WO2015147624A1

WO2015147624A1 - Configurable board game

Info

Publication number: WO2015147624A1
Application number: PCT/MX2015/000047
Authority: WO
Inventors: Diana Elizabeth CALVA MENDEZ; Juan Carlos LEHMAN CALVA; Mario Marcelo LEHMAN
Original assignee: Calva Mendez Diana Elizabeth; Lehman Calva Juan Carlos
Priority date: 2014-03-24
Filing date: 2015-03-23
Publication date: 2015-10-01

Abstract

The invention relates to a game comprising a board and the pieces, all of which include a display entirely or partially covering same, which are configured from a computing device. The base is modular, formed by different constitutive boards with components that are partially or entirely covered with ultra-thin displays. The pieces can be cards, tiles or chips, shapes, dice and any other element (teetotum, wheel etc.), and can be joined in any way in order to form other types of structures, or they are modular components. The ultra-thin displays of the base can be multi-touch and provide information from the configuration device.

Description

TABLE SET WITH FIGURE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

It refers to board games, which are developed on one or more boards or bases arranged flat, curved or forming a structure in space. It also includes one or more of the following components: cards or cards, chips, pieces, dice, without being limited. It also refers to games and competitions that have at least one board, with a structure similar to a table or that can be placed on it, and on which vehicles or robots move.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

A system for games and table competitions that are developed on an electronic board and that also has other components such as cards or cards, chips, pieces, dice and other elements (whirligig, wheel, etc.), without being limited, as well as vehicles , robots or similar (autonomous or controlled by the user). Both the electronic board and the rest of the mentioned components have the external surface (all or in parts) covered with flexible and ultra-thin displays. These displays allow different patterns to be displayed, so that the same components can be used to implement different types of games. All are connected to a computer or mobile device, for its configuration, its operation and interaction during the development of the game, for which it has the corresponding software, They also have a battery recharge device and ia connected to a network ( Internet, for example) allows updating and improvements in the applications used. The set of components mentioned allows to combine chance with decisions and strategy, and also so that space and time variables can be included as part of the game, without being limited in any way. BACKGROUND

The type of Game that we are interested in presenting here has a base, platform or board where the game takes place. From this we consider three possible vacancies: 1) there are components or parts that players are responsible for moving on said board, 2) there are robots, vehicles or similar that are moved by remote control or autonomous (programmable), the four move on said board, 3} there is a combination of the two previous ones.In the state of the art we can find different games, of different sizes in relation to the parts and components, which may or may not have movement and that They are located on a base or shelf.

We define below the most important concepts in relation to the present invention.

Game: it is an activity that serves for fun and enjoyment, and on other occasions as a form of training and for the education of its participants. A game is also considered a recreational exercise subject to regal, in which it is won or lost. Board game: is the game that takes place, at least in part, on a table or equivalent surface, which is played by one or several people located around it. It may have one or more components (boards, cards, chips, dice, pieces, etc.) necessary for its development. Players use their intellectual or manual ability to achieve the objectives and / or goals individually or in groups. It consists of a game system, which includes the rules and key elements such as chance, strategy, reasoning, reaction speed and other skills of the participants. By their nature, in general board games do not involve physical activity, although this is not ruled out, Components of a game: those objects that are used for the development of the game, can intervene to establish the environment where it develops, as generators of randomness, to determine the status or represent one of the players, as resources of these or objects d exchange, as a means of managing and scoring, without being limited, according to the type of game and its rules, in order to finally achieve the objectives and goals set out in these rules. As mentioned before, boards, chips, dice, pieces, miniature figures, cards, modular pieces, etc., are components of a game.

Game system: is a rule or set of rules whose objective is to obtain a series of determined results as part of a game. Complex games can have a large number of interconnected rules within their respective game systems. The total experience that the game provides or the set of game rules is called "gameplay", which is a measure of the set of game properties in relation to users (if it is easy to learn, if it is enjoyable, etc.). ). The interactions of the different rules of a game and the players determine the complexity of their system.

The most common components in board games are mentioned below, but the consequences of the present invention are not limited only to these. Tabiero: it is a piece of cardboard, paper, wood, aluminum, etc. (generally light), of more or less thickness, which is located in a central space on the table and through which players move their pieces or where available actions or scores appear. Some games are composed of more than one central tabier with different purposes or have individual boards for each player, in which the player plans his strategies or manages his resources.

