Patent ID: 12251639

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A detailed description of the hereinafter-described embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference made to the Figures. Although certain embodiments are shown and described in detail, it should be understood that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the appended claims. The scope of the present disclosure will in no way be limited to the number of constituting components, the materials thereof, the shapes thereof, colors thereof, the relative arrangement thereof, etc., and are disclosed simply as an example of embodiments of the present disclosure. A more complete understanding of the present embodiments and advantages thereof may be acquired by referring to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers indicate like features.

With reference toFIG.1, a perspective view of an electrified game piece manipulation game1is shown according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the electrified game piece manipulation game1includes a base10, a game piece manipulator20, and a plurality of game pieces30. The base10includes a flat top base surface11configured to receive the plurality of game pieces30. For example, the plurality of game pieces30may be interchangeably stackable along a horizontal X axis parallel to the flat top base surface11, and along a vertical Y axis perpendicular to the flat top base surface11. In another embodiment, the flat top base surface11may be configured to receive the plurality of game pieces30in one or more recesses in the flat top base surface. One or more recesses in the flat top base surface may be configured to receive differently sized game pieces30. Recesses may be compartments, holes, bores, indents, dips, slits, and the like. In another embodiment, the base10may have a top base surface that is not flat.

With continuing reference toFIG.1, in this embodiment, the game pieces30are rectangular and each have a space36containing an internal center wall37that extends along the internal length of the game piece, and a plurality of supplemental walls38,39(shown and described hereinafter with reference toFIGS.9and10) that extend along an internal width of the game piece (shown and described hereinafter with reference toFIGS.9and10). The electrified game piece manipulation game1is not limited to being played with the quantity of game pieces30shown in the Figures, and may include and be played with any number of game pieces30.

With continuing reference toFIG.1, the base10includes a controller200(shown and described hereinafter with respect toFIG.15which is configured to control, such as by sending control signals, the game piece manipulator20, for example, during game play. The game piece manipulator20includes a tweezer and a surface27. In other embodiments, the game piece manipulator20may include tongs, a clamp, pair of pincers, forceps, and the like. The game piece manipulator20has two pinching structures21,22that extend from a housing26. The two pinching structures21,22are pressable together and configured to grab and hold the game pieces30.

Each of the pinching structures21,22of the game piece manipulator20have an electrically conductive portion23,24located on the surface. The electrically conductive portions23,24are located where a user will contact the game piece manipulator20as the user manipulates the game pieces30with the game piece manipulator20, for example, as shown and described herein with reference toFIG.11. For example, when held by a user, the electrically conductive portions23,24may contact the user's skin. The housing26contains electrical components of the game piece manipulator20that are configured to receive power from the base10, such as through connector25, as well as control signals, shock charges, and the like from the controller200required to emit an electric stimulus by the electrically conductive portions23,24.

In this embodiment, the base10includes a plurality of switches12,13,14which may control the ON or OFF status of the base10(such as switch12), modes of game play (such as switch14), and the intensity of the electric stimulus emitted by the electrically conductive portions23,24of the game piece manipulator20(such as switch13. Other aspects for which a switch on the base10may be provided include for example, volume, a timer, and the like. The base10is not limited to including switches12,13,14for the control of the base10and aspects of game play. For example, the base10may include one or more buttons, a touch screen, one or more dials, and the like. In another embodiment, the ON or OFF status of the base10, and the aspects of game play such as game play mode and electric stimulus intensity may be controlled by a mobile application on a user's mobile device such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, and the like, which is configured to pair with and control the settings of the base10such as by sending signals to the controller200. The base10also has a start button500in this embodiment, which begins the game1when pressed by a user.

Referring now toFIG.2, a perspective view of the base10is shown according to an embodiment. The base10has a bottom55(shown and described with reference toFIG.4). The base10further has four sides15,16,17,18. The top flat base surface11is square in shape and the edges of the top flat base surface11abut the edges of the sides15,16,17,18of the base10. In another embodiment, the base10may have a different number of sides. The base10is not limited to having a top flat base surface11having the same number of sides as the base10. One or more of the sides15,16,17,18, flat top base surface11, and bottom55may be made out of plastic, metal, wood, or other rigid material. One or more of the sides15,16,17,18, flat top base surface11, and bottom55may each be made out of the same material, or may be made out of different materials.

