Patent Publication Number: US-2012032394-A1

Title: Electronic game piece

Description:
FIELD 
     This disclosure concerns electronic game pieces, such as electronic game pieces that light up in certain arrangements, as well as sets of electronic game pieces and methods of using electronic game pieces. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Sweepstakes, games, and puzzles often involve the use of individual, interrelated pieces. For example, in some sweepstakes, individual game pieces are distributed and used in conjunction with a game board. Participants in the sweepstakes collect the individual game pieces with the goal of forming a set, such as a set corresponding to indicia on the game board. In puzzles used primarily for amusement, individual pieces often are arranged relative to one another in order to solve the puzzle. In a simple example, solving a traditional jigsaw puzzle involves arranging differently shaped puzzle pieces until they fit together to form an image. There is a demand for new types of sweepstakes, games, and puzzles to engage increasingly sophisticated consumers. Innovative game pieces can be useful in these and other contexts. 
     SUMMARY 
     Disclosed herein are embodiments of an electronic game piece. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. Activation of the proximity sensor can cause the light to illuminate. For example, the proximity sensor can be a switch positioned in a circuit between the light and a battery. The electronic game piece can be configured to light up when arranged with other electronic game pieces. The proximity sensor, for example, can be configured to be activated by a proximity-sensor target substantially identical to the proximity-sensor target of the electronic game piece, but separate from the electronic game piece. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, the proximity-sensor target is magnetic and the proximity sensor can be activated by a magnetic field. 
     The light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within an internal portion of the electronic game piece, such as an internal portion that cannot be accessed without breaking the electronic game piece. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, the proximity sensor or the proximity-sensor target is positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a top wall, the opposite side of which is a top major surface of the electronic game piece. In these embodiments, the other of the proximity-sensor or the proximity-sensor target can be positioned substantially adjacent to an internal surface of a bottom wall, the opposite side of which is a bottom major surface of the electronic game piece. In embodiments having top and bottom major surfaces, the top and bottom major surfaces can have perimeters of substantially the same shape (e.g., substantially circular or substantially shaped as polygons having three or more sides of substantially the same length). 
     When illuminated, the light in some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece is visible on, a portion of a side surface extending between the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. The light, the proximity sensor, and the proximity-sensor target can be positioned within the electronic game piece at three different radial positions, all of which are closer to the side surface than to a center axis substantially centered on and perpendicular to the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. A substantially circular pattern of alternating recesses and protrusions can be included on the top and bottom major surfaces of the electronic game piece. These alternating recesses and protrusions can, for example, be used to facilitate physical interlocking between the electronic game piece and separate electronic game pieces. 
     Also disclosed are embodiments of a set of electronic game pieces. Embodiments of the disclosed set of electronic game pieces can include first and second electronic game pieces, such as first and second electronic game pieces having substantially the same overall shape. Each of the first and second electronic game pieces can include a light, a proximity sensor, and a proximity-sensor target. The first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate. Similarly, the first and second electronic game pieces can be configured so that at a certain relative position, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece causing the light of the second electronic game piece to illuminate and, simultaneously, the proximity-sensor target of the second electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the first electronic game piece causing the light of the first electronic game piece to illuminate. In some embodiments of the disclosed set of electronic game pieces, the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece only activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece when the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece is substantially aligned with the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece. 
     When positioned such that the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece, a top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and interlocking with a bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece. In a different configuration, the top major surface of the first electronic game piece can be adjacent to and not interlocking with the bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece. When positioned such that the proximity-sensor target of the first electronic game piece activates the proximity sensor of the second electronic game piece, side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned with each other. When stacked with the top major surface of the first electronic game piece adjacent to the bottom major surface of the second electronic game piece, the side surfaces of the first and second electronic game pieces can be exposed. The lights of the first and second electronic game pieces, when illuminated, can be visible on portions of the side surfaces. 
