WO2011096881A1

WO2011096881A1 - A game platform, a game system, methods for playing and constructing a game platform, computer programmes and computer programme products

Info

Publication number: WO2011096881A1
Application number: PCT/SE2011/050120
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stein Ahlqvist; Krister Svensson
Original assignee: Play Design Sweden Ab
Priority date: 2010-02-04
Filing date: 2011-02-03
Publication date: 2011-08-11

Abstract

A mechanical game platform (100) for providing multiple mutual marker (M) positions and comprising a predetermined number of markers, the platform being arranged so that any marker may be moved to any position, one position being free of a marker. The platform is especially characterized in a number of rings configured to be arranged in a disc-like configuration, a display configuration, with rings in pairs (110, 120, 130) of upper and lower rings, the platform thus having two equal sides each displaying half the number of rings of the platform, the rings being mutually rotatable and each pair being turnable, each ring providing a number of marker positions. The present invention also relates to game system, certain methods, computer programmes and computer programme products.

Description

A GAME PLATFORM, A GAME SYSTEM, METHODS FOR PLAYING AND CONSTRUCTING A GAME PLATFORM, COMPUTER PROGRAMMES AND COMPUTER PROGRAMME PRODUCTS BACKGROUND

Technical field

The present invention relates to a game platform according to the introductory por- tion of the appended claim 1.

The present invention also relates to a game system, methods, computer programmes and computer programme products. Prior art

Devices, game platforms, of substantially the kind specified above are previously known. One device of this kind, the so - called 15 - play, comprises a quadratic frame, wherein fifteen quadratic pieces numbered from 1 to 15 are arranged in a 4 x 4 configuration including one free position, the pieces being mutually movable horizontally and vertically using the free position. One way of using the device as a so-called mind teaser is to rearrange the pieces and order them in sequence from 1 to 15 by using the free position and let the free position end up as position 16 in the lower right corner of the frame.

A device of this kind provides games that are comparatively easy to figure out due to, inter alia, the comparatively low number of possible combinations. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a mechanical play platform offering an extremely large number of possible combinations of states of the elements, markers, of the platform and an extremely high level of difficulty, if desired, for arriving at, solving, prescribed combinations.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game platform which is closed, permanent, and undemountable and preferably individually identifiable.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game platform on which the markers are releasably held in chosen positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a game system comprising a game platform according to the present invention.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method for playing a game by means of the platform according to the present invention. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for constructing a game platform according to the present invention.

Another object according to the present invention is to provide a computer programme and a computer programme product for providing a computer image pro- viding the features and functions of a game platform according to the present invention.

These and other objects are obtained by means of a game platform, a system, a method, a computer programme and a computer programme product having the features according to the appended claims 1, 23, 26, 29,32, 33,36 and 37, respectively. Further advantages are obtained by what is specified in the dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be had with reference to the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like designations refer to like details throughout the many different views and in which Fig. 1 schematically shows one side of one, a first, embodiment of a game platform according to the present invention seen towards its main extension plane, all ring like elements of the platform being arranged in the same plane;

Fig.2 schematically shows the game platform according to fig. 1 seen from the left in fig.1 ;

Fig.3 schematically shows a game platform according to fig.1, wherein an intermediate ring like element together with an inner ring like element in a common plane are turned in relation to an outer ring like element;

Fig.4 schematically shows a platform according to fig.3, wherein the inner ring like element is turned in relation to the intermediate ring like element;

Fig.5 a and b schematically shows one embodiment of a marker according to the present invention seen in the longitudinal direction, ie in the direction of movement, and from the left in fig.5a, respectively;

Fig.6 schematically shows four different markers according to one embodiment of the present invention, the markers providing dominos; Fig.7 schematically shows different possible positions of one marker providing four different matching positions for neighbouring markers;

Fig. 8 schematically shows in a perspective view another, a second, embodiment of a game platform according to the present invention, the platform being arranged so that all three ring like elements are angled in relation to each other for illustration purposes, this embodiment being intended to be a closed, sealed, permanent game platform unit not demountable; Fig. 9 schematically shows one side of the game platform of fig. 8, the platform being shown in a flat, neutral, configuration;

Fig. 10 shows a section A - A according to fig. 9, Fig. 1 1 shows an enlarged version of fig. 10,

Fig. 12 shows a section taken perpendicular to the main extension plane of a ring comprising markers of a platform according to an embodiment comprising means for releasably keeping markers of the platform in chosen positions,

