CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
N/A.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of game systems, and more particularly to methods and systems for games played on a board with playing pieces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many game systems played on a board, playing tiles are placed on certain contiguous or successive areas marked out on the board, and the placing of the playing pieces on certain pre-determined areas results in an adjustment of the score of a player, either by adding a bonus to the score or subtracting a penalty therefrom.
Usually, the pre-determined areas which result in adjustment of the score are marked in a characteristic way to show how to adjust the score. However, when any playing piece is placed on one of the pre-determined areas, the playing piece covers this marking and the playing piece has subsequently to be lifted in order to discover how the score should be adjusted.
Further, the board games typically rely on positioning of playing pieces on a board without regard to the rotational orientation of playing pieces.
As such, considering the foregoing, it may be appreciated that there continues to be a need for novel and improved devices and methods for game systems that include a board and rotatably positionable playing pieces, wherein a score can be determined without removal or lifting of playing pieces.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the present invention, wherein in aspects of this invention, enhancements are provided to the existing model of board-based games systems.
In an aspect, a game system can include:
- a) a game board, which can include:
- i. a plurality of squares, which can be arranged in a matrix structure with row and columns, which can include special squares, which can be a start square or a bonus square, which can include:
- 1) a bonus square surface;
- 2) a text indicator, which indicates a score adjustment; and
- 3) a color indicator, which indicates the score adjustment; and
- ii. a board border, which can include
- 1) a plurality of row indicators; and
- 2) a plurality of column indicators;
- such that a pair of a row indicator and a column indicator indicates a position of a special square;
- b) a plurality of playing pieces, which each can include:
- i. a piece body;
- ii. a line segment, which is positioned on a top surface of the piece body, which comprises:
- 1) a plurality of segment terminators, each positioned adjacent to a central side or a corner of the piece body; and
- iii. a piece scoring indicator, which denotes a piece scoring value for scoring;
- c) a first piece holder, configured to hold a plurality of first drawn playing pieces;
- d) a first mockup board for use by a first player, for visually confirming first potential string combinations of first selected playing pieces selected from the first drawn playing pieces, before positioning the first selected playing pieces on the game board;
- e) a first privacy blind, which can be vertically positioned on the playing surface on a first side of and adjacent to the game board, such that the first privacy blind prevents an opposing second player from viewing the first drawn playing pieces of a first player, when the first drawn playing pieces are positioned on either the first mockup board or the first piece holder;
- f) a second piece holder, configured to hold a plurality of second drawn playing pieces;
- g) a second mockup board for use by a second player, for visually confirming second potential string combinations of second selected playing pieces selected from the second drawn playing pieces, before positioning the second selected playing pieces on the game board; and
- h) a second privacy blind, which can be vertically positioned on the playing surface on a second side of and adjacent to the game board, such that the second privacy blind prevents the first player from viewing the second drawn playing pieces of a second player, when the second drawn playing pieces are positioned on either the second mockup board or the second piece holder.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will be described below and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.
In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. In addition, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a schematic diagram illustrating a game system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 1B is a schematic diagram illustrating a game board of a game system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram illustrating a portion of a game board of a game system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2B is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2C is a schematic diagram illustrating a playing piece positioned on a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2D is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2E is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2F is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2G is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2H is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2I is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 2J is a schematic diagram illustrating a special square of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a top view of a playing piece, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4A is a front view of a privacy blind with a score card, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4B is a top view of a privacy blind with a score card, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4C is a front view of a score card, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5A is a top view of a stand piece, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5B is a side view of a stand piece, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 5C is a perspective view of a piece holder with playing pieces, a mockup board, and a score card mounted on stand pieces, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 6 is a top view of playing pieces of a game system, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7A is a top view of a plurality of strings of playing pieces, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 7B is a top view of a plurality of strings of playing pieces positioned on a portion of a game board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 8A is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, in accordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game setup.
FIG. 8B is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, in accordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game play.
FIG. 8C is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, in accordance with one embodiment of a method or process for game scoring.
FIG. 8D is a flowchart illustrating steps that may be followed, in accordance with one embodiment of a game method or process.
FIG. 9 is a top view of a mockup board, according to an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Before describing the invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention resides primarily in a novel and non-obvious combination of elements and process steps. So as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will readily be apparent to those skilled in the art, certain conventional elements and steps have been presented with lesser detail, while the drawings and specification describe in greater detail other elements and steps pertinent to understanding the invention.
The following embodiments are not intended to define limits as to the structure or method of the invention, but only to provide exemplary constructions. The embodiments are permissive rather than mandatory and illustrative rather than exhaustive.
