 138 fit with in peg holes 148 on either side of the proximity sensor 132 to hold the proximity sensor in place.
  • Other embodiments can include different structures to hold the proximity sensors in certain radial positions or no such structures.
  • Embodiments including structures to hold the proximity sensors in certain radial positions can include different numbers of such structures. For example, some embodiments include three, four, five, six, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or a different number of proximity-sensor bays.
  • the light 130 is a LED 150 .
  • Other embodiments can include a different type of light, such as an incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, xenon, neon, or another commercially-available type of light. LEDs are particularly well suited for use in embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece due to their compact size, low power demand, low heat output, long life, and high durability.
  • the LED 150 of the electronic game piece 100 is blue. Instead of a blue LED, other embodiments can include a LED of another color, such as white, red, orange, yellow, or green.
  • the LED 150 is positioned behind the window 108 .
  • the window 108 is frosted such that light from the LED 150 is visible through the window when the LED is illuminated, but the structure of the LED is not visible through the window when the LED is not illuminated.
  • the window 108 includes support flanges 152 on each side. The support flanges 152 hold the window 108 in place between the surrounding side wall 154 and two window support tabs 156 attached to the topside of the bottom wall 128 .
  • the light 130 , proximity sensor 132 , battery stack 136 , and associated electrical connections are shown in greater detail in FIGS. 9A-9B .
  • the light 130 and the battery compartment 134 are supported on a plate 158 made of insulating plastic.
  • the LED 150 includes a first terminal 160 and a second terminal 162 .
  • the first terminal 160 of the LED 150 is connected to a first terminal (not shown) of the battery stack 136 via a contact strip 164 electrically isolated on the plate 158 .
  • the second terminal 162 of the LED 150 is soldered to one end of a first wire 166 .
  • the other end of the first wire 166 is connected to a contact plate 168 of the proximity sensor 132 .
  • the proximity sensor 132 also includes a spring 170 , an upper spring compartment 172 , and a lower spring compartment 174 .
  • the spring 170 is positioned in the upper spring compartment 172 .
  • a second wire 176 extends from the back of the proximity sensor 132 .
  • One end of the second wire 176 is connected to a back end of the spring 170 .
  • the other end of the second wire 176 is connected to a main housing 178 of the battery compartment 134 .
  • the main housing 178 of the battery compartment 134 is electrically connected to a second terminal (not shown) of the battery stack 136 with a contact tab 180 .
  • FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate operation of the proximity sensor 132 .
  • the spring 170 is in its resting position separated from the contact plate 168 .
  • the magnetic field of the magnet moves the spring 170 into the position shown in FIG. 9B .
  • the magnet serves as a proximity-sensor target.
  • the front end of the spring 170 is stretched upward into contact with the contact plate 168 . This completes the circuit between the light 130 and the battery stack 136 , thereby causing the light to illuminate.
  • the spring 170 When the magnet of the separate electronic game piece is moved away from the proximity sensor 132 , the spring 170 is no longer affected by the magnetic field of the magnet and resiliently returns to its resting position separated from the contact plate 168 , thereby causing the circuit to be broken and the light 130 to turn off.
  • the U-shape of the upper spring compartment 172 restricts movement of the spring 170 so that the spring only moves into contact with the contact plate 168 if a magnet is in substantial alignment with the proximity sensor 132 . This increases the selectivity of the proximity sensor 132 according to the specific position of the separate electronic game piece.
  • FIGS. 10A-10B illustrate the internal components of a second embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece.
  • the first digit of each reference number shown in FIGS. 10A-10B is “2.”
  • the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in FIGS. 10A-10B are identical to the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in FIGS. 1-9B for similar or identical elements.
  • FIG. 10B only the leftmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays 238 and its corresponding first and second support walls 240 , 242 , pegs 244 , and struts 246 are labeled with reference numbers.
  • the external portions of the electronic game piece 200 shown in FIGS. 10A-10B are the same as the external portions of the electronic game piece 100 shown in FIGS.
  • the electronic game piece 200 includes a top magnet 222 , a bottom magnet 226 , and a proximity sensor 232 similar to the top magnet 122 , the bottom magnet 126 , and the proximity sensor 132 of the electronic game piece 100 , but at different radial positions.
  • FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate the internal components of a third embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece.
  • the first digit of each reference number shown in FIGS. 11A-11B is “3.”
  • the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in FIGS. 11A-11B are identical to the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in FIGS. 1-9B for similar or identical elements.
  • FIG. 11B only the leftmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays 338 and its corresponding first and second support walls 340 , 342 , pegs 344 , and struts 346 are labeled with reference numbers.
  • the external portions of the electronic game piece 300 shown in FIGS. 11A-11B are the same as the external portions of the electronic game piece 100 shown in FIGS.
  • the electronic game piece 300 includes no top magnet attached to the underside of the top wall 324 . As shown in FIG. 11B , the electronic game piece 300 includes a bottom magnet 326 and a proximity sensor 332 similar to the bottom magnet 126 and the proximity sensor 132 of the electronic game piece 100 , but at different radial positions.
  • the proximity sensor 332 of the electronic game piece 300 also has a different configuration than the proximity sensor 132 of the electronic game piece 100 .
  • the proximity sensor 132 is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned above the proximity sensor.
  • the proximity sensor 332 is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned below the proximity sensor.
