Information
-
Patent Grant
-
6596351
-
Patent Number
6,596,351
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Date Filed
Monday, January 3, 200024 years ago
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Date Issued
Tuesday, July 22, 200321 years ago
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CPC
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US Classifications
Field of Search
US
- 463 10
- 463 16
- 463 22
- 273 146
- 273 144
- D21 372
- D21 354
- 428 7
- 428 167
- 428 13
- 428 76
- 428 187
- 428 207
- 428 5422
- 040 427
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International Classifications
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Abstract
Collectible dice wherein each is unique and includes a cube-shaped element defining six flat sides; indicia positioned on predetermined of the sides; and an electromagnetic radiation transmitting/transponding element embedded within the cube-shaped element for transmitting a unique identifying signal or code for reception and reading by a receiver/reader. A packaging system for each die includes a base for receiving the die thereon and covers for removably fitting onto the base and over the die.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to collectible novelty items and more particularly to collectible, unique dice and a packaging system therefor.
Collection of novelty items and other products by collectors is a well known phenomenon. Over the years, various types of novelties and products have been collected, such as baseball cards, stuffed miniature animals and other items.
It is an object of the present invention to provide collectible, one-of-a-kind dice for accumulation and trading by collectors.
Another object is to provide a packaging system for the collectible dice.
A further object of the invention is the provision of collectible dice which are protected against forgeries or unauthorized duplication by use of an electromagnetic transmitter or transponder embedded within each die for transmitting a unique electromagnetic identifier signal or code.
Still another object is to provide a packaging system for the dice which hides each die from view until the package is opened.
A still further object is to provide a plurality of unique, collectible dice having different color-coded numbers and/or symbols located on the sides of each die.
Yet another object of the present invention is the provision of such collectible dice wherein millions of combinations of color-coded numbers and/or symbols on the sides of the dice are provided.
Another object is to provide such collectible dice wherein each color-coded number and symbol may be assigned a positive or negative numerical value for the purpose of enabling the dice to be used in the playing of games.
Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages are realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To achieve these and other objects, the present invention provides a plurality of collectible dice, each die comprising: a cube-shaped element defining six flat sides; indicia positioned on predetermined of the sides; and means in operative relationship with the element for uniquely identifying the die by electromagnetic radiation transmission and detection.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory but are not restrictive of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1
is a perspective view of a collectible die;
FIG. 2
shows the color-coded numbers and symbols that may be used on the sides of the dice;
FIG. 3
is a perspective view showing the packaging system for each die; and
FIG. 4
is a perspective view of the packaging system with the inner, opaque cover removed to display the die.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
With reference now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, there is shown a collectible die
10
in accordance with the invention. Die
10
is comprised of a substantially cube-shaped element
12
defining six substantially flat sides, as in a conventional die.
Indicia
14
, preferably selected from the indicia illustrated in
FIG. 2
or indicia otherwise determined, are positioned on predetermined of the sides of element
12
. Means
16
are provided in operative relationship with element
12
for uniquely identifying die
10
by transmitting a unique electromagnetic identifier signal or code. Means
16
also include portable receiver or reader
18
in operative relationship with transmitter or transponder
20
for receiving and reading an electromagnetic identifier signal or code transmitted from transmitter or transponder
20
.
In accordance with the invention, indicia
14
preferably include a plurality of color-coded numbers and a plurality of color-coded symbols. Representative color-coded numbers and symbols are illustrated in FIG.
2
. It should be understood, however, that fewer or additional symbols and/or numbers may be used and that symbols and/or numbers which are not color-coded may also be used as indicia
14
. Each column of numbers and symbols in
FIG. 2
is color-coded so that the numbers and symbols in each column are of the same color that is different from the colors of the numbers and symbols in the remaining columns. Of course, more or fewer than six columns of color-coded numbers and symbols may be used to change the number of unique dice that can be created.
First means, or transmitter or transponder
20
, is preferably embedded or molded into each die
10
during the manufacturing process. Second means, or receiver or reader
18
, is typically portable and is located externally of die
10
. Transmitter or transponder
20
and receiver or reader
18
are conventionally known devices. See U.S. Pat. No. 4,730,188, as an example.
Each die
10
has indicia
14
(
FIG. 2
) positioned one each on each of predetermined of the sides of die
10
, and indicia
14
are preferably selected from a total of at least thirty-six different indicia, as shown in FIG.
2
. It should be understood, however, that, fewer, additional or different indicia from those shown in
FIG. 2
may be used. Some of the sides of die
10
may not include any indicia thereon. Also, the same number or symbol can be used on more than one side of die
10
. This will increase the number of unique dice that can be created.
