Patent Publication Number: US-2007114721-A1

Title: Method and manufacture for text and illustration checkerboard design

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
      This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/679,492, filed May 10, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to the field of chess games and other games and designs using a checkerboard. The invention discloses methods of designing the checkerboard, methods of implementing checkerboard designs into physical embodiments, and methods of improving checkerboard display and visualization. In particular, a method is described of designing a checkerboard employing illustrations such as pictures, figures, drawings, or diagrams, for one of the two checkerboard square colors or patterns, and text, equations, or annotations, (“text”) for the second checkerboard color or pattern. In one aspect of the present invention, a method is described for the design of chessboards comprising two alternating square patterns, one characterized by the predominant use of illustration, the second characterized by the predominant use of text.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Checkerboard games and designs use a checkerboard with two alternating colors. For example, chessboard games typically use alternating dark and light squares in the chessboard design. Other games, such as Chinese checkers, also use a similar pattern.  
      Checkerboards serve both a functional and an aesthetic purpose. In particular, checkerboard patterns serve to define space and implement constraints. In chess applications, the checkerboard pattern orients the user and defines constraints on the motion of various chess pieces. In a chess game design, it is also desirable for the checkerboard pattern to provide a visual display that promotes abstract reasoning and thinking, as necessary for the meaningful pursuit of the game.  
      Physical embodiments of checkerboards are typically in the form of a surface or array of surfaces.  
      Although surface presentation of illustrations typically allows viewing of the illustrations from a variety of angles, it might also be desirable to present illustrations in a form that allows perception of the three-dimensionality of objects and figures in the illustrations.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      In this invention a method is described of designing checkerboards with at least two patterns of squares such that the functional and aesthetic requirements of such designs are met by the resulting checkerboard embodiments.  
      This invention discloses a method of creating the checkerboard surface(s) designed according to the above method from a computer or physical checkerboard layout.  
      A method of preparing a holographic display of the surface(s) is described, such that perception of the three-dimensional nature of various objects, figures, and illustrations designed according to the above method is made possible from the usable checkerboard surfaces.  
      In one aspect of the present invention, chessboards consisting of alternating illustration and text square patterns are obtained. In one particular embodiment of the invention, a chessboard is described that contains alternating pictures of scientists and texts and equations describing their work or contributions. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  presents an algorithm flowchart for the design of checkerboards;  
       FIG. 2  presents a perspective view of an idealized chessboard with squares of two alternating colors or patterns, one of the colors being represented by illustrations and the second being represented by text on a background of a given color, pattern, or motif;  
       FIG. 3  presents an orthogonal front view of the chessboard of  FIG. 2 ;  
       FIG. 4  presents an orthogonal front view of one embodiment of the invention using illustration and text;  
       FIG. 5  presents one of a number of possible embodiments using the theme of well-known scientific personalities for the illustrations and related discoveries, equations, or findings for the texts;  
       FIG. 6  shows a means of obtaining a surface or set of surfaces from a printout of a computer file or a picture of a physical layout of a checkerboard; and  
       FIG. 7  illustrates the use of holograms to generate checkerboard surfaces that provide a sense of depth in the images, illustrations, and possibly text. 
    