In the following, we describe the structure of an embodiment of a game system 100 with initial reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in such manner that like reference numerals refer to like components throughout; a convention that we shall employ for the remainder of this specification.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2A-2D, a game system 100 can include:
- a) a game board 110, which can be a rigid or flexible member with a flat surface, which can be utilized to place a set of playing pieces 140, in adherence to rules of the game system 100, wherein the game board 110 can include:
- i. a plurality of squares 120, which can be arranged in a matrix structure 112, which comprises rows 114 and columns 116, wherein selected squares 120, 122 (in the plurality of squares 120) can include special squares 120, 122 (which can be uniformly distributed in the plurality of squares 120), which can be a start square 126 or a bonus square 122, which can include:
- 1) a bonus square surface 224;
- 2) a text indicator 226, which indicates a score adjustment, wherein the text indicator 226 can be positioned on the bonus square surface 224; and
- 3) a color indicator 228, which indicates the score adjustment, wherein the color indicator 228 can be a background color of the bonus square surface 224; and
- ii. a board border 130, as shown in FIG. 1B, which can include
- 1) a plurality of row indicators 132; and
- 2) a plurality of column indicators 134;
- such that a pair of a row indicator 132 in the plurality of row indicators 132 and a column indicator 134 in the plurality of column indicators 134 can indicate a position of a special square 120, 122;
- b) a plurality of playing pieces 140 (also called playable tiles), as shown in FIG. 2C, wherein each playing piece 140 can include:
- i. a piece body 242;
- ii. a line segment 244, which can be a printed marking, and/or can be indicated by an indentation or a protrusion of the piece body 242, wherein the line segment 244 can be positioned on a top surface of the piece body 242, wherein the line segment 244 comprises:
- 2) a plurality of segment terminators 246, wherein each segment terminator 246 is positioned adjacent to a central side or a corner of the piece body 242; and
- iii. a piece scoring indicator 248, which denotes a piece scoring value for scoring;
- c) a first piece holder 180, 181 for use by a first player 191, wherein the first piece holder 180, 181 is configured to be positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table, on a first side of the game board 110, wherein the first piece holder 180, 181 is configured to hold a plurality of first drawn playing pieces 140, such as seven first drawn playing pieces 140, which are drawn from the plurality of playing pieces 140;
- d) a first mockup board 170, 171, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9, for use by a first player 191, wherein the first mockup board 170, 171 can be a rigid or flexible surface, wherein the first mockup board 170, 171 is configured to be positioned on a playing surface 198, on a first side of the game board 110, such that the first mockup board 170, 171 can be used for (i.e., is configured for visually confirming first potential string combinations of first selected playing pieces 140, which can be five selected playing pieces 140, which can be selected from the first drawn playing pieces 140, before positioning the first selected playing pieces 140 on the game board 110;
- e) a first privacy blind 160, 161, which can be a vertically positionable rectangular body, which can be vertically positioned on the playing surface 198 on a first side of and adjacent to the game board 110 (such that the first privacy blind 160, 161 is between the game board 110 and the first mockup board 170, 171), to prevent line of sight from the opposing parallel edge of the game board 110, such that the first privacy blind 160 prevents the second player 192 from viewing the first drawn playing pieces 140 of the first player 191 (before they are positioned on the game board 110), when the playing piece 140 are positioned on either the first mockup board 170, 171 or the first piece holder 180, 181;
- f) a second piece holder 180, 182 for use by a second player 192, wherein the second piece holder 180, 182 is configured to be positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table, on a second side of the game board 110, wherein the second piece holder 180, 182 is configured to hold a plurality of second drawn playing pieces 140, such as seven second drawn playing pieces 140, which are drawn from the plurality of playing pieces 140;
- g) a second mockup board 170, 172, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9, for use by a second player 192, wherein the second mockup board 170, 172 can be a rigid or flexible surface, wherein the second mockup board 170, 172 is configured to be positioned on the playing surface 198, on a second side of the game board 110, such that the second mockup board 170, 172 can be used for (i.e., is configured for) visually confirming second potential string combinations of second selected playing pieces 140, which can be five selected playing pieces 140, which can be selected from the second drawn playing pieces 140, before positioning the second playing pieces 140 on the game board 110; and
- h) a second privacy blind 160, 162 which can be a vertically positionable rectangular member, which can be can be vertically positioned on the playing surface 198 on a second side of and adjacent to the game board 110 (such that the second privacy blind 160, 162 is between the game board 110 and the second mockup board 170, 172), to prevent line of sight from the opposing parallel edge of the game board 110, such that the second privacy blind 160, 162 prevents the first player 191 from viewing the non-placed playing pieces 140 of the second player 192 (before they are positioned on the game board 110), when the non-placed playing pieces 140 are positioned on either the second mockup board 170, 172 or the second piece holder 180, 182.
In a related embodiment, each of the first and second piece holders 180, 181, 182, can be configured similar to a SCRABBLE™ tile/piece holder in order to hold playing pieces 140 in an upright (and typically slightly forward leaning) position, such that an upper surface of the playing pieces is not visible to an opposing player. Each of the first and second piece holders 180, 181, 182 can be elongated and can include a seating area 584, which is configured to receive the selected playing pieces 140, such that the selected playing pieces 140 are positionable in the seating area 584.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 9, each of the of the first mockup board 170, 171, and the second mockup 170, 172 board can include:
- a) a second plurality of squares 174, which can be arranged in a second matrix structure comprising second rows and second columns.
In a further related embodiment, each of the first selected playing pieces 140, and the second selected playing pieces 140, can include five playing pieces 140; and the second rows can include six rows and the second columns can include six columns.
