US2953379A - Matrix game - Google Patents

Description

Sept. 20, 1960 MATRIX GAME a f Ll! G. W. PRESTON Filed July l, 1957 un LII ill JNVENTOR. Gli/VIV W PES/V United States Patent MATRIX GAME Glenn W. Preston, Oreland, Pa., assigner to General Atronics Corporation, Bala-Cynwyd, Pa., a corporation of Pennsylvania Filed July 1, 19'57, Ser. No. 669,293

2 Claims. (Cl. 273-130) This invention relates to game devices and more particularly to a matrix game.

The object of the invention is to provide a new and improved game which is highly enjoyable and entertaining.-

Another object of the invention Lis to provide a new and improved matrix game which is played more persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved matrix game played by at least two opposing players and requiring thought and skill, and rewarding the use of tactics and strategy f Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved game which is simple to play and does `not require complex and numerous rules and instructions. y

Another object of the invention is to provide a new and improved matrix game in which the habits and mental processes of the opposing player may be utilizedfto advantage for winning the game. n

Another object of the invention is rto provide a new and improved matrix game `allowing a wide diversity eld having regions arranged in intersecting rows and columns, a plurality of numbered counters for arbitrarily numerically evaluating the regions of said member, a irst movable means for selecting any one of said rows and a second movable means for selecting any one of said columns.

The foregoing and other objects of the invention Awill become more apparent as the following detailed 'description of the invention is read in conjunction with the 'drawings, in which: l i

Figure 1 is a plan view of a matrix game embodying Ithe invention, v

Figure 2 is a perspective view of some of the counters of said matrix game, lFigure 3 is a modified form of the matrix game shown in Figure l,

Figure 4 is an enlarged section view taken 4 4, and

Figure 5 is another modified form of the matrix'game shown in Figure l.

Like numerals designate like parts throughout the several views.

The Figure l illustrates av matrix game l10 embodying the invention and including a board member 12 with a square playing eld 14 having 16 square regions arranged in four rows 18 and four columns 20.

A vertical column 22 of squares 24, 25,' '26 andi27; is

by two or on the line t separated by a vertical line 28 from the playing ield 14, while a horizontal row 30 of squares 31, 32, 33, and 34 is separated from the playing iield 14 by a horizontal line 36. lThe corner square 38, in the present description, is not considered a member of either the marginal column 22 or fthe row 30.

A plurality of counters 39 may be utilized for giving numerical evaluations to the square regions 16 of the playing field 14. The counter evalutions may be positive, negative, zero or may have no value. Red counters 40 may be utilized to indicate negative values, while black counters 42 may indicates positive values. The various numerals on the counters 39 may indicate the absolute value of the counter.

A counter 44 may be assigned to the player A, while another counter 46 may be assigned to the other player B.

To illustrate one manner in which the matrix game 10 may be employed, the players A and B may initiate the game by mixing and then arbitrarily positioning the counters 39 upon the playing ield 14. This provides a numerical evaluation, which may be positive, negative or zero value, for each of the square regions 16. A blank counter 39 such as counter 48 may also be utilized in which no evaluation is given to a particular square region 16.

The counter y44 of player A is positioned on one of :the squares of the marginal column 22 while the counter 46 of player B is positioned on a square of the marginal row 30.

:The players A and B now proceed by alternately respectively selectingrows and columns by positioning their counters 44 and 46. Thus, to start the game the player A may select the first row by positioning his counter in square 24, whereupon lthe player B may select the second vertical column 20 by positioning the counter 46 in the square 32 as illustrated in the Figure .1.

After making a move, the moving player acquires the counter 39 indicated by the positions of the counters 44 and `46. Thus, after. the player B moves to square 32, he acquires the counter 50 positioned in the square region 16 indicated by the row and column respectively selected by the counters 44 and 46 of the players A and B.

. It is noted that the previous move of the player A to square 24 allows the player B, by moving his counter 46, to select any of the counters in the rst of the rows 18. By moving to the square 31 or 34 the player B would acquire counters 39 having negative numerical values. This generally is undesirable and should be avoided. The positioning of the counter 46 in either of the squares 32 or 33 results in obtaining a counter 39 having a positive value. It is noted that the counter 50 selected by positioning the counter 46 in the square 32 has the maxi- -mum positive value which can be acquired by the player B in this instance. However, it will be apparent that it is not always advantageous to obtain the maximum positive value counter at a particular time, since it may be possible to reduce the gain of the opposing player by taking another counter 39 having a lower value.

The player B nowl removes the counter 50 and-adds its value to his score. The player A may now move his counter 44 for selecting a particular row and obtainin the counter 39 indicated thereby.

Depending on the tactics and strategy of player A, he

counter 52 -with the maximum positive evaluation in the column selected, or hei-may take any of the other counters 39 which he deems most advantageous. Of course, it must be remembered that the choice of counters 39 which may-be made by player B depends upon theparticular row 18 previously selected by the player A. Thus,v

it is not always advantageous for the moving player to` maximize the value. of the counter 39 obtained, since this may result in a greater gain for the opposing player.