Modular board: The one that is configured at the beginning or at the start of the game by means of regular or irregular pieces, giving the game a dose of scalability and adaptation to the number of players with respect to those games whose board is static.

The boards can be deployed from the beginning or be assembled step by step, according to the development of the game. Although there are video games that work on a virtual board, the term "board game" usually applies to games with physical boards. The components that are placed on the board and that serve to represent a player, as a resource for this or to establish turns, chance or consequence of an action are called pieces, although the term also refers to the three-dimensional figures that usually use the player for e! Game development,

Card: piece that represents a player, or used to make plays. It has varied forms, although it is rather of little thickness in relation to its surface.

Letter or card: they are prints made on cardboard or plastic material. They can be distributed to each player or each one can take some for tumos, They are almost always rectangular, although not necessarily.

Given: it is a polyhedral shaped object prepared to show a random result when thrown on a horizontal surface, using the hands or a beaker. The results that are obtained follow a probability that is distributed by a discrete uniform distribution.

Below we mention the classification of some games by their type, without being limited.

Strategy games: those games or entertainments in Sos that, the intelligence factor, technical skills and planning and deployment, can make the player predominate or drive towards the victory of the game. Players can play the role of an entrepreneur, a head of state, a general !, or any other character, in which they will have to develop a series of strategies, managing the available resources, to win a battle, get money or points, certain position, etc., and thus achieve the ultimate goal.

Gambling: are those in which the chances of winning or losing do not depend on the ability of the Player but exclusively on chance. The majority are Betting Games whose prizes are determined by the probability of hitting the chosen combination.

Abstract game: it is one in which there is no associated theme or setting, that is to say that the components of the Game (cards, dice, board, etc.) do not represent the behavior and characteristics of real or imaginary beings or objects. The mechanics involved are usually simple in terms of regulation, although it can allow a high degree of tactical or strategic complexity.

Thematic game: one that has an associated theme or setting, that is, its components (chips, dice, board, etc.) represent in some measure the behavior characteristic of real or imaginary beings or objects.

Here are some examples of games, among the best known to which our invention can be applied (without being limited).

Card games: are those in which the main element of the game are cards, which must be mixed before playing. There are several types of cards or cards that are characteristic of each region or country. We consider here the type of Game that uses at least chips (for scoring) and a board on which the cards are placed.

War game: is one that recreates an armed confrontation of any level (skirmish, tactical, operational, strategic or global) with rules that implement a certain simulation of military technology, strategy and organization used in any historical, hypothetical or fantastic environment. Components: board, miniatures, dice, cards, cards, maps, etc. Roí game (or role play game): one or more players play a certain role, role or personality. When a person plays the role of X it means that he is playing a role that he normally does not. Components: sheets of paper, pencils and other elements to take notes, draw maps or make another kind of descriptive drawings, dice, books to consult rules, prefabricated adventures or interesting facts, character sheets, a player, game director's screen , maps, board, pieces or figures, accessories and decoration elements, from models to costumes to better suit the game.

Backgamrnon; It is for two players that combines chance with strategy. The goal is to get the chips off the board before the rival player. Components: board, dice and chips,

Rithmomachia {or game of the philosophers): it is a game of mathematical board of strategy, highly complex. It was created in medieval Europe. The oldest known description dates from the 11th century. A literal translation of the name is "the battle of numbers." Components: chips with different shapes.

Chess: two people participate, each of which has 16 moving pieces (a king, a lady, two bishops, two horses, two towers and eight pawns) that are placed on a grid of 8 * 8 squares, alternated in Black and white colors. It is a strategy game in which the objective is to "overthrow" the king of the opponent. Go: It is a strategic board game for two players, and has complex strategies despite its simple rules. Players alternately place black and white "stones" over the free intersections of a 19x19 line grid. The objective of the game is to control a larger portion of the board than the opponent.