In another related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 4C, each of the first and second privacy blinds 160, 161, 162 can further include:
- a) a score card 410, which is configured to block a view of an opposing player 192, 191, wherein the score card 410 includes scoring information on an outer side 414 facing a corresponding player 191, 192, wherein the score card 410 can further include:
- i. a score card body 412, which includes the outer side 414;
- ii. a color score guide portion 420, which includes a color decoding table 421, which comprises a plurality of color decoding rows 422, each comprising:
- 1) a decoding color indicator 423, which can be textual, symbolic, color-coded, or a combination of these; and
- 2) a first board square type indicator 426, which can be one of:
- a first scoring transformation indicator 427; or
- a first start square indicator 428; and
- iii. a coordinate axis guide portion 430, which includes a coordinate decoding table 431, which comprises a plurality of coordinate decoding rows 432, each comprising:
- 1) a decoding coordinate indicator 433, which comprises:
- a decoding column indicator 434; and
- a decoding row indicator 435; and
- 2) a second board square indicator 436, which can be one of:
- a second scoring transformation indicator 437, such that a coordinate pair of the decoding column indicator and the decoding row indicator indicates a corresponding coordinate position of a corresponding bonus square on the game board; and
- a second start square indicator 438 such that the coordinate pair of the decoding column indicator and the decoding row indicator indicates the corresponding coordinate position of a start square on the game board;
- b) a stand assembly 462, which is configured to be is positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table 198, wherein the stand assembly 462 can include,
- i. a left stand piece 464, which includes
- 1) a left mounting slit 465; and
- ii. a right stand piece 466, which includes
- 2) a right mounting slit 467;
- such that the score card 410 can be vertically positionable in the stand assembly 462 when the stand assembly is positioned on a playing surface 198, such as a table 198;
- such that the score card 410 can be vertically positionable in the left mounting slit 465 and the right mounting slit 467 when the left stand piece 464 and the right stand piece 466 are positioned on the playing surface 198, such as the table 198.
In another further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1B, 2D, and 6, the plurality of playing pieces 140, can further include:
- a) a start playing piece 616, which is positionable on the start square 126;
- such that a first playing piece 140, 141, of a first string can be connected with the start playing piece 616, such that the first playing piece 140, 141 is positioned on a first square 121, which is adjacent to the start square 126, such that the first square 121 is positioned either by on a side or a corner of the start square 126, such that at least one segment terminator of the start playing piece 616 is adjacent to at least one segment terminator of the first playing piece 140, 141.
In a yet further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a start playing piece 616, can further include:
- a) a first side 621, which comprises a first start line segment 244, 641; and
- b) a second side 622, which comprises a second start line segment 244, 642;
- such that an upward facing side 621, 622 of the start playing piece is one of the first side 621 and the second side 622, when the start playing piece 616 is positioned on the start square 126.
In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, a start playing piece 616, can further include:
- a) a first start line segment 244, comprises four segment terminators 246, which can be centrally positioned on sides of the first side of the start playing piece 616, such that the first side is rotatably symmetric of order 4 (i.e. when rotated in 90-degree increments around the center of the first side) when positioned on the start square 126, when the start playing piece 616, is positioned on the start square 126, with the first side upward facing; and
- b) a second start line segment 244, comprises four segment terminators 246, which are centrally positioned in corners of the second side of the start playing piece 616, such that the second side is rotatably symmetric of order 4 (i.e., when rotated in 90-degree increments around the center of the second side) when the start playing piece is positioned on the start square 126, with the second side upward facing.
In a related embodiment, the game system 100 can further include:
- a) at least one string 710, which comprises a plurality of rotatably positioned 249 (as shown in FIG. 2C) connected playing pieces 140, which are positioned on the game board 110), such that at least one segment terminator 246 of a first connected playing piece 711 is adjacent to (i.e., connected to) at least one segment terminator 246 of a second connected playing piece 712, such that line segments 244 of the rotatably positioned 249 connected pieces 140, 711, 712 of the string 710 form a connected path 718, which form a string 710. FIG. 7B shows examples of the same type of piece 140, 741, 742, 743, which are rotatably positioned 249 in different orientations, to form connected paths 718, which are part of strings 710, 790. Thus, each playing piece 140 is rotatably positioned in 90-degree increments to a position where the four sides of the playing piece 140 are parallel with corresponding four sides of the board square 120 that the playing piece 140 is positioned on, such that the playing piece has four possible rotatable positions on the board square 120.
In a further related embodiment, the game system 100 can further include:
- a) a plurality of pairs of successive strings 710, which can be positioned on the game board 110, wherein each pair of successive strings 710 are successively placed by two opposing players 191, 192, wherein each string 710 includes a plurality of rotatably positioned 249 connected playing pieces 140, 711, 712, such that at least one segment terminator 246 of a first connected playing piece 711 is adjacent to (i.e., connected to) at least one segment terminator 246 of a second connected playing piece 712
In another related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2C, each of the special squares can be configured with a first uniform size, which is larger than a second uniform size of the playing pieces 140, such that when a playing piece 140, is positioned on a special square, which comprises the corresponding color, then an outer border of an upper surface of the playing piece 140, is visible, such that the corresponding color is visible, such that the special square is identifiable via the color score guide 420, portion of the score card 410.
