POWERED GAME SYSTEM

Abstract

A game system for creating an electromagnetic field includes a plurality of interconnected track pieces, each having at least one conducting coil embedded therein, and which defines a game playing area. A capacitor bank is in electrical communication with at least one of the track pieces. A transmitter circuit is in electrical communication with the capacitor bank and a power source is in electrical communication with the transmitter circuit. The electromagnetic field is transmitted between each of the conducting coils in the plurality of track pieces for energizing a variety of electrical receivers, such as game pieces, placed within the game playing area.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to terrains, game pieces, and board games. More particularly, the present invention is directed to powered game terrains and game pieces therefor. Even more particularly, the present invention relates to wirelessly powered, game boards and game tokens.

2. Prior Art

Prior art game boards as well as game terrains, in accordance with a game's rules, require a player to move a selected game token by hand to occupy a specific board position during the course of play.

Recently, there have been developed electrically powered versions of a number of classic board games that afford augmented or enhanced game play mechanics. For example, in the electronic version of Stratego®, the game board is configured to provide an indication as to which of two tokens occupying opposing board positions is to be removed from play. As such, the value of each of the two tokens remains a secret.

Today, other game tokens or game pieces comprise one or more light emitting diodes, or LEDs, attached to and in electrical communication with a power source, such as a small battery, and which are thrown or otherwise put into play.

Wirelessly powered game tokens have also been taught. Such tokens do not require attachment to a power source such as a battery. Wirelessly powered tokens each include an inductance coil. The coil receives energy from a magnetic field generated by an electrically powered transmitting coil positioned in a spaced apart relationship therewith.

It is further known that magnetic induction works through a variety of non-magnetic materials such as paper, plastic, and glass, as magnetic fields are not blocked as easily as electric fields. This enables the design and development of game boards and terrains in a wide expanse of environments. However, due to the limitations in the field strength, the size of any board is limited.

Thus, it would enhance the gaming experience if the game board or field could be enlarged.

Because electrically powered game boards, terrains, and tokens can provide for an enhanced gaming experience without effecting any change to game mechanics, it would be desirable to provide an apparatus for wirelessly powering such.

It is to this to which the present invention is directed. The following detailed description of certain embodiments of the present invention will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a game system for creating an electromagnetic field and wirelessly powering a variety of game pieces and/or game board.

In a first embodiment of the present invention, the game system comprises a plurality of interconnectable track pieces, a capacitor bank in electrical communication with at least one of the track pieces, a transmitter circuit in electrical communication with the capacitor bank, and a power source in electrical communication with the transmitter circuit.

Each of the plurality of track pieces includes a pair of conducting coils embedded therein for transmitting an electromagnetic field between the plurality of track pieces.

The transmitter circuit includes a pair of power outputs or coil inputs, wherein each coil input corresponds to an associated conducting coil within each track piece.

The capacitor bank functions to regulate the amount of power supplied to the track pieces, based on the size and number of track pieces utilized, by including a plurality of capacitor bank inputs where the user can manually choose the desired and appropriate output.

In a second embodiment of the present invention, each track piece includes only a single conducting coil. Similarly, the transmission circuit only includes a single coil input to correspond to the conducting coil within each track piece. The power supply and capacitor bank remain as disclosed in the first embodiment.

Additionally, due to the fact that only a single conducting coil is used in each track piece and the electromagnetic field is, therefore, weaker, a plurality of supplemental tile pieces, each having a conducting coil embedded therein, may be disposed within the confines of the track pieces to boost the strength of the electromagnetic field created.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the game system is not modular, but comprises a single mat assembly having at least one conducting coil embedded therein and winded throughout. The at least one conducting coils are then coupled to a power supply using a plurality of wires. In this embodiment, a game board and plurality of game pieces are placed atop the mat assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-B depict a first embodiment of a track assembly;

FIG. 2 depicts a first embodiment of a transmitter circuit having two coil inputs used to create and transmit high frequency AC current to the track assembly of FIGS. 1A-B;

FIG. 3 depicts a capacitor bank and the expandability of a game system used herein for increasing the perimeter of a game playing area;

FIG. 4 depicts a physical layout of the game system;

FIGS. 5A-E depict a second embodiment of a track assembly and supplemental tiles and track pieces;

FIG. 6 is a second embodiment of a transmitter circuit having a single coil input to be used in conjunction with the track assembly of FIGS. 5A-E;

FIG. 7 depicts an alternative embodiment of a game playing area using a mat assembly containing resonance coils;

