Patent Publication Number: US-2012040753-A1

Title: Electronic game apparatus

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to a game apparatus and, more particularly, to an electronic game apparatus. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A deck of traditional playing cards or jigsaw puzzles employs paper or plastic film as a pattern carrier. Once printed, the pattern can not be changed. Therefore, if customers get tired of the bought playing cards or the jigsaw puzzles, they have to buy another deck. 
     However, this results in a shortcoming. That is, customers have to frequently buy new decks of playing cards or jigsaw puzzles. Additionally, discarded decks are a waste of money and easily pollute environment. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The object of the present invention is to provide an electronic game apparatus. 
     The present invention provides an electronic game apparatus, which comprises a plurality of electronic paper cards and a control device. Each of the electronic paper cards is configured for displaying an image. The control device comprises a control interface configured for customers to select a desired game mode. The control device is capable of changing the image displayed by at least one electronic paper card according to the selected game mode. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the electronic paper cards is an electrophoretic display. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control interface is a touch-control interface or a mechanical push-button control interface. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control device further comprises an identification unit. The identification unit is configured for identifying a serial number of each of the electronic paper cards, so that the control device can change the image displayed by the said at least one electronic paper card according to the serial number. Preferably, the identification unit identifies the serial numbers with optical identification technology or radio frequency identification technology. 
     In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each of the electronic paper cards further comprises a storage unit for storing a plurality of images corresponding to different game modes, so that the control device can change the image according to the selected game mode. 
     The electronic game apparatus of the present invention is constructed with a control device and a plurality of electronic paper cards, and the control device comprises a control interface for a user to select a desired game mode. The electronic paper cards are used as patterns carriers, and the control unit can change image displayed by the electronic paper cards according to the selected game mode. Therefore, the user can easily change game mode with the control device, so as to change the game. Hence, the user does not need to frequently buy new decks of playing cards or jigsaw puzzles, and the shortcoming aforementioned is overcome. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic diagram of an electronic game apparatus in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention will now be described more specifically with reference to the following embodiments. It is to be noted that the following descriptions of preferred embodiments of this invention are presented herein for purpose of illustration and description only. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to be limited to the precise form disclosed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , an electronic game apparatus in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is shown. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the electronic game apparatus  100  comprises a control device  110  and a plurality of electronic paper cards  120 . Each of the electronic paper cards  120  is configured for displaying an image and is in cable or wireless connection with the control device  110 . The control device  110  comprises a control interface  112  for a user to select a desired game mode. The control device  110  is capable of changing the image displayed by at least one electronic paper card  120  according to the selected game mode. In other words, the control device  110  is capable of changing the images displayed by a number of the electronic paper cards according to the needed number of the electronic paper cards in the selected game mode. 
     In the present embodiment, each of the electronic paper cards  120  can be an electrophoretic display to display an image such as a pattern of one of playing cards or jigsaw puzzles. Since the eletrophoretic display is bistable, it is capable of keeping on displaying an image until the image is updated. Additionally, the control interface  112  can be a touch-control interface or a mechanical push-button control interface. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , the control device  110  can further comprise an identification unit  111 . The identification unit  111  is configured for identifying the serial numbers of the electronic paper cards  120 . For example, the identification unit  111  can identify the serial numbers with optical identification technology or radio frequency identification technology, so that the control device  110  can change an image displayed by at least one electronic paper cards  120  accordingly. 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , each of the electronic paper cards  120  can further comprise a storage unit  121  as well. The storage unit  121  is configured for storing a plurality of images corresponding to different game modes, so that the control device  110  can change the images according to the selected game mode. In other words, when connected with the electronic paper cards  120 , the control device  110  can control the electronic paper cards  120  to display the images prestored in the storage unit  121  according to the selected game mode and the serial numbers of the electronic paper cards  120 . 
     In summary, the electronic game apparatus of present invention is constructed with a control device and a plurality of electronic paper cards, and the control device comprises a control interface configured for a user to select a desired game mode. The electronic paper cards are used as pattern carriers, and the control unit is capable of changing images displayed by the electronic paper cards according to the selected game mode. Therefore, the user can easily change the game mode with the control device, so as to change the game. Hence, the user does not need to frequently buy new decks of playing cards or jigsaw puzzles, and the shortcoming aforementioned is overcome. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosed embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar structures.