In a related embodiment, the bonus square 122 can be one of:
- a) a tile-times-two tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251, as shown in FIG. 2E, wherein the text indicator 226, 261 is “TILE X2” and the color indicator 228, 271 is a first predetermined corresponding color 271, which can be light blue (shown as a parallel vertical dotted lines), such that the tile-times-two bonus square 122, 251 modifies a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 (as shown in FIG. 2C) of a playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-times-two bonus square 122, 221 to two times the piece scoring value 248;
- b) a tile-times-five tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 252, as shown in FIG. 2F, wherein the text indicator 226, 262 is “TILE X5” and the color indicator 228, 272 is a second predetermined corresponding color 272, which can be red (shown as a sparsely dotted pattern),
- such that the tile-times-five bonus square 122, 252 modifies a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-times-five bonus square 122, 222 to five times the piece scoring value 248;
- c) a string-times-two bonus square 122, 253, as shown in FIG. 2G, wherein the text indicator 226, 263 is “STRING X2” and the color indicator 228, 273 is a third predetermined corresponding color 273, which can be blue (shown as parallel oblique dotted lines),
- such that the string-times-two bonus square 122, 253 modifies an aggregate scoring value 248 of playing pieces 140 positioned in a string 710, which passes the string-times-two bonus square 122, 253 to two times the aggregate scoring value 248;
- d) a tile-plus-three additive bonus square 122, 254, as shown in FIG. 2H, wherein the text indicator 226, 264 is “TILE +3” and the color indicator 228, 274 is a fourth predetermined corresponding color 274, which can be violet (shown as parallel oblique solid lines),
- such that the tile-plus-three bonus square 122, 254 modifies a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-plus-three bonus square 122, 254 to the piece scoring value 248 plus three;
- e) a string-times-three string-multiplicative bonus square 122, 255, as shown in FIG. 2I, wherein the text indicator 226, 265 is “STRING X3” and the color indicator 228, 275 is a fifth predetermined corresponding color 275, which can be yellow (shown as densely dotted pattern),
- such that the string-times-three bonus square 122, 255 modifies an aggregate scoring value 248 of a playing pieces 140 positioned in a string 710, which passes the string-times-three bonus square 122, 255 to three times the aggregate scoring value 248; and
- f) a tile-plus-five additive bonus square 122, 256, as shown in FIG. 2J, wherein the text indicator 226, 266 is “TILE +5” and the color indicator 228, 276 is a sixth predetermined corresponding color 276, which can be peach (shown as a diagonal rectangular tiling pattern),
- such that the tile-plus-five bonus square 122, 256 modifies a piece scoring value of a piece scoring indicator 248 of a playing piece 140 positioned on the tile-plus-five bonus square 122, 256 to the piece scoring value 248 plus five.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a first player 191 can:
- a) select a predetermined playing plurality of playing pieces 140, wherein the predetermined playing plurality can be seven playing pieces; and
- b) successively position up to a maximum string length, which can be five playing pieces 140, comprising a string 710 of playing pieces 140 that are positioned on the game board 110, wherein the string 710 comprises:
- i. a first playing piece 140, 711, which:
- 1. is initially (when there are no playing pieces from previously laid strings) positioned in a central start square 126; or
- 2. is positioned on a first square 122, such that a first line segment 244 of the first playing piece 140 is connected with a prior line segment 244 of a (previously positioned) corresponding prior playing piece 140 (previously positioned as part of a prior string 710) on the board, such that the first line segment 244, 721 and the prior line segment 244, 720 form a combined line segment 730, such that first segment terminators 246 of the first playing piece 140 connect with (i.e. are positioned adjacent to) prior segment terminators 246 of the prior playing piece 140, such that no segment terminator 246 of either the first or prior playing pieces 140 is not connected and shielded from (future) connectivity; and
- ii. a second playing piece 140, 712, which is positioned on a second square 122 that is adjacent to the first square 122, such that a second line segment 722 of the second playing piece 140, 712 is connected with the first line segment 721 of the first playing piece 140, 711 (which was just previously positioned) on the board, such that the first line segment 721 and the second line segment 722 form a combined line segment 726 (which is a part of the string 710),
- such that first segment terminators 246 of the second playing piece 140 connect with (i.e., are positioned adjacent to) the first segment terminators 246 of the first playing piece 140, such that no segment terminator 246 of either the first or second playing pieces 140 is not connected and shielded from (future) connectivity, i.e. no non-connected segment terminator 246 is buried or concealed;
- such as successive playing pieces up to a total maximum of the maximum string length (such as for example five) is connected according to the similar process as the second playing piece (i.e., a third piece is connected to the second, and so on);
- such that a second player will position a string of up to the maximum string length (such as for example five), according to a similar process.
In various related embodiments, the game system 100 includes a game played on a board with rotatably positionable playing pieces, and incorporates playing concepts such as playing path, maze, line, mapping and/or word games, and game components, such as a game board 110, which can specific indicia, and playing components with supplemental indicia and other graphical, visual, or tactile elements, designed to facilitate successful compliance, fulfillment, of and adherence to/of the rules for playing and scoring games played in the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, the specific indicia can be comprised of text indicators 226, color indicators 228, row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, which can be a plurality of elements of a game board 110.
In a further related embodiment, the supplemental indicia can be comprised of score indicators 248, and line segments 244, which can be a plurality of elements attached to the surface of the playing pieces 140.