Fig. 13 shows several integrated spring elements for a platform embodiment according to Fig. 12,

Fig. 14 shows a perspective view and a section of an arrangement with means ac- cording to Fig. 12,

Fig. 15 shows a portion of a section B - B according to Fig. 14 and

Fig. 16 shows a view of a marker for a platform embodiment according to Fig. 12 seen perpendicular to the axial direction of the marker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In fig.1 a game platform according to one embodiment of a game platform accord- ing to the present invention is designated by 100. In fig. l the platform is shown in a neutral state, in which the platform is in a substantially disc shaped configuration. According to this embodiment the platform comprises three circular ring like elements 1 10, 120, 130, each such element, fig. 2-4, comprising a pair of mutually parallel and mutually rotatably connected rings 1 1 1, 1 12, 121, 122, 131, 132, respec- tively, each ring being rotatable around the center axis of the ring. In said neutral state the three ring like elements are, thus, concentrically configured.

Further, each one the two inner ring like elements are turnable with respect to the outer ring like element around a diametrically running axial direction 120 ^',130^', so that they can be turned 180 degrees to change side of the disc. The fact that the axial directions 120^' and 130^' coincide is here merely a coincidence since they are rotatable independently of each other.

Furthermore, on the side turned from the other ring of the pair of connected rings, each ring is provided with a number of radially running grooves G, only one groove G per ring being shown in fig.1. According to the embodiment shown, each outer ring comprises sixteen grooves, each intermediate ring comprises eight grooves and each inner ring comprises four grooves. Thus, the disc is symmetric and comprises in total 16 + 16 + 8 +8 +4 + 4, i.e. 56 grooves.

In each groove except one, preferably, there is a marker M, arranged to be radially displaced out of the groove to a connecting free groove. Thus, preferably, there are 55 markers or runners and 56 grooves. Embodiments may be imagined comprising more than one free groove, suck embodiments making more easy solutions to be provided. Thus, by means of the one free groove and the mechanism of the platform, each marker may be moved to anyone of the available positions, ie to anyone of the grooves. According to a preferred embodiment the mechanism of the platform is designed in the following way.

The two outer rings are mutually rotatably held together to form an outer ring like element 1 10. The outer periphery 1 10' of each outer ring forms an outer marker stop for each groove, preventing a marker to leave the groove at the outer periphery.

The inner periphery of the element 1 10 comprises a rotatably arranged support ring 1 15 for the intermediate ring like element 120, which is connected to the support ring inner periphery at diametrically opposing positions 1 16 and turnable around an axial direction 120^' extending diametrically between said opposing positions. The support ring 1 15 comprises one passage P, through which a marker may pass radially.

The intermediate ring like element outer periphery 1 17 forms on both sides of the element an outer stop for each groove except one, preventing a marker to leave the groove at the outer periphery of the intermediate ring like element. Thus, the outer periphery 1 17 of the intermediate ring like element comprises one passage P, through which a marker may pass radially. The inner periphery of the intermediate ring like element 120 comprises a rotatably arranged support ring 125 for the inner ring like element 130, which is connected to the support ring inner periphery at diametrically opposing positions 126 and turn- able around an axial direction 130^' extending diametrically between said opposing positions. The inner ring like element outer periphery 127 forms on both sides of the element an outer stop for each groove except one, preventing a marker to leave the groove at the outer periphery of the inner ring like element. Thus, also the inner ring like element outer periphery comprises a passage P, through which a marker may pass ra- dially.

Further, on each side each support ring 1 15,125 also comprises a passage P, through which a marker may pass radially. Thus, by means of the mechanism described, each marker may be moved to any groove of the platform.

According to preferred embodiments certain positions for some of the passages P are chosen in order to prevent markers to leave their grooves when the intermediate and inner ring like elements, respectively, are in a non-neutral state, ie turned with respect to the outer ring like element and the intermediate ring like element, respectively. Thus, the passages P on both sides of the support rings 1 15,125 are positioned at one of the diametrically opposing positions 1 16,126 at which the respective ring like elements 1 10,120 are connected to the inner periphery of a support ring and then turnable around a diametrically running axial direction 120 ^',130^' running between two such diametrically opposing positions. In a corresponding way, the passage P in the outer periphery of each one of the intermediate 120 and inner 130 ring like elements on each side of the ring like elements is positioned at one of the diametrically opposing positions 1 16,126, at which the respective ring like ele- ments 1 10,120 are connected to the inner periphery of a support ring and then turn- able around a diametrically running axial direction 120 ^',130^' running between two such diametrically opposing positions.

