Chess equipment

Abstract

Disclosed is a chess device, comprising: a chessboard capable of forming a plurality of squares; the falling position selection unit is configured to select one of the squares, and the selected squares are called the selected squares; the control module is configured to be in communication connection with the chess falling position selection unit; wherein the chess falling position selection unit comprises a fixed part and a rotating ring, and the rotating ring is configured to be capable of rotating between at least two rotating positions relative to the fixed part so as to select one of the chess grids; wherein at least one part of the rotating ring is arranged around the chessboard; and / or the chess equipment comprises a main body, and at least one part of the rotating ring is arranged around at least one part of the main body or is arranged on the end part of the main body.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of educational game devices, and more particularly to a board game device. Background Art

[0002] Traditional board game devices, such as reversi, rely on a physical board, physical game pieces, and manually moving the physical game pieces for operation, which have many problems. First, the physical game pieces are very easy to lose, extremely inconvenient to carry around, and because the game requires certain venue conditions, the game cannot be played anytime and anywhere. Second, traditional board game devices do not have any human-computer interaction function, making players easily feel bored and unable to maintain their long-term interest. Also, when choosing a position to place a game piece, it completely depends on the user's eyesight and mental judgment, and the board game device itself cannot provide any interactive assistance. These problems have all led to a poor user experience and low satisfaction.

[0003] Therefore, there is a need to propose a new board game device that can overcome the problems of the prior art and bring other advantages. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To this end, the present disclosure proposes a board game device. According to one embodiment, the board game device includes:

[0005] A board that can form a plurality of chess squares;

[0006] A chess piece placement position selection unit configured to select one of the chess squares, and the selected chess square is referred to as the selected chess square; and

[0007] A control module configured to be communicatively connected to the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0008] Wherein, the chess piece placement position selection unit includes a fixed part and a rotating ring, and the rotating ring is configured to be able to rotate between at least two rotating positions relative to the fixed part to select one of the chess squares;

[0009] Wherein:

[0010] At least a part of the rotating ring is disposed around the board; and / or

[0011] The board game device includes a main body, and at least a part of the rotating ring is disposed around at least a part of the main body or disposed at an end of the main body.

[0012] According to various embodiments, the board game device proposed by the present disclosure may include one or more of the following further developments.

[0013] According to some embodiments, the rotating ring is configured to be able to rotate relative to the fixed part about a rotation axis to select one of a plurality of rotating positions, thereby correspondingly selecting one of the chess squares.

[0014] According to some embodiments, one of the rotating ring and the fixed part is provided with a first mating surface and a plurality of first mating parts arranged on the first mating surface, and each first mating part corresponds to one of the plurality of rotational positions; the other of the rotating ring and the fixed part is provided with a second mating part, and the second mating part is arranged to cooperate with the plurality of first mating parts to position the rotating ring at each of the rotational positions.

[0015] According to some embodiments, the first mating part is a groove, and the groove is configured to receive at least a part of the second mating part to position the rotating ring at the corresponding rotational position.

[0016] According to some embodiments, when the second mating part is arranged such that at least a part of the second mating part enters the groove from outside the groove as the rotating ring rotates relative to the fixed part, at least a part of the second mating part contacts and impacts the bottom and / or side wall of the groove.

[0017] According to some embodiments, two circumferential end faces of the groove are arranged as inclined surfaces that converge towards each other from the opening side to the bottom side of the groove.

[0018] According to some embodiments, the second mating part is arranged on the fixed part and includes an elastic member connected to the fixed part.

[0019] According to some embodiments, the first mating surface is arranged on the rotating ring, and the elastic member is arranged such that when the elastic member is opposite to other parts of the first mating surface except the groove, at least a part of the elastic member abuts against the first mating surface to compress the elastic member; when the elastic member is opposite to the groove, at least a part of the elastic member extends to release elastic force and enters the groove to position the rotating ring at the corresponding rotational position.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the elastic member includes a leaf spring, the leaf spring includes a positioning part and a connecting part, the connecting part is connected to the fixed part, and the positioning part is arranged to be able to: abut against the first mating surface to compress the leaf spring; and enter the groove to position the rotating ring at the corresponding rotational position.

[0021] According to some embodiments, the positioning part is arranged to have a U-shaped structure and includes a base and a first leg and a second leg extending from the base; the connecting part includes a first connecting leg and a second connecting leg connected to the fixed part; wherein, the first connecting leg is connected to the first leg, and the second connecting leg is connected to the second leg.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the first connecting leg and the second connecting leg extend away from each other starting from a connecting portion respectively connected to the first leg and the second leg.

