US20150145206A1

US20150145206A1 - Game platform and game cards thereof (smart time)

Info

Publication number: US20150145206A1
Application number: US14/412,679
Authority: US
Inventors: Itzhak Grinold
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-09
Filing date: 2013-07-30
Publication date: 2015-05-28
Also published as: WO2014024091A1; EP2882507A4; WO2014024091A4; IL236577A0; EP2882507A1

Abstract

It is provided a game platform which includes a receiving board, a magnetic board fixedly hosting magnetic elements, and means for positioning of the magnetic board in a predetermined position. Each magnetic element has either a north polarity or a south polarity facing the receiving board. The receiving board receives a game card at a predetermined position. The game card has sites for receiving magnetic game pieces. The game pieces are distinguishable in accordance with their magnetic polarity by a non-magnetic distinctive feature, like color, shape, weight, scale, and external texture. For determining its position, the magnetic board has a far state and a close state relative to the receiving board, and a spacing mechanism switches between the far state and the close state. The receiving board and the magnetic board are positioned coaxially around a common axis, around which magnetic board is free to rotate. In six equally spaced rotational positions, the magnetic board is locked to a predetermined rotational position. The game card includes closed boundaries shaped for determining its position, site marks for the game pieces, a game content associated to the site marks, and an aligning mark for selecting a desired rotational position.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

The current patent application claims the priority rights of provisional U.S. application No. 61/681,157 titled “MATCHING AND ASSEMBLING GAME BASED ON THE POLARITY BETWEEN MAGNETIC COMPONENTS” filed Aug. 9, 2012 by the present inventors.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The invention is in the field of game platforms used to host a variety of games, like educational games, strategic games and memory games.
2. Description of Related Art
A game platform is an apparatus used for playing with a variety of games, where for each game there are certain additional items particular to that specific game. For example, in electronic games old GAME BOY™ was a game platform used with a variety of uniformly shaped memory cards, each defining a different game. Another example is the console games like sony PLAYSTATION™, fiercely competing for worldwide distribution.
The concept of game platform is less common in the field of non-computerized games. Thus, it is one objective of the present application to provide a non-computerized game platform which may be used with a variety of games. Anyhow, an electrical computerized version is also provided.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is disclosed a game platform which includes sites for receiving respective game pieces, elements in the game platform for interacting with the game pieces, and means for simultaneous determination of all the distances between the elements and the sites. Each element interacts with a game piece in accordance with a distance between the element and the game piece.
In some embodiments, the game platform includes a receiving board, a magnetic board fixedly hosting magnetic elements, and means for positioning of the magnetic board relative to the receiving board. The receiving board receives a game card on a first side such that the game card has a predetermined position relative to the receiving board. The game card has sites for receiving game pieces. Each magnetic element has a certain polarity directed outward a first face of the magnetic board. Preferably, several magnetic elements have a north polarity directed outward the first face, and several magnetic elements have a south polarity directed outward the first face.
In some embodiments, the game platform facilitates placing of the magnetic board in a predetermined position relative to the receiving board. To that aim, in a far state of the magnetic board relative to a second side of the receiving board, the first face of the magnetic board is positioned as far as a first distance from the receiving board. In a close state thereof, the first face of the magnetic board is positioned as close as a second distance from the receiving board. A spacing mechanism switches the position of the magnetic board between the far state and the close state.
In some embodiments, the receiving board and the magnetic board are positioned coaxially around a common axis, around which the magnetic board is free to rotate. Preferably, in two or more rotational positions the magnetic board is locked to a predetermined rotational position. Most preferably, the rotational positions are equally spaced angularly.
In some embodiments, game pieces have bases for disposing on a game card and a certain magnetic polarity directed outward the base. Several game pieces have a north polarity thereof, while other game pieces have a south polarity thereof. Preferably, besides magnetic polarity, the game pieces are distinguishable by a non-magnetic distinctive feature, like color, shape, weight, scale, and external texture.
In some embodiments, a bounding frame surrounds the receiving board and has a slot for receiving a game card having a respective tab, thus determining a position of the game card relative to the receiving board.
It is provided according to some preferred embodiments of the present invention, a game card for disposing on a game platform and for receiving game pieces. The game card includes closed boundaries shaped such that the card is disposable on the game platform in a predetermined position relative to the game platform, several site marks for receiving the game pieces such that a game piece is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the game platform, and a game content associated with the site marks.
In some embodiments, the game card further includes a certain mark for directing internal alignment of the game platform in accordance with a distribution of the site marks on the game card.
In some embodiments, pictorial elements of a first class are disposed on the game card in association with a first plurality of the site marks, and pictorial elements of a second class are disposed thereof in association with a second plurality of the site marks. A player has game pieces divided into two classes of game pieces in accordance with a distinguishing feature. The player disposes the game pieces on the site marks in accordance with the classification of the pictorial elements and in accordance with the classification of the game pieces. Preferably, the game card further includes a diagram associating the classes of pictorial elements with respective classes of the game pieces.
In some embodiments, a first plurality of the site marks are designated such as to be distinguishable from a second plurality of the site marks. A game rule directs to dispose the game pieces on the site marks in accordance with a feature distinguishing a respective first plurality of game pieces from a respective second plurality of game pieces.
In some embodiments, two faces of a game card participate a game. To that aim, a first plurality of site marks are disposed on a certain face and a second plurality of site marks are disposed on the other face.
A game system may include a game card, a game platform, and a plurality of magnetic game pieces. Each magnetic piece has a base for being disposing on the game card, a certain magnetic polarity directed outward the base, and a non-magnetic distinguishable feature corresponding to the certain magnetic polarity.
It is provided according to preferred embodiments of the present invention, a method for manufacturing a game card for disposing on a game platform and for receiving a plurality of game pieces. The method includes forming closed boundaries on a card raw material for shaping a game card such as to be disposed on the game platform in a predetermined position relative to the game platform, printing several site marks on the game card for receiving the game pieces in a predetermined position relative to the game platform, and printing a game content associated with the site marks on the game card.
In some embodiments, the method further includes a step of designating an aligning mark on the game card in a certain position for directing a desired alignment of the game platform relative to the game card. Preferably, the method further includes a step of selecting one of six or more predetermined positions for designating the aligning mark.
In some embodiments, the method further includes a step of forming on the card a diagram presenting a rule for disposing the game pieces on the game card.
It is provided according to preferred embodiments of the present invention a game platform which includes several sites for receiving respective game pieces, a plurality of elements in the game platform for interacting with the game pieces, each element interacting with a game piece in accordance with physical parameters influencing the interaction between the element and the game piece, and means for simultaneous determination of the physical parameters influencing the interaction between elements and game pieces.
In some embodiments, the game platform includes a receiving board for receiving a card on its face, several electromagnetic elements, each electromagnetic element having a certain polarity facing the receiving board, respective drivers for driving the electromagnetic elements, and player interfaces for controlling the respective plurality of drivers. The received card has a predetermined position relative to the receiving board, and has several sites for receiving game pieces.
In some embodiments, the game platform includes interfaces like an on-off button for activating and deactivation DC current to the electromagnetic elements, a selecting knob for selecting a certain distribution of magnetic polarities of the electromagnetic elements out of several predetermined distributions, a graphical user interface for controlling polarities of the electromagnetic elements, and a programmer interface for facilitating programmer embedding of operational modes of the game platform.
In some embodiments, the game platform includes a controller comprising a DC power supply for empowering said respective plurality of drivers, and user interfaces for providing player directions regarding activation and polarity of the electromagnetic elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to system organization and method of operation, together with features and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following detailed description when read with the accompanied drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a presents a game platform for a game card and several game pieces.