The embodiment shown in figs. 8-10 is preferably intended to be a sealed, perma- nent, i.e. a closed unit, the design being shown in more detail than the embodiment in figs. 1-5, the basic design being principally the same. The second embodiment shown in figs. 8 - 10 is a preferred embodiment, the construction and design being shown in more detail in the section A - A shown in fig. 10. Thus, according to this second embodiment the outer ring like element 1 10 comprises an outer peripheral frame element 1 1 10 having a T-shaped cross-section in a radial direction, the frame element supporting two circumferentially running slide tracks 1 1 1 1, one on each side of the game platform, each slide track rotatably supporting a ring 1 1 1,1 12 with grooves G for markers M as in the first embodiment. The inner periphery of the outer ring like element 1 10 provides a support ring 1 15 for supporting an intermediate ring like element 120, the support ring inner periphery providing a connection 1 1 12 for axle elements 1 1 13, at two diametrically opposing positions connected to the intermediate ring like element, each by a pefera- bly fork like element 1 1 14, the intermediate ring like element in this way being ro- tatable and turnable with respect to the outer ring like element.

In the corresponding way both the intermediate ring like element and the inner ring like element 130 are provided with two opposing slide tracks 1 1 1 1 for grooves G and markers M. Also in the corresponding way the intermediate ring like element is provided with a support ring 125 for the inner ring like element and opposing axle elements 1 1 13 connected to the inner ring like element with a preferably fork like element, so that the inner ring like element is rotatable and turnable with respect to the intermediate ring like element. Further, a center piece 1 1 15 is provided connected to and holding the inner ring like element. According to preferred embodiments the platform is arranged and comprises means so that each marker is intended to be releasably kept in a chosen marker position.

According to preferred embodiments, Figs. 12 -16, a resilient memberl210 in the form of a spring element 1210 is arranged to hold a marker M in a chosen marker position by a spring force and to be compressed against a spring force to release the marker so that the marker may be transferred or turned to and held in another chosen position or state.

As described above a marker may be transferred radially between neighbouring rings in a groove G running radially. Said means are also arranged to releasably keep a marker in a chosen marker position also in said groove. Thus, said spring element comprises a recess like ditch 121 1 on the side 1212 of the spring element turned to the marker in the groove, the bottom surface 1213 of the marker foot 1214 comprising a protrusion 1215 to interact with said recess like ditch, the protrusion being kept in the recess like ditch by a spring force of the spring element. The protrusion may be released from the recess like ditch against a spring force by pushing the marker in the radially running groove, preferably after pressing down the marker towards the spring element. Preferably the recess like ditch is configured to run across the direction of the radially running groove.

Further, in such a chosen position the marker may have four different states with respect to neighbouring markers, the marker being turnable between four positions, preferably spaced by 90 degrees. According to the embodiment shown, a marker in a groove running in the radial direction of a ring of the platform is held with the up- per portions 1216 of the foot of the marker pressed against the bottom side 1217 of the upper side 1218 of the ring from below by the spring element. To define positions, states, of the marker and to hold the maker, the upper surface of the marker foot comprises at least one protrusion 1219, Fig. 16, but preferably four protrusions, arranged to interact with at least one recess 1220 but preferably four corresponding recesses in said bottom side, the multiple recesses being distributed by 90 degrees to specify four different states of the marker. Of course the recess/-es may be arranged on said marker foot and the protrusion/-s on said bottom side.

Preferably, spring elements corresponding to a certain ring are integrated to one an- nular piece 1221, preferably all spring elements for said ring, as indicated in Fig. 13, even if a straight portion instead of an annular piece is shown. The spring ele- merit is provided with protrusions 1222 arranged to interact with corresponding recesses 1223 in the bottom side of the ring comprising the positions for the markers, the arrangement being for holding and positioning the spring elements.

In order to release a marker the marker is pushed down against the spring force, whereby the marker is released in the protrusion/recess arrangement, the spring element having a somewhat convexly configured shape turned to the marker. When the marker has been moved to a chosen new position after having been released in the protrusion/recess like ditch arrangement and/or turned to a new state with respect to the neighbouring markers, the spring element pushes the marker foot to a new protrusion/ditch and/or a new protrusion/recess interaction by means of the spring force to hold the marker in the new position and/or state.