FIG. 8 is an edge view of a mat assembly suitable for use in the embodiment of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a pictorial diagram showing a standard, non-electrified game board resting on a powered mat assembly;

FIG. 10 is a pictorial diagram of one embodiment of the mat assembly suitable for use in configurations of the present inventions, with both an upper mat of the mat assembly and an adhesive agent omitted to show the internal coils within the mat assembly; and

FIG. 11 is a pictorial diagram of another embodiment of a mat assembly suitable for use in configurations of the present invention, showing a different power supply configuration and a different number of coils within the mat assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

At the outset, it is to be noted that to the extent that the figures illustrate diagrams of the functional blocks of various embodiments, the functional blocks are not necessarily indicative of the division between hardware circuitry. Also, unless otherwise indicated, the drawings are pictorial drawings and are not intended to provide detailed wiring diagrams for the various configurations of the invention. One of ordinary skill in the art would be able to design circuitry for the invention, including detailed wiring diagrams, without the need for undue experimentation, upon gaining an understanding of the inventive embodiments and features disclosed herein.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and proceeded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural said elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly stated. Furthermore, references to “one embodiment” of the present invention are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features. Moreover, unless explicitly stated to the contrary, embodiments “comprising” or “having” an element or a plurality of elements having a particular property may include additional such elements not having that property.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is depicted therein a first embodiment of the present invention for creating a modular game playing area.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a partial power grid 300 is used for constructing an expansible game playing area 316. The power grid 300 hereof, which surrounds the game playing area 316, is defined by a plurality of individual interconnecteable track pieces 302, 302, etc.

As shown in FIG. 1A, each track piece 302, 302′, etc. comprises a non-conductive frame 304, such as a plastic member, having an upper surface and a lower surface. At least two electrical conducting coils 306a, 306b are embedded therein between the upper and lower surfaces. The conducting coils 306a, 306b act as a transmitting coil receiving a charge from means for generating an electromagnetic field as described below. Each track piece 302, 302, etc. has a first end 308 and a second end 310. The first end 308 has at least one, and preferably at least two, conductive prong 312. The second end 310 has at least one receptor 314, and preferably two, registering with an associated prong 312 of an adjacent track piece 302, 302′, etc. Upon insertion of the prong 312 into the associated receptor 314, electrical communication is enabled between the conducting coils 306a, 306b embedded within adjacent interconnected track pieces 302, 302′, etc. in any suitable manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 1B, a corner track piece 315 includes a prong 315a and receptor 315b normal to each other in order to interconnect two perpendicular track pieces 302, 302′, etc. A plurality of corner track pieces 315 enable construction of an assembled rectangular game playing area 316.

It is to be noted that in the above first embodiment of the power grid 300, no additional or supplemental track pieces or tiles, as described below, are necessary in light of each track piece 302, 302′, etc. comprising the pair of conducting coils 106a, 106b which provides a sufficient supply of electromagnetic power to power a game piece. Alternatively, such components, as described below, may be used if desired. It is further contemplated that an additional non-powered center square plastic track perimeter is placed in the center of the track assembly. The non-powered center square apparatus will function to further boost the perimeter field strength.

As noted above, the present invention further comprises means for generating an electromagnetic field to the plurality of track pieces 302, 302′, etc. The means for generating an electromagnetic field includes a transmitter circuit 405, a capacitor bank 303, and a power supply 307 assembled in the manner shown in FIG. 4.

The transmitter circuit 405 is a solid state inverter used to convert DC current into high frequency AC current and transmitted through the conducting coils 306a, 306b of each track piece 302, 302′, etc.

The transmitter circuit 405 includes a pair of power outputs or coil inputs 426, 428 which delivers a charge to associated conductive coils 306a, 306b, respectively. Having a pair of coil inputs 426, 428 instead of a single input, as shown below in a second embodiment of a transmitter circuit 205, produces a stronger electromagnetic field.

The transmitter circuit 405 comprises a voltage protection Zener 406 which is both grounded and connected to the power supply. The power supplied to the Zener 406 is then transmitted through a timing capacitor 408 and a transistor 410. The transistor 408 operates as an amplifier to raise the voltage from the Zener 406 and power supply. A voltage detector 407 detects the voltage after the transistor 410 increases the voltage from the Zener to ensure it's at the requisite level. An offset diode 409 is situated proximate the timing capacitor 408 for directing the electrical path away from the Zener 406. A charge capacitor 412 is disposed between the timing capacitor 408 and a plurality of rectifier diodes 414, 416, 418, 420. The rectifier diodes 414, 416, 418, 420 ensure that current only flows in a single, proper direction from the Zener 406 and power supply. Lastly, a pair of resonant capacitors 422, 424 stores the charge before being outputted through a pair of coil inputs 426, 428.

