Mathematical Game Tile

Abstract

A game tile 1 comprises a single numeric indicum and a means for depicting mathematical operators to connect the integers. The tile may comprise two visually different sides 5, 6 both marked with an i

Description

INVENTOR: STEPHEN KEITH WALLACE Page No. Contents                                                                     1 1.   Background                                                                  2 2.   Summary of Invention                                                         5 3.   Introduction to the Drawings                                                     6 4.    Detailed Description                                                                7 5.   Claims                                                                          10 ABSTRACT                                                           11 Date: March 2023 1. Background According to Wikipedia, the game Scrabble is sold in 121 countries and is available in more than 30 languages; approximately 150 million sets have been sold worldwide, and roughly one-third of American and half of British homes have a Scrabble set. Scrabble is played on a special 15x15 square board using 100 letter tiles in the English edition. So it's not surprising that across many decades there have been numerous attempts to create game sets, game tiles and game boards which allow mathematical game play in the style of Scrabble, wherein, instead of depicting words in a crossword format with alphabetical letter tiles, players depict numerical equations. Prior inventions attempting to offer Scrabble-like mathematical game play have used number tiles, mathematical operator tiles (+, -, x, +, =), special game boards with numbers and mathematical operators printed on the board squares and novel game play. Example inventions in this realm include a game named 'Mathable' which has had some commercial success, and games with the following patent numbers, 'Maths Board Game' Czech Patent CZ33906U1, 'Mathematical Game Apparatus' British Patent GB2121692A and 'Mathematical Board Game' US Patent US5893718A. The latter was modified and launched as the game called 'Crossmath' in the United States. These are briefly reviewed here to describe the background to this invention. Mathable: Originally launched in 1987 (and as Mixmath in the US in 1996). It employs a Scrabble-like 14x14 square game board. It has 106 number tiles. At each turn players lay just one number tile, where the principle is that the tile played must be the result of imagining applying one of the four mathematical operators +, -, x, + to the two adjacent number tiles. This avoids the need for dedicated mathematical operator tiles. The 106 tile distribution includes the integers 1 through 10 (seven copies of each), zero (0) and thirty-five selected two-digit integers up to the number 90. It doesn't allow crossword style play of Scrabble given that only one tile is played each turn, and the maths is not too challenging. A video describes it here: htt p s: / / yqs.s1y, be / - P 4?~i by e Z5 k Maths Board Game: Maths Board Game is disclosed in Czech Patent CZ33906U1. It describes a game set in which there are tiles marked with indicia of the integers 1 through 10, plus many two-digit and three-digit integers (e.g. 34, 55, etc). These are supplemented by mathematical operator tiles +, -, x, +, -. Tiles are arranged on a table in such a way that strings of tiles depict numerical equations such as 1+5+7=13. There is no game board because, with the large number of tiles, it would be difficult to contain them. Compared to Mathable, this game does allow horizontal and vertical crossword style play of Scrabble, but its weaknesses are the need for many hundreds of tiles (instead of the 100 of Scrabble) and that play cannot fit on sensibly sized game board. Games have been launched which are similar to this, for instance Sum Fun, see here: Mathematical Game Apparatus: Mathematical Game Apparatus is disclosed in British Patent GB2121692A. The game is played with 138 game tiles, of which 54 are marked with indicia of the integers 1 through 9, and 84 tiles marked with indicia of the mathematical operators +, -, x, +. Game play takes place on a special 13x13 square game board where players use only two tiles each turn, an integer and a mathematical operator with the overall objective of making rows or columns equate to 21. Whilst the board size and number of tiles is similar to Scrabble, the game play is very different and quite simplistic. Mathematical Board Game: The closest game to mathematical Scrabble that the inventor has found is disclosed in the US Patent US5893718A, in which the game board is essentially almost identical to Scrabble with 15x15 squares and double and triple score squares. There are 100 tiles, each marked with indicia of the integers 0 through 9. In game play players lay tiles in the style of Scrabble to depict equations, for example 3+5=8 by using tiles marked with 3, 5 and 8; mathematical operators in the equation are spoken by the players and not depicted amongst the tiles or on the board. Crossmath: The drawings within US Patent US5893718A, Mathematical Board Game, make reference to the name Crossmath for the game. It appears Crossmath was launched as a slightly different game to US Patent US5893718A, a little less like Scrabble, and similar to Mathematical Game Apparatus in British Patent