[0023] According to some embodiments, the second mating portion is a positioning member that mates with the elastic member; the second mating portion is configured such that when it faces other portions of the first mating surface except the groove, the positioning member abuts against the first mating surface so that the elastic member is compressed; when it faces the groove, the elastic member extends to release elastic stress and biases the positioning member into the groove, thereby positioning the rotating ring at a corresponding rotational position.

[0024] According to some embodiments, the positioning member is a ball; the elastic member is a reed, and a recess is provided on the reed; wherein, the maximum cross-sectional area of the recess is smaller than the maximum cross-sectional area of the cylinder, so that at least a part of the ball is seated in the recess, and the ball is configured to be able to roll in the recess.

[0025] According to some embodiments, the plurality of first mating portions are uniformly distributed in a ring around the rotation axis.

[0026] According to some embodiments, a groove is provided on an outer surface of the rotating ring.

[0027] According to some embodiments, the outer surface of the rotating ring includes a first surface and a second surface that extend transversely relative to each other, and the groove is provided on the first surface and / or the second surface.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the chessboard is inscribed in the rotating ring.

[0029] According to some embodiments, the chess game device includes a circular cover plate, the chessboard forms at least a part of the circular cover plate, and at least a part of the rotating ring surrounds the circular cover plate.

[0030] According to some embodiments, the main body includes a cylindrical portion, and at least a part of the rotating ring surrounds the cylindrical portion.

[0031] According to some embodiments, the chess piece dropping position selection unit includes an induction component, and the induction component is configured to generate a rotational position induction signal when the rotating ring switches between the plurality of rotational positions, and the rotational position induction signal can be communicated to the control module.

[0032] According to some embodiments, the induction component includes a second induction member that is fixedly arranged and a first induction member that is integrally rotated with the rotating ring, and the first induction member and the second induction member can mutually induce to generate the rotational position induction signal.

[0033] According to some embodiments, the rotating ring is configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed part in opposite first and second circumferential directions to select one of the plurality of rotational positions.

[0034] According to some embodiments, the sensing assembly is configured to sense the direction of rotation of the rotating ring relative to the fixed part.

[0035] According to some embodiments, the first sensing element includes a plurality of magnets; the second sensing element includes a Hall sensor, and the Hall sensor is arranged to be communicatively connected to the control module.

[0036] According to some embodiments, magnet receiving grooves for receiving corresponding magnets are provided on the rotating ring.

[0037] According to some embodiments, the first mating surface includes a plurality of tooth portions, and the plurality of tooth portions and the plurality of grooves are alternately arranged; the magnet receiving grooves are provided at the tooth portions.

[0038] According to some embodiments, the fixed part is arranged radially inside the first mating surface of the rotating ring; the first mating surface is the radially facing surface of the rotating ring.

[0039] According to some embodiments, the magnet receiving grooves are provided on the axially facing surface of the rotating ring.

[0040] According to some embodiments, the first sensing element includes a plurality of first light sensing portions and a plurality of second light sensing portions, and the plurality of first light sensing portions and the plurality of second light sensing portions are alternately arranged; the second sensing element includes an optical encoder, and the optical encoder is configured to sense the plurality of first light sensing portions and the plurality of second light sensing portions and is configured to be communicatively connected to the control module.

[0041] According to some embodiments, one of the first light sensing portion and the second light sensing portion is a white light sensing portion, and the other is a black light sensing portion.

[0042] According to some embodiments, the plurality of first light sensing portions and the plurality of second light sensing portions are provided on the axially facing surface of the rotating ring that is radially and / or axially offset from the first mating surface; or

[0043] the plurality of first light sensing portions and the plurality of second light sensing portions are provided on the first axially facing surface of the rotating ring, and the first mating surface is provided on the second axially facing surface of the rotating ring that is axially opposite to the first axially facing surface; or

[0044] The first mating surface is disposed on one of the radial facing surface and the axial facing surface of the rotating ring, and the plurality of first light sensing portions and the plurality of second light sensing portions are disposed on the other of the radial facing surface and the axial facing surface of the rotating ring.

[0045] According to some embodiments, the board game device is a flipping chess.

[0046] According to some embodiments, the board game device further includes a display module, the display module includes a chess grid display unit corresponding to each chess grid, and the chess grid display unit is configured to have a lit state and an extinguished state and be able to provide indication information about the state of the corresponding chess grid.