FIG. 3 depicts the wireless transmission system as a whole wherein the means for generating an electromagnetic field deliver a voltage to the conducting coils 306a, 306b in each of the track pieces 302, 302′, etc.

The power supply 307 is used to power the track pieces 302, 302′, etc. in order to generate a magnetic field for rendering game pieces functional. The transmitter circuit 405 is powered by the power supply 307. The power supply 307 converts AC industrial power into low voltage DC power through rectification (REC). The power supply 307 supplies power to the transmitter circuit 405, which is connected to a capacitor bank 303 used for modulating the frequency resonance. The capacitor bank 303, defined by capacitors of the transmitter circuit 405, is connected to at least one of the track pieces 302, 302′, etc., which, when assembled, form a uniform resonance coil 301, thus creating a wireless game play perimeter or power grid 300 surrounding the game playing area 316, as noted above.

FIG. 3 depicts various configurations of the capacitor banks 303 that may be used based on the size of the track. Size examples 2×2, 3×3, and 4×2 sizes are illustrated. The transmitter circuit 405 remains unchanged regardless of the capacitor bank 303 utilized.

It is to be appreciated that by using the track assembly that the game playing area 316 can be of any desired size. According to this embodiment, a plurality of wirelessly powered game pieces can be placed anywhere within the game playing area 316 defined by the confines of the track pieces 302, 302′, etc.

The game pieces may be made from any suitable material such as plastic, crystal or the like. Optimally, they comprise an LED or other illuminating element which is activated by the electromagnetic forces generated by the transmitter circuit 405.

Although not shown in the drawing, it is further contemplated that a motor may be embedded in one or more game pieces to enable them to levitate. This can be achieved by providing booster coils in electrical communication with an associated motorized game piece having a notable blade assembly.

It will be recognized to those skilled in the art that the various pictorial drawings of the power grid 300 and power supply 307 do not represent actual schematic wiring diagrams unless otherwise stated. One skilled in the art of coil winding and/or basic analog circuit will understand proper ways to wind suitable coils and connect them to power supplies to produce magnetic fields suitable for the present invention. Similarly, one of ordinary skill in the art of power supply design would understand how to design and build a rectifier circuit suitable for transforming an AC current to a DC current for use in lighting LEDs and operating simply electronic devices, and one of ordinary skill in the art of electric machines would understand how to design and make game pieces having locomotion capabilities.

Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, there is depicted therein a second embodiment of the present invention for creating terrains which generally comprises a modular game playing area.

As shown in FIG. 5A, a partial power grid 100, substantially similar to that disclosed in the above first embodiment, is used for constructing an expansible game playing area 116. The power grid 100 hereof, which surrounds the game playing area 116, is defined by a plurality of individual interconnecteable track pieces 102, 102, etc.

As shown in FIG. 5B, each track piece 102, 102′, etc. comprises a non-conductive frame 104, such as a plastic member, having an upper surface and a lower surface. A single electrical conducting coil 106 are embedded therein between the upper and lower surfaces. Each track piece 102, 102, etc. has a first end 108 and a second end 110. The first end 108 has at least one, and preferably at least two, conductive prong 112. The second end 110 has at least one receptor 114, and preferably two, registering with an associated prong 112 of an adjacent track piece 102, 102′, etc. Upon insertion of the prong 112 into the associated receptor 114, electrical communication is enabled between conducting coils 106 embedded within adjacent interconnected track pieces 102, 102′, etc. in any suitable manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

As shown in FIG. 5C, a corner track piece 115 includes a prong 115a and receptor 115b normal to each other in order to interconnect two perpendicular track pieces 102, 102′, etc. A plurality of corner track piece 115 enable construction of the assembled rectangular game playing area 116, as shown in FIG. 5A.

Due to the fact that the track pieces 102, 102′, etc. each include only one conducting coil 106, it is also contemplated that supplemental track pieces 130 and/or tile pieces 118 may be placed or disposed within the game playing area 116 to supplement the power grid 100.

