WO2019210967A1

WO2019210967A1 - Settable three dimensional puzzle

Info

Publication number: WO2019210967A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/061448
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alexandre PUGLIESE
Original assignee: Pugliese Alexandre
Priority date: 2018-05-04
Filing date: 2018-05-04
Publication date: 2019-11-07

Abstract

The invention relates to a settable three-dimensional puzzle comprising all-in-one sensors including accelerometers, micro-controller, battery, touch screen wherein each moving blocks further comprises settable faces. Further comprises a settable device allowing setting one or several face's combination and state, e.g. color or symbol. The invention further relates to a three-dimensional game system comprising a docking station for powering up the sensors and acquiring the data over time, a connectable device and a three-dimensional puzzle. Yet further, the invention relates to a method for setting one or plurality of state to control the three-dimensional puzzle's faces based on a solving solution in order to guide, systematically, the player through a learning method selected and set on the connectable device or docking station. The method also includes recording and sharing on the Internet the acquired and/or recorded data.

Description

SETTABLE THREE DIMENSIONAL PUZZLE

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a connectable three-dimensional puzzle, and to a wireless gaming system. Further, the invention relates to a method for defining, recording, learning and sharing through the Internet, one or a plurality of face positions and/or orientations of a three-dimensional puzzle.

Background of the invention

Three-dimensional puzzles are known in the prior art. Such puzzles can be the Rubik’s Cube®, which is highly popular since its introduction by Professor Erno Rubik. Communities of players are solving cubes worldwide and competitions are taking place including ranking of the fastest players.

Three-dimensional puzzles usually require solving methods and algorithms, which are guiding players in order to solve them. Today, the learning process is difficult and requires a long time to get used to all different solving methods developed over the past years. The solving methods are printed or described in tutorials; each steps of the algorithms must be recognized and memorized by the players.

Some players are competing each other with the objective to solve the three-dimensional puzzle as fast as possible. Competition Events are taking place worldwide and players have to join physically, which is limiting the number of attendees. Prior art also shows connectable puzzles which can be used to log each element’s position. However, these known puzzles typically use electrical wire connections in- between the moving blocks, which is not convenient in terms of reliability, cost and manufacturing ability. The present invention overcomes these drawbacks in the existing connectable puzzles of the prior art. The invention also aims at other objects and particularly the solution of other problems as will appear in the rest of the present description. Summary of the invention

The present invention comes to solve the above mentioned problems in the prior art. The invention aims to help players in their learning process using a three-dimensional puzzle that is connected to a connectable device and a docking station. The connectable device can be a computer, a smart phone, a smartwatch or any display able to show information and able to connect to the Internet. Once all embodiment is connected, the user get a full gaming system and he can visualize the animated picture of the three-dimensional puzzle state on the connectable device’s screen as well as the direct view from the built-in camera of the docking station. The player can also share information and compete online to enhance his gaming experience.

In this invention, the sensors are using accelerometer and/or gyroscope technologies allowing wireless data transmission in-between the sensors and the docking station and/or the connectable devices, differently to the prior art, where there is only one location defined to place the battery which is limiting the design freedom as all moving blocks require an electrical wire power connection.

Several sub element (blocks) are preferably composing the three-dimensional puzzle. Sliders and shaft are guiding the blocks allowing them to move only in some specific directions. Each block gets some visible faces that aim to be aligned into a specific order and combination (goal of the game).

One or several block’s faces are equipped with all-in one sensors which record and share the blocks position, orientation and direction over the time directly with the connectable devices or through the Docking station. Each All-in-one sensor gets a display (touch screen), one or several accelerometers, one or several gyroscopes, a microphone and a wireless communication. The All-in-One sensors are powered by an integrated battery to avoid any compromise on the game play and solving time due to friction in between electrical contacts. In this invention there is no additional friction which is usually the case in the prior art where blocks are connected to each other with electrical contacts.

The gaming system comprises the three-dimensional puzzle, the connectable device and the docking station and it offers several learning and analytical functions.