Checkers: it is a board game for two opponents, which consists of moving the tiles diagonally through the black or white squares of a board of 64 or 100 squares with the intention of capturing (eating) the opponent's pieces by jumping over them. Each player has 12 pieces of the same color (one white and one black). Games with robots; they are those where autonomous robots are used or directed by means of some device (infrared, radio-central, etc.) for skills and education. In this case the robots do a series of activities on a thematic board, for which they are programmed from a mobile device. Since small robots are often used on a table or flat surface with a thematic board, we include these as part of the board games,

Videogame; It is an electronic game in which one or more people interact, through a controlled with a device equipped with video images. This electronic device can be a computer, a videoconsoia, a mobile device, etc. , which are known as platforms.

Game Design; it's the process of designing the content, the background and the rules of a game,

Board games lists: http: //en.wik} pedia.ofig / wíkÍ / LíSt _„ of _„ board__games, http: //en.wikíped ia. rg wiki Tabletop _m game, http: // es .wikiped ia.org wiki / Game_of_game List of war games: http://en.wikipedia.org wiki / List_of_board__wargames

List of robot games and competitions: http: / www.robotlcseducation.org/,

http: //en.wikiped ia.org/wikí Category: Robotics_competitions,

http://en.wikipedia.org wiki / FIRST_Lego_League

Dictionary of terms related to board games and cards;

meeajy_cartas: C Table 1 considers patents related to board games, which are the most representative for this case. In Tab 2, patents related to electronic boards for board games are considered, which even consider ways to determine the positioning of the pieces.

Table 1 - Examples of patents related to board games.

Table 2 - Examples of patents that have to do with electronic boards for Games and competitions. Video game platform: in a more general sense it includes the hardware and software for the use of video games _» with dildos that can be the keyboard, the computer rattan, a joystick, steering wheels, light guns, or all other device that allows the interaction of one or more users.

Flexible dispiays: they are those that are based on organic semiconductors and can be adapted on a plastic substrate that can be folded, rolled, folded or kept flat, to differentiate them from the rigid dispiays that are known today. Flexible dispiays are coming to market with applications to mobile devices, televisions and large screens, but their applications promise to extend in the coming years. The materials used have electroluminescent or electrophoretric properties, and there are several types, based on organic compounds, where the most prominent are known as organic light emitting diodes {OLED, Organic Light Emmitiíng Diode), electronic paper and graphene.

Within what we call the OLED family we can find the following types of devices: active matrix organic light emitting diodes (AMOLE D, Active Matrix OLED), flexible organic light emitting diodes (FOLED, Flexible OLED), light emitting diodes organic phosphorescent (PhOLED, Phosphorescent OLED), light emitting diodes of polymers (PLED, Polymer LEO), organic light emitting diodes of polymers {POLED, Polymer OLED), resonant organic light emitting diodes (RCOLED, Resonant Color OLED ), small molecule organic light emitting diodes (SmOLED, Smaíí-moiecuíe OLED), stacked organic light emitting diodes (SOLED, Stacked OLED), transparent organic light emitting diodes (TOLED, Transparent OLED), HUMERO DATE AÜTOR (ES) CLASSIFICATION

(US, international)

yS20∞O81923 A1 03/2009 Dooley et al. 446/456 | A63F9 / 24

P23SSS2 At 11/2011 Jones et al. G05D1 / 02

si2ii9ao, ti- 05/2007 Bruemmer et ai. 318/587 B64C13 / 18

m wm 01/2013 Sofrnan et al. 446/456 A83H30704

1/2003 Gizis et a !. 463/40 A63F13 / 12

Í $i $ 8284553At 11/2009 Seydoux 345/649 G09G5 / 00

ysa i iosasi i 05/2010 Jurmatn et a !. 701/2 B25J 02/13

ÍSÍÍ1ÍÉ1788 § A1: 07/2010 Seydoux 463/2 A63F9 / 24

OSi H Oiiie l 08/2010 Eyzaguirre et ai. 463/2 A63F 13/00

U £ 30 * fOO46781 A1 02/2011 Summer 700 248 G05819 / 418

04/2013 Curtís et a !. 701/25 G01C21 / 0Ó

04/2013 Monceaux 700/253 B25J9 / 00

Table 3 - Patents on robots for competitions and games.