For example, if player A chooses square 27 he obtains the emmers? having-.2.1. Pesitiye evaluation of g3..v ThiSLV isili@ Vahle Ot the, counters in tbeseeond ce1- ludlsated. by the Counter `bi-f. player. B.. The play#- et B; @when giove t0Y Square 34; and; obtain theeoumer 5.4, which. has.. a nesitye value.. et 6t This-.is twice. the value of the counter 52 obtained by player A.A Thus; Player A WOtlldbe in a better position ith@l Selected the Seanad new by positioning his connerie in square 25, etidbteininathe Counter; 5.6 having a positive value 0f one,A This wouldpforce player B to; take either the. counterhayinsazero value 0.: tbeeounter 5u-having a. negatiyeyalue 0f 6-4 Shpulsl-theglayerhmoyetothe square lttbereby .Obtaining thezero counter 58.., the player A would still have a net gain of l, whereasinthe.previously illustrated situation, he wouldhave a relative lossof 3.

Ifhe, regionsl from which the counters 3.95 have been removed orwhich containl ablank counter 48^may not be selected by either of the players. Thislimits the num.- ber or" possible moves as the garne progresses. It is notedY that the use of blank counters. 48 which provides; the equiylalenty of a blank square region y16, sirnpliiiesV the gaine, makes it less complex andjtends to shorten theduration and extentA ot the game. The use of such blanky counters for distinguishing theregionsof the playing ield may be of great importance, especially when a eld is enlarged'to haveve or ymore columns and rows. This is als o .true in the case otk the extension of.K the playingflieldf into three dimensions or other enlarging andl complicating aspects of the game.

The counters 39 such as counterSS may be provided having a zero evaluation which is notequivalent to the blankcounter 48, but allows the. selection and removal of this counter 58 by the players, although. it does not` add any value to the score. However, since thismay be the best counter to choose among several counters 39, as illustrated above, it has a positive aspect. in the. relative sense in that it does not detract from thescore of .the player acquiring it.

The zero valuation counter 58 may alsobe utilized, if so desired by the players, for replacementv upon a. blank square` region 16 ofthe playing held 1\4.byv a playervhaving its possession.Y This Will allow such a player tolselectV a row or column, whichY he wouldotherwiseV not be able to select because of theY absence of acounter in the desired position, The zero counter l58 may thuspass fromone player to the other player, thereby providing flexibility and additional interest tothe game. It is noted that more than oneV of the zero counters 58 or blank counters 48 may be provided and utilized as desiredbyV the players.

IThe gamemay be brought to aclose, even though counters'yet remain upon the squarelregionsv 16 o'frtheplay.-` ing eld 14, when the last player to move his counter. 44-, 4 6,fobtains the last remaining counter 39,in his row or column, so that the other player cannot obtain a counter 39by any of his possible selections. However, if such player has a zero countervSS, under the application of the rules previously stated, he may select a blankv square. region 16, thereby preventing the terminationof thegarne atlthis point.

greatest advantage to him.v

The scorerof each player is determined by thenumber resulting from the addition ofthe positive values of the counters which he has obtained from whichiis subtracted l Of course, in selecting the. blankV regionL theplayer will select a row or columnwhich will be of` Theaboverules and moves of the players A and Bhave been described for purposes of illustration and many variations of these rules may be utilized in accordance with the desires of the players.

T-he Figures 3 land 4 illustrate a matrix game 60 which is a modied form of the devices 10 shown in the Figure 1. The matrix game 6l)l differs from game 10 by providing a movable` indicating means 62 in the form of a pointer for selecting one of the rows 18 by being slidably positionable within one of the squares` 201, 25; 26 and527'. A second movable means 6 4 similar to the means 62 is slidably positionable in one of the ' squares 31, 32, 33 or. 34. for selecting one of the columns 20. The movable means 62 may be actuated by the player A, ywhile the movable means 64 may be actuated by player B. Of course, the game Sil also may be played in accordance with the rules described above in connetion with the matrix. sanne 10,

The Figure 4 illustrates in detail by means of an enlarged sectional View, thel construction of the movable means. 62 andits slidable interaction with the board member 1,2.` The board member 12 is provided with apsloty65, extending through the squares ofA the marginal column 22. The slot 65 slidably receives a guide member 66 whicht is secured by a projecting portion 68. with the pointer element 70. of the movable means 62. The Slut. 65, is. nalrgwed. at itsy upper` region. '7.2, thereby retaining the movable means 62s in position for slidable action. algue its Slot- 65...

The, movable means-v 6,4L is constructed`Y in a manner similarto thatfoli-thelmeans 62 and is retained/for slidable positioning within the slot '74 extending through the squares of the row 30 in the marginal region of the member.- 1.2-

Although the game apparatus 60 does not have the simplicity of construction of the game device 10, it aiordsa highly desirable means for indicating the rows 1S: and columns 20. selected by the players.