[0047] According to some embodiments, the control module is communicatively connected to the display module, and the control module is configured to be able to control the display module in response to an operation of the chess piece dropping position selection unit, so that the chess grid display unit corresponding to the selected chess grid provides selection indication information.

[0048] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to control the display module based on the generation or reception of the rotation position sensing signal, so that the chess grid display unit corresponding to the selected chess grid provides the selection indication information.

[0049] According to some embodiments, the plurality of chess grids include selectable chess grids, and the chess grid selected by the chess piece dropping position selection unit is one of the selectable chess grids. Wherein, the chess grid display unit is further configured to be able to provide selectable indication information in the lit state to indicate that the corresponding chess grid is a selectable chess grid.

[0050] According to some embodiments, the selectable chess grids include the selected chess grid and the remaining selectable chess grids other than the selected chess grid; the selectable indication information includes first selectable indication information indicating the selected chess grid and second selectable indication information indicating the remaining selectable chess grids, wherein the first selectable indication information is different from the second selectable indication information.

[0051] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to control the display module when the chess piece dropping position selection unit operates to select the selected chess grid, and the chess grid display unit corresponding to the selected chess grid is converted from displaying the second selectable indication information to displaying the first selectable indication information.

[0052] According to some embodiments, the control module is configured to control the display module based on the generation or reception of the rotation position sensing signal, so that the chess grid display unit corresponding to the selected chess grid is converted from displaying the second selectable indication information to displaying the first selectable indication information.

[0053] According to some embodiments, the chess squares that can be selected by the chess piece placement position selection unit in a game step are called selectable chess squares. The chess device includes a plurality of selectable chess squares, and the plurality of selectable chess squares have a first sorting and a second sorting, and the second sorting is the inversion of the first sorting. Wherein, the chess piece placement position selection unit is configured to, in a game step: when the rotating ring rotates along the first circumferential direction to pass through at least one of the plurality of rotation positions and select one of the plurality of rotation positions, traverse at least one of the plurality of selectable chess squares according to the first sorting and select the corresponding selectable chess square; when the rotating ring rotates along the second circumferential direction to pass through at least one of the plurality of rotation positions and select one of the plurality of rotation positions, traverse at least one of the plurality of selectable chess squares according to the second sorting and select the corresponding selectable chess square.

[0054] According to some embodiments, the plurality of chess squares include first-party enabled chess squares and second-party enabled chess squares; the chess device further includes an advantage and disadvantage indication module, and the advantage and disadvantage indication module is configured to provide advantage and disadvantage information indicating the advantage and disadvantage between the number of currently first-party enabled chess squares and the number of second-party enabled chess squares.

[0055] According to some embodiments, the advantage and disadvantage indication module includes an indicator light assembly, and the indicator light assembly includes a plurality of indicator light units, and each of the indicator light units is called a lamp bead.

[0056] According to some embodiments, during the game of the chess device, the plurality of lamp beads of the indicator light assembly include first-state lamp beads in a first state and second-state lamp beads in a second state, and the second state is different from the first state;

[0057] Wherein, the indicator light assembly is configured to provide the advantage and disadvantage information through at least one of the following:

[0058] The number of the first-state lamp beads and the number of the second-state lamp beads;

[0059] The proportion of the number of the first-state lamp beads in the plurality of lamp beads, and / or the proportion of the number of the second-state lamp beads in the plurality of lamp beads;

[0060] The ratio of the area occupied by the first-state lamp beads to the total area of the indicator light assembly, and / or the ratio of the area occupied by the second-state lamp beads to the total area of the indicator light assembly.

[0061] According to some embodiments, the indicator light assembly is arranged as a closed light strip and is radially located between at least a part of the rotating ring and the chessboard.

[0062] According to some embodiments, the board game device includes a circular cover plate, the chessboard forms at least a part of the circular cover plate, at least a part of the rotating ring surrounds the circular cover plate, and the light strip is radially located between at least a part of the rotating ring and the cover plate.

[0063] According to some embodiments, the rotating ring, the light strip, and the cover plate all have a circular shape, at least a part of the cover plate, the light strip, and the rotating ring are arranged one after another in the radial direction, and the at least a part of the rotating ring is arranged on the outermost side in the radial direction.