In Table 3 you can see some patents related to the development and application to robots. Table 4 shows patents related to configurable parts and components for games, in relation to the interests of the present invention, although they refer to configuration with physical change and do not consider a visual change. In Table 5 you can find patents reiacíonadas with the communication systems applied to games.

NUMBER DATE AUTHOR (S) CLASSIFICATION

(US, International) US ÍH «S« fAÍ 05/2011 Yourio ef ai. 700248 G05B19 / 418

^" om z Orlinsky ei at ^" 463/30 ^" ^" Αβ3 Ϊ3 / δθ ^~

01/2008 Cortenraad eí at 483/34 A63F9 / 24

sioeifsmii 03/2009 Rants ef al. 463/34 A63F9 / 24

yS2 # MQ & 62A1 01/2010 Maharbiz et a !. 483/36 A63F9 / 24

08/2010 Borge 483/29 G06F17 / 00

Ul »2» 2l 1 03/2012 Jaqua et af. 463/9 A63F9 / 24

05/2012 Cross eí al. 463/42 ^"" A63F9 / 24 ^~

Table 4 - Patent patents and games.

Video communication systems] uegos. PROBLEM PROPOSED AND INNOVATION ASPECTS

Today we can find a wide variety of board games that are physically presented with all its components and are sold in stores. On the other hand, we also find applications and games for mobile computing devices, and even for video game consoles. These two game presentations are clearly differentiated, and there is no possibility of starting a game in a physical presentation of! same and pass it in full or continue on a device of computation In the patents of! To Tabia 4 the interaction and physical configuration of game components are contemplated, but not in their visual aspect, so as to transfer the components to their physical form from how they are seen on the screen of a platform video]

In the references of Table 1 boards or bases are used that constitute the place or the environment where the game is developed. These partiers can be made of wood, cardboard, plastic or some other material that can be rolled, folded, flexed or folded, although it can also be rigid and flat. The main characteristic of taies tabieros is that they have a fixed motif or pattern on their surface, not being able to change over time or to configure different Games on the same board. The latter is solved (sometimes) by having each Game printed on different faces or folds, but it is also not possible to change the stage or pattern of the board and then intervene in the time variable or the space variation! within the game itself. Another aspect raised is the use of an electronic board, as in the case of the patents in Table 2. In such cases, the board is not as it is normally known in the Board Games, but is an electronic system with a misdirection. which has the aforementioned characteristics for physical boards, in this way the board is more similar to other applications where information is displayed, and using a single board different games can be configured on it. Moreover, the connection of the board with a computing device makes it possible to obtain a customized configuration for the users, so that they can create their own Game. It is also possible to move games that are now made in computing devices (mobile or fixed) to the board and the pieces, to be able to see it from another point of view obtaining different visual effects.

All these presentations are important for people of all ages, but there is still a leap or difference between the components of the virtual and physical game. This The latter can be important especially for children when they require psychomotor experiences and need to learn through the Game, touch and observe lights and changes in concrete objects. Similarly, we believe it could also be applied to people of different ages for rehabilitation, entertainment, training and education. Moreover, the possibility of moving a game from a physical space to a virtual space opens up a large number of possibilities for developers and programmers. Consequently, the present invention solves, unifies and integrates, on the same functional concept, many types of Games that can be found today, in relation to those mentioned in Table 1, and what is mentioned in the rest of the Tables, regarding the electronic board and the location of the components on it. In other words, this invention makes possible a closer approach between the virtual and physical space, and makes the time and space variables intervene in a more dynamic way _* as part of the Game itself.

On its own, there are several possible games known to ios that can be adapted:

1) Board games. All types of games that take place on a board like; Ladies, Chinese ladies, chess, monopoly, without being limited, can use a configurable base or platform. Moreover, each of these bases can act individually, for each player or group of players, or they can also be part of a larger base, even forming a surface that is not necessarily flat or being faces in a volumetric way in space ,

2) Games for children with race tracks. In this case there is a modular base or platform that allows different landscapes and roads to be displayed so that different types of vehicles and / or robots can move there. Several bases can also be placed on different levels, since the displays that form can even be transparent, then having a three-dimensional arrangement

3) Games that have a mat: on it you can place small children to walk or touch different sectors, receive visual, sound and tactile stimuli through sensors and thus strengthen their psycheomoíricity and learning. It can also be useful in games for all ages, as in the case of the teacher, adding a temporal variable and spatial variation,

4) Games with blocks or modular: it is used as a base to place on it different types of constructions or vehicles, being able to be formed from a model to a base for competitions with vehicles or robots.