Refer now to the Figure 5, which illustrates another matrix game V whichA is a modiiication of the game 10. The game apparatus 80 comprises aboard member 81 provided with a central playing eld 82 within a square border line 34. The playing eld 82.V has 25 square regions 86 arranged in ve rows and columns.

Of course, the number of regions 86 may be increased or decreased for the purpose of increasing or decreasinsthe complexity ofthe same- Theboardmember 81 is provided with four peripheral or marginal regions 88, 90, 92 and 94, each subdivided into .f1ve square regionsrfor correspondence with a row ory column, as vthecase may be.

The counters A,*B, C and D may be respectively positionedV in the square regions of the marginal portions 8S, 90, 92 and 94 for selecting particular rows and columns for` playing, the. gal-lle the manner described in connectionwith the. matrix game 10 of the Figure l.

When [two-persons are to play fthe game, then the iirst player may utilize the counter A for selecting rows of the s quareregions. 8,6, while the second player may move the counter B for selecting columns of square regions '86.of'therplaying eld 82. The rst and second players may alternate their moves as described previously. If four players are to participate in the game, the third and fourth players may respectively utilize counters C andl D,.and;moves may bey taken in sequence by the participants so that a player selecting a row is preceded and followed byfplayers selecting. columns, while a player selecting a column is preceded :and followed by players.

selecting rows- Such an arrangement is achieved'when the players take their moves in accordance with. their.

counterfclockwise position about the teld 82 of the board;member1 81. I played in the clockwise direction.

When the game is played by four players, two teams mayvbetprovided so.that certain-players can cooperate Of.course, the game also. may be` with each other for the purpose of maximizing their score. If the players A and B are partners, and the players C and D yare partners, and the game is played in 4the counter-clockwise direction, then the player A would select a row to obtain the most beneficial result by the following action which may be taken by the partner B. However, the player B in selecting a column would also consider minimizing or preventing the following player C, his opponent, from gaining an advantage. Likewise the player C sets up the action to be taken by his partner, the player D, by anticipating the selection which may be made by player D. rI'thus, the game played with four players may be carried out in a manner similar to that of the game illustrated by the description of Figure 1 in connection with the actions of two players. Of cou-rse the moves by the partners may be alternated with the moves of the opposing partners when A and C, and B and D, are made partners.

It is noted that the matrix game 80 is of increased utility since the game may be played by two or more persons. It is also noted that when only two players oppose each other, the playing field 82 may be limited to 16 square regions I86 by utilizing only four rows and four columns. The lield may also be extended to include the marginal regions 92 and 94 thereby providing a square playing iield with 36 square regions formed by six rows and six columns.

While only a few representative embodiments of the invention disclosed herein have been described in detail, there will be obvious to those skilled in the art, many modiiications and variations laccomplishing the foregoing objects and realizing many or all of the advantages, but which do not depart essentially from the spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A matrix game comprising, in combination, a playing board defining a substantially ilat playing field, indicia Idividing a central portion of said -iield into a plurality of parallel columns and a plurality of perpendicularly extending rows of substantially rectangular regions, the number of regions in each row being equal to the number of regions in each column, a pair of perpendicularly related marginal portions of said playing tield each extending alongside of and substantially parallel to an end one of said plurality of rows and columns, each one of said marginal portions defining a fixed path, an indicator slidably carried upon each one of said marginal portions, guide means restricting each said indicator to longitudinal movement along said fixed path parallel to said respective rows and columns, each said indicator having indicating means directed normal to said fixed path toward said rectangular regions of said rows and columns, and a plurality of counters each having a different numerical value, each one of said counters being positionable upon one of said regions.

2. A matrix game comprising, in combination, a playing board defining a substantially flat playing field, indicia dividing a central portion of said field into a plurality of parallel columns and a plurality of perpendicularly extending rows of substantially rectangular regions, the number of regions in each row being equal to the number of regions in each column, a pair of perpendicularly related marginal portions of said playing field each extending alongside of and substantially parallel to an end one of said plurality of rows and columns, each one of said marginal portions defining a fixed path, an indicator slidably carried upon each one of said marginal portions, guide means restricting each said indicator to longitudinal movement along said fixed path parallel to said respective rows and columns, each said indicator having indicating means directed normal to said fixed path toward said rectangular regions of said rows and columns, and a plurality of counters each having a different numerical value, each one of said counters being positionable upon one of said regions, said marginal portions including indicia dividing the individual lengths of said marginal portions into a plurality of individual areas each contiguous with one of said regions in each respective row and column, and each indicator being selectively movable along said respective path into one of said areas of said marginal portions.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,174,219 Young Mar. 7, 1916 1,459,937 Teipel June 26, 1923 1,628,677 Morichard May 17, 1927 1,923,607 Barringer Aug. 22, 1933 2,052,797 Read Sept. 1, 1936 2,120,439 Jamison June 14, 1938 2,205,415 Keely lune 25, 1940 2,542,870 Hyland Feb. 20, 1951 2,585,924 Freedman Feb. 19, 1952 2,791,430 King May 7, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTS 423,891 Italy `uly 30, 1947

Images