With continuing reference toFIG.2, the base10includes a plurality of lights40a,40b,40c,40d. The lights40a,40b,40c,40dmay be LEDs, incandescent bulbs, and the like. In this embodiment, the lights40a,40b,40c,40dare recessed in the top of the base10such that the flat top base surface11maintains a smooth flat plane on which the game pieces30can be interchangeably arranged. The lights40a,40b,40c,40dmay be configured to produce different colored lights, for example, red, green, and white lights. The illumination of the lights40a,40b,40c,40dsuch as shown and described hereinafter with reference toFIGS.12and13, is controlled by the controller200. In another embodiment, the top flat base surface11may not have any recessed areas, for example, the lights40a,40b,40c,40dmay be arranged under the top flat base surface11, which may be transparent such that the light emitted by the lights40a,40b,40c,40dcan shine through the top flat base surface11. The base10is not limited to having four lights and could have more than four lights or less than four lights.

Referring now toFIG.3, a perspective view of the base10is shown according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the base10is configured to play audio, such as music, tones, recorded sounds or vocals, and the like. The audio may be stored in a memory within the base10and turned on and off by the controller200. In this embodiment the base10includes one or more speakers19through which the audio can be played. With continuing reference toFIG.3, the base10may further include a port28, such as a female port in which a male end of the connector25of the game piece manipulator may be plugged into the base10such that power, control signals, and shock charges can be provided to the game piece manipulator20, such as shown and described hereinafter with respect toFIG.8, for example, using a capacitor located in the base10. In embodiments in which the game piece manipulator20is wireless, the base10may not have a connection part28. The base10may also include a buzzer that is controlled by the controller200. Further, in embodiments in which the game piece manipulator20is wireless, a capacitor may be located within the game piece manipulator20.

With reference toFIG.4, a bottom perspective view of the base10is shown. In this embodiment, the bottom55of the base10may include a plurality of supports51,52,53,54to support the base10when the base10is set up for game play, for example, on a table, counter, or floor. In an embodiment, the supports51,52,53,54may be suction cups. In another embodiment, the supports51,52,53,54may be nubs, legs, feet, ridges, slats, and the like. The supports51,52,53, and54may be made of rubber, silicon, plastic, wood, and the like. An embodiment in which the supports51,52,53,54are suction cups is advantageous in keeping the base10secured to the surface on which the base10is placed, as movements of the players during game play may tend to cause the base10to be moved, such as by players' movement of the game piece manipulator20in embodiments in which the game piece manipulator20is connected to the base10by a connector25.

With continuing reference toFIG.4, the bottom55of the base10may further include a battery compartment50configured to receive batteries, such as alkaline batteries, for example, AA batteries, AAA batteries, C batteries, and the like. The base10, including the controller200, lights40a,40b,40c, and40d, and other internal electronic components may be powered by batteries. In an embodiment, the base10includes a rechargeable battery and a port by which the rechargeable battery can be plugged into a power source to recharge, such as by a USB, for example, a Type-C USB, Type-A USB, Type-B Mini USB, Type-B Micro USB and the like.

With reference toFIG.5, a front view of the base10is shown. The supports51,52,53,54may raise the base10a distance D above the surface upon which the base10is placed. This is advantageous for common game play settings in which the players may be enjoying food and beverages around the game1. If a spill occurs, the base10where the electronic components of the game1are housed are thereby kept away from the spill.

With reference toFIG.6, a perspective view of a game piece manipulator20is shown according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, the game piece manipulator20includes a connector25having a male connector part29configured to plug into the port28of the base10, as shown with reference toFIG.8. Referring briefly toFIG.8, a perspective view of the base10having the connector25of the game piece manipulator20plugged into the port28is shown. Returning toFIG.6, the electrically conductive portions23,24may be connected to the surface27of the game piece manipulator20by rivets, screws, adhesive, and the like. In another embodiment, the pinching structures21,22may be metal coated plastic, the metal being electrically conductive. The housing26of the game piece manipulator may contain the electric components such as wiring and solder connections connecting the electrically conductive portions23,24to the base10, and providing power and shock charges to the game piece manipulator20from the base10.

