Board game with dynamic characteristic tracking

• US 10,456,660 B2
• Filed: 11/17/2017
• Issued: 10/29/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Tweedletech, LLC
• Original Assignee: Tweedletech, LLC
• Inventors: Maharbiz, Michel Martin, Jaqua, Steve, Morichau-Beauchant, Theodore
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuff, Michael A
• Application Number:
  US15/817,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20180071615A1
• Time in Patent Office: 711 Days
• Field of Search: 463 9
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/213 comprising photodetecting means, e.g. cameras, photodiodes or infrared cells A63F13/219, A63F13/655 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/23 for interfacing with the game device, e.g. specific interfaces between game controller and console
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/245 specially adapted to a particular type of game, e.g. steering wheels
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/49 Saving the game status; Pausing or ending the game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/58 by computing conditions of game characters, e.g. stamina, strength, motivation or energy level
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/98 Accessories, i.e. detachable arrangements optional for the use of the video game device, e.g. grip supports of game controllers
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00223 shaped as a container into which playing pieces may enter
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00258 rollable, flexible or deformable board
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00394 with a surface relief
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00662 with an electric sensor for playing pieces A63F2009/2444 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2003/00668 using hall effect
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2419 Optical
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/242 Bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2467 of a slide
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/247 audible, e.g. using a loudspeaker
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2486 the computer being an accessory to a board game
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/2489 by radio transmitters, e.g. using RFID
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1062 being specially adapted to a type of game, e.g. steering wheel
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1068 being specially adapted to detect the point of contact of the player on a surface, e.g. floor mat, touch pad
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/30 : characterized by output arrangements for receiving control signals generated by the game device
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/405 : being a wireless ad hoc network, e.g. Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, Pico net
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/407 : Data transfer via internet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00214 : Three-dimensional game boards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00643 : Electric board games; Electric features of board games electric word or number games A63F3/0421; computer chess G06F; electric raffle games A63F3/081
• CPC Class Codes: A63H 2200/00 : Computerized interactive toys, e.g. dolls

Abstract

A board game comprises one or more game objects such as a game board and game pieces, at least one memory device and at least one controller. Each of the game objects comprise a globally unique identifier and dynamic characteristic values associated with the unique identifier, stored in the memory device, that define the characteristics/attributes of the corresponding game object when used in the game. A user is able to play the game by utilizing the game objects according to their characteristic values. During the course of game play, the events of the game are able to dynamically change the characteristic values of each game object affected by the event. Similarly, outside of game play, external events are also able to dynamically change the characteristic values of a game object. These characteristic values are able to be kept and updated during and in between games.

Claims

1. A game system for playing a board game, the game system comprising:

a. one or more game objects for playing the board game, wherein each of the one or more game objects has a unique identifier and one or more characteristic values including a set of trait data and a set of history data, wherein each of the game objects are physical objects;

b. one or more memory devices each having at least one database, wherein a first memory device of the memory devices has a first database that stores the unique identifier and one or more of the characteristic values associated with one of the game objects; and

c. a controller that via a wireless adapter adjusts the trait data of the characteristic values associated with one of the game objects;

wherein the adjustment of the trait data of the game objects by the controller via the wireless adapter are altered based on the unique identifier of each game object such that different game objects are adjusted differently by the controller based on the same external events or game events.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the game objects are selected from a group consisting of a game piece, a terrain piece and a game board.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the trait data defines current traits or abilities of the associated game object and the history data relates to past game events that occurred during game play with the associated game object.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the first memory device is a part of the associated game object and the trait data is stored in the first database and further wherein the history data is stored on one or more second memory devices separate from the associated game object.

5. The system of claim 3 further comprising a controller that adjusts the history data of the characteristic values via the wireless adapter based on game events that occur while playing the board game with the game objects.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the controller adjusts the trait data of the characteristic values via the wireless adapter based on external events that occur separate from the playing of the board game with the game objects.

7. The system of claim 6 wherein the adjustment of the characteristic values comprises deletion of the trait data associated with one or more of the current traits or deletion of history data associated with one or more of the past game events.

8. The system of claim 6 wherein the controller is integrated within one of the game objects.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the memory devices are integrated with one or more of the game objects and/or one or more servers.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the one or more of the game objects each comprise an interface for coupling to the servers and/or other game objects such that the controller via the wireless adapter can adjust the characteristic values stored on the servers and/or the other game objects, and further wherein due to the adjustment the characteristic values on the game objects are synchronized in value with the characteristic values on the servers, and/or the other game objects if the associated unique identifiers match.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein the interface enables the servers and/or the game objects to download one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values to a new game object.

12. The system of claim 10 wherein the interface enables the servers and/or the game objects to reset one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of a game object to a previously saved state of the one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of the game object.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein in the characteristic values are encrypted.

14. A game object for playing a board game, the game object comprising:

an interface for communicating with a controller;

a body configured to represent a character of the board game; and

a first memory device that stores a unique identifier and one or more of a set of characteristic values including a set of trait data and a set of history data associated with the game object, wherein the interface enables the controller via a wireless adapter to adjust the trait data of the characteristic values associated with the game object based on the unique identifier of the game object such that different game objects are adjusted differently by the controller based on the same external events or game events.

15. The game object of claim 14 wherein the game object is selected from a group consisting of a game piece, a terrain piece and a game board.