The first one is the possibility to set the three-dimensional puzzle block’s faces into a specific state (e.g. symbol or color). There is several ways to do it: The touch function built in the all-in-one sensor allows selecting the colors or symbol on each face (through the display). Another way to set the faces state is the integrated microphone through which the user can directly call a recorded preset state combination. Finally the user can use the connectable device to select a predefine face’s combination. Thanks to these three ways, the user can learn a solution from a specific starting point in the algorithm. He can thus easily call a specific algorithm’s state where he is facing some issue in order to try solving quickly that specific phase repeatedly. This is a key point to improve by learning and making progress step by step.

The second function allows the user to visualize and record on the connectable device all movements and data up streamed by the sensors. The data are very useful to analyze the game history in order to understand where in the algorithm the user is slowing down while doing it. These two functions are key in the learning process and makes it easier and faster.

Finally, the overall embodiment or system offers online gaming to players. The connectable device and the Docking station connects to the Internet with an access to gaming platform and online servers. The user is there able to meet other players with who he can share his progress and performance. It is also the place where the competition is happening. Any player can create his own match online by defining some specific faces arrangement or combinations as a goal to achieve. The other players are joining the match online and a common timer is giving the start. Each individual score (solving time) is recorded and shared by each gaming system, the champion is the one solving the three-dimensional puzzle the faster. Another important feature in the gaming system is the integrated camera that allows the player to record a full movie or capture picture of his performance. The movie is then also an information that can be shared through the social media or directly on the gaming platform.

Brief description of the drawings

Additional features and advantages of the present invention are described in, and will be apparent from, the description of the presently preferred embodiments, which are set out below with reference to the drawings in which: Figure 1 shows the overall three-dimensional game system of the present invention

(A1 ): Three-dimensional puzzle

(A2): Docking Station

(A3): Connectable device: Smart phone

(A4): Connectable device: Smart watch (A5): All-in-One Sensor

(A6): Connectable device: Computer

(A7): Online gaming platform or servers

(A8): Docking’s push-button to Start/Stop the timer

(A9): Docking’s Camera (A10): Docking’s Human Machine Interface (HMI)

(A1 1 ): Internet Connection (Wifi)

(A12): Wireless Connection (Bluetooth)

(A13): Wireless Transmission with connectable device (smartphone, computer, smartwatch)

Figure 2 shows the three-dimensional puzzle according to the invention including the blocks and the sensors

(B1 ): Three-dimensional puzzle

(B2): Three-dimensional puzzle movement illustration (B3): Moving block

(B4): Block’s face

(B5): Touch sensor (B6): Induction coil for wireless charging

(B7): Microcontroller

(B8): Microphone

(B9): Super capacitor or battery

(B10): Accelerometer or/and gyroscope

(B1 1 ): Display (LCD Screen, elnk or LED)

(B12): All-in-One Sensor detailed view

Figure 3 shows the docking station and the three-dimensional puzzle according to the present invention

(C1 ): Three-dimensional puzzle

(C2): Docking’s Camera

(C3): Docking’s Induction coil for wireless charging

(C4): Docking’s Human Machine Interface

(C5): Docking’s push-button to Start/Stop the timer

(C6): Docking’s USB power connection

(C7): Docking’s Microphone

(C8): Docking’s Speaker

(C9): Docking’s Screen with integrated Timer

Figure 4 shows the connectable device’s software of the invention

(D1 ): Three-dimensional puzzle type selection (currently connected to the gaming system)

(D2): Tutorial list and Learning method

(D3): My profile settings (D4): Tutorial animation showing the solving process

(D5): Online Competition

(D6): Overall ranking list

(D7): Social Media button

(D8): Create and Share a new tutorial

(D9): Create and Share a new online competition

Figure 5 shows different puzzle’s configurations according to the present invention

(E1 ): Configuration 1

(E2): Configuration 2

(E3): Configuration 3

(E4): Player’s finger

Figure 6 shows the all-in-one sensor’s display in function according to the invention (F1 ): Arrow symbol helping the user to solve the Three-dimensional puzzle

(F2): ON/OFF symbol to switch on the three-dimensional puzzle

Detailed description of the invention

Online gaming platforms are known since the 90s: they started when the Internet development was good enough to allow players to share live-streamed gaming experience through the web. A gaming platform is commonly based on computer’s server technology which are hosting gaming data shared by gamers (players).