As shown in FIG. 5E, resonant tile pieces 118 are used to supplement the electric magnetic field generated by the track pieces 102, 102′, etc. Each tile piece 118 comprises a miniature mat having an upper surface 120 and a lower surface 122, each fabricated of a non-conductive flexible material. A conducting coil 124 is sandwiched between the upper and lower surfaces 120, 122.

The tile pieces 118 can be placed in a juxtaposition to define the totality of the game playing area 116. It is possible to form the tile pieces 118 with irregular upper surfaces to create a terrain 101, if desired. The terrain 101 itself may have movable “mountains,” “buildings,” and the like movably emplaced thereon which are similarly illuminable.

Referring specifically to FIG. 6, an alternative embodiment of the transmitter circuit 405, as noted in the above first embodiment of the present invention, is used to convert DC electricity to AC electricity for use herein where each track piece 102, 102′, etc. only has one conducting coil 106. A transmitter circuit 205 is similar to the transmitter circuit 405, except that it provides only a single coil input delivering a power supply to an associated conducting coil 106.

A regulator 245 such as a 6V regulator provides the voltage necessary for the operation of transistors 249A, 249B. Capacitors 251C, 251D act as smoothing filters for the input and output of the regulator 245. The current is fed through resistors 247A, 247B into an oscillator circuit. An oscillator circuit is formed by the inductors 250A, 250B, transistors 249A, 249B, diodes 248A, 248B, and capacitors 251A, 251B.

In use and with more particularity, DC current is fed into the transmitter circuit 205. The inductors 250A, 250B temporarily hold the current flow as the transistors 249A, 249B are switched on or off. This produces an AC signal. The resistors 247A, 247B in the circuit are bias resistors, providing the operating current level for the transistors 249A, 249B. The diodes 248A, 248B provide feedback for the oscillating condition. Capacitors 251A, 251B control the frequency of oscillation. The resonant current frequency output can be changed based on capacitance value.

It is to be understood that the alternative embodiment of the power grid 100 and transmitter circuit 205 are to be used in conjunction in lieu of the power grid 300 and transmitter circuit 405 in the above first embodiment. The power supply 307 and capacitor bank 303 remain unaffected by this substitution.

Referring now to FIGS. 7-11, there is depicted yet another alternative embodiment hereof. According to this embodiment, a wireless assembly is disposed beneath an existing game board. As shown, a power transfer assembly 10 is configured to produce a changing (i.e., alternating or pulsating) magnetic field above a game board 14. The power transfer assembly 10 comprises a mat assembly 11. The mat assembly 11 comprises one or more conducting coils 18 (shown variously as 18A and 18B in FIGS. 10, and 18C, 18D, 18E, and 18F in FIG. 11) sandwiched between and permanently and flexibly affixed to a surface of each of a first mat 16 and a second mat 16′ using a flexible and permanent adhesive agent 19, such as a non-brittle, rubber glue, or the like.

Each of the one or more conducting coils 18 is formed from a length of wire 20. The length of the wires 20 comprises a first end and a second end, and the wire 20 is coiled therebetween such that the first and second ends extend between each of the one or more conducting coils 18 and a power supply 22.

In FIG. 8, the conducting coils 18 embedded within the mat assembly 11 are not visible in this view because they are embedded within the adhesive agent 19 and recessed within the mat assembly 11.

Each of the first and second mats 16 and 16′ is, preferably, formed form materials that are highly flexible and that do not interfere with the magnetic field produced therebetween and radiating thereabout. Such materials are well known to those skilled in the art and include rubber and plastic.

Optionally, electrical connectors (not shown) are used at the termini of the wires 20 for connection to the power supply 22 to prevent strain on the conducting coils 18 and/or possible breakage. The connectors are recessed into the power transfer assembly 10, partially extending from the power transfer assembly 10, or added at the ends of the wires 20 entirely outside of power transfer assembly 10 (i.e., beyond an edge of mats 16, 16′).

Referring now to FIG. 9, there is shown a game piece 30 for use herein. At least one wrapped coil 28 is disposed in a power device which defines the game piece 30. The wrapped coil 28 is disposed in the game piece 30. The wrapped coil 28 need not be wrapped around a magnetic or powered iron core, but can instead be an air core coil. The game piece 30 can have any desired configuration. It should be noted that the game piece 30 may be used in the first embodiment hereof as well and may then comprise a terrain tile, a figurine, a building block, and the like. According to this embodiment, the game piece 30 is played in the changing magnetic field above the game board 14 that is placed on top of the mat assembly 11.