In a related embodiment, the game board 110, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 13, can be configured to eliminate or significantly reduce the occurrence of the lifting of a plane piece from the game board 110.
In a related embodiment, the board border 130, of the game board 110, can be configured to include row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, which can be alphabetical, numeric, alphanumeric, or unique image elements.
In a related embodiment, the game system 100, can include a unique plurality of playing pieces 140, FIG. 8 with supplemental indicators, which can be designed to facilitate the assembly and construction of paths, lines, and any logical assemblies used to facilitate the creation, construction, building, assembly, demonstration of paths, strings, lines, course, and/or maze line, direction, and mapping.
In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 7B, contemplates the provision in a board game of this character on the board in which text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, are applied to the bonus squares 122, of the board, which require an adjustment of the score when the bonus square 122, is occupied by a playing piece 140, and the corresponding row indicator 132, and column indicator 134, being indicative of the same adjustment to a score bonus required by the text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, which may be concealed by the playing pieces 140.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 2D, the color indicators 228, of the game board 110, can be associated with the corresponding text indicators 226, such that if a bonus square 122, of the game board 110, contains a specific combination of text indicators 226, that bonus square 122, will also contain the accompanying specific color indicators 228.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 2B, 2C, and 7B, the color indicators 228, can be of a dimension and position such that the placement of a playing piece 140, onto the special area in which the color indicator 228, is centered, the vision of the color indicators 228, will not be fully obscured by the playing pieces 140.
In a related embodiment, the row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, of the board border 130, can be configured to be an alphanumeric axis grid system FIGS. 1A, and 1B, such that the game board 110, can be divided into coordinate addresses that assist in the identification of the pre-determined special areas of the board when the text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, may be obstructed or concealed by a playing piece 140, and can also be referenced in the same manner, irrespective of the size or shape of spaces on the board or playing pieces 140, placed in or on the game board 110.
In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the playing pieces 140, can be constructed as a square, rectangle, or some other symmetric or asymmetric shape.
In another related embodiment, the playing pieces 140, can be constructed of a composite, metal, or polymer material.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1B, the column indicators 134, of the board border 130, can be configured to have numeric markings on two parallel sides of the board border 130, where the numerals are reflected across the center of the game board 110, and similarly the two sides of the board border 130, which are perpendicular to the column indicators 134, on the board border 130, can be row indicators 132, and can be configured to have alphabetical markings, which can be reflected across the center of the game board 110, such that an alphanumeric grid is created.
In a further related embodiment, the row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, of the board border 130, can be placed such that there is only a row indicator 132, or a column indicator 134, in a row or column containing a bonus square 122, denoted by a text indicator 226, and a color indicator 228, on the game board 110.
In a related embodiment, the bonus squares 122, denoted by a text indicator 226, and a color indicator 228, on the game board 110, can be one of at least seven different associated text and color combinations, as shown in FIGS. 2D-2J, which can be used to affect the score total of a played playing piece 140, or combination thereof.
In a related embodiment, the score scalar applied by the bonus squares 122, on the game board 110, can be determined through a score card 410, which can be used to relate a color indicator 228, to its associated text indicator 226.
In a related embodiment, the score scalar applied by the bonus squares 122, on the game board 110, can be determined through a score card 410, and a position determined through the row indicators 132, and the column indicators 134, which can be used to relate this coordinate/spatial position to its associated text indicator 226.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, can divide the game board 110, into 225 spaces organized into 15 vertical columns and 15 horizontal rows.
In a related embodiment, the score card 410, can contain a coordinate axes address guide 430, which can assist in identifying coordinal intersections with specific corresponding text indicators 226, which can indicate special areas of the board that affect play scoring.
In a related embodiment, the score card 410, can contain a color point score guide 420, which can assist in identifying color indicators 228, with specific corresponding text indicators 226, which can indicate special areas of the board that affect play scoring.
In a related embodiment, the game board 110 can be divided into a plurality of squares 120, which can be comprised of a square, circle, or some other symmetric or asymmetric shape which can accommodate the shape of the playing pieces 140, such that a grid is created on the game board 110.
In a related embodiment, a plurality of squares 120, can include text indicators 226, and color indicators 228, which can provide a scoring bonus, according to the rules of the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of squares 120, of the game board 110, can be comprised of a dimension, such that a square grid is created on the game board 110, for example two hundred and twenty-five grid spaces, which can form fifteen horizontal rows and fifteen vertical columns.
In a related embodiment, grid created by the row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, of the board border 130, can be configured to be the same geometry as the bottom cross section of the playing pieces 140, such that the playing pieces 140, can be constrained to the plurality of squares 120, between grid lines.
In a related embodiment, the placement of a playing piece 140, onto a square 120, of the game board 110, may be determined in any manner appropriate to and in adherence to the rules for playing the particular game to which the principles of the invention are applied, such as for example: as a result of the manipulation of dice, spinners, or some other system of chance.
In a related embodiment, a plurality of at least two playing pieces 140, can be positioned such that the line segments 244, can be combined in a manner consistent with the rules of the game system 100, to form a “string”.