     Also disclosed are embodiments of a method of using electronic game pieces. The method can include arranging three or more electronic game pieces in a first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement. Simultaneous illumination of the lights on the electronic game pieces can represent a winning arrangement. If the lights on the electronic game pieces are not simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the first stacked arrangement, the method also can include arranging the electronic game pieces in a second stacked arrangement different than the first stacked arrangement and observing whether lights on the electronic game pieces are simultaneously illuminated when the electronic game pieces are positioned in the second stacked arrangement. 
     Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement can include positioning the electronic game pieces such that a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece is adjacent to a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces. Side surfaces of the electronic game pieces can be exposed in the first stacked arrangement. In addition, the lights on the electronic game pieces can be substantially aligned on portions of the side surfaces of the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement. Arranging the electronic game pieces in the first stacked arrangement also can include physically interlocking a top major surface of a first of the electronic game pieces with a bottom major surface of a second of the electronic game pieces and a top major surface of the second electronic game piece with a bottom major surface of a third of the electronic game pieces. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece, as viewed from the top and one side. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a bottom plan view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 4  is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a back profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a first side profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a second side profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8A  is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 8B  is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9A  is a perspective view of a light, a proximity sensor, batteries, and associated electrical connections of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with the proximity sensor not activated and the light off, as viewed from the top and one side. 
         FIG. 9B  is a perspective view of a light, a proximity sensor, batteries, and associated electrical connections of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1  with the proximity sensor activated and the light on, as viewed from the top and one side. 
         FIG. 10A  is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of a second embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece. 
         FIG. 10B  is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A . 
         FIG. 11A  is a top plan view of the inside of the top portion of a third embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece. 
         FIG. 11B  is a top plan view of the inside of the bottom portion of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 11A . 
         FIG. 12  is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  stacked such that the lights of all three electronic game piece embodiments are aligned and illuminated. 
         FIG. 13  is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  positioned in a first electronic game piece holder embodiment and stacked such that the lights of all three electronic game piece embodiments are aligned, illuminated, and visible through a single vertical opening in the first electronic game piece holder embodiment. 
         FIG. 14  is a front profile view of the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIG. 1-9B , the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B , and the electronic game piece embodiment shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  positioned in a second electronic game piece holder embodiment and stacked such that the lights of the three electronic game piece embodiments are not aligned, not illuminated, and positioned behind separate openings in the second electronic game piece holder embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Throughout this disclosure, the singular terms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Similarly, the word “or” is intended to include “and” unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Directional terms, such as “upper,” “lower,” “front,” “back,” “vertical,” and “horizontal,” are used herein to express and clarify the relationship between various elements. It should be understood that such terms do not denote absolute orientation (e.g., a “vertical” component can become horizontal by rotating the device). 
     Described herein are embodiments of an electronic game piece, a set of electronic game pieces, and a method of using electronic game pieces. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are well suited for use in promotional games, such as sweepstakes, in which the electronic game piece is given away for promotional purposes. Multiple electronic game pieces can be collected and grouped to create sets, which can be intrinsically desirable or exchangeable for a prize. For example, the electronic game pieces can be given away to the first customers at a new retail location, to customers who purchase certain items, to trade show attendees, or to individuals in any other scenario in which the prospect of receiving an electronic game piece serves a promotional purpose. The electronic game pieces also can be purchased or traded. 
     Separate electronic game pieces can differ from one another in the quantity and/or arrangement of internal proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets. The proximity-sensor target of one electronic game piece can activate the proximity sensor of a separate electronic game piece when the two are aligned. Activating a proximity sensor can cause a light to illuminate on the electronic game piece including the proximity sensor. Aligning multiple proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets can cause lights on multiple electronic game pieces to illuminate. In this way, multiple electronic game pieces can be arranged and rearranged as a puzzle to determine an arrangement in which all of the lights are illuminated. In some disclosed embodiments, a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned and simultaneously illuminated. This occurs, for example, when each of the electronic game pieces in the stack includes a proximity sensor activated by a proximity-sensor target of an adjacent electronic game piece in the stack. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be made to include no visible indication of their internal configuration. The primary way to determine their internal configuration can be to test how the electronic game piece interacts with other electronic game pieces. Some electronic game piece configurations can be less common than others. Controlling the availability of certain critical electronic game piece configurations can allow for control over the probability of obtaining a set of electronic game pieces capable of arrangement into a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated. This control is particularly useful when the electronic game pieces are used in a sweepstakes and a stack in which a winning number of lights are aligned and illuminated is exchangeable for a prize. Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece also can be sold in sets as puzzles for amusement, in which case at least one of each electronic game piece configuration required to complete the puzzle can be included. 