  • the spring (not shown) is positioned in the lower spring compartment (not shown) and the contact plate 368 wraps around the bottom of the lower spring compartment. Similar to the configuration shown in FIGS. 9A-9B , the spring in the alternative configuration is separated from the contact plate 368 when at rest and moves into contact with the contact plate when influenced by the magnetic field of a magnet of a separate electronic game piece positioned in close proximity and below the proximity sensor 332 .
  • the proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets shown and described are exemplary only. Other embodiments can include different components to detect and trigger each other based on physical proximity. In embodiments that include magnets, a variety of types of magnets can be used.
  • the top magnets 122 , 222 , 322 and bottom magnets 126 , 226 , 326 of the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are all cylindrical, neodymium magnets.
  • Other embodiments can include, for example, another type of permanent magnet (e.g., ceramic or another type of rare-earth magnet) having the same or a different shape (e.g., cuboid).
  • Other embodiments also can include temporary magnets. For example, these embodiments can include an electromagnet activated when a switch is triggered, such as by physical interaction with a separate electronic game piece.
  • the radial positions of the top magnets 122 , 222 , 322 , bottom magnets 126 , 226 , 326 , and proximity sensors 132 , 232 , 332 of the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 determine how the electronic game pieces interact with each other. As shown in FIG. 12 , when stacked with the electronic game piece 100 on the bottom, the electronic game piece 200 in the middle, the electronic game piece 300 on the top, and the lights 130 , 230 , 330 aligned, the lights are all simultaneously illuminated.
  • the bottom magnet 226 of the electronic game piece 200 activates the proximity sensor 132 of the electronic game piece 100
  • the bottom magnet 326 of the electronic game piece 300 activates the proximity sensor 232 of the electronic game piece 200
  • the top magnet 222 of the electronic game piece 200 activates the proximity sensor 332 of the electronic game piece 300 .
  • the interactivity of the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 is exemplary only of the possible interactivity of disclosed embodiments of sets of electronic game pieces. Depending primarily on the number of electronic game pieces in a set, the number of proximity sensor and proximity-sensor target positions within each electronic game piece, and the number of proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets within each electronic game piece, dozens, hundreds, thousands, or millions of different sets can be created.
  • Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity sensors, one proximity sensor (e.g., the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 ), two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity sensors.
  • embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity-sensor targets, one proximity-sensor target (e.g., the electronic game piece 300 ), two proximity-sensor targets (e.g., the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 ), three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity-sensor targets.
  • Multiple proximity sensors can be electrically connected in parallel, such that activation of any one of the proximity sensors activates the light of the electronic game piece, or in series, such that activation of all of the proximity sensors is required to activate the light of the electronic game piece.
  • disclosed embodiments of sets of electronic game pieces can be configured such that some or all of the electronic game pieces in the set can be positioned in a winning arrangement. Different electronic game pieces also can be distributed for amusement with no predetermined winning arrangement.
  • a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces can be one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned (or not aligned) and simultaneously illuminated.
  • An electronic game piece holder can be included to hold the stacks of electronic game pieces such that the lights are visible.
  • the electronic game piece holder can include aligned windows or openings through which the lights of electronic game pieces within the electronic game piece holder are visible. If the winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces are stacked with the lights not aligned and simultaneously illuminated, the electronic game piece holder can include openings at different radial positions with each opening corresponding to the radial position of an illuminated light in a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces. Holders with different patterns of openings can be provided in conjunction with sets of electronic game pieces. When used in a sweepstakes, the different holders can be exchangeable for different prizes when completed.
  • FIGS. 13 and 14 illustrate the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 within two different types of electronic game piece holders.
  • the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are positioned within a first electronic game piece holder 400 having a vertical opening 402 through which the windows 108 , 208 , 308 of the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are visible when the windows are aligned.
  • the lights 130 , 230 , 330 are shown illuminated in FIG. 13 because the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are configured such that the lights are illuminated when positioned as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • FIG. 13 the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are configured such that the lights are illuminated when positioned as shown in FIG. 13 .
  • the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are positioned within a second electronic game piece holder 404 having a first opening 406 , a second opening 408 , and a third opening 410 through which the windows 108 , 208 , 308 of the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are visible, respectively, when positioned as shown in FIG. 14 .
  • the lights 130 , 230 , 330 are shown not illuminated in FIG. 14 because the electronic game pieces 100 , 200 , 300 are configured such that the lights are not illuminated when positioned as shown in FIG. 14 .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Educational Technology (AREA)
  • Toys (AREA)
  • Switches That Are Operated By Magnetic Or Electric Fields (AREA)
US12/851,153 2010-08-05 2010-08-05 Electronic game piece Abandoned US20120032394A1 (en)