FIG. 1 b is an inset of FIG. 1 a showing an aligning slot, an aligning mark and two game pieces on site marks.

FIG. 2 a presents a lower portion of the game platform including a base, a magnetic board, fixed magnetic elements and an aligning wheel.

FIG. 3 is an exploding view of the game platform.

FIG. 4 a is a perspective cross section of the game platform in a lower far state of the magnetic board.

FIG. 4 b is an inset of FIG. 4 a showing details of the switching mechanism.

FIG. 4 c is a perspective cross section of the game platform in an upper close state of the magnetic board.

FIG. 4 d shows a cylindrical element for pushing the magnetic board downwards sliding inside the aligning wheel.

FIG. 5 presents a slightly angled bottom view of the magnetic board lockable to a bounding frame.

FIG. 6 a presents a template game card in a first position out of six predetermined positions.

FIG. 6 b presents a template game card in a second position thereof.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary educational game card having two classes of pictures and associated site marks.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary game card of a “three in a row” strategic game.

FIG. 9 a presents a first face of an exemplary memory game card having site marks at two colors.

FIG. 9 b presents a second face of the memory game card of FIG. 9 a having uniformly colored site narks.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a method for manufacturing a game card.

FIG. 11 a presents an electromagnetically operated game platform for a game card and several game pieces.

FIG. 11 b is an inset of FIG. 11 a showing an aligning slot of a selection knob, an aligning mark and two game pieces on site marks.