     When used in a sweepstakes, embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can be designed to prevent tampering. For example, the electronic game piece can be sealed such that accessing an internal portion of the electronic game piece is only possible by breaking the electronic game piece. Some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece are encased in a hard-plastic, tamper-evident shell. Tampering also can be prevented with the use of an identifier on the electronic game piece, such as a serial number and/or an RFID tag. The internal configuration corresponding to each identifier can be recorded prior to distribution of the electronic game pieces for reference when a winning set of electronic game pieces is redeemed. 
       FIGS. 1-7  illustrate the external appearance of one embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the electronic game piece  100  is shaped substantially as a short cylinder. Other embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can have different shapes. For example, some disclosed embodiments are shaped as triangular prisms, cuboids, pentagonal prisms, hexagonal prisms, or octagonal prisms. In the illustrated electronic game piece  100 , the top major surface  102  (as shown, for example, in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) and the bottom major surface  104  (as shown, for example, in  FIG. 3 ) are generally flat, round, and parallel with one another. A side surface  106  joins the perimeter of the top major surface  102  and the perimeter of the bottom major surface  104 . A window  108  is positioned in a portion of the side surface  106 . The window  108  is made of clear plastic. Other embodiments can have windows made of glass or another substantially optically transmissive material. Opaque portions of the electronic game piece  100  are also made of plastic. In other embodiments, the opaque portions can be made of metal, resin composite, or another material with suitable strength characteristics. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , recesses  110  and protrusions  112  are radially distributed around center portions  114  of the top major surface  102  and the bottom major surface  104 . For each recess  110  on the top major surface  102 , there is a corresponding protrusion  112  on the bottom major surface  104  at the same radial position around the center portion  114 . Similarly, for each protrusion  112  on the top major surface  102 , there is a corresponding recess  110  on the bottom major surface  104  at the same radial position around the center portion  114 . The recesses  110  and protrusions  112  allow for an interlocking relationship between the top and bottom major surfaces of separate electronic game pieces having the same external configuration. For example two electronic game pieces identical to the electronic game piece  100  can be stacked such that a bottom major surface of one of the electronic game pieces interlocks with a top major surface of the other electronic game piece. When interlocking, each protrusion and recess on the bottom major surface of one of the electronic game pieces fits within or around a recess or protrusion, respectively, on the top major surface of the other electronic game piece. Based on the pattern of recesses and protrusions of the electronic game piece  100 , two identical electronic game pieces can be rotated relative to one another and interlocked in one of eight rotational configurations. The number of possible interlocking rotational configurations can be increased or decreased by increasing or decreasing, respectively, the number of alternating recesses and protrusions. 
     The center portions  114  of the top and bottom major surfaces  102 ,  104  of the electronic game piece  100  are flat and slightly recessed. In some embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece, text and/or images are affixed (e.g., printed or attached with a sticker) to one or both of the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces. The text and/or images can be promotional or decorative. Text and/or images also can be affixed to other portions of the electronic game piece, such as around the side surface. In one example, a corporate logo is affixed to the center portions of the top and bottom major surfaces and a text trademark is affixed around the side surface of the electronic game piece. 
