Patent Application
20180140936
The present invention relates to an electronic table top game board that may be used to play a plurality of traditional board games.
Electronic game boards are usually in a format used on a computer screen, a tablet or a hand held electronic device. These game boards essentially interface through the traditional computer format with an input device such as a mouse, joystick or electronic touch screen. However, the use of such an electronic game board is not appealing to some individuals who may enjoy traditional game boards in a table top format. A traditional game board unfolds and lays on the table top and usually has tokens or other interactive aspects such as dice that are used to determine move count. However, the drawback to the traditional game board is the maintenance required and the importance of maintaining all the pieces, cards or other assorted components of the game board. As a result, it would be advantageous to have an electronic table top game board that enables users to engage in the traditional gaming activity over an electronic surface. One advantage to the electronic game board is the ability to engage with the various types of games.
The present invention relates to an electronic table top game board that includes: an interface area, where the interface area adapts to a predetermined configuration based on user input; player informational displays surrounding the interface area; and a plurality of user interactive devices. The interface area and the plurality of user interactive devices preferably include touch interactive protocol. The electronic table top game board may also include an alternative controller, where the alternative controller includes a joystick and a plurality of control buttons.
The present invention relates to a table top electronic game board that is capable of interfacing and engaging in various games based upon input by the user. Rules and game board layout may be integrated into the electronic game board according to the present invention by using software that simulates a traditional game board format. The electronic game board according to the present invention may be implemented to partake in traditional game boards such as Scrabble, Monopoly, Clue or other game boards. Further the game board may be configured to engage in various card games such as poker, blackjack or gin rummy. As a result, a multitude of games may be implemented through the electronic game board without the need for storage of multiple boards and pieces that are associated with a traditional game board. The present electronic game board is engaged on a table top that gives a familiar set up for the users.
In reference to
The present invention includes an ability to configure the Interface Area 50 into a game board based upon input provided by software. In particular, the Interface Area may provide a digital display of various traditional game boards such as Chess, Monopoly, Scrabble, Clue, Risk, Yahtzee, Sorry, Game of Life, Trouble, Mastermind, Checkers, Chinese Checkers, Connect 4, Backgammon or a Trivial Pursuit, to name a few. Further card games may also be played such as any traditional card game with a four suits per deck such as poker, gin rummy, blackjack, solitaire, spades, bridge, or Pai Gow, to name a few. The cards may be dealt using the interactive handheld devices and shuffling of the deck will be integrated within the Interface Area 50. In terms of shuffling, the shuffle may be a random shuffle that is initiated by a dealer through the touch screen of the Interface Area 50 or randomly shuffled by computer generated.
Interactive Devices 60, 62 are hand held devices that in all are used to engage in and interact with the Game Board 50. An alternative Controller 40 is shown also in
The game board according to the present invention also may be connected wirelessly to the internet in order to download various software for play on the game board. Further aspects include a touch screen capability on the Interface Area 50 and Interactive devices 60, 62 shown in
The Interface Area 50 may be displayed in 3D or holographic format depending on the game being played over the Interface Area 50. The Interface Area 50 may be used to play crossword puzzles, doodle, or even drawing. Also the Interface Area 50 may be configured for use of an Etch A Sketch configuration. As stated, the Interface Area 50 and game board 100 functions on a table top may also include a wireless connection to access software and interactive play with players via an internet connection. As such, the present invention provides a dynamic and complete game board for user consumption. Further numerous educational games may be implemented over the interactive area.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