FIG. 12 a shows a typical electromagnetic element driven by a DC power supply.

FIG. 12 b shows the electromagnetic element of FIG. 12 b driven by a reversed DC power supply.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electric system of the electromagnetically operated game platform.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will now be described in terms of specific example embodiments. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the example embodiments disclosed. It should also be understood that not every feature of the methods and systems handling the described device is necessary to implement the invention as claimed in any particular one of the appended claims. Various elements and features of devices are described to fully enable the invention. It should also be understood that throughout this disclosure, where a method is shown or described, the steps of the method may be performed in any order or simultaneously, unless it is clear from the context that one step depends on another being performed first.
Before explaining several embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The systems, methods, and examples provided herein are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting.
In the description and claims of the present application, each of the verbs “comprise”, “include” and “have”, and conjugates thereof, are used to indicate that the object or objects of the verb are not necessarily a complete listing of members, components, elements or parts of the subject or subjects of the verb.

Definitions

A game platform is an apparatus used with additional items particular to a specific game for playing a game. Usually, several games may be played with a game platform, where each game has specific game cards, game pieces, a chance means like a cube, etc.
A game card is a flat piece of material, paper or plastic for example, having a face with printed content material. It may also have designations to facilitate game management and control in accordance with the game rules.
A game piece is a man, figurine or token used in games like checkers, chess, and monopoly for disposal on a game board or a game card in accordance with certain game rule. The bottom part of a game piece or its base is used for sitting on the board.

Game Platform Embodiments (FIGS. 1-5)