       FIGS. 8A and 8B  illustrate the configuration of internal components within the electronic game piece  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-7 .  FIG. 8A  shows the inside of a top portion  116  of the electronic game piece  100 .  FIG. 8B  shows the inside of a bottom portion  118  of the electronic game piece  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , a seam  120  separates the top portion  116  and the bottom portion  118  of the electronic game piece  100 . In other embodiments, the top portion and the bottom portion can be sealed together so that no visible seam remains (e.g., the top portion and the bottom portion can be fused with heat). As shown in  FIG. 8A , a top magnet  122  is attached to the underside of a top wall  124 . The side of the top wall  124  opposite to the underside is the top major surface  102  of the electronic game piece  100 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , a bottom magnet  126  is attached to the topside of a bottom wall  128 . The side of the bottom wall  128  opposite to the topside is the bottom major surface  104  of the electronic game piece  100 . In addition to the bottom magnet  126 , the topside of the bottom wall  128  includes a light  130 , a proximity sensor  132 , and a battery compartment  134  housing a battery stack  136 . The battery stack  136  includes two button-cell batteries arranged in series. Other embodiments can include different power supply configurations. Embodiments powered by batteries can include any number, type, and arrangement of batteries, such as one button-cell battery, one AAA battery, or two AAA batteries arranged in parallel or in series. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8B , the topside of the bottom wall includes seven proximity-sensor bays  138  radially distributed around the battery compartment  134 . A first support wall  140  and a second support wall  142  create the sides of each of the proximity-sensor bays  138 . Pegs  144  extend vertically from the first and second support walls  140 ,  142 . Struts  146  provide additional rigidity to the first and second support walls  140 ,  142  and the pegs  144 . For clarity in  FIG. 8B , only the rightmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays  138  and its corresponding first and second support walls  140 ,  142 , pegs  144 , and struts  146  are labeled with reference numbers. As show in  FIG. 8B , the proximity sensor  132  is positioned in the proximity-sensor bay  138  closest to the light  130  in a clockwise radial direction when viewed from above. The pegs  144  of the first and second support walls  140 ,  142  of this proximity-sensor bay  138  fit with in peg holes  148  on either side of the proximity sensor  132  to hold the proximity sensor in place. Other embodiments can include different structures to hold the proximity sensors in certain radial positions or no such structures. Embodiments including structures to hold the proximity sensors in certain radial positions can include different numbers of such structures. For example, some embodiments include three, four, five, six, eight, nine, ten, eleven, twelve, or a different number of proximity-sensor bays. 
     In the illustrated electronic game piece  100 , the light  130  is a LED  150 . Other embodiments can include a different type of light, such as an incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, xenon, neon, or another commercially-available type of light. LEDs are particularly well suited for use in embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece due to their compact size, low power demand, low heat output, long life, and high durability. The LED  150  of the electronic game piece  100  is blue. Instead of a blue LED, other embodiments can include a LED of another color, such as white, red, orange, yellow, or green. The LED  150  is positioned behind the window  108 . The window  108  is frosted such that light from the LED  150  is visible through the window when the LED is illuminated, but the structure of the LED is not visible through the window when the LED is not illuminated. As shown in  FIG. 8A , the window  108  includes support flanges  152  on each side. The support flanges  152  hold the window  108  in place between the surrounding side wall  154  and two window support tabs  156  attached to the topside of the bottom wall  128 . 