GB2121692A. See link: http.sV / www,mi.ndw.gre.orientaltr^^^ All the prior art, with exception of Mathematical Board Game in US Patent US5893718A, describe game sets which allow mathematical game play, but with compromises compared to familiar Scrabble, such as cumbersome game tile sets including two-digit integers, separate tiles marked with the mathematical operators (+, -, x, +, =) complicated game boards, or very simplistic mathematical play. They are simply less elegant than Scrabble, and they do not allow advanced mathematicians to show off their prowess, as does Scrabble with words. Mathematical Board Game in US Patent US5893718A has two main weaknesses. Firstly, the limitation of game tiles 0 through 9 to depict an equation without mathematical operators +, -, x, +, -. Secondly, the inability to clearly depict multi-digit integers. The absence of mathematical operators makes it challenging for players to experiment with composing equations with their tiles before their turns of game play. And both weaknesses make the reading of the crossword of equations on the board very difficult for players to decipher. It is an object of the present invention to overcome these limitations. The present invention can offer the familiar elegance and creativity of the game play of Scrabble, on a Scrabble board, but with numerical equations instead of the words of language. The present invention aims to facilitate game play which can both engage the maths novice and reward the advanced maths geek. It's important to note that the present invention is simply the invention of a new type of game tile. It is not dependent upon Scrabble, the Scrabble board or any of that game's intellectual property. Players of Scrabble may or may not choose to play with Mathematical Game Tiles on a Scrabble board with similar or quite different rules. 2. Summary of Invention The present invention is a Mathematical Game Tile, a plurality of which allows the depiction of numerical equations which could facilitate a mathematical equivalent of Scrabble to be played directly on a Scrabble board adopting similar and familiar game play of Scrabble. Each Mathematical Game Tile is marked with an indicium which is of one of the single digit integers 0 through 9 in a similar manner to how letters of the alphabet are marked on the games tiles of Scrabble. A single integer is marked on both faces of the tile. The Mathematical Game Tile contains two novel features. Firstly, each tile is two-sided, with visually different faces, for instance coloured white and green, to allow the depiction of single and multi-digit integers, 10,11, 12... and beyond. It works as follows: when used white side up the indicia are to be read as single-digit integers 0 through 9. But when used green side up, in combination with other tiles, they are to be read as multi-digit integers. For instance, the integer 218 'two hundred and eighteen' is depicted by placing three tiles 2, 1 and 8 next to each other, green side up. Secondly, each tile contains a built-in selectable mathematical operator indicator feature located on the lower right corner. On a physical tile this could be realised as a small octagonal prism which rotates on a tiny spindle, where the faces of the prism are marked with indicia of the mathematical operators. A player reads whichever mathematical operator is face up. This feature can be mechanically selected to display one of the mathematical operators +, -, x, +, -, K 'raise to the power of' or a blank space, meaning 'no operator'. In reading a row or column of tiles, this selectable mathematical operator indicator feature is to be read after the numerical indicium on the tile to which it is attached. This gives each tile the potential to depict both an integer and a mathematical operator. This feature allows for the depiction of equations as follows. For example, in order to depict the numerical equation 1+6=7 the three tiles 1, 6 and 7 are laid out, white side up, to indicate that each tile represents a single integer. The selectable mathematical operator indicator on the 1-tile is turned to + 'plus', that on the 6-tile turned to = 'equals' and that on the 7-tile turned to 'no operator'. To demonstrate the two novel features in combination, if one wanted to depict the numerical equation 2+63=218, this requires laying the tiles 2, 6, 3, white side up, then tiles 2,1, 8 green side up, with selectable mathematical operator indicators set as follows: the white 2-tile is set to + 'plus', the white 6-tile to A 'raise to the power of' and the white 3-tile to = 'equals'. The selectable mathematical operator indicators on the green 2,1, 8-tiles are set to 'no operator'. The equation would thus read 2+6A3=218. This invention could be realised as a physical tile made of a material such as plastic, or it could be realised as a digital playing piece in a digital version of a game. 3. Introduction to the Drawings The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1. is an illustration of a single game tile; Figure 2. is an illustration showing the reverse side of the game tile in Figure 1.; Figure 3. is an illustration showing a plurality of game tiles depicting single and multi-digit integers; Figure 4. is an illustration of the 8-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature of each game tile, shown close-up; Figure 5. is an illustration showing how a playerwould hold a tile with the thumbs