In a further related embodiment, the creation of a string can cause an adjustment to the score of a first player 191, or second player 192, such that the creator of the string can receive a score increase at least equal to the value of the summation of the score indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, in the string, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, the placement, by a player, of a playing piece 140, onto a square 120, containing a text indicator 226, and color indicator 228, can create an additive or multiplicative score effect, from the associated text indicator 226, and color indicator 228, onto the tile score indicator 248, or string score value, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, the color indicators 228, of the game board 110, can be a plurality of colors, such as for example green, red, peach, light blue, dark blue, purple, or yellow.
In a further related embodiment, each color indicator 228, can be associated with a specific text indicator 226, such as for example a red color indicator 228, can be associated with a unique text indicator 226, such as “TILE X5”.
In a related embodiment, the text indicator 226, can be representative of a mathematical operation which can be applied to a score indicator 248, such as for example “TILE X5”, whereby the score indicator 222, can be multiplied by a scalar value 5.
In a further related embodiment, the text indicator 226, can be representative of a mathematical operation which can be applied to a string value, such as for example “STRING X3”, whereby the value of the played string can be multiplied by a scalar value 3.
In a related embodiment, the game system 100, contains a plurality of at least two score cards 410, which can include a color point score guide 420, and a coordinate-axis address guide 430.
In a related embodiment, the coordinate-axis address guide 430, of the score card 410, may list each position indicator 433, and the corresponding text indicator 436, with specific instructions that will assist in the adjustment of a player's score.
In a related embodiment, the playing pieces 140, can be comprised of a plurality of unique playing pieces, which can for example be seventeen distinct playing pieces which can be comprised of distinctly specific patterns, shapes, diagrams, impressions, letters, numbers, legends, score indicators 248, or line segments 244, that may control how playing pieces 140, can be connected or assembled during the course of play, in an effort to increase a player's score.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the playing pieces 140, can be square tiles having dimensions of for example approximately 0.75″×0.75″×0.125″ or other suitable dimensions.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the line segments 244, of the playing pieces 140, can be a bone-like shape, or a plurality thereof, which can be oriented horizontally, vertically, or diagonally, such that the line segments 244, can be rotatably positioned 249 to form a string of playing pieces 140.
In a further related embodiment, the plurality of playing pieces 140, can include at least one starting piece 616, which can be a colored playing piece 140, containing a pair of orthogonal line segments 244, and no score indicator 248, which can be used to begin play, according to the rules of the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a starting piece 616, which can be a colored playing piece 140, containing a pair of orthogonal line segments 244, and no score indicator 248, can be a two-sided playing piece 140, with intersecting horizontal and vertical line segments 244, on a top face and diagonal line segments 244, on a bottom face.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of squares 120, of the game board 110, can constrict the placement of the playing pieces 140, such that the proper placement of playing pieces 140, is facilitated, according to the rules of the game system 100.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B, a string can be an assembly comprising at least one playing piece 140, in succession with at least one other playing piece 140, such that the line segments 244, of the playing pieces 140, are oriented such that a logical path is created, for example two line segments 244, with diagonal elements, such that when the playing pieces 140, are rotatably positioned 249 next to one another, the superposition of the line segments 244, as placed on the game board 110, can create a single line, as shown in the first string example 792.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, a string 710 can be an assembly comprising of at least one playing piece 140, in succession with at least one other playing piece 140, such that the line segments 244, of the playing pieces 140, are oriented and connected, such that a logical path is created, for example two line segments 244, with diagonal elements, such that when the playing pieces 140, are rotatably positioned 249 next to one another, the superposition of the adjacent line segments 244, as placed on the game board 110, can create a right angle with adjacent line segments 244, as shown in the second string example 794.
In a further related embodiment, the text indicators 226, color indicators 228, row indicators 132, and column indicators 134, of the game board 110, can work in conjunction with the line segments 244, and score indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, in order to calculate the total score value of a playing piece 140, or string placement onto the game board 110.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the tabulation of a string score can be such that a player who plays a string can receive a score increase equal to the summation of the score indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, after which, any additive or multiplicative bonus squares 122, relating to a single playing piece 140, are added to the score indicator 248, summation, after which the total summation of the score indicators 248, and the additive and multiplicative individual playing piece 140, bonus squares 122, is scaled by any multiplicative string bonus squares 122, such as for example in FIG. 7B, the summation of the score indicators 248, in the score example shown in string 790, can be twenty-one points, which is then added to the “TILE +5” bonus square 122, at the row indicator 132, “D” and the column indicator 134, “1” to become twenty-six points, which is then multiplied by the “STRING X2” multiplicative string bonus square 122, at the row indicator 132, “B” and the column indicator 134, “1” to add a final total string score of fifty-two points for the player who created the string.
In a related embodiment, the game system 100, can include a piece container 150, which can be configured as a bag or pouch, which is configured to store the plurality of playing pieces 140, such that the piece container 150 can provide convenient storage, access and disbursement of playing pieces 140.
In a related embodiment, the piece container 150, can be made of cloth, plastic, or some other suitable material and can be sealed through a draw string, lid, or some other means, to secure the contents of the piece container 150, to prevent the spill or loss of the playing pieces 140.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include eight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE X5”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include eight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “STRING X2”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include four squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE +3”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include eight squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “STRING X3”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include four squares 120, with the text indicator 226, “TILE +5”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of bonus squares 122, can include a square 120, with the text indicator 226, “START”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of row indicators 132, can include a plurality of the letters: “A”, “B”, “C”, “D”, and “E”.