The invention provides that a plurality of dice
10
be manufactured wherein each die
10
includes a unique combination of indicia
14
, or the lack of indicia, on predetermined of the sides of the die to make each die
10
unique or one-of-a-kind. Each die
10
is preferably comprised of molded plastic, and dice
10
are manufactured with transmitter or transponder
20
embedded therein by a conventional molding process.
To protect the uniqueness of each die
10
and to prevent unauthorized duplication or counterfeiting of die
10
, transmitter or transponder
20
, or any other conventional electronic device which provides a unique identification signal or code by electro-magnetic radiation, is molded into each die
10
. The electronic identification signal or code will be unique to each die
10
having a one-of-a-kind number/symbol combination located on the sides of the die. During the manufacturing process, the identification signal or code for each die
10
is recorded or programmed. The electronic identification signal or code of each die
10
can then be read by receiver/reader
18
, which is a conventional scanning device, to determine if the detected identification signal or code is an authentic signal or code which has previously been recorded/programmed and registered during the manufacturing process. By use of receiver/reader
18
, a collector can determine whether a die
10
is authentic or if it is a counterfeit.
Each die
10
will be sold in a packaging system
22
, shown in
FIGS. 3 and 4
.
Packaging system
22
comprises a base
24
which defines an upper surface
26
and a first groove
28
defined within surface
26
. Base
24
further defines a predetermined location
30
thereon for receiving a die
10
on location
30
.
Packaging system
22
further includes a first transparent cover
32
configured for removably fitting within groove
28
and for covering die
10
when the die is positioned on location
30
. A second smaller cover
34
is configured for removably fitting over location
30
, for positioning between base
24
and cover
32
, and for covering die
10
when the die is positioned on location
30
. Each of covers
32
,
34
is preferably hemispherical, and cover
34
is preferably opaque to hide die
10
from view.
Location
30
is preferably raised upwardly from upper surface
26
of base
24
to form a display pedestal
36
for die
10
, and surface
26
is preferably flat. Location
30
may include an indentation or footprint
31
to secure die
10
in place while in transit or on display.
To properly receive circular edge
38
of transparent cover
32
within groove
28
, groove
28
is also circular. It should be understood, however, that covers
32
,
34
may be configured in shapes other than hemispherical. In those embodiments of the invention, the shapes of groove
28
and pedestal
36
will be such that they will properly receive and accommodate covers
32
,
34
.
Transparent cover
32
may include a conventional coating thereon to protect die
10
from ultraviolet rays. A conventional plastic wrap, not shown, can be positioned around packaging system
22
to prevent tampering with the packaging system prior to sale.
Inner dome
34
covers die
10
and protects the identity of die
10
until purchase and opening by the consumer. After purchase, inner dome
34
can be removed and transparent outer dome
32
can be repositioned within groove
28
and over die
10
to create a protective display case for die
10
.
The invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details shown and described, and departures may be made from such details without departing from the principles of the invention and without sacrificing its chief advantages.
Claims
- 1. A one-of-a-kind collectible die, comprising:a plurality of substantially cube-shaped elements defining six substantially flat sides; said elements are comprised of a molded plastic material in a plurality of colors; a plurality of color-coded indicia positioned on predetermined said sides; each said element of each said color of plastic includes a unique combination of said color-coded indicia on predetermined said sides; each said element includes an embedded transmission device capable of transmitting a unique identification signal or code; each said element includes said unique combination of color-coded indicia on predetermined sides and said embedded transmitter device capable of transmitting a unique identification signal or code to make each said element a one-of-a-kind collectible; each said one-of-a-kind collectible is uniquely identified and authenticated by the combination of said color of plastic, said unique combination of color-coded indicia on predetermined sides, and said embedded transmitter device capable of transmitting a unique identification signal or code; each said combination on each said one-of-a-kind collectible appears only once in the entire population of one-of-a-kind collectible die; said combinations of said one-of-a-kind collectible die provision for said population in the millions and said population is only limited by the number of unique combinations of said colors of plastic, said color-coded indicia, and said transmitter devices capable of transmitting unique identification signals or codes.
- 2. A packaging system for concealing the identity of one-of-a-kind collectible die, comprising:a circular base defining a predetermined location thereon for receiving the one-of-a-kind collectible die of claim 1 on said location; said location is raised upwardly from said upper surface of said base to form a circular display pedestal for said die; a hemispherical opaque cover removably fitted over said location and said pedestal to hide die from view until opened; a second hemispherical transparent cover removably fitted over said hemispherical opaque cover and within said first groove.
US Referenced Citations (8)