[0064] According to some embodiments, the light strip is arranged axially inside at least a part of the rotating ring, and the at least a part of the rotating ring is light-transmissive. Description of the Drawings

[0065] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings required to be used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the following drawings only show some embodiments of the present disclosure, and therefore should not be regarded as limiting the scope. For those of ordinary skill in the art, other related drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative efforts. In the drawings:

[0066] Figure 1 is a perspective schematic view of a board game device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0067] Figure 2 is a perspective schematic view of a board game device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0068] Figure 3 is a partially exploded perspective schematic view of a board game device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0069] Figure 4 is an exploded perspective schematic view of a board game device according to an exemplary embodiment;

[0070] Figures 5 - 7 Schematically shows a plan view of a board game device according to a first variant, showing the chess squares and the first chess piece placement position confirmation unit, and showing an exemplary flipping process;

[0071] Figure 8 Shows the main body, mode switching member, control module, chess square display unit, and indicator light assembly of the board game device in a perspective schematic view;

[0072] Figures 9 - 13 Schematically shows the flipping process of a game step, where Figures 9 - 10 shows the state before the flipping process starts, Figures 11 - 12 shows the state during the flipping, Figure 13Shows the state after the flip is completed;

[0073] Figure 14 Shows the next game step automatically generated from Figure 13 the next game step automatically generated;

[0074] Figures 15 - 18 Shows the power-on state of different embodiments;

[0075] Figures 19 - 20 Shows an exemplary structure of the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0076] Figures 21 - 22 Shows another exemplary structure of the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0077] Figure 23 Shows yet another exemplary structure of the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0078] Figures 24 - 26 Shows an exemplary structure of the sensing component of the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0079] Figures 27 - 28 Shows another exemplary structure of the sensing component of the chess piece placement position selection unit;

[0080] Figures 29 - 30 Shows a cross-sectional view of the chess device according to each exemplary embodiment.

[0081] List of reference numerals

[0082] 10 Chess device

[0083] 11 First occupied point

[0084] 12 Second occupied point

[0085] 13 Third occupied point

[0086] 14 Fourth occupied point

[0087] 20 Main body

[0088] 21 Bottom wall

[0089] 22 Peripheral wall

[0090] 23 Accommodation cavity

[0091] 30 Cover plate

[0092] 40 Mode switching member

[0093] 100 Chessboard

[0094] 100a Chess grid area

[0095] 110 Chess grid

[0096] 110a Enabled checkerboard, occupied checkerboard

[0097] 110a1 First-party enabled checkerboard

[0098] 110a2 Second-party enabled checkerboard

[0099] 110b Non-enabled checkerboard, non-occupied checkerboard

[0100] 110b1 Optional checkerboard

[0101] 110b2 Non-optional checkerboard

[0102] 110c Selected checkerboard

[0103] 300 Display module

[0104] 310 Checkerboard display unit

[0105] 400 Control module

[0106] 410 Circuit board

[0107] 500, 700 User input unit

[0108] 600 Chess piece placement position selection unit

[0109] 610 Fixing part

[0110] 611 Leaf spring

[0111] 6111 Positioning part

[0112] 61110 Base part

[0113] 61111 First leg

[0114] 61112 Second leg

[0115] 6112 Connecting part

[0116] 61121 First connecting leg part

[0117] 61122 Second connecting leg part

[0118] 612 Elastic part

[0119] 6121 Concave part

[0120] 613 Positioning piece

[0121] 620 Rotating ring

[0122] 621 First rotating ring part

[0123] 622 First rotating ring part

[0124] 623 First mating surface

[0125] 624 First mating part, groove

[0126] 625 Tooth part

[0127] 626 Outer surface

[0128] 6261 First surface, outer axial surface

[0129] 6262 Second surface

[0130] 6263 Roughness increasing structure

[0131] 627 Outer axial end plate

[0132] 6311 Magnet

[0133] 6312 First light sensing part

[0134] 6313 Second light sensing part

[0135] 6321 Hall sensor

[0136] 6322 Photoelectric encoder

[0137] 800 Indicator light assembly, light strip

[0138] 810 Indicator light unit, lamp bead

[0139] 811 First status lamp bead

[0140] 812 Second status lamp bead

[0141] 820 Indicator light assembly cover

[0142] 821 Lamp bead light transmissive part

[0143] 822 Lamp bead light blocking part

[0144] 900 Battery module

[0145] X1 First axis

[0146] X2 Second axis Detailed implementation manner

[0147] Next, the chess device 10 according to the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. To make the purpose, technical solutions, and advantages of the present disclosure clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present disclosure will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present disclosure. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present disclosure, rather than all of the embodiments.

[0148] Accordingly, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the claimed present disclosure, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present disclosure. All other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art based on the embodiments in the present disclosure without creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present disclosure.

