Patent Application
20130143655
This disclosure relates to electronic toys in the form of electronic game devices, and more particularly to modular electronic game devices with moveable parts and sensors to determine the proximity of a player's hand or finger relative to a sensor space. The disclosed game devices allow a user to play various motor skills games and pattern memory games.
Examples of motor skills games and devices can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,504,577, 6,463,859, 6,410,835, 6,227,968, 4,974,833, 4,955,602, 4,088,315, 3,961,794, and 3,933,354 and U.S. Patent Publication No. U.S.20020111202. Examples of electronic pattern memory games can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,359,220, 4,207,087, and the Milton Bradley game SIMON. Examples of electronic devices having a moveable part can be found in the disclosures of U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,387 and U.S. Patent Publication Nos. U.S.20100060664 and U.S.20070178980. The disclosures of these and all other publications referenced herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes.
An electronic game device is provided that may include a first sensor section hingedly connected to a second sensor section by a hinge. The electronic game device may also include one or more proximity sensors and one or more output devices operatively connected to the sensor sections. Furthermore, the electronic game device may include circuitry which may be connected to the one or more proximity sensors and the one or more output devices. The first sensor section and the second sensor section may each include a sensor space such that placement of an object in the sensor space of the associated sensor section may actuate the one or more proximity sensors of that sensor section. The circuitry may be configured to determine whether the proximity sensors are actuated and to emit an output signal.
Moreover, the hinge may allow the electronic game device to be used in a linear game orientation with at least two sensor spaces in an approximate line, in a multi-dimensional game orientation with the sensor space of the first sensor section oriented along a line transverse to the orientation of the sensor space of the second sensor section, and in a bi-linear game orientation with the first sensor section and the second sensor section on opposing sides of an approximate plane to form at least one matched sensor space.
Additionally, the electronic game device may include a third sensor section hingedly connected to the second sensor section and a fourth sensor section hingedly connected to the third sensor section, wherein the sensor sections may be hingedly connected by hinges. The third sensor section and the fourth sensor section may each include a sensor space and one or more proximity sensors such that placement of an object in the sensor space of the associated sensor section may actuate the one or more proximity sensors of that sensor section. Also, the hinges between the first sensor section and the second sensor section, between the second sensor section and third sensor section, and between the third sensor section and fourth sensor section may allow the electronic game device to be used in a quadrilateral game orientation in which the sensor space of the first sensor section, the sensor space of the second sensor section, the sensor space of the third sensor section, and the sensor space of the fourth sensor section may be oriented to form an approximate quadrilateral.
Some embodiments include an electronic game device with a central sensor section having two light beam interception zones, and matched outer sensor sections each having a light beam interception zone and each being hinged to the central section, wherein the game may be converted from a linear game with at least four light beam interception zones in an approximate line, to a multi-dimensional game with orthogonally located light beam interception zones, to a bi-linear game with at least two pairs of light beam interception zones on opposing sides of an approximate plane.
Each sensor section may include a shaped frame member, such as a full or partial ring or hoop, each of which may define a sensor space or light beam interception zone. In some embodiments, each frame member includes a proximity sensor adapted to be actuated when an object, such as a player's hand, is within the sensor space of that proximity sensor.
The game device may include one or more output devices, such as speakers and/or illumination devices, configured to emit output signals upon actuation of a proximity sensor or to prompt actuation of a proximity sensor. Circuitry within the game may be configured to record the order in which various proximity sensors are actuated, determine whether proximity sensors are actuated according to a predetermined or recorded pattern, prompt the output devices to emit output signals, measure a duration of time and/or determine a game orientation of the game device.
Methods of game play suitable for use with such embodiments may involve one or more players attempting to emulate the predetermined pattern by actuating the various proximity sensors, such as by each player passing his or her hands through the various frame members in a certain order or direction. The order or direction may be presented by the game device, via the output devices (such as a pattern of lights corresponding to the various frame members), or determined by the players of the game.
Advantages of the present disclosure will be more readily understood after considering the drawings and the Detailed Description.
a is a flow chart of a method of playing an embodiment of a game device in accordance with the present disclosure.
b is a flow chart of another method of playing an embodiment of a game device in accordance with the present disclosure.