A game platform 100 is presented in FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a and 2 b. It includes sites 105 for receiving respective game pieces 110 and 115, elements 210 and 215 within game platform 100 for interacting with game pieces 110 and 115, and means for simultaneous determination of all the distances between elements like 210 and 215 and sites like 105.
Each element 210 interacts with a game piece 110 in accordance with a distance there between. The interaction may be a magnetic interaction, where element 210 and game piece 110 have magnetic polarity of opposite direction in sides facing each other. Thus, once element 210 is close to game piece 110 they are attracted to each other. However, if they are far away from each other, the magnetic interaction is too weak to apply any force in between. In contrast, element 210 and game piece 115 which have the same magnetic polarity in sides facing each other, repels each other.
In the example of FIGS. 1 a, 1 b, 2 a, 2 b, and 3 game platform 100 includes a receiving board 325 located under an exemplary template game card 120, and a magnetic board 220 fixedly hosting magnetic elements 210 and 215. Template game card 120 is an accessory used while designing and manufacturing a game card for a specific card. Here it is used as an aid to explain the operation of game platform 100 using additional data imprinted on template game card 120 but not on game cards used for playing.
In a typical game platform 100, magnetic elements 210 and 215 are permanent magnets, and no electrical power is needed to preserve their magnetic polarity and strength. Alternatively, magnetic elements 210 and 215 are electromagnets driven by an electrical power source. An embodiment with electromagnetic elements is elaborated separately below.
Receiving board 325 receives a game card 120 such that game card 120 has a predetermined position relative to receiving board 325. For that aim, game card 120 has a tab 130 projected outward its circular boundary 135. An elevated bounding frame 140 hosting receiving board 325 has a respective slot defined by lips 140 and 150, such as to force disposal of tab 130 in between.
Game card 120 has sites like site 105 for receiving game pieces 110 and 115. It further has a 7S designation near the site of game piece 110 and a 6N designation near the site of game piece 115. Game piece 110 is black colored and has south polarity on its base side 112, while game piece 115 is white colored and has north polarity on its base side. Thus, a game may be designed such that black colored game pieces should be disposed on sites near south designation like 7S, and white colored game pieces should be disposed on sites near a north designation like 6N. However, in a real game, the game card has no magnetic designations and thus a player has to play in accordance with a game piece color, while the magnetic aspect of both the sites and the game pieces is hidden from the player, and is used by a game designer to silently affect game results.
For registering the sites of receiving board 325 to magnetic elements 210 and 215 of magnetic board 220, magnetic board 220 has holes like open holes 225 and 230, and magnetic elements like 210 and 215 are installed within such holes and thus became fixedly positioned on magnetic board 220. Each magnetic element 210 fixed to magnetic board 220 has a certain polarity directed outward a first face of magnetic board 220. In other words, the north-south axis of magnetic element 220 is perpendicular to the surface of magnetic board 220. In FIGS. 2 a and 2 b, magnetic element 210 has a nearby designation 7N as it is north polarized, while magnetic element 215 is designated by 6S and is south polarized. These designations are consistent with the locations of magnetic elements 210 and 215 just underneath the respective sites of game pieces 110 and 115. Consequently, game piece 110 having south polarity is attracted to magnetic piece 210 having north polarity, while game piece 115 having a north polarity is attracted to magnetic piece 215 having a south polarity.
For bringing magnetic elements 210 and 215 to the proximity of the site marks hosting game pieces 110 and 115, game platform 100 has two mechanisms, one for determining the distribution of magnetic elements 210 and 215 in the horizontal plane, and one for determining the location of magnetic board 220 in the vertical direction. More specifically, magnetic board 220 is free to move up and down in a vertical motion and to rotate around an axis of a wheel 125. Game card 120 has an aligning mark 165, and a player has to rotate wheel 125 such that a slot 170 is centered relative to aligning mark 165. Thus, the game card design ensures that magnetic board 220 is in a desired rotational state.
In general, by each of these two movements, the distances between all the magnetic elements 210 and 215 and all the site marks 105 are determined simultaneously. In particular, the rotational movement enables registration of sites on game card 120 in respect to hidden magnetic elements 210 and 215. The vertical motion enables switching between an inactive or far state where magnetic elements 210 and 215 are too far to attract or repel game pieces 110 and 115, and an active or close state where magnetic elements 210 and 215 are close enough for mutual interaction with game pieces 110 and 115. In the example of FIG. 1, the magnetic board is in the close active position as indicated by an upper state of bottom 155 connected to magnetic board 220 by a cylindrical element 160. For switching to the far inactive state, a player pushes bottom 155 and magnetic board 220 gets down to a far inactive state. Once a side bottom 168 is pressed, it releases magnetic board from the far inactive state to rise back to its close active state.
Referring now to the exploding view of game platform 100 in FIG. 3, a base 340 hosts part of the spacing or switching mechanism of magnetic board 220. An helical spring 345, cylinder 160, side button 168 and upper button 155 are also parts of the spacing mechanism.
The operation of the spacing or switching mechanism is presented in the perspective cross section views of FIGS. 4 a,b,c and in the perspective view of FIG. 4 d. The far inactive state is shown in FIG. 4 a and inset FIG. 4 b, while the close active state is shown in FIG. 4 c, and in FIG. 4 e.
The switching mechanism includes cylindrical element 160 attached to magnetic board 220, wheel 125 surrounding cylindrical element 160 and having a cup or bottom 155, helical spring 345, a locking cylinder 410, and a moving hook 425. Spring 345 is compressed between base 340 and cup 155. Locking cylinder 410 is coupled to cylindrical element 160 and having in its bottom part an horizontal ring 430 having an upper flat face. In the shown state, moving hook 425 is inside locking cylinder 410 above horizontal ring 430. Moving hook 425 is free to move against a spring 510 (FIG. 5) in the horizontal direction, but is bound to its vertical position relative to base 340. Thus, hook 425 keeps locking cylinder 410 and the attached cylindrical element 160 and magnetic board 220 in the low position.
Hook 425 is coupled by an arm 440 to bottom 168. For releasing magnetic board 220 from the lower far state, a player presses bottom 168, thus displacing hook 425 towards the center of locking cylinder 410 such that it stops to hold horizontal ring 430. Consequently, compressed spring 345 stretches out and pushes cylindrical element 160 and magnetic board 220 upwards into the upper close state of FIG. 4 c.
For switching magnetic board 220 back to the lower far sate, a player pushes cup or bottom 155 downwards, such that ring 430 slides downwards over an arc 450 of hook 425, moving hook 425 against spring 510 towards the center of locking cylinder 410. Once ring 430 approaches the lower edge of arc 450, hook 425 moves back towards bottom 168, locking ring 430 by a tooth 455 resting on its flat side.
As shown in FIG. 4 d, cylindrical element 160 and wheel 125 are coupled rotationally while cylindrical element 160 is free to move vertically within wheel 125. To this aim, cylindrical element 160 has ribs 460 projected outwardly along its external surface parallel to its co-axis with wheel 125, and residing within respective recessed channels 465 of wheel 125. Consequently, cylindrical element 160 is free to slide within wheel 125 while switching between the far and close states. In either state, once a player rotates wheel 125 in order to let the center of slot 170 coincide with aligning mark 165, magnetic board 220 rotates as well.
As shown in the bottom view of FIG. 5, bounding frame 140 has an internal sleeve 515 which surrounds magnetic board 220 and has six equally spaced vertical channels 520 recessed in the internal side facing magnetic board 220. Respectively, there are six equally spaced cantilevers 530 on the edge of magnetic board 220 with a tip 540 slightly exceeding the circular outline of magnetic board 220. While rotating magnetic board 220, tips 540 slides over the internal surface of sleeve 515 until tips 540 approach channels 520 and sit at respective recesses in a slightly locked position, from which they get off by application of slight force. Thus, there are six rotational states with a precise locked location just fitting a coincidence of aligning mark 165 and a center of slot 170.