     The light  130 , proximity sensor  132 , battery stack  136 , and associated electrical connections are shown in greater detail in  FIGS. 9A-9B . The light  130  and the battery compartment  134  are supported on a plate  158  made of insulating plastic. The LED  150  includes a first terminal  160  and a second terminal  162 . The first terminal  160  of the LED  150  is connected to a first terminal (not shown) of the battery stack  136  via a contact strip  164  electrically isolated on the plate  158 . The second terminal  162  of the LED  150  is soldered to one end of a first wire  166 . The other end of the first wire  166  is connected to a contact plate  168  of the proximity sensor  132 . The proximity sensor  132  also includes a spring  170 , an upper spring compartment  172 , and a lower spring compartment  174 . The spring  170  is positioned in the upper spring compartment  172 . As shown in  FIG. 8B , a second wire  176  extends from the back of the proximity sensor  132 . One end of the second wire  176  is connected to a back end of the spring  170 . The other end of the second wire  176  is connected to a main housing  178  of the battery compartment  134 . The main housing  178  of the battery compartment  134  is electrically connected to a second terminal (not shown) of the battery stack  136  with a contact tab  180 . 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  illustrate operation of the proximity sensor  132 . In  FIG. 9A , the spring  170  is in its resting position separated from the contact plate  168 . When a magnet of a separate electronic game piece is positioned in close proximity and above the proximity sensor  132 , the magnetic field of the magnet moves the spring  170  into the position shown in  FIG. 9B . In this way, the magnet serves as a proximity-sensor target. In  FIG. 9B , the front end of the spring  170  is stretched upward into contact with the contact plate  168 . This completes the circuit between the light  130  and the battery stack  136 , thereby causing the light to illuminate. When the magnet of the separate electronic game piece is moved away from the proximity sensor  132 , the spring  170  is no longer affected by the magnetic field of the magnet and resiliently returns to its resting position separated from the contact plate  168 , thereby causing the circuit to be broken and the light  130  to turn off. The U-shape of the upper spring compartment  172  restricts movement of the spring  170  so that the spring only moves into contact with the contact plate  168  if a magnet is in substantial alignment with the proximity sensor  132 . This increases the selectivity of the proximity sensor  132  according to the specific position of the separate electronic game piece. 
       FIGS. 10A-10B  illustrate the internal components of a second embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece. The first digit of each reference number shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B  is “2.” The final two digits of the reference numbers shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B  are identical to the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in  FIGS. 1-9B  for similar or identical elements. For clarity in  FIG. 10B , only the leftmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays  238  and its corresponding first and second support walls  240 ,  242 , pegs  244 , and struts  246  are labeled with reference numbers. The external portions of the electronic game piece  200  shown in  FIGS. 10A-10B  are the same as the external portions of the electronic game piece  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-9B . As shown in  FIG. 10A-10B , the electronic game piece  200  includes a top magnet  222 , a bottom magnet  226 , and a proximity sensor  232  similar to the top magnet  122 , the bottom magnet  126 , and the proximity sensor  132  of the electronic game piece  100 , but at different radial positions. 
       FIGS. 11A-11B  illustrate the internal components of a third embodiment of the disclosed electronic game piece. The first digit of each reference number shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  is “3.” The final two digits of the reference numbers shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  are identical to the final two digits of the reference numbers shown in  FIGS. 1-9B  for similar or identical elements. For clarity in  FIG. 11B , only the leftmost of the seven proximity-sensor bays  338  and its corresponding first and second support walls  340 ,  342 , pegs  344 , and struts  346  are labeled with reference numbers. The external portions of the electronic game piece  300  shown in  FIGS. 11A-11B  are the same as the external portions of the electronic game piece  100  shown in  FIGS. 1-9B . Unlike the electronic game piece  100 , the electronic game piece  300  includes no top magnet attached to the underside of the top wall  324 . As shown in  FIG. 11B , the electronic game piece  300  includes a bottom magnet  326  and a proximity sensor  332  similar to the bottom magnet  126  and the proximity sensor  132  of the electronic game piece  100 , but at different radial positions. 
     The proximity sensor  332  of the electronic game piece  300  also has a different configuration than the proximity sensor  132  of the electronic game piece  100 . As discussed above, the proximity sensor  132  is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned above the proximity sensor. In contrast, the proximity sensor  332  is activated by a proximity-sensor target positioned below the proximity sensor. In this alternative configuration, the spring (not shown) is positioned in the lower spring compartment (not shown) and the contact plate  368  wraps around the bottom of the lower spring compartment. Similar to the configuration shown in  FIGS. 9A-9B , the spring in the alternative configuration is separated from the contact plate  368  when at rest and moves into contact with the contact plate when influenced by the magnetic field of a magnet of a separate electronic game piece positioned in close proximity and below the proximity sensor  332 . 
     The proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets shown and described are exemplary only. Other embodiments can include different components to detect and trigger each other based on physical proximity. In embodiments that include magnets, a variety of types of magnets can be used. The top magnets  122 ,  222 ,  322  and bottom magnets  126 ,  226 ,  326  of the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are all cylindrical, neodymium magnets. Other embodiments can include, for example, another type of permanent magnet (e.g., ceramic or another type of rare-earth magnet) having the same or a different shape (e.g., cuboid). Other embodiments also can include temporary magnets. For example, these embodiments can include an electromagnet activated when a switch is triggered, such as by physical interaction with a separate electronic game piece. 
