Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional

Patent Application No. 60/630,709 entitled "NEW FORMAT LEARNING PLATFORM

GAME," filed November 23, 2004, and U.S. Patent Application No. ,

filed November 22, 2005, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by

reference, in their entirety and for all purposes.

Background

The present disclosure relates generally to video game remotes and devices

used with DVD games, especially to electronic game boards that determine position

of play pieces on the game board and transmit the piece position information to a

DVD player as part of game play.

Examples of DVD games and/or electronic game boards are found in U.S.

Patent Application Serial Nos. 20020193047; 20040063079; 20040140997;

20040214642 and 20050014563 and U.S. Patent Nos. 5,661,470; 5,749,735;

5,823,782; 5,853,327; 5,855,503; 5,864,626; 5,991,693; 6,102,397; 6,104,334;

6,167,353; 6,190,174; 6,227,931; 6,361,396; 6,364,735; 6,443,796; 6,464,503;

6,471,565; 6,640,851; 6,650,870; 6,659,836; 6,692,358; 6,726,485; 6,729,881;

6,739,874 and 6,755,655 the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by

reference in their entirety for all purposes.

Summary

An interactive electronic game board is provided for use with a conventional

DVD player configured to play DVD-Video discs as part of a DVD game system. The

game board may include tokens or play pieces that are configured to be recognized

by the board. The game board may incorporate functionality to locate the tokens

when they are in contact with the board or in proximity to the board and

communicate the location data to the DVD game system. The board may be further

configured to identify individual game play pieces on the board surface. Play piece

location information and control inputs by the player may be used by the DVD player

to control game flow and select audio/visual content from the DVD media for

display. The DVD game system may include a conventional DVD player, a television,

an electronic game board and play pieces. The conventional DVD player may have

limited memory and a limited number of ports for connecting peripheral

components. The game board may also include display screens, speakers and

control inputs such as buttons, knobs and joysticks.

The board may be configured to work with a plurality of overlays which may

be used with the board to provide different indicia for game play. Different overlays

may provide different games with different paths to be followed as play pieces move

on the board. Overlays may provide spaces for play pieces to interact such as in a

chess game. The board may have the capability to receive signals from other game

system components with information related to game play. The board may have

displays including video screens or speakers to present information to the players

from the game system.

The electronic game board may be compatible with interactive games that

combine the entertainment and educational content of conventional board games

with the audiovisual content of video games. In particular, it may enhance play with

interactive board games used in conjunction with conventional DVD players that play

game related audiovisual content. These interactive games typically employ

conventional DVD remote control units to interact with the audiovisual portion of the

game. Due to the video game aspect of these DVD-based interactive games, they

are particularly appealing to children, making them useful for presenting

educationally- based content.

However, conventional DVD remote controls may have a large number of

buttons and a significant degree of complexity, thereby making it difficult for a

young child to interact with the audiovisual portion of the game during game play.

Conventional DVD remote controls may also be limited in the quality of interactions

possible with the DVD game. Therefore, a need exists for an interactive game which

includes a game board played in conjunction with conventional DVD players where

the game board may assume DVD remote functions during game play. The present

electronic board is particularly useful for end users of video games, when coupled

with video game software using interactive programming routines configured for

board game play.

Because DVD game systems utilize a standard DVD player, a user who has

already purchased and set up such a DVD player may play games without having to

purchase a separate gaming console or connect additional equipment to the user's

television, which may not have the appropriate inputs for connecting such

equipment. This feature of the DVD gaming system may be advantageous to game

developers and retailers, because more individuals have access to DVD players than

to proprietary game consoles. Thus, games played on a DVD player and remote

devices associated with it may appeal to a broader demographic, including

individuals who may be unable to, or do not desire to, play games on proprietary

gaming consoles.

The advantages of the present invention will be understood more readily after

a consideration of the drawings and the Detailed Description.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a game system with a DVD player, DVD media,

a television, an electronic game board and play pieces associated with the game

board.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the game system of Fig. 1 illustrating

transmissions between a game board and a DVD player and the relation of

functional components including an electronic game board, a DVD player, a

television and a play piece.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of an electronic board showing an overlay and

electronic components including a sensor array.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectional perspective view of the play surface of an electronic

game board of Fig. 1 showing a play piece including an identifier and sensors

implemented using radio frequency id tags and readers.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional perspective view of the playing surface of an

electronic game board of Fig. 1 showing a play piece including an identifier and

sensors implemented using resonant frequency circuits.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of the implementation of a game with an electronic

board and two way communications between the electronic board and the DVD

player.