The changing magnetic field produced by an alternating current is supplied to the conducting coils 18, which produces an induced current in the wrapped coil 28, which is then rectified and/or filtered as necessary to operate the electronically powered game piece 30.

In practicing the present invention and as noted above, the game piece 30 including one or more electronic power consuming devices such as one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), DC motors, and/or move in some fashion, add new avenues for enjoyment of a board game or terrain when encountering the field generated by the conducting coils 18.

The game board 14 is preferably formed from a material that will not interfere with the electromagnetic field extending from the mat assembly 11. Such materials include plastic, cardboard, wood, and other non-interfering materials that are known to those skilled in the art. The mat assembly 11 is powered by the power supply 22. The changing magnetic field provides power for the game piece 30, which is used, for example, for lighting, locomotion, and/or sound produced by the game pieces, depending upon the circuit that comprises the individual game piece 30.

In some configurations, a non-changing magnetic field is provided by conducting coils 18 with a DC current, in which case, energy is supplied to the game piece 30 only as it is moved through the flux of the non-changing magnetic field. Such movement is provided in some configurations by simply moving the game piece 30 by hand.

Referring again to FIG. 10, the power supply 22 circuitry is provided within or extending from the mat assembly 11 itself and a power cord (not shown) is provided that plugs into the power supply 22 of power transfer assembly 10.

The two conducting coils 18A, 18B are electrically connected either in series or in parallel with one another, depending upon a desired effect and range of the changing magnetic field.

At least one post 34 is formed on either one or both mats 16, 16′ (only one mat 16′ being shown) to simplify the winding of the conducting coils 18A, 18B, which are ordinarily copper wire, and anchor them in place. The conducting coils 18A, 18B comprise stranded wire for greatest flexibility. Magnet wire or other forms of non-stranded wire may be used, depending upon the desired flexibility of the mat assembly 11. For example, the mat assembly 11 may be highly flexible to allow it to be substantially “rolled up” for storage. In lieu of copper wire, any other form of suitable conductive wire can be used for the conducting coils 18. Likewise, where more than one turn of wire is used for any conducting coil 18, the loops comprising the coil turns are insulated from one another.

Depending upon the size of the existing game board 14, configurations of the present invention provide different numbers of conducting coils 18 that are embedded in the mat assembly 11, from a single conducting coil 18 up to any number that is practical to fabricate and that provides a desired effect. The size of the conducting coils 18 and/or the current passed through them need not be equal where desired special effect(s) is/are desired.

In FIG. 11, the conducting coils 18 are shown as being square or rectangular coils, all of equal size and shape. Other coil shapes, such as circles and may be used. As in FIG. 10 both the upper mat of the mat assembly and the adhesive agent are omitted to better show the internal coils within the mat assembly, where all internal coils comprise either a single winding or a plurality of windings, as required or as desired.

According to this embodiment, power is provided via the power supply 22 which is preferably an AC adapter 38 that plugs into a wall socket (not shown). The AC adaptor 38 in this embodiment may be a “wall wart” or a “power brick” in-line configuration with a detachable AC cord configured to be plugged into the wall socket. A separating power cord 40 interconnects the AC adapter 38 to an alternating current supply 44 via a plug 42. By separating the power supply 22 from the power transfer assembly 10, the game board 14 sits flush on top of the mat assembly 11.

A plurality of wires 46 are electrically connected to each of the conducting coils 18 to energize these connections and may comprise a ribbon cable that has wires leading to these coils 18.

It is to be readily appreciated that the present invention readily retrofits existing game boards while providing a vehicle for creating a new “game board” by silk screening same onto the upper mat or otherwise imprinting any suitable graphic therein.

Also, it is to be readily appreciated that other game pieces, in lieu of tokens, can be used that light up, but do not levitate within the magnetic field.

It is further appreciated from the preceding that there has been described a portable electromagnetic induction power transfer assembly deploying conducting coils for use in board games and miniature game terrain. The power transfer assembly is used in conjunction with game pieces that have been designed to accept a copper receiver coil. The receiver coil receives that power via electromagnetic induction from a powered transmitter coil.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