The drawings illustrate embodiments and schematic concepts for electronic game devices according to the present disclosure. The purpose of these drawing is to aid in explaining the principles of the present disclosure. Thus, the drawings should not be considered as limiting the scope of the present disclosure to the embodiments and schematic concepts shown therein. Other embodiments of electronic game devices may be created which follow the principles of the present disclosure as taught herein, and these other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of patent protection.
Examples of an electronic game device are shown in the drawings. Unless otherwise specified, an electronic game device may, but is not required to contain at least one of the structure, components, functionality, and/or variations described, illustrated, and/or incorporated herein.
An exemplary game device, indicated generally at 10 and shown in
A game orientation and form of sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 of other embodiments may vary, and such variations are considered to be within the scope of this disclosure. For example, sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 and/or frame members 20 may define sensor space 22, which may have any suitable size and shape; and sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 may include any number of frame members 20, arranged in any suitable manner relative to the other sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 and/or frame members 20.
One or more proximity sensors 24 and one or more output devices 35 (
Further, in other embodiments, each frame member 20 may include more than one proximity sensor 24, and/or proximity sensor 24 adapted to determine from which of two opposing directions the object is placed into sensor space 22. Such embodiments may thus be able to differentiate, for example, between two players situated on opposite sides of frame member 20, each of whom may place the object (such as the player's hand) into sensor space 22.
One or more of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, 18 may be moveably connected and/or hingedly connected to one or more of the other sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18. For example, game device 10 may include one or more hinges 28, or hinged connections, disposed between two sensor sections. For example, the embodiment shown in
Other embodiments may include one or more sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 that are separable with respect to one another. For example, one or more of the sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 may include a magnet assembly wherein the sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18 are magnetically and removably attached to one another, as described in further detail below.
Hinge 28 may be bendable in one or more directions. One or more of hinges 28 may include one or more hinge sensors 29 (
Additionally and/or alternatively, game device 10 may include other means to detect movement and/or position of one or more of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, 18, and/or the game orientation of sensor sections 12, 14, 16 and/or 18. For example, one or more of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, 18, shown as sensor section 12 in
Housing 50 may further include a reset button 54 configured to reset game play of game device 10. Housing 50 may further include a slot 56 for a “try-me” pull tab, as is known in the art. The pull tab, not shown, typically breaks electrical contact in a particular electric circuit. The pull tab is attached to the packaging, so that removal of housing 50 from the packaging also removes the pull tab from slot 56, thereby allowing the particular electric circuit to activate normal game play.
Turning now to
Sensor sections 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 may also include one or more output devices 35 (
One or more of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, 18, for example one of outer sensor sections 12 or 18, may include a further output device such as a speaker 40 and/or buttons 42, 44. Speaker 40 may be configured to emit sound signals, such as during game play. Buttons 42, 44 on sensor section 12, 14, 16, and/or 18 may be configured to power game device 10 on or off and/or start a new game.
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Turning now to
A variety of play patterns may be adapted for use with game device 10, some of which may be preprogrammed into circuitry 58, such that a desired game or play pattern may be selected via the buttons on game device 10, activation of one or more of proximity sensors 24 and/or the game orientation of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, and/or 18. Gameplay may further include output signals emitted by game device 10. Output signals may include audio and/or visual signals. Output signals may be emitted as a prompt for user response or as an indicator of user action.
For example, upon powering game device 10, a user may select a play pattern. In an exemplary play pattern, also referred to as a “Repeat the Beat” game mode, game device 10 may emit output signals in the pattern that the player or players may attempt to repeat in the same order, such as by actuating sensors 24 in the order indicated by a series of flashing LEDs 36 on various frame members 20. In this example, game device 10 may be configured to indicate patterns of ascending or random length and/or difficulty. Such patterns may be preprogrammed or generated by circuitry 58 according to preprogrammed pattern generation instructions. This exemplary play pattern may be similar to that or derived from the SIMON electronic memory game by MILTON BRADLEY.
As another example of a play pattern, also referred to as “Reflex Master” game mode, game device 10 may emit an output signal, such as illuminating a set of LEDs 36 in one of frame members 20, and the user responds by actuating proximity sensor 24 in that frame member 20 as quickly as possible. Game device 10 may then randomly illuminate another or the same set of LEDs 36 to prompt user activation of the same or another proximity sensor 24. This exemplary play pattern may be similar to that or derived from the WHAC-A-MOLE arcade game.