The present invention aims to enhance online gaming experience by creating a full gaming system as illustrated in Figure 1 . Several elements are composing the gaming system. The first one is a three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) wirelessly connected to a docking station (A2).

The three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) gets moving parts called blocks (A5)/(B3). The blocks are moving in specific direction (B2) defined by the internal mechanism of the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ). Each block (A5)/(B3) gets some visible faces (B4). In the present invention, the faces (B4) and/or the blocks (A5)/(B3) are equipped with all-in-one sensors (B12). The All-in-one sensor (B12) is a key element of the present invention. The All-in-one sensor (B12) gets an accelerometer or a gyroscope (B10) able the measure relative and absolute value of any movements through acceleration in any of the three dimensions. The all-in-one sensor also gets its own battery or super capacitor (B9) which is powering up the entire All-in-one sensor’s components (B12).

The Battery (B9) is connected to an induction coil or antenna (B6) that can wirelessly collect energy from the docking station (A2) while the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) is sitting inside the docking station as described in the Figure 3.

On the external side of the all-in-one sensor (B12) there is a touch screen (B5) and a display (B1 1 ). The player can use the touch sensor (B5) to define a specific state (color or symbol) of the display (B1 1 ) and thus change the respective face’s state. The Figure 5 shows different faces (B4) combination (E1 ) predefined by the player touching each faces (B4)/ (E4). In a preferred embodiment, the all-in-one sensor also includes a microphone (B8) allowing the similar function as the touch screen (B5) but through the player’s voice. Both functions can be used to switch ON and to switch OFF the three- dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ).

The all-in-one sensor (B12) also gets a microcontroller (B7) able to analyze, to record and to share wirelessly all the data collected from the other elements composing the all- in-one sensor (B12). The all-in-one sensors (A5)/(B12) are connected to the docking station (A2) which is wirelessly collecting all data from the all-in-one sensors (A5)/(B12).

The docking station (A2) is communicating wirelessly (A13) or with a cable (C6) with one or several connectable devices like computer (A6), smartphone (A3) or smart watch (A4). The docking station (A2) is also able to charge each All-in-one sensor’s battery (B9) simultaneously when the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) is inserted in the docking station (A2) as described in Figure 3. In that position, each coil (B6) of the all-in- one sensors (B12) are facing another Coil from the docking station (C3) which are electrically connected to the docking station’s power supply. The two respective coils are thus transferring wirelessly energy from the docking station (A2) to the all-in-one sensor’s batteries (B9).

The docking station (A2) gets other features, which are the gaming START-STOP push button (C5), and the Timer (C9). Once ready, the player push the START-STOP button (C5) in order to activate the Timer (C9) which in counting the time until the player completes and resolves the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ). The timer is visible on the docking station (A2) and on the connectable devices (A6)/(A4)/(A3); the player can visualize the time running simultaneously on each support. In a prefer embodiment, the docking station (A2) is also connected to online gaming platform (A7) which are thus also able to record the timer’s data.

The docking station (A2) is also equipped with a camera (C2) which is recording the player’s performance as soon as the players press the START-STOP button (C5). As it does for the Timer (C9), the docking station (A2) is sharing the movie captured to the connectable devices (A6)/(A4)/(A3) and to the online gaming platform (A7) through the Internet Connection (A1 1 ).

The Figure 4 is representing a preferred embodiment software that could be install on each connectable devices and where each players get their own account (D3) and where they can visualize all their three-dimensional puzzles and blocks (A5)/(B3) movements through animated pictures. Each move are also described with the typical three- dimensional cubing terminology (D4).