5} Games with 3D boards. As already mentioned in each of the previous cases, the modular boards can be located at different levels and forming surfaces with different shapes. If the layout of the displays is also made in several layers, 3D effects can be obtained, so as to superimpose rugs, bases or boards, which can be removed to compare or give depth in a competition or game.

To synthesize, the present invention refers to a set of components, for use in a board game, which can be configured in its visual aspect to be able to play the same game physically or virtual. You can move from one space to another (physical or virtual) or play it from both, allowing new developments and applications, and extending and integrating the types of games in both spaces. Moreover, each user can extend the game, configure it and design it in a personalized way, something that is difficult to achieve today in games where you have the board and the pieces and objects in a physical way.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. 1 contains a block diagram of the functions and components that represent the game system with adaptable components.

In Fig. 2, a possible block diagram of the structure of the electronic subsystem is shown,

s Fig. 3 shows the way in which several boards can be joined through nodes of different order to form the base,

Fig. 4 shows examples of a board and the possible pieces that can be configured, from a computing device, to be used in the game.

Fig. 5 shows an example of a board with an electronic system, together with autonomous robots and directed by radio control, which can be configured from a computing device.

Fig. 8 is the procedure used to configure the game system with adaptable components. 5 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Fig, 1 a block diagram is shown that allows to see the structure and operation of the game with adaptable components. There is then a computer, which can be connected to a mobile device, and both are connected in turn with an electronic interface responsible for the configuration of each of the 0 game components. The following are called game components:

1- computer with the configuration program

2- mobile device that can be connected to the computer for configuration or to the base of the game to participate in the game.

3- Electronic interface, to configure and charge the components.

S 4- Electronic board where the game takes place. 5- Mobile objects that participate indirectly in the game, such as context, barrier, etc. or by establishing a function that affects moving or fixed objects that are at the base,

0- Mobile objects that participate directly in the development of the game and are those that determine the strategy or luck of each participant, moving on the basis.

7- Fixed objects that are placed on the base and help the context or scenery of the game,

8- Fixed objects that participate directly in the development of the game and are those that determine the strategy or luck of each participant, placing themselves on the basis or acting on the moving objects.

Fig. 2 is the basic structure of! electronic subsystem of each component, where there is a processor (14), a memory (15), a power source (16), a communication technology (17) and a set of sensors (these may or may not be present).

Fig. 3 shows the way in which a base composed of several tabs is obtained. The base can be simple, with a single board, or have several of these joined through nodes. The nodes can be double, triple or component. In this way, the boards form a complex structure that can have various shapes, in space or as surfaces. The nodes are connecting elements that hold the boards together, although these can be in the game by participating independently. The boards can be joined by the edges or overlap to give effects in three dimensions. There may be boards with different shapes and profiles. EXAMPLE 1. Configurable game with fixed parts or with manual movements, fixed and additional objects.

Fig. 4 is an example of a game with many adaptable components and which are configured from the program on the computer (26), via the electronic interface (27). For this, each component shown has a connection with the electronic interface, and there are objects that can be fixed or mobile, such as cards (32), cards (33), pieces (37), with display on each face generating 3D effects, moving objects such as dice (34), balls (35), whirligig (36), yo-yo (38), bearing (39), spinning top (40), and fixed objects such as roulette (41), clock (42), wheel (43), animals (real or fantastic) (44), vehicles (45), characters (real or imaginary) (46), aerospace ships (47), buildings in general (48). Cards and tokens can be superimposed to give 3D effect or joined to form larger components. The dice can also be joined to give other shapes with a larger and more complex structure. The pieces are different in shape and can be joined in a modular way to achieve more complex structures.

EXAMPLE 2. Configurable game with mobile components (autonomous or remote control).

In Fig. 5 is an example of a game with many adaptable components and that are configured from the program that is in the computer (26), through the electronic interface (27). In this case we see that on the board (60) vehicles and robots can be moved.