A further example may include a play pattern in which the player actuates one or more of proximity sensors 24 by passing his or her hands through the various frame members 20 in a desired order. Circuitry 58, which may be within game device 10, may record this order, and then the player, or one or more other players, may attempt to emulate the first player's pattern, with game device 10 configured to emit output indicative of an incorrect (or correct) order of actuation of proximity sensors 24.
As another example, two or more players may cooperate to form a pattern of proximity sensor 24 actuation and then attempt to repeat the completed pattern. Such patterns in this example may include player-specific aspects, such as if game device 10 is configured to differentiate between two players on opposite sides of the support structure.
In any of these examples, game device 10 may be configured to measure durations of time to allow players to attempt to complete the indicated pattern within the predetermined duration of time. Output signals may be emitted, as sound or light signals, to indicate that the player has succeeded or failed in completing the predetermined pattern correctly within the allotted time.
Additionally and/or alternatively, each play pattern or game mode may include varying levels of difficulty. The player may advance to the next level of difficulty after successfully completing the first level of difficulty. An “increased” level of difficulty may have a decreased amount of response time compared to other levels. Alternatively or additionally, an increased level of difficulty may include an additional level of complexity compared to other levels, such as requiring the use of two hands rather than one.
Some embodiments may further include a “shifter” game mode. In an exemplary embodiment of the shifter game mode, game device 10 instructs the player to change the game orientation before playing the next level. This instruction may occur between difficulty levels of the same game. For example, the player may complete the first level of the Reflex Master game in the wave game orientation. The device may then instruct the player to change game device 10 into the quadrilateral game orientation for the second level. The player reconfigures game device 10 into the quadrilateral game orientation before the player starts the second level. The player then starts and completes the second level while game device 10 is in the quadrilateral game orientation. The shifter game mode may be utilized in the Reflex Master game or in the Repeat the Beat game. Furthermore, the shifter game mode may be utilized between turns, when multiple players are competing against each other. In alternative embodiments of the shifter game mode, game device 10 instructs the player to change game orientations while in mid-level. The mid-level game orientation change may be an effective method of increasing the difficulty of a particular level or game.
Turning now to the flowchart shown in
Turning now to the flowchart shown in
In some embodiments, the output signals, such as audio or sound volume, may function as an indicator of success and/or failure. For example, game device 10 may include a game volume produced by speaker 40 that functions as an indicator of failure in actuation of one or more proximity sensors 24 according to the predetermined pattern, such that the game volume decreases when the player incorrectly actuates one of proximity sensors 24. Play may begin with volume at 100%. When a player misses a play, the volume may decrease to 50% until the player can hit three plays in a row, at which the volume may resume at 100%.
Several aspects of the exemplary methods of game play may be modified from that disclosed above, and these methods and/or modifications may be reflected in a set of rules to accompany the game.
Optionally, as mentioned above, the game orientation of the game components may be modified to achieve a desired effect, in conjunction with the game rules. The apparatus and/or rules of the game may thus provide game play with a desired degree of complexity or difficulty, for example to adapt the game to players of a predetermined age range, and/or to adjust the relative degrees to which chance and strategy determine the winner of the game.
Alternatively, some embodiments of the present disclosure may be described as follows:
A new electronic toy combines music, motion, memory and modularity and includes new technology and new play patterns. The toy may include two or more semi-circular rings that may be reconfigurable and playable with new player motions and new game play. These rings may include an IR beam that projects through sensor space 22. The player's hand moves through sensor space 22 to break the beam. Each ring may include LEDs 36 that light up each ring as a visual prompt. The electronic toy may contain five different modes that use different light and sound prompts for different games. The toy may include a scoring mechanism, three difficulty levels, and vast array of entertainment for your eyes, ears and mind.
The console or game device 10 may come with four modular units or sensor sections 12, 14, 16, and 18 and may include four quadrants, also referred to as target regions or sensor spaces 22. The quadrants may be connected by a system of three hinges and may include or be embedded with LEDs 36. Two of the modular units may use red LEDs, while two other units may use blue LEDs.
The console also may include three main buttons on the end of the unit. A smaller button located on top of the console may function as a power button. Pressing the power button may power up the unit, while pressing and holding the power button may turn the unit off. A “Back to Main” button may be a larger button on the console. A player may exit out of any mode and return to the main menu at any time by pressing the Back to Main button. Pressing and holding the Back to Main button may activate the volume select mode.