According to preferred embodiments, the game platform with markers is provided as a closed unit insofar that it is not demountable, the components of the ring like elements with the rings and the markers being permanently put together so that the rings, the markers etc are not removable from the platform. Thus, each game platform is then a permanent unit and may not be changed.

Thus, when the components of the game platform are mounted together, certain parts which are not to be mutually rotatable, are welded together, preferably by vibration welding. In this way the platform is sealed to a permanent unit.

In this way it is not possible for any marker to leave its groove via a passage P without entering another groove via a connecting passage P in a support ring.

According to preferred embodiments the upper marker M side M^' or surface M^', i.e. the side a user of the platform can see, is divided into four fields as can be seen in eg figs. 5a,5b,6 and 7. Each field comprises one to six dots as on a dice. Each marker is turnable around its central point clockwise and anticlockwise around an axis M" perpendicular to said upper side. In this way each field is arranged to form a domino together with one of the neighbouring fields. Thus, each marker provides four dominos D, two horizontal D^' and two vertical D^", as shown in e.g. fig.7. This means that each marker in fact is four markers in relation to the surrounding markers, which shall match the right and the left domino of a certain marker.

Further, according to preferred embodiments, the markers are provided with a colour code for the fields comprising eg three or four different colours. Preliminary, this means that between 350 and 400 different unique dominos may be provided.

Considering that there, according to preferred embodiments, is room for 55 markers on the platform it is possible to create an enormous amount of combinations of how the markers may be mutually positioned. All 55 markers ( including the variations they offer) offers 10 power 108 different positions. As a consequence all game solutions that will be manufactured in the future may be totally unique, ie no game solution will ever have to be a copy of another one with respect to the assembly, set, of markers.

According to certain preferred embodiments, in order to keep track of the platforms manufactured, each platform and the corresponding marker configuration or assembly is provided with an identification in the form of e.g. a bar code and a data chip. This makes it possible to find information, such as a solution, via a data base for each specific platform manufactured and also to delete from said data base each specific platform once the platform information has been disclosed. According to preferred embodiments, means I for identification are located to the center portion of the inner ring like element as shown in figs. 1 and 9.

GAME CONFIGURATIONS Mind teaser games

A platform according to the present invention maybe used as a mind teaser, ie the platform may be used for accomplishing certain prescribed marker configurations.

According to a most difficult embodiment all markers of the platform shall fulfil a predetermined configuration of mutual positioning.

According to more simple embodiments the markers of e.g. one inner ring, two in- ner rings, one intermediate ring, two intermediate rings, one outer ring, two outer rings or other ring combinations shall fulfil a predetermined configuration of mutual positioning.

The characteristics of the markers may be various symbols such as numbers, play- ing cards, dominos etc.

According to preferred embodiments the characteristics of the markers are printed onto the upper surface of each marker Preferably this is done when the markers are already mounted as marker blanks in the game platform. A writer unit is provided with characteristics in accordance with a set of markers decided upon for a certain game platform configuration. In case the set of markers are generated by a computer programme as described below the writer is fed with information specifying said set when printing. Computer programme development

According to preferred embodiments, each platform together with the corresponding marker configuration is intended to provide a predetermined number of unique combinations and predetermined number of possible solutions. Starting with this information a marker configuration, i.e. a set of markers with given characteristics, may be calculated for each platform. The present invention includes a computer programme for performing the corresponding calculations.

Platform for the lottery market

According to a preferred embodiment of a method and a system according to the present invention, a platform according to the present invention is used in combina- tion with a lottery system, preferably a lottery system comprising so-called scratch cards, a scratch card providing a scratch layer, which covers lottery information which is revealed when the layer is scratched away.

In the present case each scratch card comprises at least one sequence of dominos, such a sequence being intended to be compared with possible domino sequences provided by a platform of a player having aquired a scratch card.

Thus, once a domino sequence of a scratch card has been revealed the same sequence may be searched for on a platform. If the sequence is found the proprietor of the scratch card has won. If the sequence is not found it is not a winning scratch card and it does not have to be shown to the provider of the lottery.

When the price of a winning scratch card is collected the unique platform is compared with the unique scratch card by means of the calculation programme de- scribed above so that it is possible to check if the sequence of the scratch card is at all available on the platform considered.