Referring now toFIG.7, a perspective view of a game piece manipulator120according to another embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the game piece manipulator120wirelessly connects to the base10and receives control signals from the controller200without needing to be connected such as by connector25, to the base10. A wireless connection between the game piece manipulator20may be by Wi-Fi, Bluetooth®, RF signals, and the like. The game piece manipulator120may further include a housing126containing the electrical components and wireless components necessary to make the wireless connection between the game piece manipulator120and the base10, as well as power the game piece manipulator120such that the game piece manipulator120can emit an electric stimulus by the electrically conductive components123,124upon receipt of a control signal from the controller200. In this embodiment, the game piece manipulator120may be powered by one or more batteries which may be replaceable by opening the housing126. In another embodiment, the game piece manipulator120may include a rechargeable battery and the housing126may include a port to receive a charger such as a USB charging cable to charge the rechargeable battery therein.

With reference toFIG.9, a perspective view of a game piece30is shown according to an embodiment. In this embodiment, each game piece30of the plurality of game pieces30may be the same shape, such as having a rectangular cross section like the game piece30shown inFIG.9. In other embodiments, the game pieces30may have a differently shaped cross-section such as a hexagon, square, and the like. In this embodiment, the game piece30has a space36defined by a first side31, second side32, third side33, and fourth side34. The space36includes an internal center wall37that extends along the internal length L of the game piece, and a plurality of supplemental internal walls38,39that extend along the internal width W of the game piece30and intersect with the internal center wall37. The game piece30can be held and manipulated by the game piece manipulator20,120by gripping the first side31, second side32, third side33, and fourth side34, and supplemental internal walls38,39with the pinching structures21,22,121,122of the game piece manipulator20,120. In this embodiment, the game piece30includes a game logo35on the internal center wall37. In another embodiment, the internal center wall37may be blank. The internal center wall37and supplemental internal walls38may also be referred to as “ribs.” In yet another embodiment, the game pieces30may be shaped like every-day objects such as foods, animals, buildings, body parts, household objects, vehicles, and the like. In such an embodiment, the game pieces30may include ribs that follow an outline of the shape of the game pieces, one or more ribs extending along a surface of the game pieces, and the like.

With reference toFIG.10, another perspective view of the game piece30is shown according to an embodiment. The game piece30is not limited to having a center internal wall37and supplemental internal walls38,39as shown, and may have one or more walls or ribs extending the internal length L of the space36, and one or more supplemental internals walls38,39extending along the width W of the space36. The supplemental internal walls38,39may not be equidistant apart from one another and the second side32and fourth side34. In an embodiment, the game piece30may only include a single supplemental internal wall such as supplemental internal wall38or39. In an embodiment, each game piece of the plurality of game pieces30may be transparent, or partially transparent. For example, the plurality of game pieces30may be made of a clear or colored transparent plastic, acrylic, or like material. In one embodiment, the plurality of game pieces may be made of plastic, acrylic, or other material that is configured to fluoresce when exposed to a black light.

Referring now toFIGS.11-13, several aspects of game play of the electrified game piece manipulation game1are shown according to embodiments. In one embodiment, to play the game1, one or more users may stack the plurality of game pieces30on the top flat base surface11. The game pieces may be stacked in rows in which in each row, the game pieces30are arranged perpendicular to the row of game pieces30directly below. In another embodiment, to play the game, one or more users may take turns attempting to retrieve a game piece from one or more recesses in the flat top base surface11. A step of game play may include a first player pushing a “start” or “on/off” button such as start button500, or flipping an “on/off” switch such as switch12, on the base10, thereby beginning the game. Upon “starting,” such as by pressing the start button500, one or more of the lights40a,40b,40c,40dlights of the base10may emit light, such as green light or other colored light. Players may also select an electric stimulus intensity and game play mode such as by switches13and14on the base10. In one embodiment of a game play mode, the controller200may control the game piece manipulator20,120to emit an electric stimulus at randomly or timed intervals while audio such as music is played by the base10through the speaker19. In another embodiment of a game play mode, the game piece manipulator20,120may emit an electric stimulus at random or timed intervals with no audio playing. For example, the controller200may be configured to execute a random number generator to determine a random number that controls when the electric stimulus is emitted. This increases the anticipation and excitement of the players during game play, as the players cannot easily predict when the electric stimulus will be emitted.