• 10 Power transfer assembly
• 11 Mat assembly
• 14 Game board
• 16 First mat
• 16′ Second mat
• 18A Conducting coil
• 18B Conducting coil
• 18C Conducting coil
• 18D Conducting coil
• 18E Conducting coil
• 18F Conducting coil
• 19 Adhesive agent
• 20 Wire
• 22 Power supply
• 28 Wrapped coil
• 30 Game piece
• 34 Post
• 38 AC adapter
• 40 Separating power cord
• 42 Plug
• 44 Alternating current supply
• 46 Wire
• 100 Power grid
• 101 Terrain
• 102 Track piece
• 102′ Track piece
• 104 Frame
• 106 Conducting coil of track
• 108 First end of track piece
• 110 Second end of track piece
• 112 Conductive prongs
• 114 Receptor
• 115 Corner track piece
• 115 a Prong of corner track piece
• 115 b Receptor of corner track piece
• 116 Game playing area
• 118 Tile piece
• 120 Upper surface of tile piece
• 122 Lower surface of tile piece
• 124 Conducting coil of tile piece
• 130 Supplemental track pieces
• 205 Transmitter circuit
• 245 Regulator
• 247A Resistor
• 247B Resistor
• 248A Diode
• 248B Diode
• 249A Transistor
• 249B Transistor
• 250A Inductor
• 250B Inductor
• 251A Capacitor
• 251B Capacitor
• 251C Capacitor
• 251D Capacitor
• 300 Power grid
• 301 Resonance coil
• 302 Track piece
• 302′ Track piece
• 303 Capacitor bank
• 304 Frame
• 306 a Conducting coil of track
• 306 b Conducting coil of track
• 307 Power supply
• 308 First end of track piece
• 310 Second end of track piece
• 312 Conductive prongs
• 314 Receptor
• 315 Corner track piece
• 315 a Prong of corner track piece
• 315 b Receptor of corner track piece
• 316 Game playing area
• 405 Transmitter circuit
• 406 Voltage protection Zener
• 407 Voltage detector
• 408 Timing capacitor
• 409 Offset diode
• 410 Transistor
• 412 Charge capacitor
• 414 Rectifier diode
• 416 Rectifier diode
• 418 Rectifier diode
• 420 Rectifier diode
• 422 Resonant capacitor
• 424 Resonant capacitor
• 426 Coil input
• 428 Coil input

Claims

1. A powered game playing system comprising: (a) a plurality of non-conductive track pieces having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a pair of opposing first and second ends interconnecting the upper and lower surfaces, each of the plurality of track pieces further including a prong disposed at the first end extending laterally outwardly therefrom, a receptor formed within the second end for mating with an associated prong of an adjacent track piece, and at least one conducting coil disposed between the upper and lower surfaces within each of the plurality of track pieces;(b) means for generating an electromagnetic field within each of the plurality of track pieces; andwherein the plurality of track pieces is assembleable into a track by interconnecting the prong of each track piece into an associated receptor of an adjacent track piece to define an interior game playing area.

2. The game system of claim 1 wherein each of the plurality of track pieces includes two conducting coils disposed between the upper and lower surfaces.

3. The game system of claim 1 wherein the means for generating an electromagnetic field comprises: (a) a power supply;(b) a transmitter circuit in electrical communication with the power supply; and(c) at least one capacitor bank in electrical communication with the transmitter circuit, the at least one capacitor bank having an output, a plurality of electrical wires transmitting the output of the capacitor bank to the at least one conducting coil of at least one of the plurality of track pieces.

4. The game system of claim 3 wherein the transmitter circuit includes at least one coil output for transmitting high frequency AC current through the capacitor bank to the plurality of conducting coils.

5. The game system of claim 4 wherein the transmitter circuit comprises two coil outputs.

6. The game system of claim 5 wherein each of the plurality of track pieces includes two conducting coils disposed between the upper and lower surfaces, each conducting coil corresponding to an associated coil output of the transmitter circuit.

7. The game system of claim 3 wherein the at least one capacitor bank is configured to provide a current output from the transmitter circuit corresponding to the size of the game playing area.

8. The game system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of corner track pieces that interconnect track pieces normal to each other.

9. The game system of claim 1 wherein the corner track pieces cooperate with the track pieces to form a substantially rectangular game playing area.

10. The game system of claim 9 further comprising a plurality of tile pieces placed in a juxtaposition to define the totality of the game playing area within the plurality of track pieces, each of the plurality of tile pieces having an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one conducting coil disposed between the upper surface and lower surface.

11. The game system of claim 1 wherein at least one of the plurality of tile pieces includes a terrain formed atop the upper surface.

12. The game system of claim 1 further comprising a game board seated atop the plurality of track pieces.

13. The game system of claim 10 further comprising a game board seated atop the plurality of tile pieces.