Patent Application
20120032394
This disclosure concerns electronic game pieces, such as electronic game pieces that light up in certain arrangements, as well as sets of electronic game pieces and methods of using electronic game pieces.
Sweepstakes, games, and puzzles often involve the use of individual, interrelated pieces. For example, in some sweepstakes, individual game pieces are distributed and used in conjunction with a game board. Participants in the sweepstakes collect the individual game pieces with the goal of forming a set, such as a set corresponding to indicia on the game board. In puzzles used primarily for amusement, individual pieces often are arranged relative to one another in order to solve the puzzle. In a simple example, solving a traditional jigsaw puzzle involves arranging differently shaped puzzle pieces until they fit together to form an image. There is a demand for new types of sweepstakes, games, and puzzles to engage increasingly sophisticated consumers. Innovative game pieces can be useful in these and other contexts.
Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electronic game piece. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. Activation of the proximity sensor can cause the light to illuminate. For example, the proximity sensor can be a switch positioned in a circuit between the light and a battery. The electronic game piece can be configured to light up when arranged with other electronic game pieces. The proximity sensor, for example, can be configured to be activated by a proximity-sensor target substantially identical to the proximity-sensor target of the electronic game piece, but separate from the electronic game piece. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, the proximity-sensor target is magnetic and the proximity sensor can be activated by a magnetic field.
The light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within an internal portion of the electronic game piece, such as an internal portion that cannot be accessed without breaking the electronic game piece. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, the proximity sensor or the proximity-sensor target is positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a top wall, the opposite side of which is a top major surface of the electronic game piece. In these embodiments, the other of the proximity-sensor or the proximity-sensor target can be positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a bottom wall, the opposite side of which is a bottom major surface of the electronic game piece. In embodiments having top and bottom major surfaces, the top and bottom major surfaces can have perimeters of substantially the same shape (e.g., substantially circular or substantially shaped as polygons having three or more sides of substantially the same length).
When illuminated, the light in some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece is visible on, a portion of a side surface extending between the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. The light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within the electronic game piece at three different radial positions, all of which are closer to the side surface than to a center axis substantially centered on and perpendicular to the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. A substantially circular pattern of alternating recesses and protrusions can be included on the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. These alternating recesses and protrusions can, for example, be used to facilitate physical interlocking between the electronic game piece and separate electronic game pieces.
Also disclosed are embodiments of a set of electronic game pieces. Embodiments of the disclosed set of electronic game pieces can include first and second electronic game pieces, such as first and second electronic game pieces having substantially the same overall shape. Each of the first and second electronic game pieces can include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. The first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate. Similarly, the first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate and, simultaneously, the proximity-sensor target of the second electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the first electronic game piece causing the light of the first electronic game piece to illuminate. In some embodiments of the disclosed set of electronic game pieces, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece only activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece when the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece is substantially aligned with the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece.
When positioned such that the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece, a top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and interlocking with a bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece. In a different configuration, the top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and not interlocking with the bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece. When positioned such that the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece, side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned with each other. When stacked with the top major surface of the first electronic game piece adjacent to the bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece, the side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be exposed. The lights of the first and second electronic game pieces, when illuminated, can be visible on portions of the side surfaces.
Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of using electronic game pieces. The method can include arranging three or more electronic game pieces in a first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement. Simultaneous illumination of the lights on the electronic game pieces can represent a winning arrangement. If the lights on the electronic game pieces are not simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement, the method also can include arranging the electronic game pieces in a second stacked arrangement different than the first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the second stacked arrangement.
Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement can include positioning the electronic game pieces such that a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces. Side surfaces of the electronic game pieces can be exposed in the first stacked arrangement. In addition, the lights on the electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned on portions of the side surfaces of the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement. Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement also can include physically interlocking a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces with a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece with a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces.
Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” are used herein to express and clarify the relationship between various elements. It should be understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation (e.g., a “vertical” component can become horizontal by rotating the device).
Described herein are embodiments of an electronic game piece, a set of electronic game pieces, and a method of using electronic game pieces. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are well suited for use in promotional games, such as sweepstakes, in which the electronic game piece is given away for promotional purposes. Multiple electronic game pieces can be collected and grouped to create sets, which can be intrinsically desirable or exchangeable for a prize. For example, the electronic game pieces can be given away to the first customers at a new retail location, to customers who purchase certain items, to trade show attendees, or to individuals in any other scenario in which the prospect of receiving an electronic game piece serves a promotional purpose. The electronic game pieces also can be purchased or traded.
Separate electronic game pieces can differ from one another in the quantity and/or arrangement of internal proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets. The proximity-sensor target of one electronic game piece can activate the proximity sensor of a separate electronic game piece when the two are aligned. Activating a proximity sensor can cause a light to illuminate on the electronic game piece including the proximity sensor. Aligning multiple proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets can cause lights on multiple electronic game pieces to illuminate. In this way, multiple electronic game pieces can be arranged and rearranged as a puzzle to determine an arrangement in which all of the lights are illuminated. In some disclosed embodiments, a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned and simultaneously illuminated. This occurs, for example, when each of the electronic game pieces in the stack includes a proximity sensor activated by a proximity-sensor target of an adjacent electronic game piece in the stack.
Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be made to include no visible indication of their internal configuration. The primary way to determine their internal configuration can be to test how the electronic game piece interacts with other electronic game pieces. Some electronic game piece configurations can be less common than others. Controlling the availability of certain critical electronic game piece configurations can allow for control over the probability of obtaining a set of electronic game pieces capable of arrangement into a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated. This control is particularly useful when the electronic game pieces are used in a sweepstakes and a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated is exchangeable for a prize. Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece also can be sold in sets as puzzles for amusement, in which case at least one of each electronic game piece configuration required to complete the puzzle can be included.
When used in a sweepstakes, embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be designed to prevent tampering. For example, the electronic game piece can be sealed such that accessing an internal portion of the electronic game piece is only possible by breaking the electronic game piece. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are encased in a hard-plastic, tamper-evident shell. Tampering also can be prevented with the use of an identifier on the electronic game piece, such as a serial number and/or an RFID tag. The internal configuration corresponding to each identifier can be recorded prior to distribution of the electronic game pieces for reference when a winning set of electronic game pieces is redeemed.
As shown in
The center portions 114 of the top and bottom major surfaces 102, 104 of the electronic game piece 100 are flat and slightly recessed. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, text and/or images are affixed (e.g., printed or attached with a sticker) to one or both of the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces. The text and/or images can be promotional or decorative. Text and/or images also can be affixed to other portions of the electronic game piece, such as around the side surface. In one example, a corporate logo is affixed to the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces and a text trademark is affixed around the side surface of the electronic game piece.
As shown in
In the illustrated electronic game piece 100, the light 130 is a LED 150. Other embodiments can include a different type of light, such as an incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, xenon, neon, or another commercially-available type of light. LEDs are particularly well suited for use in embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece due to their compact size, low power demand, low heat output, long life, and high durability. The LED 150 of the electronic game piece 100 is blue. Instead of a blue LED, other embodiments can include a LED of another color, such as white, red, orange, yellow, or green. The LED 150 is positioned behind the window 108. The window 108 is frosted such that light from the LED 150 is visible through the window when the LED is illuminated, but the structure of the LED is not visible through the window when the LED is not illuminated. As shown in
The light 130, proximity sensor 132, battery stack 136, and associated electrical connections are shown in greater detail in
The proximity sensor 332 of the electronic game piece 300 also has a different configuration than the proximity sensor 132 of the electronic game piece 100. As discussed above, the proximity sensor 132 is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned above the proximity sensor. In contrast, the proximity sensor 332 is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned below the proximity sensor. In this alternative configuration, the spring (not shown) is positioned in the lower spring compartment (not shown) and the contact plate 368 wraps around the bottom of the lower spring compartment. Similar to the configuration shown in
The proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets shown and described are exemplary only. Other embodiments can include different components to detect and trigger each other based on physical proximity. In embodiments that include magnets, a variety of types of magnets can be used. The top magnets 122, 222, 322 and bottom magnets 126, 226, 326 of the electronic game pieces 100, 200, 300 are all cylindrical, neodymium magnets. Other embodiments can include, for example, another type of permanent magnet (e.g., ceramic or another type of rare-earth magnet) having the same or a different shape (e.g., cuboid). Other embodiments also can include temporary magnets. For example, these embodiments can include an electromagnet activated when a switch is triggered, such as by physical interaction with a separate electronic game piece.
The radial positions of the top magnets 122, 222, 322, bottom magnets 126, 226, 326, and proximity sensors 132, 232, 332 of the electronic game pieces 100, 200, 300 determine how the electronic game pieces interact with each other. As shown in
Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity sensors, one proximity sensor (e.g., the electronic game pieces 100, 200, 300), two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity sensors. Similarly, embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity-sensor targets, one proximity-sensor target (e.g., the electronic game piece 300), two proximity-sensor targets (e.g., the electronic game pieces 100, 200), three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity-sensor targets. Multiple proximity sensors can be electrically connected in parallel, such that activation of any one of the proximity sensors activates the light of the electronic game piece, or in series, such that activation of all of the proximity sensors is required to activate the light of the electronic game piece.
As discussed above, disclosed embodiments of sets of electronic game pieces can be configured such that some or all of the electronic game pieces in the set can be positioned in a winning arrangement. Different electronic game pieces also can be distributed for amusement with no predetermined winning arrangement. A winning arrangement of electronic game pieces can be one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned (or not aligned) and simultaneously illuminated. An electronic game piece holder can be included to hold the stacks of electronic game pieces such that the lights are visible. If the winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces are stacked with the lights aligned and simultaneously illuminated, the electronic game piece holder can include aligned windows or openings through which the lights of electronic game pieces within the electronic game piece holder are visible. If the winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces are stacked with the lights not aligned and simultaneously illuminated, the electronic game piece holder can include openings at different radial positions with each opening corresponding to the radial position of an illuminated light in a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces. Holders with different patterns of openings can be provided in conjunction with sets of electronic game pieces. When used in a sweepstakes, the different holders can be exchangeable for different prizes when completed.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