Thus, the purchaser of a lottery scratch card is stimulated to search for the winning sequence on a platform by playing on the platform and is thus given an active role based upon skill.

The function of the game platform and system as well as the method according to the present invention should to a considerable and satisfactory extent have been made clear from the description given above. Thus, by means of the multiple rings, which are mutually movable in three dimensions and , specifically, mutually rotatable and turnable so that the intermediate two rings may be turned separately with respect to the two outer rings and the two inner rings and the two inner rings may be turned separately with respect to the two outer rings and the two intermediate rings, all rings being mutually rotatable and the game platform in a neutral state, a display state, having a disc-like configuration and two equal sides, both displaying three concentrically arranged rings, each with a number of radially running grooves for markers, preferably only one groove being free and the platform being arranged so that each marker may be moved to any groove of the platform. The platform is provided with a set of markers, in which every marker preferably is unique with respect to the rest of the markers. This means that the plat- form offers an extremely large number of possible combinations of mutual positions and sequences of the markers.

By configuring each marker so that it, when positioned in a groove, can show several different characterizing looks to be compared with the neighbouring markers the number of combinations is increased. As given as an example earlier the upper surface of a marker is provided with four fields with a dice surface with 1 to 6 dots, the upper surface being turnable so that such a marker may show four different dominos towards each side turned to a neighbouring marker. In this way the number of possible combinations of mutual positions and sequences of the markers of the platform is considerably increased. By arranging each dice surface with a specific colour the variation possibilities are still further increased.

As a matter of fact the variation possibilities are so enormous that no platforms manufactured will ever have to look alike if the variation possibilities are used.

Games to be performed by means of the platform comprises prescribing certain marker sequences to be found on a platform by rearranging the markers of the platform. The system according the present invention comprises a platform according to the present invention and a lottery arrangement providing sequences to be found on the platform in order to win. The sequences may be provided on lottery tickets, each in the form of a scratch card comprising a layer covering the sequence or sequences of the ticket and revealing the sequence or sequences when scratched away. The lottery tickets may eg be provided by a lottery company and bought by a player. If a sequence is found on the platform, the lottery ticket is a winning ticket. If it is not found on the platform it is a blank. According to preferred embodiments the lottery sequences comprises domino sequences.

A method according to the present invention comprises the steps of

- providing a game platform according to the present invention and

- providing at least one prescribed marker sequence and - rearranging the markers of the platform in order to find the prescribed sequence.

According to one embodiment of the present invention the sequence to be found is provided on a lottery ticket, eg a scratch card. According to one aspect of the present invention a computer programme is provided, which for a certain platform and marker configuration is designed to check if a certain marker sequence is available on that platform. The program is designed eg for checking if a certain lottery marker sequence may at all be found on a certain platform.

According to one aspect of the present invention a method is provided for constructing a game platform according to the present invention, the method comprising the steps of

- prescribing the, preferably even, number of rings of the game platform; - prescribing the number of grooves and markers of each ring;

- deciding a set of markers for the prescribed marker configuration; and - calculating all combinations of the decided set of markers for the prescribed marker configuration with the game platform thus prescribed.

According to one embodiment of this method it comprises the further step of prescribing certain conditions for the combinations to be calculated so that only com- binations fulfilling these conditions are calculated.

Examples of such conditions are the number of fields of the upper surface of each marker, the normal number being four, the minimum/maximum number of neighbours each marker upper surface is allowed to have and the number of jokers provided on the game platform.

According to one embodiment this method also comprises the step of checking if a certain combination is at all available by the prescribed marker configuration and decided set of markers.

According to one embodiment a computer programme is provided for carrying out this method.

According to one aspect of the present invention a computer programme, is provided offering the features and functions of the game platform according to the present invention, the programme also being provided as a computer programme product which when run on a computer produces the game platform according to the present invention.

Above the present invention has been described in association with examples and preferred embodiments. Of course, further embodiments as well as minor amendments and additions may be imagined without departing from the basic inventive idea. The platform embodiment shown in detail in figs. 1 to 10 comprises three pairs of rings and thus six rings. Of course platforms can be imagined that comprises more rings than six, e.g. eight, or fewer ring s than six, e.g. four.

Further, each ring may comprise an arbitrary number of grooves and, thus, markers chosen with respect to e.g. size of the ring and the desired degree of difficulty of the games provided by the game platform. Thus, the game platform may provide an arbitrary number of grooves and, thus, markers.