Game Card Embodiments (FIGS. 6-9)

A game system may include a game card 700, a game platform 100, and a plurality of magnetic game pieces 110 and 115. In an exemplary game system there are 18 site marks on a game card, 18 magnetic elements on the magnetic board 220 and 18 men or game pieces. Each magnetic game piece 110 has a base 112 for being disposing on the game card, a certain magnetic polarity directed outward the base, and a non-magnetic distinguishable feature corresponding to the certain magnetic polarity.
A variety of game cards in accordance with the present invention is presented in FIGS. 6-9. FIGS. 6 a and 6 b present template cards 120 a and 120 b having magnetic polarity designations but no game content. Template game cards 120 a and 120 b are designed for two rotational positions of the above mentioned six positions. Besides these cards, a game designer may have in her or his possession additional template game cards for the remaining two rotational positions. The template game card are used for designing actual game cards like the game cards presented in FIGS. 7,8, 9 a and 9 b, where a game designer takes a game piece polarity facilitating attraction to a magnetic element into account while designing but keeps the data on magnetic polarity hidden.
Game card 120 a includes an external closed boundary 610 shaped circularly over most of the circumference let alone a projected out tab 130. Thus, card 120 a is disposable on the receiving board 325 in one of six predetermined positions relative to the game platform. Game card 120 a has also several site marks 105 for receiving game pieces or men 110 and 115 such that a game piece is disposed in a predetermined position relative to the game platform. As a template game card, card 120 b has also polarity designations 7S and 6N where the plus and minus signs stand for south and north polarities, respectively. A man having south polarity on base 112 is attracted to a respective magnetic element having north polarity on the side facing receiving board 325 provided that magnetic board 220 is in its upper close state.
Template game cards 120 a and 120 b also include respective aligning marks 165 a and 165 b mark for directing alignment of magnetic board 220 in accordance with a distribution of site marks 110. For that sake, aligning marks 165 a and 165 b are positioned in different angular positions relative to a virtual radial line 640 connecting the center of game card 120 a or 120 b with the center of tab 130.
Aligning mark 165 a and 165 b are both positioned in an angle of 120° relative to line 640, but in the clockwise and counterclockwise directions, respectively. The consequent distributions of the desired polarities relative to tab 130 as designated by polarity designations 7S and 6N are also different. As the polarity designations and sometimes even the site marks 105 do not appear on actual game card, a game designer has a powerful tool for controlling the game in a surprising way.
An Exemplary Educational Game Card (FIG. 7)
Referring now to an educational game card 700 of FIG. 7, it has no polarity designations. Site marks 105T, 105 t, 105A and 105 a have a similar elliptical shape and a variety of colors or a uniform color such that there is no hint or indication for a desired polarity. Pictorial elements 710A and 710T of respective capital letters A and T are disposed on game card 700 nearby respective site marks 105A and 105T. Pictorial elements 720 a and 720 t of respective small letters a and t are disposed nearby respective site marks 105 a and 105 t.
Game pieces 110 and 115 are colored differently, 110 in black and 115 in white, for example. A diagram 740 directs a player to put black game pieces or men 110 on site marks 105A and 105T near respective capital letters 710A and 710T, and white men 115 on site marks 720 a and 720 t near respective small letters 105 a and 105 t. Here are typical game steps for game card 700:
1. You got a game platform, a game card and a plurality of black men and white men.
2. Dispose the game card on top of the game platform where the tab is inserted within the corresponding slot.
3. If the central bottom is high above a surrounding circular shoulder (hereafter a wheel), press the central bottom down until a stop.
4. Dispose the men in accordance with the directions on the diagram in the card tab. Namely, put black men near capital letters and white men near small letters.
5. Press the side bottom to enable the central bottom to rise up.
Obeying the fourth rule step, the player, a kid probably, tries to put the men in place. Actually, the player succeeds to put part of the men in a correct manner, while certain men are disposed in an incorrect manner. Anyhow, as the magnetic board 220 is in its lower far state, nothing interferes with incorrect man placing. However, once the magnetic board switches to the upper close state, every man positioned correctly retains in place due to the attracting magnetic elements. In contrast, a man positioned incorrectly is surprisingly repelled by magnetic element of the same polarity and falls down.
Thus, the educational game played with card 700 has features of action and surprise, which enhance the learning experience. Additional pictorial classes may be used in game cards, fruits versus vegetables, private items versus public items, rectangular items versus circular items, etc.