In a related embodiment, the plurality of column indicators 134, can include a plurality of the numbers: “0”, “1”, “2”, “3”, and “4”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2F, the text indicator 226, “TILE X5” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “RED”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2J, the text indicator 226, “TILE +5” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “PEACH”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2D, the text indicator 226, “START” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “GREEN”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2H, the text indicator 226, “TILE +3” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “PURPLE”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2I, the text indicator 226, “3X STRING X3” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “YELLOW”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2E, the text indicator 226, “TILE X2” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “LIGHT BLUE”.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2G, the text indicator 226, “2X STRING 2X” can be associated with the color indicator 228, “DARK BLUE”.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, the plurality of playing pieces 140 can include:
- 1) a first playing piece 601, with Point Value=10, and 5 pieces per set;
- 2) a second playing piece 602, with Point Value=8, and 6 pieces per set;
- 3) a third playing piece 603, with Point Value=4, and 12 pieces per set;
- 4) a fourth playing piece 604, with Point Value=8, and 15 pieces per set;
- 5) a fifth playing piece 605, with Point Value=10, and 5 pieces per set;
- 6) a sixth playing piece 606, with Point Value=12, and 2 pieces per set;
- 7) a seventh playing piece 607, with Point Value=12, and 2 pieces per set;
- 8) an eighth playing piece 608, with Point Value=5, and 4 pieces per set;
- 9) a ninth playing piece 609, with Point Value=5, and 4 pieces per set;
- 10) a tenth playing piece 610, with Point Value=10, and 10 pieces per set;
- 11) an eleventh playing piece 611, with Point Value=2, and 30 pieces per set;
- 12) a twelfth playing piece 612, with Point Value=2, and 30 pieces per set;
- 13) a thirteenth playing piece 613, with Point Value=3, and 24 pieces per set;
- 14) a fourteenth playing piece 614, with Point Value=3, and 24 pieces per set;
- 15) a fifteenth playing piece 615, with Point Value=4, and 20 pieces per set;
- 16) a start playing piece 616, with Side one 621 with Point Value=0, and 1 piece per set; and
- 17) a start playing piece 616. With Side two 622 with Point Value=0, and 1 piece per set;
- such that the total number of pieces 140 in the plurality of playing pieces 140 can be 194 playing pieces.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, a method for game setup 800 can include:
- a) a board placement 802, of the game board 110, which can be a placement that is equidistant from and directly in front of the players;
- b) a component distribution 804, which can include the distribution of individual components of the game system 100, such as the distribution of one mockup board 170, and one privacy blind 160, to each player;
- c) a positioning of components 806, which can be the placement of the mockup board 170, directly in front of each player, and the positioning of the privacy blind 160, between each mockup board 170, and the game board 110;
- d) a start piece extraction 808, which can include the extraction of a starting piece 616, from a piece container 150, and placement of the starting piece 616, into an easily accessible area; and
- e) a piece consolidation 810, which can include returning all of the playing pieces 140, into the piece container 150, except for the starting piece 616.
In a related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8B, a method for game play 850 can include:
- a) a vigorous shaking 852, of the piece container 150, such that the playing pieces 140, can become sufficiently randomized;
- b) a blind draw 854, by each player, of a plurality of playing pieces 140, from the piece container 150, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100;
- c) a starting piece flip 856, of the starting piece 616, which can determine the direction of play for a first string;
- d) a starting piece placement 858, of the starting piece 616, onto the bonus square 222, of the game board 110, with the text indicator 226, “START” and the color indicator “GREEN”;
- e) a starting turn 860, which can be the arranging and placement of one or a plurality of playing pieces 140, onto the game board 110, such that a string is formed by using the starting piece 616, as a pivot from which to construct the string, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100;
- f) a score tabulation 862, which can include the calculation and recording of the total score of the constructed string, including score indicators 248, and bonus squares 222, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100;
- g) a replacement piece draw 864, which can include the blind drawing of an equal amount of playing pieces 140, to those played in the starting turn 1060, in accordance with the rules of the game system 100;
- h) a next player's turn 866, which can include the repetition of steps e, f, and g for a subsequent player;
- i) a subsequent turn 868, or plurality thereof which can include a repetition of steps e-h, with the condition involving the starting piece 616, removed from step e, and in accordance with the rules of the game system 100;
- j) a completion of a set 870, which can be the completion of a starting turn and three subsequent turns for each player, after which the total scores for each turn are summed for each individual player, and the player with the highest score value wins that set;
- k) a repetition of sets 872, which can be the repetition of steps c-j; and
- l) a completion of the game 874, which can include the completion of a plurality of sets, where a tied score at the completion of a set 1070, can require an additional set to be played, and where the winner of two sets is determined to be the winner of the game.