Detailed Description

Referring to Fig. 1, a game system 10 is shown including a DVD player 12,

DVD media 14, a television 16, and an electronic board 18. DVD player 12 includes

an LED sensor 20. Television 16 includes a speaker 22. Game system 10 may include

play spaces 24 displayed on an overlay 26. Electronic board 18 may include LED 32

(not shown) configured to operate with LED sensor 20, transferring commands and

data to DVD player 12. Electronic board 18 may include play piece 34 with identifier

36 and detector circuit, sensor or sensor array 38. Sensor array 38 in this example is

internal to board 18 and is shown in cutaway.

Referring to Fig. 2, a block diagram of game system 10 similar to Rg. 1 is

shown. Similar numbering to Fig. 1 is used here and in all further figures for clarity.

Game system 10 again includes DVD player 12, television 16, electronic board 18,

LED sensor 20, LED 32, play piece 34, a plurality of sensors 38 forming a sensor

array, as well as processor 40, memory 42, sensor controller 44, and remote control

configuration media or game cartridge 46. Game system 10 may be configured to

communicate data and commands from electronic board 18 to DVD player 12.

Game system 10 is used to play video games generated from programming

commands and clips contained on DVD media 14. DVD player 12 accesses DVD

media 14 and shows scenes, sounds and activities on television 16. Players may

move play pieces 34 on electronic board 18 as part of game play. Play piece

movement and location information may be detected by board 18 and transmitted to

DVD player 12. DVD player 12 may control game flow and select clips and data from

DVD media 14 based on the transmitted information as part of game play. DVD

player 12 may have limited memory and be substantially configured to access DVD

media 14 to display on television 16. DVD player 12 may have a limited number of

ports for connecting to peripheral equipment.

Electronic board 18 may have functionality to detect the position of play

pieces 34 in contact with board 18. Electronic board 18 may identify individual play

pieces. Electronic board 18 may have a play surface with identifier sensors 38

proximate to the play surface. There are many techniques and technologies known

in the art for locating objects with sensors. In a preferred example, identifier 36 may

be a magnet or other component with physical properties that allow its presence to

be determined by sensors 38. Sensors 38 may include a reed switch that may be

activated by the magnetic field of play piece identifier 36. Alternately, sensors 38

may be physical switches such as a button. Moving play piece 34 to a play space 24

may press a button and close a circuit.

Other methods may be used to determine position of play pieces 34 on board

18. Sensors 38 may comprise a pair of conductors that define a capacitor. Identifier

36 may comprise a conductor with properties that cause the capacitance to vary

such that sensor controller 44 may discern the physical property associated with the

conductor and determine play piece location as it scans through the sensor array.

Play piece 34 may have a pin with identifier 36 in the pin. The pin may be inserted

through board 18 and be in proximity to sensors 38 below the board play surface.

Identifier pin 36 may function to interrupt a light beam in sensors 38. Mass, light, or

any other detectable physical property may be utilized to determine play piece 34

position.

Sensor controller or interface 44 may activate sensors 38 individually and/or

sequentially and process the signals returned by the sensors. Controller 44 may scan

sensors 38 periodically to locate individual play pieces 34. Sensors 38 may emit

electromagnetic radiation which charges the identifier circuit 36. Sensors 38 not in

proximity to any play piece 34 may return no digital identity signal. Alternate

configurations of sensors 38 and identifiers 36 using more complex configurations

and circuits are described below.

The location of a play piece 34 may be determined using the relative

response of several sensors 38. For example, a play piece 34 located equidistant

from 4 sensors 38 may result in a signal that is equivalent from all four sensors 38.

In some embodiments, individual sensors 38 may be located in conjunction with

individual play spaces 24.