1 ) U - clockwise rotation of the upper layer

2) F - clockwise rotation of the front layer

3) R - clockwise rotation of the right face

4) L - clockwise rotation of the left face 5) D - clockwise rotation of the down layer

6) M: Middle layer like left face clockwise

7) Counterclockwise rotations are marked with an apostrophe (')

The software is also showing the camera (C2) live streaming movie (D7) coming from the camera (C2).The user can then decide whether he is sharing the movie of its performance on the online gaming platform and/or social media or not (D8).

Another important software’s feature is the Tutorials section (D2) that is giving to each gamer the opportunity to learn and to train new solving method and algorithm corresponding to specific puzzle category (D1 ). Each player can also create and share his own method and tutorial with the community (D9). Finally, the software allows the player to engage online competition (D5) in order to compete against other gamers. There is also a section showing the ranking (D6) of the best players in real time. Each player can also create his own competition with the community D10.

Three-dimensional puzzles (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) are known in the prior art and this invention is actually extending their field of use. Most of the existing three-dimensional puzzles are complex and difficult to solve even with the appropriated method. Using this invention gives to players three new dimensions:

1 ) LEARNING

In this mode, the player is exploring different learning methods developed over the past years. Each solving steps appears on the connectable device’s screen and the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) faces (B4) accordingly. As the faces (B4) of the puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) can changed their status (color of symbol), the player can start learning from any algorithm phase (E1 ). The all-in-one sensor (B12) are also equipped with“touch” screens (B5), which can be used by the player to setup the puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) in a specific configuration. Moreover, any of the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) configuration (E1 ) can be defined by the user using the integrated microphone (B8), either in the all-in-one sensor (B12) or through the docking station (A2) or through the connectable device. The faces (B4) can also blink (F1 ) to show a specific move to the player. Note in case the three- dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) is running out of battery (B9) a pre-defined state will automatically be shown on the face’s screen (B5) thanks to e-ink technology.

2) ANALYSING Once the player get used to solve the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ), the next step consist to speed up the solving time. To do it, the player can use the recording function, which allows to store any moves done with the three- dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ). Thus, directions, orientations and movements over the time are visible on the connectable device’s software to analyze where the player spent too much time and what phases of the resolution method/algorithm he could improve.

3) SHARING AND COMPETING

All player's data recorded are opening new doors in term of competition. Thus, the players can join online gaming session to compete each other and simply share on social Medias their best performance.

Another novelty of this invention is about the integrated All-in-one sensor which can be produced in high quantity with only one design that is fitting all puzzle’s faces (B4). No electrical connection is needed between the moving blocks (A5)/(B3) as the sensors (B12) are transmitting their position, direction and movement over the time directly and wirelessly to the docking station (A2) or to the connectable device. The prior art also shows some smart puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) recognizing the moving block’s position using electrical contact or switches but they are adding more friction in the movements and thus increasing the solving time. The All-in-one sensor is equipped with accelerometer (B10) and/or gyroscope that are more reliable than existing electrical connection as there is no mechanical connection that could be oxidized over time.

The all-in-one sensor is also very flexible as it can be applied/fix on different kind of three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) with no design change need. We could even upgrade existing three-dimensional puzzle (A1 )/(B1 )/(C1 ) by gluing the all-in-one sensors (B12) on each faces (B4).

Although the present invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, many modifications and alternations may be made by a person having ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1 . Three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) comprising one or a plurality of relatively moveable blocks (B3), each block (B3) comprising one or more visible faces (B4), wherein each of the visible faces (B4) comprises one all-in-one sensor (B12), the sensor comprising at least one accelerometer and/or one gyroscope (B10) allowing measuring and recording position, orientation and/or direction (B2) of each visible face in absolute position with reference to the overall puzzle structure and/or its relative position when the face (B4) moves relatively to other faces (B4) of the puzzle.