In a related embodiment, rules for playing the game system 100 can include:
- a) Shaking the bag 852, wherein a piece container 150, is shaken vigorously;
- b) Drawing tiles 854, wherein each player blind draws seven playing pieces 140, from the piece container 150;
- c) Each player can use a plurality of their playing pieces 140, per play, which can be up to five of their seven, the use of a plurality of playing pieces 140, can be called a “hand”;
- d) Each series of playing pieces 140, can be called a “string” and can be used to calculate the score of each player's turn during a set;
- e) Play can begin by having a first player 191, flip the starting piece 856, to determine the start direction;
- f) A starting piece 616, can be placed onto the bonus square 122, containing the “START” text indicator 226, and the “GREEN” color indicator 228;
- g) A first player 191, can take a starting turn 860, with the starting piece 616, as the start of their string;
- h) Each tile placed in a string, can form a logical path, where the line segments 244, of the playing pieces 140, in the string, can form a continuous line;
- i) Each tile placed in a string, can be placed, such that a new string must not require the placement of a tile into the board border 130, of the game board 110, to form the new string; i.e., a segment terminator 246 cannot touch (be adjacent to) the board border 130, of the game board 110 such that a connecting piece 140 would have to be positioned on the board border 130 (which is not permitted by the game rules);
- j) A player can place an allowable number of playing pieces 140, onto the plurality of squares 120, creating a string, which can be a plurality of five playing pieces 140, before the total score of the string is calculated, and a number of replacement playing pieces 140, equal to the number of playing pieces in the string are blind drawn from the piece container 150;
- k) A subsequent player can repeat rules g)-j);
- l) After each player has taken a starting turn 860, each player can repeat rules g-j, with the condition in which a player must begin a string with the starting piece 616, removed from step g, this action can constitute a subsequent turn 868;
- m) After a total of one starting turn 860, and three subsequent turns 868, for each player, the player with the highest total score value is the winner of a “set”;
- n) After a set completion 870, a new set can begin, which can be comprised of the same rules a-m;
- o) If a set completion 870, results in a tied score between players, a new set can be played until one player wins the set; and
- p) Game completion 874, can be achieved once one player has won a plurality of sets, which can be two out of three, whereby that player can be considered the winner.
In a further related embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8C, a method for game scoring 880 can include:
- a) addition of piece score 882, which can comprise the summation of the score indicators 248, of the playing pieces 140, of a played string;
- b) a single piece bonus square calculation 884, which can include the addition or multiplication of the score indicators 248, of a playing piece 140, which has been played on a bonus square 122;
- c) a sum of Piece and Single Piece Bonus Scores 886, which can include a summation of the addition of pieces score 882, and the single piece bonus square calculation 884; and
- d) a Multiplication of Adjusted String Score 888, which can include the multiplication of the sum of Piece and Single Piece Bonus Scores 886, by any bonus square 122, which includes the text “STRING” in the text indicator 226, whereby this multiplied value, can be the total turn score for the player who played the string.
In an embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8D, a game method 890 can include:
- a) positioning 892 a string 710 of playing pieces 140 on a game board 110, wherein the string of playing pieces 140 comprises a plurality of rotatably positioned 249 connected playing pieces 140, which are positioned on the game board 110, such that at least one segment terminator 246 of a first connected playing piece 140, 711 is adjacent to at least one segment terminator 246 of a second connected playing piece 140, 712, such that line segments 244 of the rotatably positioned 249 connected playing pieces 140, 711, 712 of the at least one string 710 form a connected path 718; and
- b) calculating 894 an aggregated string score as a piece score for the string of playing pieces, comprising summation of a score value of a score indicator 248 for each playing piece 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces, i.e.: summation of score values for all score indicators 248 for all playing pieces 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces 140, as a first score indicator 248 plus a second score indicator 248 plus a third score indicator 248 plus a fourth score indicator 248 plus a fifth score indicator 248.
In a related embodiment, the game method 890 can further include:
- a) calculating 896 an additive bonus score for the string 710 of playing pieces 140, comprising summation of an additive bonus value of each additive bonus square 122, 254, 256, wherein a playing piece 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces 140 is positioned on the additive bonus square 122, 254, 256;
- such that the additive bonus score is added to the aggregated string score.
In a further related embodiment, the game method 890 can further include:
- a) calculating 898 a tile-multiplicative bonus score for the string 710 of playing pieces 140, comprising summation of a tile-multiplicative bonus factor of each tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251, 252 minus one (to account for the initial counting in calculating 896 the additive bonus score) multiplied with the additive bonus value of each tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251, 252, wherein a playing piece 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces 140 is positioned on the tile-multiplicative bonus square 122, 251, 252;
- such that the tile-multiplicative bonus score is added to the aggregated string score
In a further related embodiment, the game method 890 can further include:
- b) calculating 899 a string-multiplicative bonus score for the string 710 of playing pieces 140, comprising summation of a string-multiplicative bonus factor of each string-multiplicative bonus square 122, 253, 255, to calculate an aggregate multiplicative bonus factor, which is multiplied with the aggregated string score, wherein a playing piece 140 in the string 710 of playing pieces 140 is positioned on the string-multiplicative bonus square 122, 253, 255.
Here has thus been described a multitude of embodiments of the game system 100, and methods related thereto, which can be employed in numerous modes of usage.
The many features and advantages of the invention are apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of the invention, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Many such alternative configurations are readily apparent and should be considered fully included in this specification and the claims appended hereto. Accordingly, since numerous modifications and variations will readily occur to those skilled in the art, the invention is not limited to the exact construction and operation illustrated and described, and thus, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
Patent Application
20230256322