Sensor controller 44 may incorporate an analog to digital conversion

functionality to allow analysis of analog waveforms by digital circuits. Sensor

controller 44 may also include multiplexer capability to combine several inputs to

controller 44 and select between the inputs or combine inputs into one output.

Sensor controller 44 may control the function of sensor array 38 and control

scanning and sequential activation of circuits. Sensor controller 44 may be controlled

in whole or in part by processor 40. Sensor controller 44 may transmit information to

processor 40.

Memory 42 in electronic board 18 may be an IC chip, DIMM modules, a hard

drive, removable media such as CDs or DVDs or a combination of in-circuit devices

and readable media. Memory 42 may be associated with game cartridge 46. Game

cartridge 46 may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an IC chip,

memory board, a smart card, a cartridge, a CD ROM, a DVD-ROM, or any other media containing information.

Each play space 24 or command input may be mapped by the information stored on game cartridge 46 to correspond to different signals readable by a

conventional DVD player, such as "Up," "Down," "Rewind," "Fast Forward," "Enter," and "Menu" signals, or signals that direct DVD player 24 to play a specific scene or set of scenes contained on DVD game medium 14. Processor 40 may utilize the information on game cartridge 46 to control the type of game signal transmitted when a specific game space or user input is used. In some embodiments, the game cartridge 46 may include an integrated processor/controller.

Game cartridge 46 may customize the configuration of game board 18 to play

specific games or to adapt game board 18 to work with a specific overlay. For

example, game cartridge 46 may customize sensor array 38 to optimally operate

with overlay 26 by turning off sensors 38 not proximate to play spaces 34.

Alternately, game cartridge 46 may determine what signals are sent to DVD player

12. The same player piece location signal from sensor array 38 may cause different

signals to be transmitted to DVD player 12 for different games.

Game cartridge 46 may be separable from board 18. Game cartridge 46 may

be located in overlay 26.

Each game may have a defined set of play spaces 24 where play pieces 34

may be placed during play. Each possible location for a play piece 34 in the game

will have a characteristic signal response from sensor array 38. Game cartridge 46

may determine which sensor array signals are mapped or indexed to which

transmitted signals. DVD media 14 may contain programs to recognize play piece

position from the transmitted signals. The transmitted signals containing play piece

location data may be used by DVD player 12 to control game flow and select clips

from DVD media 14.

Referring to Fig. 3, a game board 18 is shown with an overlay 26 for playing a

specific game. Similar numbering to previous figures is used for clarity and hidden or

internal components are indicated with dashed lines. Board 18 again includes overlay

26, LED 32, sensors 38, processor 40, memory 42, sensor controller 44, game

cartridge 46, command input 48 and display 50. Each location on game board 18

may correspond to an X, Y game board coordinate within a Cartesian coordinate

system, where game board coordinates (0, 0) are arbitrarily shown in Fig. 3 as being

in the upper left hand corner of game board 18. An array of sensors 38 may be

located below the game board play surface at some or all of X, Y game board

coordinates. Each of sensors 38 may be configured to detect a property of a game

piece, such as magnetism, mass, light, or any other detectable property, and enable

LED 32 to transmit a game signal to DVD player 12. For example, a sensor 38

configured to detect magnetism may be located below game board coordinate XlYl.

When magnetic play piece 34 is placed on game board coordinate XlYl, sensor 38

located below game board coordinate XlYl may detect the magnet and enable LED

32 to send a game signal to DVD player 12. Sensors 38 may be located anywhere

they are functionally able to detect play piece 34. Sensors 38 may be located below,

in or above the play surface or in overlay 26.

In an alternate configuration, overlay 26 is an active component and

operatively connects to board 18. Sensors 38 may be a component of overlay 26 and

signals from sensors 38 may be transmitted through a connector to reach sensor

controller 44. Play piece 34 with identifier 36 placed on overlay 26 produces a signal

from sensors 38 located in overlay 26. When overlay 26 is replaced to play a

different game, the connectors interconnecting overlay 26 to game board 18 are

disengaged. New overlay 26 is placed on game board 18 and the new connectors

engaged. Overlay 26 may have memory or logic circuitry as part of overlay 26 to

provide game specific commands or data to game system 10. Overlay 26 may be

separable from board 18 or overlay 26 may be a fixed part of board 18.