PREFERRED MODE OF THE INVENTION

Modality 1: board games. In this case a board is used, although there may be games that do not require it (for example, playing cards or cards), and allows you to configure a certain Game, download them from a network (for example Internet) through a computing device, or design your own game. You can have time and space as important variables, and you can have individual boards or build boards with different shapes and geometries in space,

The board is a modular component, so that greater structures can be achieved in the plane or space if it is combined with others of similar characteristics. In the case of the pieces, these can be joined in some way to form another type of structures, or they are modular components. Cards or cards can also be joined to form larger ones or functions. Equally for other additional elements. Also included as components on the board, robots or vehicles that have autonomous movement or operated by remote control.

Modality 4: radio control skills. In this case there are parts or vehicles that are operated from a control console that users have. In the board you can show clues or paths, as well as obstacles that you want to control should follow or avoid respectively.

Modality 5: bounce competitions. On the board you can also move configurable robots and their outer and autonomous deck, in order to perform different types of skills.

Fig. 6 is the flow chart for the configuration method

Claims

Having sufficiently described and ciara my invention, I consider as a novelty and therefore claim as my exclusive property, what is contained in the following clauses:

1, Board game components, characterized in that:

«There is an electronic board where the game takes place, which consists of a wooden, cardboard, aluminum or similar base, and which has a flexible display on its surface,

♦ there are moving parts that are deployed on the tabíero,

♦ s have fixed objects, which are placed on the board, and which participate in the game as part of the environment or scenery, or by establishing a function that affects the moving parts,

* there are additional objects that participate determining the strategy, the fate of each participant, for scoring or exchange, and not necessarily placed on the board,

• moving parts, fixed objects and additional objects have an outer covering (over its entire surface or on a part of it) with flexible display and each one of them has the following components: a processor, a rechargeable battery, a memory and a communication device, which allow the display of patterns on the flexible display,

♦ A computing device is included, which has the configuration and monitoring software for game development,

# you have an inertia or electronic console, which is in communication with the computing device and is connected to the electronic tabíero, and serves to configure and charge the moving parts, fixed objects and additional objects.

2. Configurabie game, in accordance with clause 1, characterized in that:

• the base is formed with several boards,

• each of the display boards has a! less one of the following characteristics:

3. Configurabie game, in accordance with clause 1, characterized in that;

• The components are at least one of the following types: cards (32), cards (33), pieces (37), with dlspfay on each face generating 3D effects, moving objects such as dice (34), balls (35), whirligig (36), yo-yo (38), bearing (39), spinning top (40), and fixed objects such as roulette (41), clock (42), wheel (43), animals (real or fantastic) (44), vehicles (45), characters (real or imagine) (46), aerospace ships (47), buildings in general (48),

• the mentioned components have flexible organic displays on their outer surface, which are deposited, collected, adhered or inserted in some way on the surface of the components,

• the displays used for the board and the components and parts can be one of the following types; of the OLED family (Organic üght Emmítting Diode), electro! luminescent or eiectrophoretic.

4. Configurabie game, according to clauses 1 and 2, characterized in that the modular base or board has an electronic system consisting of a processor, a memory, a communication device, a device for power and energy.

5. Configuration set, according to clauses 1 to 3, characterized in that each of the components has an electronic system consisting of: a processor, a memory, or communication device, a battery.

6. Game configuration, in accordance with clauses 1 to 5, characterized in that:

• some components have movement, which can be controlled remotely or autonomously,

* these components have an electronic system and may be some of the following ios; autonomous robots,

* Some components can be coupled to form more complex components,

♦ there is a program for configuration and programming of movements.

7. Set-up game, in accordance with clauses 1 to 6, characterized in that the 0 components can be radio controlled vehicles or autonomous robots or programmables,

8. Components for board game configurabié with display coating on its surface, and which can be of the type organic diode (OLED) or eSectraforético.

5 9. Mini robots with configurable game display characterized in that they have their outer surface covered by an organic (OLED) or electophoretic display.

10. Configurable base for competitions with robots characterized in that it has its surface covered by an organic (OLEO) or electrophoretic display,

11. Configuration method for configurable game, which externally configures the surface or cover of the components, control vehicles or autonomous robots that are used in said Game.