An Exemplary Strategic Game Card (FIG. 8)

A game card 800 for playing a well known “three in a row” strategic game in a novel surprising way is shown in FIG. 8. Usually, a first player has black men 110, while a second player has white men 115. In a turn, a player put a man over one of the sites 805 or 810, such as to complete a continuous triplet of sites on a row, either a circular row like that of sites 805 or a radial row like that of sites 810. Apparently, the other player tries to block rows such as to prevent the opponent player from getting row triplet, while completing rows with his/her men.
While magnetic board 220 is in the far state, “three in a row” may be played as usual. However, once magnetic board 220 is on the upper close state, there are sites 105 , unknown to the players, that are magnetic active. Thus, a chance component enriches the game and surprises the players. Whenever a player puts a man of a certain polarity on a site 105 corresponding to the other polarity, the disposed man is repelled and the player has to continue to play according to a game rule for such a case. One such a rule may be that the players losses a turn. Alternatively, a rule may allow a player who had a man repelled off a site, a chance to put a man elsewhere.
An Exemplary Memory Game Card (FIGS. 9 a and 9 b)
In the exemplary memory card of FIGS. 9 a and 9 b, two faces 900 a and 900 b participate in a memory game. Both sides have the same distribution of pictorial elements 920,925,930, 935, 940 and 945. Also, aligning mark 165 is disposed at the same angular position of 120° counterclockwise to the radial line of the center of tab 130 at both sides. Consequently, the positions of the pictorial elements 920,925,930, 935, 940 and 945 and neighboring sites 905W and 905B relative to magnetic board 220 are the same for two faces 900 a and 900 b.
Face 900 a of the memory game card is different from face 900 b of the memory card regarding the designations of the site marks. In face 900 a, site marks 905W are white colored while site marks 905B are black colored. In contrast, all site marks 915 of face 900 b are colored the same.
In playing, a player sets magnetic board 220 in the upper close state such as to let magnetic elements 210 and 215 act on men disposed above them. First, the player dispose the memory game card with face 900 a up. The player has to put black men 110 on site marks 905B and white men 115 on site marks 905W. Thus, each disposed man retains in place, and the player has to memorize that a black man 110 is standing near umbrella 935 while a white man 115 is standing near butterfly 930.
After a while, all men are removed and the memory game card is reversed such that face 900 b is up. However, now all site marks 915 are the same. Yet, the player has to put men 110 and 115 correctly, as before to be retained in place. For example, if the player fails to memorize that a black man 110 stood near umbrella 935 and positions white man 115 in site mark 915 near umbrella 935, man 115 is magnetically repelled and falls down.
A Method for Manufacturing a Game Card (FIG. 10)
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a method 1000 for manufacturing a game card 120 a or 700. Method 1000 includes a step 1010 of forming closed boundaries 610 and 620 on a card raw material for shaping game card 700 for being disposed on a receiving board 325 in a predetermined position. Method 1000 also includes a step 1020 of printing several site marks 105 on game card 700 for receiving game pieces 110 and 115 in a predetermined position relative to game platform 100, and a step 1030 of printing a game content associated with site marks 105 on game card 700. Typically, method 1000 further includes a step 1040 of selecting one of six or more predetermined positions for designating an aligning mark 165, and a step 1050 of printing aligning mark 165 on game card 700 in the selected position. Preferably, the method further includes a step 1060 of forming game card 700 a diagram 740 which presents a rule for disposing game pieces 110 and 115 on game card 700.
Electromagnetic Game Platform Embodiments (FIGS. 11-13)
An electromagnetic operated game platform 1100 is described in FIGS. 11 a, 11 b, 12 a 12 b, and 13. FIG. 11 b is an inset of FIG. 11 a showing an aligning slot 1170 of a selection knob 1125, an aligning mark 1165 and two game pieces 110 and 115 on site marks. FIG. 12 a shows a typical electromagnetic element 1310 which includes a magnetic core 1210 and an helical wire 1220 driven by a DC power supply 1230 such as to induce a magnetic field having a north pole N and a south pole S. FIG. 12 b shows the reversal of the magnetic polarity once the direction of DC power supply 1230 is reversed. FIG. 13 is a block diagram of an electric system 1300 of the electromagnetically operated game platform 1100.
Game platform in 1100 includes a receiving board 325 for receiving a card 120 on its face, several electromagnetic elements 1310, 1312,1314,1316,1318,1320 and 1322, respective drivers 1350, 1352,1254,1356, 1358, 1360 and 1362 for driving them, and player interfaces 1168,1125 , 1370 and 1390 for controlling drivers 1350-1362. Received card 120 has a predetermined position relative to receiving board 325, and has several sites 105 for receiving game pieces 110 and 115. Electromagnetic elements 1310-1322 have a certain polarity facing receiving board 325.
An on-off button 1168 is used for activating and deactivation DC current to all electromagnetic elements 1310-1322. A selecting knob 1125 is used for selecting a certain distribution of magnetic polarities electromagnetic elements 1310-1322 from predetermined distributions. It is used in conjunction with aligning or setting mark 1165. A player rotates knob 1125 such that slot 1170 is aligned with aligning mark 1165. To prevent setting an undesired distribution in accordance with a setting approached while rotating, the activation of a certain distribution is delayed by 2-5 sec after setting knob 1125 in a desired place. Button 1168 and knob 1125 are connected to user interface 1373.
As an alternative to button 1168 and knob 1125, a graphical user interface (GUI) 1370 may be connected to user interface 1373 and used for controlling polarities of electromagnetic elements 1310-1322. In such a case, setting mark 1165 may be a number 767 (FIG. 7) printed on game card 700, and GUI 1370 has a number keypad for pressing on the setting number corresponding to the number of setting mark 1165. In addition GUI 1370 has “ACTIVATION” and “DEACTIVATING” buttons for the corresponding action. However, a lot more actions may be performed via GUI 1370 as predetermined by a game designer.
A programmer interface 1395 may be used to enable a programmer using a monitor 1390 to embed desired operational modes of game platform 1100 in conjunction with a processor 1385. Thus, entirely new games may be used with platform 1100, where the corresponding operational modes are defined by a game designer and embedded into processor 1385 using interface 1395. Also, a smartphone may be used as a monitor 1390. It may be loaded in an application store by an update application and a player has only to connect an appropriate communication cable between smartphone 1390 and interface 1395 to update game platform 1300 with a new operational mode suitable to a new game. For example, the voltage applied by drivers 1350-1352 determines the electric currents and the magnetic field strength of the respective electromagnets 1310-1322. Thus, a new operational mode may include different voltage levels for different drivers, either in discrete levels or in a continuous level.
As shown in FIG. 13, drivers 1350-1362, processor 1385, interface 1395, interface 1373, and DC power supply 1375 may be incorporated inside a controller 1330.
Regarding electrical power, DC power supply 1375 may be empowered by a battery, preferably a rechargeable battery connected as needed to an AC power supply 1130, mains probably.
Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims. In particular, the present invention is not limited in any way by the examples described.