Play piece location data determined by sensor controller 44 may be

transmitted to processor 40 and stored in memory 42. Play piece location

information may be communicated to DVD player 12 through LED 32 and LED

sensor 20. Game cartridge 46 may determine which commands and data are

transmitted by LED 32 based on signals from sensor array 38. The transmitted

information may be used by DVD player 12 to select digital material from DVD media

14 for presentation at television 16. The transmitted information may be commands

to reconfigure DVD player 12 as part of game play.

Sensors 38 may be grouped into a plurality of regions based on their

functional association with DVD player 12. Specifically, each group of sensors 38

may be mapped by remote control configuration media and universal remote

circuitry and/or game cartridge 46 to correspond to a different signal readable by a

conventional DVD player, such as "Up," "Down," "Rewind," "Fast Forward," "Enter,"

and "Menu" signals, or signals that direct DVD player 12 to play a specific scene or

set of scenes contained on DVD game media 14. When any sensor 38 within a group

of sensors detects a play piece 34 with a property it is configured to detect, it may

enable LED 32 to transmit a signal to DVD player 12. The signal to DVD player 12

may comprise a plurality of conventional signals such as "Up/Down/Rewind"

sequentially.

Alternatively, electronic board 18 may not be associated with play pieces 34.

Electronic board 18 may register finger contact on board 18 so that a player, instead

of moving a play piece 34, contacts play spaces 24 with their finger. Sensors 38 may

generate an electrical signal in response to the finger contact on play space 24 that

is stored in memory 42 or transmitted to DVD player 12. Board 18 may respond to

the finger contact by lighting up play space 24 or making a sound. Several lights

may be collocated on a single play space 24 so that two teams can register

simultaneous touch or presence in a single play space 24. Board 18 may have

different colors of lights or different sounds for different players. Board 18, overlay

26 and sensors 38 may function as a touch screen.

Referring again to Fig. 3, board overlay 26 may be an expanse made of

cardboard, plastic, shatterproof glass, or any other suitable material, and may define

a plurality of locations, such as play spaces 24. Overlay 26 may either be planar,

contoured or varied in shape, and may be detachable from board 18. The detachable

expanse may include graphics corresponding to the theme of the game it is

associated with to define play spaces 24. For example, in a game where the game

players control characters to visit different locations, the graphics may show a map,

where each defined game location is associated with a different play space 24.

It should be appreciated that a plurality of game board overlays 26 may be

configured such that a user may change game board surfaces to play different

games contained on different game media. Thus, when a user purchases a new

game, it may include a game medium containing software for the new game, such

as a DVD disk, and a new game board overlay 26. Removable media for electronic

board memory 42 and game cartridge 46 may also be included. A new game

purchase may include new play pieces 34.

Electronic board 18 may have functionality to receive signals from DVD player

12. Referring again to Fig. 2, a block diagram of game system 10 is shown with a

microphone 52 to receive tone signals emitted by television 16 and speaker 22.

Electronic game board 18 may be able to receive signals from DVD player 12

through television 16 and speaker 22. Preferably, DVD media 14 generates a tone

signal at television 16 to communicate to electronic game board 18 as part of game

execution. The tone signal may be received by electronic game board microphone 52

and decoded at processor 40.

Data received through tone based signals may be used to configure electronic

game board 18. For example, data based on the tone signals may be shown on

display 50. Alternately, tone signals may modify the generation or indexing of

commands sent to DVD player 12. Tone based data may be stored in memory.

The commands sent by DVD player 12 and television 16 may be coded so

that only one of several remote game devices being used simultaneously will

respond to the signal. This allows a single user to get specific game play information

or commands. However, other signals may also be coded more generally, so that all

the players may get the same information displayed on electronic game board 18.

In an alternate configuration, game board 18 may detect visual light flashes

or radio signals generated by components attached to DVD player 12 such as

television 16 or other attached components rather than tone based signals.

The game may utilize only one remote game device for all the players or the

game may utilize electronic board 18 and a handheld remote game device. Tones

from speaker 22 may be decoded by processor 40 to commands or data that is

shown on display 50 or that is stored in memory 42. Data transmitted from DVD

player 12 may be used in conjunction with data from sensor controller 44. Other

methods than tones may be used to transmit data to board 18 such as radio

communications or infrared communication.