During game play, players may take turns using the game piece manipulator20,120to hold and move a game piece of the plurality of game pieces from any row of the stack of game pieces30and place that game piece on top of the stack of game pieces30, or in another embodiment for example, retrieve game pieces30from recesses in the flat top base surface11. In yet another example, game play may include removing game pieces from a stack of game pieces30without placing the removed game pieces on top of the stack of game pieces30. During a player's turn, the player may unexpectedly receive an electric stimulus, for example, a shock, from the game piece manipulator. The electric stimuli experienced by the players increases the difficulty of game play and requires a high level of skill to grab, hold, and place the game pieces, which increases the excitement of game play. Further, movements of a player subjected to an electric stimulus make it difficult to avoid knocking over the stack of game pieces30altogether. If a player knocks over the stack of game pieces during their turn, the player may be required to take a penalty, such as an electric stimulus from the game piece manipulator20,120. In one embodiment of a game play mode, a penalty may be a three-second long or other timed electric stimulus. In another embodiment, for example, in which the flat top base surface11is configured to receive the game pieces30in one or more recesses in the flat top base surface11, the electric stimulus makes it difficult for players to avoid dropping a game piece30back into the recess or recesses during their turn. If a player does so, or lets go of a piece once during their turn before placing it in a designated area for example, the player may receive a penalty as described above. In another embodiment, sides15,16,17,18of the base10may be configured to receive game pieces30, such as in recesses in the sides15,16,17,18.

Referring now specifically toFIG.11, a perspective view of a player300using a game piece manipulator20to hold a game piece30while the game piece manipulator is emitting an electric stimulus. The game piece manipulator is holding the game piece by a supplemental internal wall38of the game piece30. With reference toFIG.12, a perspective view of the electrified block stacking game1in which the base10is illuminated is shown. In embodiments, during game play when no electric stimulus is being emitted by the game piece manipulator, certain of the lights40a,40b,40c,40dmay be illuminated with a particular color of light, such as green light, or may be illuminated with black light. The light may be configured to shine through and illuminate the game pieces30. With reference toFIG.13, when the game piece manipulator20,120is emitting an electric stimulus, different of the lights40a,40b,40c,40dmay be illuminated, such as with a different color, such as red light. In an embodiment, a buzzer of the base10may go off when the game piece manipulator20,120is emitting an electric stimulus. In an embodiment in which the flat top base surface11is configured to receive the plurality of game pieces30into recesses of the flat top base surface11, each of the recesses may include one or more lights, such as LEDs that are controlled by the controller200.

With reference toFIG.14A, a flow chart of a method of game play of an electrified game piece manipulation game1according to an embodiment. In a first step501, after the base10is powered on, such as by switch12. In a second step, once the base10is powered on, a power-up routine of the base10may be reset, as shown in block501a, an automatic shut-off timer may be started as shown in block501b, and a particular light, such as one or more of lights40a,40b,40c, and40dmay be turned on, as shown in block501c. In another step502, the controller200may determine which game play mode is currently selected by the user, for example, with switch14. When a game mode in which the user receives a penalty is selected, the controller200may call a subroutine in another step503. When a game mode is selected in which music plays, another subroutine may be run, for example, starting with step504. In step504, the controller200may determine whether a “start” button such as start button500has been pressed. When the controller determines that “start” has not been selected, the controller200may then determine whether a repeat function is on in step505. When a repeat function is not on, the controller200may return to step502. When a repeat function is on, the controller200may proceed to repeat a previously selected game mode as shown by arrow505a. When the controller200determines that “start” has been selected, as in step504, the controller200may turn on a repeat function as shown in block504a, reset a timer as shown in block504b, turn off a particular light or lights that were turned on in block501c, such as lights40a,40b,40c,40d, as shown in block504c, turn on a fading function of a particular light or lights as shown in block504d, turn on an audio file such as a music file, as shown in block505e, and turn on a shock charge of the game piece manipulator20,120as shown in block504f. In an embodiment, the shock charge is always on when an audio file, such as music, is playing, and the shock charge is off when an audio file is not playing.