Further, the mechanism of the platform is arranged so that passages P are positioned not to co-inside with the respective axis of rotation of the two intermediate and two inner rings so that markers may be removed from the platform through the passages P. In this way it is possible to exchange markers, eg from one assembly of markers to a new assembly different from the original one. An intermediate solution is to arrange the passages P as just described and to have e.g. a lip member in the groove or in the passage so that a force has to be overcome to move the marker out of the groove and through the passage P.

As mentioned above a large number of different games may be configured on the platform by means of different sets of markers.

By means of the 55 markers a deck of cards may be provided including three Jokers.

As indicated above each computer programme according to the present invention is provided as a computer programme product comprising the programme and being arranged for running the program on a computer. Thus the invention should not be considered limited to the embodiments shown but may be varied within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A mechanical game platform for providing multiple mutual marker positions and comprising a predetermined number of markers, the platform being arranged so that any marker may be moved to any position, one position being free of a marker, characterized in a number of rings configured to be arranged in a disc-like configuration, a display configuration, with rings in pairs (1 10,120,130) of upper and lower rings, the platform thus having two equal sides each displaying half the number of rings of the platform, the rings being mutually rotatable and each pair being turn- able, each ring providing a number of marker (M) positions.

2. A platform according to claim 1, wherein a marker position comprises a radially running groove (G) into and out of which a marker may be radially displaced.

3. A platform according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least two, preferably three, annular ring like elements (1 10,120,130) are provided, each such element comprising a pair of mutually parallel and mutually rotatably connected rings, each ring being rotatable around a center axis of the ring.

4. A platform according to claim 3, wherein inner ringlike elements are turnable with respect to an outer ring like element around a diametrically running axial direction (120 ^',130^'), so that they can be turned 180° to change side of the platform.

5. A platform according to claim 3 or 4, wherein an outer ring like element (1 10) inner periphery comprises a rotatably arranged support ring (1 15) for a neighbouring inner ring like element (120), which is connected to the support ring inner periphery at diametrically opposing positions (1 16) and turnable around an axial direction (120^') extending diametrically between said opposing positions.

6. A platform according to claim 5, wherein a passage (P) for a marker on each side of a support ring is provided at one of said diametrically opposing positions (1 16,126) at which the respective ring like elements 1 10,120 are connected to the inner periphery of a support ring and then turnable around a diametrically running axial direction (120 ^',130^') running between two such diametrically opposing positions and, in a corresponding way, the passage P in the outer periphery of each one of the intermediate (120) and inner (130) ring like elements on each side of the ring like elements is positioned at one of the diametrically opposing positions (1 16,126) at which the respective ring like elements (1 10,120) are connected to the inner periphery of a support ring and then turnable around a diametrically running axial direction (120 ^',130^') running between two such diametrically opposing positions.

7. A platform according to anyone of the preceeding claims, wherein the platform comprises three concentrically arranged pairs of upper and lower rings, ie two outer rings, two intermediate rings and two inner rings.

8. A platform according to claim 7, wherein each outer ring comprises 16 positions, each intermediate ring comprises 8 positions and each inner ring comprises 4 positions, the total number of positions being 56 and there being room for a maximum number of 55 markers, at least one position being free.

9. A platform according to anyone of the preceeding claims, wherein an upper marker side portion preferably is square and also turnable so that the marker may turn four different sides to neighbouring markers.

10. A platform according to claim 9, wherein said upper side portion is divided into and displays four different fields, each field comprising one to six dots like on a dice so that the marker may turn four different dominos to neighbouring markers.

1 1. A platform according to claim 10, wherein each of the four fields has a separate colour.

12. A platform according to anyone of claims 1 to 1 1, wherein each platform is made unique with respect to marker set and provided with a unique identification, all such platforms preferably being collected in a data base with information about marker set and identification.

13. A platform according to anyone of claims 1 - 12, wherein means (1210, 1214, 1219,1220) are provided for releasably holding a marker (M) in a chosen marker position, eg in a ring groove, displaying an upper, free, surface of the marker on the platform.

14. A platform according to claim 13, wherein said means comprises a resilient member in the form of a spring element (1210) arranged to co-act with the marker to be held.