Digital commands and audio/visual material stored on DVD media 14 may

utilize the minimal memory of DVD player 12. Although the capacity of DVD players

to store information may be extremely limited as compared with a traditional gaming

console, such memory storage may be used to hold data corresponding to one or

more game variables, which may be used to control game play. In contrast to

standard video games that require proprietary game consoles to play proprietary

media, DVD player 12 does not need to be specially configured to play games stored

on DVD media 14. Rather, the scripts stored on DVD media 14 may instruct DVD

player 12 to store game variables in its onboard memory. The commands stored on

DVD media 14 may also instruct DVD player 12 to implement logical decisions based

on the values of the game variables.

Command input 48 may be used as part of game play. Input 48 may be used

to indicate the completion of an activity or to indicate a correct or incorrect answer.

Input 48 may be used to select or move an object on the screen. Command input 48

may be a button, slider, toggle switch, joystick, keypad or keyboard or any other

input tool. Command input 48 may comprise a combination of different types of

inputs.

To facilitate the use of electronic game board 18 with a variety of different

DVD players, game board 18 may include universal remote control circuitry, which

allows LED 32 to be programmed to communicate with a variety of different DVD

players. LED 32 may be programmed by entering a code corresponding to a

particular DVD player. Board 18 may be programmed by directing a signal from

another remote to an optional signal detector of the DVD game remote. LED 32 may

additionally or alternatively be programmed by running an automatic detection query

in which remote control game board 18 transmits different signals until a signal

corresponding to a particular DVD player is found.

Board 18 may have further capabilities such as generating random numbers

to simulate rolls of dice. Board 18 may accept inputs from the players at command

input 48 as to the next player or whether an answer is correct. Board 18 may show

information on display 50 such as dice roll results. Board 18 may incorporate

capabilities associated with a remote game device such as receiving information

from other components of game system 10 that is subsequently shown on board

display 50. Board 18 may instead be used in association with another remote game

device or a DVD remote.

Identifier 36 may be a circuit with electronic components. In one example of

the invention, identifier 36 is a radio frequency identifier tag (RFID) and identifier

sensor 38 is a radio frequency identifier tag reader. An RFID tag stores a serial

number associated with play piece 34 in a microchip that is attached to an antenna.

The reader sends out electromagnetic waves. The tag antenna is tuned to receive

these waves. A passive RFID tag draws power from a field created by the reader and

uses it to power the microchip's circuits. The chip then modulates the signal that the

tag sends back to the reader and the reader converts the modulated signal into

digital data.

Referring to Figs. 2 and 4, a block diagram of the functionality board 18 with

play piece identifier 36 and identifier sensors 38 is shown, implemented as an RFID

tag and RFID reader. Similar numbering to previous figures is used here for clarity.

RFID identifier 36 may be located internally to play piece 34 and may be located at a

bottom face which will be proximate to the play surface of board 18. Play piece 34

may include shielding to limit electromagnetic radiation emission. RFID sensors 38

may be disposed proximate to the play surface of board 18. RFID sensors 38 may be

comprised of an array of sensors configured to differentiate all play spaces 24

associated with the play surface of board 18.

In an alternate configuration, identifier 36 may be a circuit with a

characteristic frequency. Referring to Figs. 2 and 5, a block diagram of game system

10 implemented with resonant frequency identifiers 36 and sensors 38 is shown.

Similar numbering to previous figures is used for clarity. Identifier 36 may include a

capacitor and coil configured to have a resonant frequency determined by the

electrical characteristics associated with the components. Sensors 38 may include an

exciter coil and an antenna. When the exciter coil is activated, identifier 36 in play

piece 34 is energized. Sensor controller 44 antenna will receive the electromagnetic

radiation associated with the exciter coil and identifier circuit 36. A signal from an

exciter coil proximate to an identifier circuit 36 will be substantially different from the

waveform generated by an exciter coil not proximate to an identifier circuit.