Front=Power button and Back to Main button
*From Left to right
Q1 (First Quadrant)=Blue LEDs
Q2 (Second Quadrant)=Red LEDs
Q3 (Third Quadrant)=Blue LEDs
Q4 (Fourth Quadrant)=Red LEDs
Game device 10 may include a game menu, wherein navigation of the game menu may include breaking an infrared light beam produced by infrared light emitting device 26a in at least one of sensor sections 12, 14, 16, and/or 18. When in a “main menu” mode, the player may break the IR beam of different quadrants to navigate through different menus presented by game device 10. For example, breaking the IR beam in the second quadrant may indicate a selection “back” or “up” one from the current selection on a list of menu options, while breaking the IR beam in the third quadrant may indicate a selection “forward” or “down” one from the currently selected option. The selection may be accompanied by visual prompts of flashing LEDs 36. The player may break the IR beam in the first quadrant or the fourth quadrant to select a desired option, or simply wait for a set amount of time for game device 10 to make the selection without further prompting.
Each game may include three levels of difficulty. The first level may include only prompts for activation by a single hand. For example, only one unit at a time may light up. The first level of difficulty may also include the default level of speed for that game. The second level of difficulty may include mostly prompts for activation by a single hand with a low mix of prompts for activation using two hands. For example, the prompt for activation using two hands may include two quadrants lighting up at the same time, where both quadrants must be activated at the same time to achieve a “correct” response. The speed between prompts may also be faster than the speed at the first level. A third level of difficulty may include a heavy mix of prompts for activation using two hands, and the speed between prompts may be faster than the speed for the second level of difficulty.
In some versions of a multiplayer mode, game device 10 may prompt the players to reorient the units between player turns. A first player may then challenge a second player with a different console game orientation.
Scores in a single player mode may be ranked by number of correct hits. A matrix connecting the player's score to the ranking may vary between different games. For example, if the player hits 79 hits in 30 seconds and if it is the highest score, t game device 10 may say “Congratulations, you hit the new highest score. Great Job! You got 79 hits!” If the player hits 75 hits in 30 seconds and if it is not the highest score, game device 10 may say “Great job! You got 75 hits!” If the player does not perform well with only 15 hits in 30 seconds, the console may say “Try again next time. You got 15 hits!”
Game device 10 in a two player mode may only announce the winner and the winner's score at the end of the game.
Some embodiments of game device 10 may further be described as follows:
Game device 10 includes four rigid light-sensor units, each connected to an adjacent light-sensor unit by hinge 28. There may be three hinges 28, each including hinge sensor 29 that may determine whether the particular hinge 28 is straight or bent. The electronics, or circuitry 58, monitor each hinge sensor 29 to determine whether the four light-sensor units are set up in a straight line, a folded straight line, a table, or a square.
Example: As each ring lights up, you must put your hand through the lit frame member to keep up with the sequence. An internal voice counter keeps track of your best time and completed levels and tells you how well or how badly you did.
Game device 10 may further be described as a skill and action game where you must match the patterns of light and sound. Some embodiments may include a socket configured to be connected with an MP3 player. The MP3 player may bypass the embedded sound of game device 10.
Additionally and/or alternatively, some embodiments of game device 10 may include the following game play:
SIMON: Game device 10 may have four target areas or ring holes (or sensor spaces 22), which may be defined by frame members 20 and LEDs 36, which may be colored either blue or red. The unit may light these ring holes in a sequence, playing a tone for each ring hole; the player may move his or her hand through the holes in the same sequence. The sequence may begin with a single hole chosen randomly, and may add another randomly-chosen hole to the end of the sequence each time the player follows it successfully. Gameplay may end when the player makes a mistake or when the player wins (by matching the pattern for a predetermined number of tones). Basic rate of sound may be 12 kHz looping at 4 sec interval.
SPEED ZONE: This gameplay may include the same gameplay as SIMON except that the looping sound may be quicker (for instance, a 2 second interval) and the actual motion of the player response may follow suit. This game may involve strong focus and memory. Gameplay may end when the player makes a mistake or when the player wins (by matching the pattern for a predetermined number of tones).
KUNG FU: This may be a martial arts SIMON-esque game where you may master the sequencing of lights with kung-fu sound effects. The player may follow punch, block, and/or kick sound effects to please a Zen Master and become an ultimate Kung Fu Hero.
KUNG FU VS: This may be a two-player version of Kung Fu, wherein you may go head to head against a friend. You may match your adversary with the lights and sound effects of Kung Fu action. One player may start an attack as the other player may match the sequence of player one and may add one attack to the final round match. First player to lose sequencing track of the virtual fight may lose.
