Patent Application
20160059114
Game systems are popular among players of all ages. Traditional board games, while still popular, have given way to video games, computer games, and more recently, online games.
A light game system and method is disclosed. The system may include a light (e.g., provided by a laser beam). The light may indicate position and/or moves of a player by reflecting the laser light beam (e.g., between game pieces and/or between game pieces and a game board and/or external components). While intersection of the beam with the pieces or an endpoint may trigger a signal, the light beam itself may also visible to the players. In an example, the game board enhances the players' experience by producing a visible light beam. For example, a vapor/smoke or “fog” chamber may be provided as described below.
An example light game system and method are disclosed as these may be implemented in a game board having a playing surface and a cavity for holding electronic components. The cavity and playing surface may be encased by a transparent structure. The playing surface may have a plurality of segments. In an example, a plurality of game pieces, a light source (e.g., a laser light), and a vapor source may be provided. The vapor source may vaporize water to produce a mist, and/or be configured to produce smoke.
The game pieces and/or game board may have at least one surface for reflecting light from the light source. The game pieces may be engaged using a game piece manipulator. In an example, the game piece may comprise a ferrous metal which may be engaged by a magnetic game piece manipulator. In another example, the game piece may have a remote receiver, and the game piece manipulator sends a signal to the remote receiver to control movement of the game piece.
An example method of playing a game by opposed players is also presented. The method comprises a first step of placing each player's set of playing pieces in designated segment(s) in a pre-determined starting configuration. In a second step, each player may take turns moving the game pieces and/or activating the light source. Game play may be enhanced by the vapor source. Game play may continue according to any suitable rules for play, e.g., until one player illuminates the opposing player's key piece.
Before continuing, it is noted that as used herein, the terms “includes” and “including” mean, but is not limited to, “includes” or “including” and “includes at least” or “including at least.” The term “based on” means “based on” and “based at least in part on.”
At least one light source 106a-b (e.g., in the game board 101 and/or adjacent to the game board 101) may be activated to produce a light beam 104 (e.g., a laser light beam from opening 107a-b, respectively). In an example, the light sources 106a-b may be housed in light generating compartment(s) on the game board 101. Game pieces 103 may be moved in segments 105, and reflect the light beam 104 along various light paths on the game board 101.
At least one vapor source 110a-b may also be provided (e.g., in the game board 101 and/or adjacent to the game board 101). In an example, the vapor source 110a-b may be housed in a vapor source compartment(s) on the game board 101. Game play may be enhanced by the vapor source, e.g., by producing a vapor in a chamber formed between the segments 105 and the cover 102 of the game board 101. The vapor source may be activated to release vapor from opening 108. In an example, the vapor may be a mist such as a liquid mist (e.g., vaporized water). In another example, the vapor may be a smoke. The vapor produced in this chamber may make the light beam 104 more visible to the player(s).
The game board 101 may also include a battery (or other power source) and/or electronics compartment 111 to house power and/or electronics, e.g., for the light source and/or vapor source.
The light game system 100 is not limited to any particular rules of play. An example method of playing a game may include a first step of placing each player's set of playing pieces in designated segment(s) in a pre-determined starting configuration. In a second step, each player may take turns moving the game pieces and/or activating the light source. Game play may continue according to any suitable rules for play, e.g., until one player illuminates the opposing player's key piece.
The game board 101 and/or the game pieces 103 may be configured to reflect at least a portion of the light beam 104. In an example, light may be reflected at any suitable angle onto other game pieces 103 and/or onto the game board 101 and/or auxiliary components positioned on or off the game board 101.
In an example, the lower portion 202 may include a connection, such as a physical and/or a magnetic component with the segment 105. An interconnect between the lower portion 202 and the segment may be provided to ensure proper alignment of the game piece 103 with the segment 105 of the game board 101. In an example, the game piece 103 may be engaged with, and more readily moved, using a game piece manipulator.
The game piece manipulator 300 enables the game piece and game piece manipulator may be temporarily brought into close proximity to one another such that the game piece 103 rises up from the segment 105 of the game board 101 toward the game piece manipulated, e.g., as illustrated by arrow 302a. The game piece 103 can then be moved to another segment 105 by positioning the game piece manipulator 103 at the desired location on the game board 101. The game piece manipulator 103 can then be raised away from the surface 102 of the game board 101 to release the game piece 103, so that the game piece 103 falls into the segment 105, e.g., as illustrated by arrow 302b.
Other examples to move the game piece 103 are also contemplated. For example, the game piece 103 may be fitted with a wireless transmittal or remote receiving system for directing movement of the game piece.
Before continuing, it should be noted that the examples described above are provided for purposes of illustration, and are not intended to be limiting. Other devices and/or device configurations may be utilized to carry out the operations described herein.
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It is noted that the examples shown and described are provided for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting. Still other examples are also contemplated.