     The radial positions of the top magnets  122 ,  222 ,  322 , bottom magnets  126 ,  226 ,  326 , and proximity sensors  132 ,  232 ,  332  of the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  determine how the electronic game pieces interact with each other. As shown in  FIG. 12 , when stacked with the electronic game piece  100  on the bottom, the electronic game piece  200  in the middle, the electronic game piece  300  on the top, and the lights  130 ,  230 ,  330  aligned, the lights are all simultaneously illuminated. In this configuration, the bottom magnet  226  of the electronic game piece  200  activates the proximity sensor  132  of the electronic game piece  100 , the bottom magnet  326  of the electronic game piece  300  activates the proximity sensor  232  of the electronic game piece  200 , and the top magnet  222  of the electronic game piece  200  activates the proximity sensor  332  of the electronic game piece  300 . The interactivity of the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  is exemplary only of the possible interactivity of disclosed embodiments of sets of electronic game pieces. Depending primarily on the number of electronic game pieces in a set, the number of proximity sensor and proximity-sensor target positions within each electronic game piece, and the number of proximity sensors and proximity-sensor targets within each electronic game piece, dozens, hundreds, thousands, or millions of different sets can be created. 
     Embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity sensors, one proximity sensor (e.g., the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300 ), two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity sensors. Similarly, embodiments of the disclosed electronic game piece can include no proximity-sensor targets, one proximity-sensor target (e.g., the electronic game piece  300 ), two proximity-sensor targets (e.g., the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ), three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, ten, or a greater number of proximity-sensor targets. Multiple proximity sensors can be electrically connected in parallel, such that activation of any one of the proximity sensors activates the light of the electronic game piece, or in series, such that activation of all of the proximity sensors is required to activate the light of the electronic game piece. 
     As discussed above, disclosed embodiments of sets of electronic game pieces can be configured such that some or all of the electronic game pieces in the set can be positioned in a winning arrangement. Different electronic game pieces also can be distributed for amusement with no predetermined winning arrangement. A winning arrangement of electronic game pieces can be one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces (e.g., three, four, five, or a greater number) are stacked with the lights aligned (or not aligned) and simultaneously illuminated. An electronic game piece holder can be included to hold the stacks of electronic game pieces such that the lights are visible. If the winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces are stacked with the lights aligned and simultaneously illuminated, the electronic game piece holder can include aligned windows or openings through which the lights of electronic game pieces within the electronic game piece holder are visible. If the winning arrangement of electronic game pieces is one in which a certain number of electronic game pieces are stacked with the lights not aligned and simultaneously illuminated, the electronic game piece holder can include openings at different radial positions with each opening corresponding to the radial position of an illuminated light in a winning arrangement of electronic game pieces. Holders with different patterns of openings can be provided in conjunction with sets of electronic game pieces. When used in a sweepstakes, the different holders can be exchangeable for different prizes when completed. 
       FIGS. 13 and 14  illustrate the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  within two different types of electronic game piece holders. In  FIG. 13 , the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are positioned within a first electronic game piece holder  400  having a vertical opening  402  through which the windows  108 ,  208 ,  308  of the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are visible when the windows are aligned. The lights  130 ,  230 ,  330  are shown illuminated in  FIG. 13  because the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are configured such that the lights are illuminated when positioned as shown in  FIG. 13 . In  FIG. 14 , the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are positioned within a second electronic game piece holder  404  having a first opening  406 , a second opening  408 , and a third opening  410  through which the windows  108 ,  208 ,  308  of the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are visible, respectively, when positioned as shown in  FIG. 14 . The lights  130 ,  230 ,  330  are shown not illuminated in  FIG. 14  because the electronic game pieces  100 ,  200 ,  300  are configured such that the lights are not illuminated when positioned as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.