Electronic die

• US 20040160000A1
• Filed: 02/19/2004
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blinky Bones Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Blinky Bones Incorporated
• Inventors: Lindsey, Michael K., Pearson, Stephen J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,334,791 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 273/146
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2009/1061 with electric features, e.g. light, wires
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2250/0457 for actuating a switch by gravity
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/04 Dice dice tops A63F5/04 D; Dice-boxes; Mechanical dice-throwing devices casino or betting games played on boards A63F3/00157
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0413 Cuboid dice
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 9/0468 Electronic dice; electronic dice simulators

Abstract

An ostensibly solid electronic die presents visual and/or sound effects when in use. Unlike known electronic dice, the disclosed electronic die retains the weight, feel and ruggedness of conventional non-electronic dice. The die includes an outer shell defining its shape. Electronics for producing the effects are located inside the shell. The shell is filled with potting material and sealed shut. The use of potting material is a unique aspect of the invention that represents a significant advance over known electronic dice. The potting material gives the inventive die added weight and safely encases the electronics. Using miniaturized electronics and batteries, the die can have physical dimensions and weight that are the same as or similar to a conventional hand-tossed gaming die.

Claims

1. An electronic die, comprising:

an outer shell defining the shape of the die;

electronics located inside the outer shell; and

potting material filling the outer shell.

2. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the electronics include one or more light emitters.

3. The electronic die of claim 2, wherein at least one of the light emitters is located on the outer shell.

4. The electronic die of claim 2, further comprising:

one or more light pipes for directing light from light sources to the exterior surface of the outer shell.

5. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the electronics include:

a circuit for activating one or more light emitters.

6. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the electronics include a battery.

7. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the electronics include:

a circuit and a sound source for generating sound.

8. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the electronics include a switch selected from the group consisting of a spring switch, a gravity switch and a combination of the foregoing.

9. The electronic die of claim 1, wherein the outer shell includes:

plural sides;

an opening on one of the sides; and

a lid, mated to the opening, for sealing shut the outer shell.

10. An electronic die, comprising:

a cube-shaped box having an opening on one side and a plurality of thru-holes on the remaining five sides, wherein the thru-holes are arranged in a pattern representing dots of a conventional six-sided die;

a lid, mated to the opening, for sealing the box shut, the lid having at least one thru-hole;

a plurality of light emitters each having at least a portion thereof placed in the thru-holes of the box and the lid;

a circuit located inside the box for causing the light emitters to flash;

at least one battery, located inside the box, for powering the circuit and the light emitters; and

potting material placed in the box.

11. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the potting material fills the box to the extent that a user perceives the electronic die as being solid.

12. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the potting material is selected from the group consisting of a plastic resin, sand, dry granules, plastic granules, and any combination of the foregoing.

13. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the circuit includes a switch for activating the circuit.

14. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the switch is selected from the group consisting of a gravity switch, a momentary contact switch, a momentary contact spring switch, and any combination of the foregoing.

15. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the light emitters are light emitting diodes (LEDs).

16. The electronic die of claim 15, wherein the circuit includes an LED flasher circuit connected to the LEDs.

17. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the light emitters include at least one light pipe for directing light from a light source.

18. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the cube-shaped box is made of ABS plastic, polycarbonate plastic, metal, wood or any combination of the foregoing.

19. The electronic die of claim 10, wherein the cube-shaped box is plated on its exterior surface.

20. The electronic die of claim 10, further comprising:

a sound circuit and sound source located inside the box.

21. A process for manufacturing an electronic die, comprising:

forming a cube-shaped box having an opening on one side and a plurality of thru-holes on the remaining five sides, wherein the thru-holes are arranged in a pattern representing dots of a conventional six-sided die;

forming a lid, mated to the opening, the lid having at least one thru-hole;

inserting a plurality of light emitters in the thru-holes of the box and the lid;

connecting a circuit to the light emitters, the circuit for causing the light emitters to flash;

connecting at least one battery to the circuit;

through the opening, locating the circuit and the at least one battery inside the box;

placing potting material in the box; and

sealing the opening shut with the lid.