and fingers to set the selectable mathematical operator indicator feature on a game tile; Figure 6. is an illustration of a game tile with the 8-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature set to each of its 8 positions; Figure 7. is an illustration of the alternative 6-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature of each game tile, shown close-up; Figure 8. is an illustration of a game tile with the alternative 6-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature set to each of its 6 positions; Figure 9. is an illustration showing a plurality of game tiles depicting numerical equations; Figures 10., 11. and 12. are illustrations showing a plurality of game tiles depicting numerical equations interconnecting during three turns of game play. 4. Detailed Description The present invention is a Mathematical Game Tile, a plurality of which allows the depiction of numerical equations which could facilitate a mathematical equivalent of Scrabble to be played directly on a Scrabble board adopting similar and familiar game play of Scrabble. Figures 1. & 2. Each game tile (1) of the present invention has a single numerical indicium (2), an integer from 0 through 9, marked on both faces of the tile, and a selectable mathematical operator indicator feature (3) located on the lower right corner, marked with indicia which are mathematical operators (4) +, -, x, +, -, K (raise to the power of) and two blank faces, signifying 'no operator'. The two faces of each tile are visually different, for example the backgrounds are coloured white (5) and green (6). Green is drawn with shaded hatching lines in the attached black and white figures. Figure 3. When facing white side up an individual tile depicts a single integer 0 through 9; this single tile (7) depicts the integer 7 'seven'. When multiple tiles are used green side up they depict the integers 10 and upwards; for instance the integer 72 'seventy-two' is depicted by placing two tiles 7 and 2 next to each other, green side up (8); for instance the integer 218 'two hundred and eighteen' is depicted by placing three tiles 2,1 and 8 next to each other, green side up (9). Figures 4. & 5. The selectable mathematical operator indicator feature (3) is an octagonal prism (10) which is connected to the body of the tile (11) by a small slim spindle (12) which passes through a cylindrical hole (13) between the centre points of the octagonal faces. The selectable mathematical operator indicator feature (3) rotates freely on the spindle (12), but with enough friction that the uppermost rectangular face of the prism (14) can be selected during game play by a player using their thumb (15) and fingers (16) to hold the tile and perform a rotation (17). Figure 6. The selectable mathematical operator indicator feature (3) has eight positions to which it can be set, where in each position one of the eight rectangular faces of the octagonal prism is uppermost and flush with the face of the tile, and the mathematical operator indicium marked on that rectangular face is then fully visible and may be read in conjunction with the single integer indicium 0 through 9 (2) on the face of the tile. The eight rectangular faces of the octagonal prism are marked with indicia as follows: six faces carry an indicium which is one of six mathematical operators and two are left blank. The six mathematical operators are + 'plus' (18), - 'minus' (19), x 'times' or 'multiplied by' (20), + 'divided by' (21), A 'raise to the power of' (22), - 'equals' (23) and the two left blank signify 'no operator' (24, 25). An instance of needing to use 'no operator' is when depicting the integer 218 by placing three tiles 2,1 and 8 next to each other, green side up (9). Tiles with indicia 2 and 1 require the selectable mathematical operator indicator feature to be set to blanks (24), meaning 'no operator', so that together those three tiles are read as 218 'two hundred and eighteen'. The setting of the mathematical operator indicator on the 8-tile depends on what, if any, tiles follow it in an equation. Figures 7. & 8. A simpler alternative to the eight-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature (3) is a six-position version which is a hexagonal prism (26) whose six rectangular faces (14) carry an indicium which is one of five mathematical operators + 'plus' (18), - 'minus' (19), x 'times' or 'multiplied by' (20), +• 'divided by' (21), = 'equals' (23) and one blank position which signifies 'no operator' (24). This simpler six-position selectable mathematical operator indicator feature may be appropriate for novices or less mathematically advanced game play as it omits the A 'raise to the power of' operator. Together these features allow tiles to be used to depict numerical equations in the following manner. Figure 9. For example, in order to depict the numerical equation 1+6=7 the tiles 1, 6 and 7 are laid, white side up, to indicate that each tile represents a single integer. The selectable mathematical operator indicator on the 1-tile is turned to + 'plus' (18), that on the 6-tile turned to = 'equals' (23) and that on the 7-tile turned to 'no operator' (24). As another example, in order to depict the numerical equation 12x6=72, the tiles 1 and 2 are laid green side up to depict the integer 12 'twelve', turning the selectable mathematical operator indicator on the 1-tile to 'no operator' (24) and on the 2-tile to x 