15. A platform according to anyone of claims 1 - 14, wherein said means comprises a protrusion (1215), preferably provided on the bottom side of the foot of the marker, and a recesslike ditch, preferably on the side of the spring element(1213) turned to the marker foot (1214), the protrusion being releasably kept in the recesslike ditch (121 1) by a spring force of the spring element, the protrusion of the foot being arranged to be released from said recesslike ditch by the marker being pushed in the direction of the radially running groove and, consequently, pressing down the spring element against a spring force of the spring element, preferably after having pressed down the marker towards the spring element initially.

16. A platform according to anyone of claims 1 - 15, wherein said means comprises portions of a radially running groove (G) of the marker position and portions of the marker foot (1214), said foot holding the marker in the groove and being connected to an upper portion of the marker, which upper portion is arranged outside the groove and comprises a side of the marker to be displayed on the platform.

17. A platform according to claim 16, wherein the marker is held with upper portions (1216) of the foot of the marker pressed from below against a bottom side (1217) of an upper portion of the ring comprising said groove by means of the spring element.

18. A platform according to claim 17, wherein said means comprises a protrusion (1219)and recess (1220)arrangement, the upper portions of the foot of the marker comprising at least one protrusion and said ring bottom side comprising preferably four recesses corresponding to said at least one protrusion, or said ring bottom side comprising at least one protrusion and the upper portions of said foot preferably four recesses corresponding to said at least one protrusion.

19. A platform according to anyone of claims 14 - 18, wherein a marker is arranged to be released in a chosen marker position by pushing down the marker against a spring force of said spring element, whereby the marker is released in a protrusion/recess arrangement.

20. A platform according to anyone of claims 14 - 19, wherein the spring element has a somewhat convexly configured shape turned to the marker.

21. A platform according to anyone of claims 14 - 20, wherein several, preferably all, spring elements of a certain ring are integrated to one annularly configured piece (1221)or piece of such an annularly configured piece.

22. A platform according to anyone of claims 14 - 21, wherein the spring element is provided with protrusions (1222) arranged to interact with corresponding recess es (1223) in the ring comprising the positions for the markers, the arrangement being for holding and positioning the spring element.

23. A system for lottery, characterized in a game platform according to anyone of claims 1 to 22 and in at least one lottery ticket comprising information prescribing at least one sequence of markers to be found on the platform.

24. A system according to claim 23, wherein the lottery ticket is a scratch card.

25. A system according to claim 23 or 24, wherein said at least one sequence is a sequence of dominos.

26. A method for playing a game, characterized in the steps of

- providing a game platform according to anyone of claims 1 to 22;

- providing at least one sequence of markers and

- searching for said at least one sequence on the platform by moving the markers of the platform.

27. A method according to claim 26, comprising the step of

- providing said at least one sequence of markers as a lottery ticket, preferably a scratch card.

28. A method according to claim 26 or 27, comprising the step of

- providing said at least one sequence as a sequence of dominos.

29. A method for constructing a game platform according to anyone of claims 1 to 22, the method comprising the steps of

- prescribing the number of rings of the game platform; - prescribing the number of grooves and markers of each ring;

- deciding a set of markers for the prescribed marker configuration; and

- calculating all combinations of the decided set of markers for the prescribed marker configuration with the game platform thus prescribed.

30. A method according to claim 29 comprising the further step of prescribing cer- tain conditions for the combinations to be calculated so that only combinations fulfilling these conditions are calculated, examples of such conditions being the number of fields of the upper surface of each marker, the normal number being four, the minimum/maximum number of neighbours each marker upper surface is allowed to have and the number of jokers provided on the game platform.

31. A method according to claim 29 or 30 comprising the step of checking if a certain combination is at all available by the prescribed marker configuration and decided set of markers.

32. A computer programme comprising a programme code for performing the method steps of anyone of claims 26 to 28 when said computer programme is run on a computer.

33. A computer programme product comprising a programme code stored on a, by a computer readable, media for performing the method steps of anyone of claims 16 to 18, when said computer programme is run on the computer

34. A computer programme comprising a programme code for performing the method steps of anyone of claims 29 to 31 when said computer programme is run on a computer, which when run on a computer.

35. A computer programme product comprising a programme code stored on a, by a computer readable, media for performing the method steps of anyone of claims 19 to 21 , when said computer programme is run on the computer.

36. A computer programme comprising a programme code for providing a game platform providing the features and functions according to anyone of claims 1 to 22 when said computer programme is run on a computer.

37. A computer programme product comprising a programme code stored on a, by a computer readable, media for providing a game platform providing the features and functions according to anyone of claims 1 to 22, when said computer programme is run on the computer.