Claims

1. A game platform comprising:

(a) a plurality of sites associated with the game platform for receiving respective game pieces;

(b) a plurality of elements in said game platform for interacting with said game pieces, each element interacting with a game piece in accordance with one or more physical parameters influencing the interaction between the element and said game piece; and

(c) means for simultaneous determination of at least a major portion of the physical parameters influencing the interaction between elements and game pieces.

2. The game platform of claim 1 comprising:

(b) a plurality of elements in said game platform for interacting with said game pieces, each element interacting with a game piece in accordance with a distance between the element and said game piece; and

(c) means for simultaneous determination of all the distances between said plurality of elements and said plurality of sites.

3. The game platform of claim 2 comprising:

(i) a receiving board for receiving a card on a first side of the board such that a received card having a predetermined position relative to said receiving board, said card having a plurality of sites for receiving game pieces;

(ii) a certain board fixedly hosting a plurality of magnetic elements, each magnetic element having a certain polarity directed outward a first face of said certain board; and

(iii) means for positioning of said certain board relative to said receiving board.

4. The game platform of claim 3 wherein:

(iv) a first plurality of the magnetic elements have a north polarity directed outward said first face, and a second plurality of said magnetic elements have a south polarity directed outward said first face.

5. The game platform of claim 3 wherein the game platform is configured for facilitating placing of said certain board in a predetermined position relative to said receiving board.

6. The game platform of claim 5 wherein the game platform further comprises:

(v) a far state of said certain board relative to a second side of said receiving board whereas said first face of said magnetic board being positioned at least as far as a first distance from said receiving board;

(vi) a close state thereof whereas said first face being positioned at least as close as a second distance from said receiving board; and

(vii) a spacing mechanism for switching between said far state and said close state of said certain board.