16. The game object of claim 14 wherein the trait data defines current traits or abilities of the game object and the history data relates to past game events that occurred during game play with the game object.

17. The game object of claim 16 wherein the first memory device is a part of the game object and the trait data is stored on the first memory device and further wherein the history data is stored on one or more second memory devices separate from the game object.

18. The game object of claim 16 wherein the controller adjusts the history data of the characteristic values via the wireless adapter based on the game events that occur while playing the board game with the game object.

19. The game object of claim 18 wherein the controller adjusts the trait data of the characteristic values based on external events that occur separate from the playing of the board game with the game object.

20. The game object of claim 19 wherein the adjustment of the characteristic values comprises deletion of the trait data associated with one or more of the current traits or deletion of history data associated with one or more of the past game events.

21. The game object of claim 14 wherein the controller is integrated within the game object.

22. The game object of claim 14 wherein the interface couples to one or more servers and/or other game objects such that the controller via the wireless adapter can adjust the characteristic values stored on the servers and/or other game objects, and further wherein due to the adjustment the characteristic values on the game object are synchronized in value with the characteristic values on the servers and/or the other game objects if the associated unique identifiers match.

23. The game object of claim 14 wherein in the characteristic values are encrypted.

24. A server for use with a board game including one or more game objects, the server comprising:

a. a first memory device including a first database for storing a unique identifier and one or more of a set of characteristic values associated with each of the one or more game objects, wherein each of the game objects are physical game objects; and

b. an interface for establishing a connection to a controller, wherein the controller adjusts via a wireless adapter at least one of the set of characteristic values associated with one of the game objects, wherein the characteristic values include a set of trait data and a set of history data;

wherein the adjustments of the characteristic values of the game objects by the controller via the wireless adapter are altered based on the unique identifier of each game object such that different game objects are adjusted differently by the controller based on the same external events or game events.

25. The server of claim 24 wherein the trait data defines current traits or abilities of the associated game object and the history data relates to past game events that occurred during game play with the associated game object.

26. The server of claim 25 wherein at least the history data is stored on the first memory device and at least the trait data is stored on a second memory device that is a part of the associated game object.

27. The server of claim 26 wherein the controller adjusts the history data of the characteristic values via the wireless adapter based on the game events that occur while playing the board game with the game objects.

28. The system of claim 27 wherein the controller adjusts the trait data of the characteristic values based on external events that occur separate from the playing of the board game with the game objects.

29. The server of claim 28 wherein the adjustment of the characteristic values comprises deletion of the trait data associated with one or more of the current traits or deletion of history data associated with one or more of the past game events.

30. The server of claim 29 wherein the controller is integrated with one of the game objects.

31. The server of claim 30 wherein the interface enables the controller via the wireless adapter to synchronize in value the characteristic values stored in the first memory device with the characteristic values stored in the second memory device if the associated unique identifiers match.

32. The server of claim 31 wherein the interface enables the server to upload one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values from the server to the game objects.

33. The server of claim 32 wherein the interface enables the server to reset one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of a game object to a previously saved state of the one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of the game object.

34. The server of claim 24 wherein the characteristic values are encrypted.

35. A method of playing a board game including one or more game objects, the method comprising:

a. storing a unique identifier and one or more of a set of characteristic values associated with a game object in a first memory device, wherein each of the game objects are physical objects;

b. adjusting at least one of the set of characteristic values associated with one of the game objects with a controller via a wireless adapter based on game events that occur while playing the board game with the game objects; and

c. adjusting the characteristic values with the controller based on external events that occur separate from the playing of the board game with the game objects;

wherein the adjustments are altered based on the unique identifier such that different game objects are adjusted differently based on the same external events or game events.

36. The method of claim 35 wherein the game objects are selected from a group consisting of a game piece, a terrain piece and a game board.

37. The method of claim 35 wherein the set of characteristic values comprise a set of trait data and a set of history data, wherein the trait data defines current traits or abilities of the associated game object and the history data relates to past game events that occurred during game play with the associated game object.

38. The method of claim 37 wherein the first memory device is a part of the associated game object and at least the trait data is stored on the first memory device and further wherein at least the history data is stored on one or more second memory devices separate from the associated game object.

39. The method of claim 38 wherein the controller adjusts the history data of the set of characteristic values via the wireless adapter based on the game events that occur while playing the board game with the game objects.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the controller adjusts the trait data of the characteristic values based on the external events that occur separate from the playing of the board game with the game objects.

41. The method of claim 40 wherein the adjustment of the set of characteristic values comprises deletion of the trait data associated with one or more of the current traits or deletion of history data associated with one or more of the past game events.

42. The method of claim 41 wherein the controller is integrated with one of the game objects.

43. The method of claim 42 wherein the second memory devices are integrated with one or more servers and the one or more of the game objects each comprise an interface for coupling to the servers.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising, via the wireless adapter, synchronizing in value the characteristic values stored on the servers with the characteristic values stored on the game objects if the associated unique identifiers match.

45. The method of claim 43 further comprising synchronizing in value the characteristic values stored on the game objects with the characteristic values stored on other game objects if the associated unique identifiers match.

46. The method of claim 43 further comprising downloading one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values from one or more of the game objects and/or the servers to a new game object.

47. The method of claim 43 further comprising resetting or restoring one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of a game object to a previously saved state of the one or more of the unique identifiers and the associated characteristic values of the game object.

48. The method of claim 35 wherein the characteristic values are encrypted.