Electronic game board 18 described here is an example. Board 18 can have

all or fewer of the features or functionality described and still fall within the scope of

this disclosure

Referring to Fig. 6, a flow chart 100 of game play in a DVD game including an

electronic board 18 is shown. In this example, game board 18 includes functionality

to communicate to DVD player 12 and receive information through television 16

which is shown on game board display 50. Different kinds of game activities on DVD

media 14 are associated with different play spaces in this example game. In box

102, players form teams and select play pieces 34. In box 104 game system 10 is

configured as to number of teams, play piece identities and game play difficulty. In

box 106, game system 10 displays a play piece 34 and team for the next turn. That

team determines movement of play piece 34 by rolling dice or some other method

defined in game play in box 108 and moves play piece 34 in box 110. Game board

18 sends the play piece identification and location information to DVD player 12 in

box 112. Using play piece 34 location information, the game may select a random

clip from the group of clips corresponding to the activity type associated with the

play space 24 in box 114. In box 116, game system 10 displays an activity or

challenge on television 16. If required, the game sends data to board 18 in box 118.

The data may be displayed so select players can access information for the other

players to guess. The player enters or selects an answer with command input 48 at

box 120. The loop may continue until activity is complete. Once an answer is

entered, game system 10 computes and displays a score on television 16 in box 122.

If the game is over in box 124, a final score is displayed on television 16 with

appropriate graphics for the winning team in box 126. If the game is not over, the

game loops back to box 106 and game play continues.

These steps are an example of one embodiment of this invention. A game

may have more or fewer steps or have different steps and still fall within the scope

of this disclosure.

In some configurations, game board 18 can determine play piece identity. In

an example of game play with game board 18, game board 18 recognizes individual

tokens during game play and DVD player 12 stores play piece 34 location

information in memory. Game board 18 in this example can recognize the play

pieces A and B. During game play, teams or players may be selected or indicated as

currently having a turn by DVD player 12. When indicated as currently having a turn,

play pieces 34 may be moved or the team engages in activities selected from DVD

media 14 by DVD player 12.

Play piece A in this example may be moved during the turn of team X to a

space identified as 32 by the game system 10. Game board 18 may then transmit

this data to DVD player 12 as "piece A at position 32." DVD player 12 may save the

received data as "Piece A at position 32." DVD player 12 may also register that play

piece A belongs to team X and register points for team X or select appropriate clips

from DVD media 14.

In a contrasting example of game board 18, identification of individual play

pieces may not be required. While a specific player or team is indicated as having a

turn, all inputs at board 18 associated with play piece movement or other input at

control 48 may be assigned to that player or team regardless of which play piece 34

is actually moved or which specific input is activated. In this example, DVD player 12

indicates team X as next in turn rotation and displays the team selection to all

players. Play piece A is moved while team X is indicated. Game board 18 may

register that a play piece has moved to location 32 and transmit only "32" to DVD

player 12. DVD player 12 indexes 32 to team X and play piece A as the indicated

team and may save the data as "Piece A at position 32." DVD player 12 may then

register points for team X or select appropriate clips from DVD media 14. This may

provide a less complex and less expensive implementation of game board 18.

Because DVD game system 10 utilizes a DVD player 12, a user .who has

already purchased and set up such a DVD player may play games without having to

purchase a separate gaming console or connect additional equipment to the user's

television, which may not have the appropriate inputs for connecting such

equipment. This feature of DVD gaming system 10 may be advantageous to game

developers and retailers, because more individuals have access to DVD players than

to proprietary game consoles. Thus, games played on a DVD player may appeal to a

broader demographic, including individuals who may be unable to, or do not desire

to, play games on proprietary gaming consoles.

It is believed that this disclosure encompasses multiple distinct inventions

with independent utility. While each of these inventions has been described in its

best mode, numerous variations are contemplated. All novel and non-obvious

combinations and subcombinations of the described and/or illustrated elements,

features, functions, and properties should be recognized as being included within the

scope of this disclosure. Applicant reserves the right to claim one or more of the

inventions in any application related to this disclosure. Where the disclosure or

claims recite "a," "a first," or "another" element, or the equivalent thereof, they

should be interpreted to include one or more such elements, neither requiring nor

excluding two or more such elements.