7. The game platform of claim 5 wherein:

(A) said receiving board and said certain board are positioned coaxially around a common axis; and

(B) said certain board is free to rotate around said common axis.

8. The game platform of claim 7 wherein in two or more rotational positions said certain board is locked to a predetermined rotational position.

9. The game platform of claim 8 wherein said two or more rotational positions are equally spaced angularly.

10. The game platform of claim 3 wherein a game piece of said game pieces has a base for disposing on a card received by said receiving board, and a certain magnetic polarity directed outward said base , whereas a first plurality of the game pieces have a north polarity thereof, and a second plurality of the game pieces have a south polarity thereof.

11. The game platform of claim 10 wherein the game pieces of the first plurality are distinguishable from the game pieces of the second plurality by a non-magnetic distinctive feature.

12. The game platform of claim 11 wherein said non-magnetic distinctive feature is selected from a group of distinctive features consisting of color, shape, weight, scale, and external texture.

13. The game platform of claim 3 wherein a bounding frame surrounds the receiving board and has a slot for receiving a card having a respective tab, thus determining a position of said card relative to said receiving board.

14. The game platform of claim 1 comprising:

(ii) a plurality of electromagnetic elements, each electromagnetic element having a certain polarity facing said receiving board;

(iii) a respective plurality of drivers for driving said plurality of electromagnetic elements; and

(iv) one or more player interfaces for controlling at least a major portion of said respective plurality of drivers.

15. The game platform of claim 14 wherein the game platform further comprises at least one interface of a group of interfaces including:

(A) an on-off button for activating and deactivation DC current to said plurality of electromagnetic elements;

(B) a selecting knob for selecting a certain distribution of magnetic polarities of said plurality of electromagnetic elements from predetermined distributions thereof;

(C) a graphical user interface for controlling polarities of electromagnetic elements; and

(D) a programmer interface for facilitating programmer embedding of operational modes of the game platform.

16. The game platform of claim 14 wherein the game platform comprises a controller comprising:

(A) a DC power supply for empowering said respective plurality of drivers; and

(B) one or more user interfaces for providing player directions regarding activation and polarity of said plurality of electromagnetic elements.

17. A game card for disposing on a game platform and for receiving a plurality of game pieces, the game card including:

(a) one or more closed boundaries shaped such that the card is disposable on the game platform in a predetermined position relative to the game platform;

(b) a plurality of site marks for receiving the game pieces such that a game piece is disposed in a predetermined position relative to said game platform; and

(c) a game content associated with said site marks.

18. The game card of claim 17 wherein the game card further comprises a certain mark for directing internal alignment of said game platform in accordance with a distribution of said site marks on said game card.

19. The game card of claim 17 wherein pictorial elements of a first class are disposed on said game card in association with a first plurality of said site marks, and pictorial elements of a second class are disposed thereof in association with a second plurality of said site marks, thereby a player having game pieces divided into two classes of game pieces in accordance with a distinguishing feature disposes the game pieces on said site marks in accordance with the classification of the pictorial elements and in accordance with the classification of the game pieces.

20. The game card of claim 19 wherein said game card further includes a diagram associating the classes of pictorial elements with respective classes of said game pieces.

21. The game card of claim 17 wherein a first plurality of said site marks are designated such as to be distinguishable from a second plurality of said site marks, thereby supporting a game rule to dispose said game pieces on said site marks in accordance with a feature distinguishing a respective first plurality of game pieces from a respective second plurality of game pieces.

22. The game card of claim 17 wherein the game card has a first plurality of site marks on a certain face and a second plurality of site marks on a face reversed to said certain face.

23. A game system comprising the game card of claim 21, a game platform, and a plurality of magnetic game pieces, each magnetic piece having:

(i) a base for being disposable on said game card;

(ii) a certain magnetic polarity directed outward said base; and

(iii) a non-magnetic distinguishable feature corresponding to said certain magnetic polarity.

24. A method for manufacturing a game card for disposing on a game platform and for receiving a plurality of game pieces, the method comprising:

(a) forming one or more closed boundaries for shaping a game card such that said game card is disposable on the game platform in a predetermined position relative to said game platform;

(b) printing a plurality of site marks on said game card for receiving the game pieces in a predetermined position relative to said game platform; and

(c) printing on said game card a game content associated with said site marks.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the method further includes a step of designating an aligning mark on said game card for directing a desired alignment of said game platform relative to the game card.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the method further includes a step of selecting one of six or more predetermined positions for designating said aligning mark.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the method further includes a step of forming on said card a diagram presenting a rule for disposing said game pieces on said game card.