With continuing reference toFIG.14A, in another step506, the controller200may call a random number generator subroutine, which may include generating a random number for timing the occurrence of an electric stimulus by the game piece manipulator such as game piece manipulator20,120, and scaling the random number to a random number such as 5-50. In another step506a, the controller200may decrement the random number. Another step507may include the controller200determining whether the game mode has changed, such as by the user pressing a button or changing a switch such as switch14. When the controller200determines in step506that the game mode has changed, the controller200may call a “get out” subroutine508, shown and described hereinafter inFIG.14C. When the controller200determines in step506that the game mode has not changed, the controller200may wait a period of time such as one second, as shown in block507a. In another step509, the controller200may determine if the random number is equal to zero. When the controller200determines that random number does not equal zero, the controller200may return to step506aof decrement of the random number.

When the controller200determines that the random number equals zero, the controller200may turn the playing audio file such as a music file is turned off as shown in block510a, turn the fade of the fading lights off as shown in block510b, turn on one or more differently colored lights, for example, one or more red lights, as shown in block510c, and turn on an audio file such as a buzzer, as shown in block510d. In another step511, the controller200may send the game piece manipulator a control signal to generate electric stimulus, such as shock pulses, and the controller200may further next turn off the light or lights turned on in block510d, as shown in block511a, turn off the audio file such as buzzer as shown in block511b, and turn a light or lights, such as from block501con as shown in block511c. In another step, as shown by arrow512, the controller200may return to step502.

With reference toFIG.14B, a flow chart of a method of game play of an electrified game piece manipulation game1according to an embodiment, particularly, step508ofFIG.14A. Step508may include several substeps performed by the controller200, including turning the shock charge off, as shown in block508a, turning on a light or lights as shown in block508b, turning a fading function of a light or lights off, as shown in block508c, turning a playing audio file such as a music file off as shown in block508d, and turning a repeat function off as shown in block508e. In a step508f, the controller200may next return to step502as shown inFIG.14A, with reference to arrow508g.

With reference toFIG.14C, a flow chart of a method of game play of an electrified game piece manipulation game1according to an embodiment, in particular, step503shown inFIG.14A. When the controller200calls the subroutine for a game mode in which a penalty is administered to a player, the controller200may perform a step503aof turning on a shock charge of the game piece manipulator20,120. In an embodiment, during a penalty game mode, the shock charge remains on during game play. The controller may perform a further step513to determine whether a player has pressed a “start” button or switch, such as start button500. When the controller200determines that a “start” has not been selected, the controller200may return to step513. When the controller200determines that the “start” has been selected, the controller200may reset a timer as shown in block513a, turn off the light or lights that were previously turned on in step501cas shown in block513b, turn on a light or lights, such as differently colored lights, for example, a red light or red lights as shown in block513c, and turn on an audio file such as a buzzer as shown in block513d. In another step515, the controller200may send the game piece manipulator a control signal to generate electric stimulus, such as shock pulses, and the controller200may turn the audio file such as the buzzer off, as shown in block515a, turn the light or lights turned on in block513coff, as shown in block515b, and turn the light or lights turned off in block513bon as shown in block515c. In another step516, the controller200may return to step502, as shown inFIG.14Awith reference to arrow512. The controller200is not limited to performing the steps shown and described in the embodiments ofFIGS.14A-14C, and is not limited to performing the steps shown and described in the embodiments of14A-14C in the order shown in the Figures.