'times' (20). Next is laid the 6-tile white side up to depict the integer 6, and its selectable mathematical operator indicator is set to = 'equals' (23). Next are laid the 7-tile and 2-tile, green side up with both selectable mathematical operator indicators set to 'no operator' (24), depicting the integer 72 'seventy-two'. The tiles allow much more complex numerical equations to be depicted. A more complex example would be to use six tiles to depict the numerical equation 2+63=218. This requires laying the tiles 2, 6, 3, white side up, and tiles 2,1, 8 green side up, with selectable mathematical operator indicators set as follows: the white 2-tile is set to + 'plus' (18), the white 6-tile to A 'raise to the power of' (22) and the white 3-tile to = 'equals' (23). The selectable mathematical operator indicators on the green 2,1, 8-tiles are set to 'no operator' (24). The equation would thus read 2+6A3=218. Figures 10., 11. & 12. The ultimate purpose of the present invention is revealed in the illustration of how the three equations described above 1+6=7,12x6=72 and 2+63=218 could be played as three separate turns in a game, where a player's turn comprises laying one numerical equation horizontally or vertically, and where players are always required to lay tiles such that they connect vertically or horizontally with tiles laid in previous turns of the game, by including or building upon tiles already laid without moving or removing them, as in Scrabble. The tiles as laid in Figures 10., 11. and 12. have resulted from three separate turns as follows. In the first turn [Figure 10.] a player laid 1+6=7 horizontally using the 1, 6 and 7-tiles (27) from their hand of tiles. In the second turn [Figure 11.] a player laid 12x6=72 vertically (28) by laying four tiles from their hand: the green 1 and 2-tiles above the existing 6-tile, followed by the green 7 and 2-tiles beneath it. In the third turn [Figure 12.] a player laid 2+63=218 horizontally (29), by laying five tiles from their hand: the 2, 6 and 3-tiles in front of the lower green 2-tile, followed by the 1 and 8-tiles. Figures 10., 11. and 12. also illustrate why in the present invention the selectable mathematical operator indicator feature is positioned in the lower right-hand corner of the tiles to facilitate reading of the equations depicted. It could theoretically be positioned on the right-hand edge or upper right corner, but this would less readily facilitate reading from left to right and top to bottom. In conclusion to this detailed description, the inventor notes that the selectable mathematical operator indicator feature could have different numbers of faces, N, to the eight-face and six-face versions described here. An N=4 execution would only have room for three operators '+', and blank 'no operator' which would restrict game play. If N=10 or greater it might be fiddly to play with on a small physical tile. The inventor notes that further mathematical operators could be added for fiendishly challenging play, such as 'raise to the power of 1 / x', [Al / x] but this would be printed small on a physical tile. The inventor also notes that negative integers could be included in sets of game tiles. Furthermore, the integers on the white and green sides of a tile need not necessarily be the same. But for simplicity of illustration only positive integer examples have been shown to describe the invention. This invention could be realised as a physical tile made of a material such as plastic, or it could be realised as a digital playing piece in a digital version of a game. In digital form, the expansion of N faces and more complex operators is perhaps more feasible. The inventor also notes that the method of game play, rules and scoring would not necessarily constitute inventions and are intentionally omitted from this patent specification. The invention of the Mathematical Game Tile itself opens up opportunities for numerous games and game play-

Claims

105. Claims1. A type of game tile which in plurality can depict numerical equations, such as 12x6=72 and 2+63=218, when arranged next to each other in a row or column, comprising a single numerical indicium of one of the integers from 0 through 9 on both sides of the tile, a means for depicting single and multi-digit integers, and a means for depicting mathematical operators which connect the integers.

2. A type of game tile according to claim 1 in which the means for depicting single and multidigit integers is provided by two visually different sides, whereby one side denotes that the numerical indicium on the tile is to be read as a single digit integer, and the reverse side denotes that a group of two of more tiles are to be read together as a multi-digit integer.

3. A type of game tile according to claim 1 in which the means for depicting mathematical operators is provided by a selectable indicator built within the tile which can be selected to display a mathematical operator, or no operator, to be read in conjunction with the integer of the tile to which it is attached.

4. A type of game tile according to claim 3 in which the selectable indicator built within the tile is a small rotating prism mounted on a spindle at one corner whose rectangular faces are marked with the indicia +, -, x, +, -, K and other operators as required, and at least one blank face signifying 'no operator'.

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