Patent Application
20130116035
Embodiments of the invention are defined by the claims below, not this summary. A high-level overview of various aspects of the invention are provided here for that reason, to provide an overview of the disclosure, and to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described in the Detailed-Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. In brief and at a high level, this disclosure describes, among other things, a book, pamphlet, or other printed media having a dry-erasable surface and one or more magnetic portions on or in the pages thereof. One or more images associated with a game board or game play is printed on the pages. Dry-erase marking implements and magnetic game pieces are provided for game play and/or score keeping. The book and games are configured for use as travel activities and may be designed for shorter play duration than a standard game.
Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, and wherein:
The subject matter of select embodiments of the invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. But the description itself is not intended to necessarily limit the scope of claims. Rather, the claimed subject matter might be embodied in other ways to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly described.
Embodiments of the invention relate to a book, pamphlet, or other printed media having a dry-erasable surface and one or more magnetic portions on or in the pages thereof. One or more images associated with a game board or game play is printed on the pages. Dry-erase marking implements and magnetic game pieces are provided for game play and/or score keeping. The book and games are configured for use as travel activities and may be designed for shorter play duration than a standard game.
In one embodiment, a travel game-board activity kit comprises a plurality of dry-erase marking instruments; a plurality of magnetic game pieces; and a plurality of pages having one or more game-board images printed thereon, one or more magnetic sections, and a surface configured to accept markings from the plurality of dry-erase marking instruments and to allow erasure of the markings.
In another embodiment, a travel game-board activity kit comprises one or more dry-erase marking instruments; one or more removeably attachable game pieces; and a plurality of pages having one or more game-board images printed thereon, one or more attachment surfaces adapted to couple to the one or more game pieces, and a surface configured to accept markings from the one or more dry-erase marking instruments and to allow erasure of the markings.
In a further embodiment, a travel game-board activity kit comprises a plurality of dry-erase marking instruments, wherein the marking instruments are one or more of dry-erase markers and dry-erase crayons; a plurality of magnetic game pieces; a plurality of pages having one or more game-board images printed thereon, one or more magnetic sections, and a surface configured to accept markings from the plurality of dry-erase marking instruments and to allow erasure of the markings, wherein the surface configured to accept markings from the plurality of dry-erase marking instruments comprises one or more dry-erase sections configured to aid players in tracking game progress, wherein the one or more dry-erase sections are labeled according to a score-keeping format of the corresponding one or more game board images; and an electronic component coupled to at least one of the plurality of pages, wherein the electronic component comprises a liquid-crystal display, an actuation button, and one or more of an associated processor, a memory, and an integrated circuit board, wherein the electronic component is configured to generate one or more of desired information, sounds, and lights that are usable for game play, and further wherein the electronic component is integrated into a first page of the plurality of pages, wherein subsequent pages include a cut-out that allows the electronic component to pass through the subsequent pages such that the electronic component can be viewed when the subsequent pages are turned.
Referring initially to
With additional reference to
The dry-erasable marking instruments 14 comprise any available marking instruments useable to provide erasable marks on the pages of the game book 12, such as on the pages 22a-b of the game book 12. In an embodiment, the marking instruments 14 include dry-erase markers or dry-erase crayons. In another embodiment, the marking instruments 14 include a light source, e.g. an LED light, and the pages 22a-b are configured with photoluminescent or photochromic inks or dies.
In embodiments, the activity kit 10 includes a plurality of the game pieces 16. The game pieces 16 can take any desired form including tokens, medallions, miniature figurines, and the like. The game pieces 16 may be magnetic or include another means for removable attachment to pages 22a-b of the game book 12, such as pressure sensitive adhesives, suction cups, Velcro®, and snap-fit attachments, among others. The game pieces 16 are useable to represent players in their progress in the game. In an embodiment, game pieces 16 are also provided to enhance game play. For example, game pieces 16 that resemble money, option cards, houses, or any other accessories useable in game play can be provided.
In an embodiment, the game book 12 includes a storage container 18 disposed on the cover page 20 of the game book 12, or in any other location within the game book 12 or attached thereto. The storage container 18 is configured to hold the marking instruments 14 and/or the game pieces 16 when not in use. An eraser (not shown) might also be provided with the activity kit 10 and may be disposed within the storage container 18.
Referring again to
The pages 22a-b also include a game-board image 38 printed thereon. The game-board image 38 comprises any desired image associated with games now known or later developed. The game-board image 38 is a portion of a game board that is typically played in a circular fashion, e.g. players sit around a game board and play progresses around the perimeter of the game board in a circular pattern, although any game board of any configuration may be used. As depicted in
The game-board image 38 is also configured to decrease overall playtime required for game play as compared to the typical board game scenario. For example, the game might be modified to have a shorter duration such that it can be played to completion during an average car ride. Additionally, the game-board image 38 might also be configured to increase the speed of game play as compared to the typical board game scenario. Various modifications can be made to the game-board image 38 and/or in the rules for game play, such as condensing a number of tiles available for movement of a game piece 16 and limiting a number of moves from the rules provided in a full-length version of the game. These modifications may make the activity kit 10 more travel friendly.
With continued reference to
Next, a first player depresses the button 32 on the electronic component 28 to generate a dice roll that is depicted in the image 34 on the display 30. In another embodiment, players might use another apparatus that is integral with or separate from the game book 12 to assist in game play. The first player moves his or her game piece 16 along the game-board image 38 according to the dice role indicated on display 30, and game play continues as appropriate for the selected game. Players may use the section 48a to track details associated with the game, such as purchases, money, scores, number of houses or hotels purchased, etc., by marking in the section 48a with the marking instruments 14. Players might also mark on any other portions of the pages 22a-b and game pieces 16 to further aid in tracking game play. For example, a player might draw an “X” on a section of the Monopoly® game board image 38 to indicate a property that the player has purchased.
As game play progresses, players continue to move their game pieces 16 across the game-board image 38. Upon reaching the end of the game-board image 38, game play ends. Alternatively, the game-board image 38 may continue onto underlying subsequent pages 22b and game play can continue. Once game play is complete, the players can erase any markings placed on the pages 22a-b and can begin again or choose a new game.
Play of the games depicted in
Players wishing to play tic-tac-toe, as depicted on the page 46, can obtain game pieces 16 for play or can use the marking instruments 14. Players track their wins in the section 48c.
Although embodiments of the invention are described above with respect to a selection of exemplary games and game-board images 38, 40, 42, such is not intended to limit embodiments to any particular games/game-board images. Embodiments of the invention can use any desired game or game-board image without departing from the scope described herein.
Many different arrangements of the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, are possible without departing from the scope of the claims below. Embodiments of the technology have been described with the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to readers of this disclosure after and because of reading it. Alternative means of implementing the aforementioned can be completed without departing from the scope of the claims below. Certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/556,908, entitled “Dry-Erasable Game Board,” filed Nov. 8, 2011, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61556908 | Nov 2011 | US |