With reference toFIG.15, a schematic of the controller200of the base10is shown according to an embodiment. During game play400, one or more steps as shown inFIGS.14A-14Cmay be performed by the controller200based on which game play mode is selected by a user. During game play400, the electric stimuli emitted by the game piece manipulator401, such as game piece manipulator20,120; the illumination of the lights403, such as whether the lights are on or off, or fading or steady illumination, such as lights40a,40b,40c,40d; audio402, such as music played through the speaker19, a timer operation404, and random number generator operation405are controlled by the controller200.

In some embodiments, the game pieces30may be interchangeably stacked on the top flat base surface11using a game piece stacking guide structure. With reference toFIG.16, a game piece stacking guide structure60is shown according to an embodiment. The game piece stacking guide structure60can be used to align the stacked rows of game pieces30on the top flat base surface11. Referring toFIG.17, a perspective view of the game piece stacking guide structure60has a space61inside of which the game pieces20can be arranged with the sides62,63aligning the sides of the stack of game pieces30. Once the game pieces30are stacked and aligned within the game piece stacking guide structure60, the game piece stacking guide structure60may be placed onto the top flat base surface11and then removed from the stack of game pieces as shown inFIG.16.

In an embodiment, a game kit for an electrified game piece manipulation game such as electrified game piece manipulation game1may comprise a base, such as base10having a flat top base surface, such as flat top base surface11, and a controller, such as controller200; a game piece manipulator, such as game piece manipulator20,120, configured to hold a game piece, such as a game piece of the plurality of game pieces30, the game piece manipulator including a surface, such as surface27, having an electrically conductive portion, such as electrically conductive portion23,24; and a plurality of game pieces, such as plurality of game pieces30, configured to form an interchangeable stack on the flat top base surface11. In this embodiment, the controller may be configured to send a control signal to the game piece manipulator to emit an electric stimulus, and the game piece manipulator may be configured to receive the control signal and emit an electric stimulus by the electrically conductive portion. In another embodiment, the game kit may further comprise a game piece stacking guide structure, such as game piece stacking guide structure60, configured to receive a plurality of game pieces and align each game piece of the plurality of game pieces such that the plurality of game pieces forms a stack placeable on the top surface. In another embodiment, the electrically conductive portion may be positioned such a user, such as user300, contacts the electrically conductive portion when the user holds the game piece manipulator.

Modifications may be made to the game piece manipulator20,120without departing from the scope of the subject invention. For example, all the components of the base10, including the controller200, electrical components, wireless components, and other components may be integrated within the game piece manipulator20,120to form a game piece manipulator600, such as shown inFIGS.18and19. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the game system may comprise a single unit.

The game piece manipulator600may comprise a first surface605comprising a first electrically conductive portion610and a second surface615comprising a second electrically conductive portion620. The first electrically conductive portion610and the second electrically conductive portion620may be positioned on the first surface605and the second surface615, respectively, to be in contact with a user of the game system when the user holds the game piece manipulator600. Accordingly, the game piece manipulator600may be functionally equivalent to the game piece manipulator20,120described throughout the present application.

The game piece manipulator600may also comprise a speaker625for playing audio. The speaker625may be controllably operated by the controller200. In addition, the game piece manipulator600may comprise a power supply630for supplying power to various components of the game piece manipulator600. The game piece manipulator600may further comprise a “start” or “ON/OFF” button635for controlling the supply of power from the power supply630to various components of the game piece manipulator600, an audio switch640for turning the speaker625ON and OFF, a mode switch645, a stimulus intensity switch650, and a plurality of differently colored LEDs655. The “start” or “ON/OFF” button635may be functionally equivalent to the switch12, and the mode switch625may be functionally equivalent to the switch14. Similarly, the stimulus intensity switch630may be functionally equivalent to the switch13, and the plurality of differently colored LEDs655may be functionally equivalent to the lights40a,40b,40c, and40d. It will be appreciated that the base10may comprise a switch that is functionally equivalent to the audio switch640for turning the speaker19ON and OFF.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.