    
      Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      Before proceeding with the detailed description, it should be noted that the matter contained in the following description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings may be embodied in various forms, and should therefore be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limiting sense. Elements shown in the drawings are not necessarily to scale and may be exaggerated, enlarged or simplified, to facilitate understanding of the invention.  
      For the purposes of this invention, a checkerboard is defined as an array of two-dimensional geometric elements containing alternating patterns. A pattern is defined as a class of visual elements with a common component; for example, a pattern could be that of building pictures, drawings, or visual representations. Also for the purposes of this invention, a theme is defined as a sub-class of a pattern with a common component; A theme may be selected by a background color, a particular illustration or text, a category of objects or a group of people, or similar grouping with a common element. In the above example of buildings as an example of a pattern, a theme may be that of castles. Different instantiations within the theme, such as a collection of castles, are recognized as being part of the same theme within a pattern. No attempt is made to more specifically define the terms “pattern” and “theme:” a theme is just a sub-class of a class named “pattern.” For the purpose of this invention, a pattern could also be defined as “castles” and a theme as “medieval castles.” 
      In specific embodiments, such as in chess, the checkerboard comprises two alternating patterns, generally taken to represent respectively light and dark squares.  
      In general, the checkerboard will be composed of squares, rectangles, or other geometric pattern that can be repeated across a surface, thereafter denoted as either “squares” or “boxes.” 
      “Text” maybe considered as defining an other pattern; specific text sub-classes, such as equations, or quotes, would define different themes of the pattern “text.” 
       FIG. 1  describes an algorithm to generate a checkerboard design according to the present invention, generally denoted by numeral  100 . In the first step,  104 , a checkerboard theme and a checkerboard geometric design are selected. In the particular embodiment represented in  FIG. 1 , two patterns are retained as “illustration” and “text” respectively, and two associated themes are defined (definition not shown in the figure). In the next block of steps, denoted generally by numeral  110 , and for each checkerboard square in turn as indicated by iterative element  106 , the specific illustration instantiation for an illustration square pattern and theme,  114 , and the specific text instantiation for a text square pattern and theme,  116 , are selected. The backgrounds for these two patterns are also selected,  112 . It is noted that the background consists of a common feature, but may be varied from one square to the next. As an example, the background of a square of pattern text may be a background of a solid color, and the color may be varied from one text square to the next. In the last step of this block of steps, the relative orientation of the text or illustration square is chosen with respect to the overall checkerboard geometry,  118 . The method is iterated, step  120 , until the last square in the checkerboard has been processed. In the next step,  122 , a layout is selected for the checkerboard design, including checkerboard margins, borders and areas around the squares themselves, and related features. Finally, in the last step,  124 , the method of physical implementation is selected. Implementation methods include lamination, generation of hologram(s), bonding of a thin sheet to a substrate layer, and similar methods known in the art. As a result of these steps, a specific checkerboard design is obtained that meets both functional and aesthetic requirements for a checkerboard.  
       FIG. 2  presents a perspective view of an idealized chessboard text and illustration design according to the present invention,  200 . It is understood that in specific embodiments, the patterns “text” and “illustration” as shown will be replaced by various instantiations of the respective pattern themes.  
       FIG. 3  presents an orthogonal front view of the chessboard of  FIG. 2, 300 .  
      The design features comprise use of pictures or illustrations for one of the two alternating checkerboard square patterns, and of text for the second, alternating, checkerboard square patterns. The specific size and geometric aspect of the chessboard can be varied among multiple dimensions. Similarly, a large number of different themes can be used to provide a specific embodiment. The illustrations and text might be in color or gray-scale. The illustration boxes comprise features taken from the set of a picture, a diagram, a figure, a drawing, a symbol, and may include text, but are predominantly characterized by a non-textual visual element. The text boxes can also have varying background features, including illustrations, but are predominantly characterized by the presence of text. The invention is not limited to checkerboard comprising only two alternating patterns, but applies to checkerboard designs comprising three or more alternating patterns; the alternations being periodic or not.  
       FIG. 4  presents an orthogonal front view of one embodiment of the invention. The common element between the “dark” colored boxes is the presence of an illustration in the form of a figure, picture, drawing, or diagram (thereafter referred to as “illustration pattern”); the common element between the “light” colored boxes is the presence of text, equations, or annotations (thereafter referred to as “text pattern”). The specific markings of  FIG. 4  are merely exemplary, and illustrate a number of possible variations, or themes. It should be noted that the common feature of illustration squares does not preclude the presence of text, nor does the common feature of text squares preclude the possibility of background colors, textures, or illustrations. The differentiation between the two square patterns, often described in the prior art as “dark” colored and “light” colored squares, is through the dominant feature of these square patterns, respectively the predominant presence of illustrations and the predominant presence of text.  FIG. 4  also presents a number of possible checkerboard themes for pattern design, including but not limited to: leaders, castles, artifacts, cinematography, religions, places, statues, emotions, musical scores, photography, concepts, mankind evolution, musicians, landscapes, sciences, performing arts, sculptures, philosophers, literature, sayings, architecture, maps, music, paintings, philosophies, astronomy, poets, mathematics, speeches, romance, history, antiquity. The adjacent square contains text briefly describing the associated field, person, or person&#39;s achievement. Virtually any field of human endeavor could lead to specific embodiments of the present invention. Each of the themes illustratively presented in  FIG. 4  can serve as the design pattern theme for one specific embodiment of the present invention. In such a case, various instantiations of the theme are used for the checkerboard squares. Alternatively, various themes may be combined in designing a single checkerboard. Additional theme examples include writers, mathematicians, and scientists.  
       FIG. 5  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, using portraits and text as respective patterns. The portrait pattern theme is that of well-known scientist and associated equations or discoveries define the text theme. The illustration instantiations are drawn from a collection of well-known scientists&#39;portraits (illustration theme), and the text instantiations list associated discoveries, equations, or findings (text theme). As the figure shows, the orientation of the illustrations and associated texts may be varied in a number of ways as might be found desirable for a specific embodiment of the present invention. The specific illustrations and texts shown in  FIG. 5  are merely illustrative.  
       FIG. 6  schematically describes a process to obtain a physical embodiment of the present invention. Given a checkerboard surface, the corresponding image that is to be laid-out on part of the surface is generated by a printout of a computer image, or from a printout of a picture of a physical layout of the selected checkerboard squares. This printout is then sandwiched between the checkerboard surface and a laminate surface. The laminate surface is typically transparent or semi-transparent, and provides a layer of protection to the printed image. Many other modes of manufacture are possible, including bonding a two dimensional composite picture embedded in a solid surface sheet (such as made from various plastic materials), as known in the art.  
       FIG. 7  schematically illustrates the use of holograms for the various checkerboard squares. The holograms provide a sense of depth to the scene, in such a way that when the checkerboard user views the scene at various angles, the objects in the scene appear to move with respect to one another. The holograms may also be covered by a laminated sheet.  
      In one embodiment of the present invention, a method is described that allows generation of practical and aesthetic checkerboards using text and illustrations respectively for each of the squares colors or patterns.  
      The advantages of the above described embodiments, improvements, and methods should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art, as to enabling the design of text and illustration checkerboards. Additional design considerations may be incorporated without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It should thus be noted that the matter contained in the above description and/or shown in the accompanying drawings should be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Accordingly, the following claims are intended to cover all generic and specific features described herein, as well as all statements of the scope of the present methods and manufactures which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.