Priority Applications (8)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/851,153 US20120032394A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2010-08-05 Electronic game piece
AU2011285491A AU2011285491A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Adjustable electronic game piece
EP11815405.3A EP2600952A4 (fr) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Elément de jeu électronique réglable
KR1020137005729A KR20140016231A (ko) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 조정 가능한 전자 게임 피스
PCT/US2011/046859 WO2012019166A2 (fr) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Elément de jeu électronique réglable
CA2807549A CA2807549A1 (fr) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Element de jeu electronique reglable
US13/204,581 US20120032395A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Adjustable electronic game piece
US13/763,672 US20130225280A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2013-02-09 Physical and virtual game pieces and associated devices, systems, and methods

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/851,153 US20120032394A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2010-08-05 Electronic game piece

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PCT/US2011/046859 Continuation WO2012019166A2 (fr) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Elément de jeu électronique réglable

Related Child Applications (1)

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US13/204,581 Continuation-In-Part US20120032395A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2011-08-05 Adjustable electronic game piece

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US20120032394A1 true US20120032394A1 (en) 2012-02-09

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US12/851,153 Abandoned US20120032394A1 (en) 2010-08-05 2010-08-05 Electronic game piece

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US (1) US20120032394A1 (fr)
EP (1) EP2600952A4 (fr)
KR (1) KR20140016231A (fr)
AU (1) AU2011285491A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2807549A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012019166A2 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO2012019166A2 (fr) 2012-02-09
KR20140016231A (ko) 2014-02-07
AU2011285491A1 (en) 2013-03-07
WO2012019166A3 (fr) 2012-09-13
CA2807549A1 (fr) 2012-02-09
EP2600952A4 (fr) 2014-02-19
EP2600952A2 (fr) 2013-06-12

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