Computer interface apparatus for an amusement device

• US 6,102,397 A
• Filed: 05/10/1997
• Issued: 08/15/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/10/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Dennis H Lee, Jie Huang
• Original Assignee: Dennis H Lee, Jie Huang
• Inventors: Lee, Dennis H, Huang, Jie
• Primary Examiner(s): HARRISON, JESSICA
• Application Number:
  US08/858,216
• Time in Patent Office: 1,193 Days
• Field of Search: 273/236, 273/237, 273/238, 273/239, 273/242, 273/287, 273/288, 273/284, 463/1, 463/9, 463/14, 463/16, 463/46
• US Class Current: 273/238
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 3/00072 played along an endless track, e.g. monopoly A63F3/00069 takes precedence
• 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

Abstract

A device and method for interconnecting a computer or similar central processing unit with the physical structure of an amusement device so that the computer can participate during play. The device can be embodied within the amusement device or can be used in conjunction with an inlay that simulates a board game. In either scenario, a plurality of identification units are positioned in the amusement device at points where game pieces are used. The identification units sense the presence of a game piece as the game is played and the game pieces are moved. If an identification unit detects the presence of a game piece, the identification unit produces an output signal that is read by the computer. The output signal identifies both the location of the game piece and the type of game piece. As a result, the computer is informed as to the location and identity of all the game pieces used in the game. The computer can use this information to monitor the play of the game or participate in the play of the game.

Claims

1. A data input interface device for a personal computer that can run software for a plurality of games that utilizes different game boards, said data input interface comprising:

a plurality of sets of game pieces, wherein each set of same pieces contains game pieces of different types that are used in the play of one of the plurality of games;

a physical rendition of each of the same boards for which a set of game pieces is provided, wherein each said rendition of a game board contains a unique plurality of positions on which game pieces are placed during play;

a base structure that receives said rendition of each game board;

a plurality of identification units disposed within said base structure for identifying each of the game pieces placed on a rendition of a game board during play, identifying in which of said plurality of positions said game pieces are located, and providing output signals for each of said game pieces that identifies its position and identity, wherein said output signals are readable by the personal computer and used in the running of the software of the game.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said base structure contains at least one hole at each of said plurality of positions on said rendition of the board game, and each of said game pieces contains a pin element that passes into said at least one hole when a game piece is placed onto one of said positions on said rendition of the board game.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said identification units identify each of said game pieces by said pin element that extend from each of said game pieces.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said identification units identify said game pieces by the physical structure associated with said game pieces.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein said identification units identify said game pieces by the electrical properties associated with said game pieces.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein said identification units identify said game pieces by the magnetic properties associated with said game pieces.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein said rendition of said board game is selectively removable and replaceable on said base structure, wherein said game board is interposed between said base structure and said game pieces.

8. A data input interface system for a computer game, comprising:

a plurality of game boards and game pieces for use on said game boards, wherein each of said game boards contains playing spaces of varying configurations upon which said game pieces are placed during play;

a base structure for supporting a selected one of said game boards, wherein said selected one of said game boards may be any one of said plurality of game boards;

a matrix of identification units disposed in said base structure, wherein at least one identification unit is disposed proximate each of said playing spaces on said selected one of said game boards when said selected one of said game boards is placed on said base structure, wherein said at least one identification unit provides an output signal that can be read by a personal computer and identifies a location and game piece type for each of said game pieces placed on a playing space during play.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein each of said game boards contains at least one hole at each of said playing spaces, wherein each said hole aligns with an identification unit from said matrix of identification units;

and each of said game pieces contains a pin element that passes into said at least one hole when a game piece is placed onto one of said play spaces.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein said identification units identify each of said game pieces by said pin element that extend from each of said game pieces.