2. Three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to claim one, wherein the all-in-one sensor (B12) further comprises an integrated display (B1 1 ) (e.g. LED, OLED, LCD, B&W or color e-paper) allowing specific visual communication (F1 ) on each faces (B4), guiding the player in the solving process (D4) and reproducing any state of symbols and colors combination of the three dimensional puzzle.

3. Three-dimensional puzzle according to any of the previous claims, wherein the display (B1 1 ) of each face (B4) is configured to recover its nominal state (E1 )/(E2)/(E3) showing a specific symbol and/or color when it runs out of power.

4. Three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the all-in-one sensor’s display (B1 1 ) further comprises a settable device configured as a touch screen (B5) allowing to power ON and/or OFF the three-dimensional puzzle as well as to set up a specific face’s state.

5. Three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to any of the previous claims, wherein the all-in-one sensor (B12) further comprises a wireless induction system (B6)/(C3) to charge the all-in-one sensor’s battery or capacitor (B9).

6. Three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to any of the previous claims, wherein an integrated microphone (B8) is built in at least one of the all-in-one sensor (B12) allowing voice control instruction.

7. Docking station (A2) connectable to a three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to any of claims 1 to 6 wherein the docking station (A2) comprises an Internet connection (A1 1 ), allowing uploading and/or downloading data from or to one or more gaming platforms (A7).

8. Docking station (A2) according to claim 7 comprising a power induction system (B6)/(C3) wherein the power induction system (B6)/(C3) comprises one or several coils, allowing a wireless energy transmission to the all-in-one sensor's batteries or capacitors (B9).

9. Docking station (A2) according to any of claims 7-8 comprising a human machine interface (HMI) (A10)/(C4), wherein the HMI (A10)/(C4) comprises an integrated screen (C9), an integrated microphone (C7) and a speaker (C8) allowing voice control instruction and communication with a player.

10. Docking station (A2) according to any of claims 7-9 comprising a wireless connection (A13) to connect it to devices such as a computer (A6), a smartphone (A3), a smartwatch (A4) or the like.

1 1 . Game system comprising a docking station (A2) according to any of claims 7-10 and a three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) according to any of claims 1 -6, wherein :

• The all-in-one sensors (B12) of the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) are wirelessly connected with the docking station and communicate their position, orientation, angular velocity and/or direction over time to a gaming platform (A7) through the docking station (A2) or directly through any connectable devices like a computer (A6), a smartphone (A3) or smartwatch (A4) paired to the docking station (A2).

• The Docking station (A2) is configured to control the connectable devices as well as the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) based on one or several all- in-one sensor’s positions, orientation and/or direction over the time.

12. Game system according to claim 1 1 , wherein the connectable device is configured to control the docking station (A2) and/or the three-dimensional puzzle (A1 ) based on one or several all-in-one sensor’s positions, orientation and/or direction over the time.

13. Method for operating a game system according to any of claims 1 1 -12 comprising the steps of:

• Controlling the three-dimensional puzzle’s faces (B4) combination and/or configuration defined by the settable device based on a solving solution in order to guide, systematically, the player through a learning method selected and set on one of the connectable devices.

• Recording the three-dimensional puzzle’s sensors data into the all-in-one sensor’s microcontroller (B7).

• Sharing on the Internet the acquired and/or recorded data from the all-in- one sensor’s microcontroller (B7) through the docking station (A2) and/or the connectable devices (A6)/(A3)/(A4). • Loading and/or Downloading a Solving method and/or a Tutorial (D2) from gaming servers and/or online platform (A7) wherein the faces combinations are shared by the players on the internet.

14. Method according to any of the claim 13, wherein the three-dimensional puzzle’s faces (B4) are returned into predefined states when the all-in-one sensors (B12) run out of power.

15. Method according to any of claims 13-14, wherein the integrated touch sensor (B5) or the integrated microphone (B8) are used to switch ON and/or OFF the three- dimensional puzzle (A1 ) or to change the face’s state.