MUSIC MAKER: You may interact with game device 10 by making your own beats or rock out by mixing some guitar riffs. Looped sounds may be preset and it may be up to you to make a cool mix. Sounds may include scratches, drums, metal guitar, snare, and/or electronic bleeps and bloops.
Game device 10 may further be described as follows:
A light-beam sensing electronic game where the game is made in two separable/joinable modules, each with two light beams and two corresponding light beam sensors, the modules each have a communication system including both a wireless transmitter and receiver, and two separate wired connectors, magnets inside each module may hold the two modules together in different orientations, the wired connectors provide orientation input to microprocessors, and various pattern matching and guessing games may be played using the light beam sensors as input switches. Various pattern matching and guessing games may be played, using the four light beam sensors as input switches. Outputs include separate lights of various colors, and audio prompts and responses.
Game device 10 may include two modules, each with a battery, microprocessor, two light beams, two corresponding light beam sensors, audio and visual outputs, and communication system. Each communication system includes both a wireless infrared transmitter and receiver, and two separate wired connectors. Magnets inside each module may hold the two modules together in two different orientations—side-by-side or end-to-end. Corresponding electrical surface contact between corresponding wired connectors allows wired communication between the modules. The wired connectors provide orientation input to the microprocessors, because an active set of connectors indicates whether the modules are side-by-side or end-to-end. Each microprocessor monitors the wired connectors and wireless receiver to determine the current relative orientation or separation of the modules, as well as game play events.
Additionally and/or alternatively, some embodiments may include a higher-level concept of a SIMON-esque game with a modular arrangement of inputs, as well as any two-way communication methods used between those modular input arrangements. Some embodiments may include a pair of dual-U modules or with four individual-U modules. Preferably, the dual-U modules work like Master and Slave, with each unit capable of two-way communication via magnetic contacts and two-way IR communication.
Some embodiments of the present disclosure may include one or more of the following parts:
HOUSING A FRONT
HOUSING A REAR
HOUSING B FRONT
HOUSING B REAR
HOUSING C FRONT
HOUSING C REAR
HOUSING D FRONT
HOUSING D REAR
UNIT A BATTERY DOOR
BATTERY BOX
SPEAKER RETAINER
NUT COVER
SWITCH COVER
IR RECEIVER RETAINER
IR RETAINER
IR RECEIVER COVER
LIGHT PIPE
BATTERY DIVIDER
IR COVER
SCREW CAP
SPEAKER FRONT COVER
SWITCH COVER
KEY LOCK
HINGE LEFT
HINGE RIGHT
HINGE UPPER FRONT COVER
MOVABLE STAND FRONT
MOVABLE STAND REAR
LIGHT PIPE WHITE BOTTOM
HINGE LOWER FRONT COVER
HINGE LOWER REAR COVER
MOVABLE STAND HINGE
TOP HINGE COVER
STOPPER
STOPPER COVER
STOPPER LOCKER
SWITCH LOCKER MALE
SWITCH LOCKER FEMALE
4 LIGHT PIPES WITH SPRAYING AT LIGHT PIPES
SOUND AND LIGHT FOR MASTER UNION
ELECTRONIC SUB ASSEMBLY
While embodiments of game device 10 have been particularly shown and described, many variations may be made therein. This disclosure may include one or more independent or interdependent embodiments directed to various combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties. Other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed later in a related application. Such variations, whether they are directed to different combinations or directed to the same combinations, whether different, broader, narrower or equal in scope, are also regarded as included within the subject matter of the present disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing embodiments are illustrative, and no single feature or element, or combination thereof, is essential to all possible combinations that may be claimed in this or a later application.
It is believed that the disclosure set forth herein encompasses multiple distinct inventions with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. Each example defines an embodiment disclosed in the foregoing disclosure, but any one example does not necessarily encompass all features or combinations that may be eventually claimed. Where the description recites “a” or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof, such description includes one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements. Further, ordinal indicators, such as first, second or third, for identified elements are used to distinguish between the elements, and do not indicate a required or limited number of such elements, and do not indicate a particular position or order of such elements unless otherwise specifically stated.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/560,552 entitled ELECTRIC TOY, filed on Nov. 16, 2011, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61560552 | Nov 2011 | US |