[0149] Unless otherwise defined in the context, the singular forms include the plural forms. Throughout the specification, the terms "comprising", "having", etc. are used herein to specify the presence of the described features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, numbers, steps, operations, elements, components or combinations thereof.

[0150] In addition, even though ordinal terms such as "first", "second", etc. may be used to describe various components, these components are not limited by these terms, and these terms are only used to distinguish one element from other elements. For example, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure, the first component may be referred to as the second component, and similarly, the second component may be referred to as the first component.

[0151] In the description of the present invention, it should be understood that the orientation or positional relationship indicated by the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "inner", "outer", etc. is based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship in which the disclosed product is customarily placed during use, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly understood by those skilled in the art. It is only for the convenience of describing the present disclosure and simplifying the description, rather than indicating or implying that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and thus should not be construed as a limitation of the present disclosure.

[0152] The present disclosure provides a chess device 10. According to one embodiment, as Figures 1 - 4, 25, 29 - 30 schematically show that the board game device 10 includes a chessboard 100, and the chessboard 100 can form a plurality of chess squares 110. According to some embodiments, there is a chess square division structure on or within the chessboard 100, such as grooves or ridges or flat lines or lines engraved inside the chessboard 100 by laser to form the chess square division structure, and the chessboard 100 is divided into a plurality of chess squares 110 via the chess square division structure. Alternatively or additionally, the chessboard 100 can form a plurality of chess squares 110 by being projected or irradiated by other components. According to an exemplary embodiment, the board game device 10 further includes a main body 20, and the chessboard 100 is supported by the main body 20 or mounted on the main body 20. More specifically, the main body 20 can be provided with a receiving cavity 23, and other components of the board game device 10, such as a battery module 900, can be accommodated in the receiving cavity 23. According to an exemplary embodiment, the chessboard 100 constitutes at least a part of a cover plate 30 that closes the opening of the receiving cavity 23.

[0153] In some embodiments, as Figures 2 - 7 , 9, 11 - 17 show, the plurality of chess squares 110 on the chessboard 100 are arranged in an array. In one embodiment, the plurality of chess squares 110 on the chessboard 100 are arranged in a rectangular array, and more specifically, arranged in a plurality of rows and / or a plurality of columns. According to an exemplary embodiment, the chessboard 100 is an 8×8 rectangular array. In one embodiment, the plurality of chess squares 110 on the chessboard 100 are arranged in a square array; more specifically, the plurality of chess squares 110 are arranged in multiple rows and multiple columns. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 has a regular overall shape. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 has a circular, oval, oblong or rectangular shape. According to some embodiments, the entire board game device 10 can be cylindrical, such as cylindrical or prismatic.

[0154] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4 , 10 - 30 schematically show that the board game device 10 may further include a chess piece dropping position selection unit 600, and the chess piece dropping position selection unit 600 is configured to select one of the chess squares 110. More specifically, the chess piece dropping position selection unit 600 is configured to be able to perform a selection operation to select one of the chess squares 110 for "dropping a chess piece", and the selected chess square can be referred to as "the selected chess square 110c". More specifically, in the current game step, the chess piece dropping position selection unit 600 can be operated by the chess player to select at which chess square to "drop a chess piece". According to some embodiments, the chess piece dropping position selection unit 600 can generate a selection induction signal when performing the selection operation. More specifically, the generation of the selection induction signal indicates the occurrence of the selection operation and the selection of the selected chess square 110c.

[0155] According to some embodiments, as Figures 3 - 4, 8, 10, 18, 24-30 schematically show that the chess device 10 further includes a control module 400, and the control module 400 is configured to be in communication connection with the chess position selection unit 600. According to some embodiments, the selection sensing signal may be communicated to the control module 400.

[0156] According to some embodiments, the chess device 10 is configured to automatically switch between game steps during a game session. More specifically, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 is configured to operate the conversion module in the current game step to convert the selected chess square and the associated opponent's enabled chess square into the current party's enabled chess square, and then immediately or after a period of time, the chess device 10 enters the next game step.

[0157] According to some embodiments, Figures 5 - 7 As shown in Figures 9, 11-17, the plurality of chess squares 110 of the chess device 10 are divided into occupied chess squares 110a (also called enabled chess squares 110a) and unoccupied chess squares 110b (also called unenabled chess squares 110b) according to their status. The occupied chess squares 110a are chess squares in an occupied state or an enabled state, more specifically, the occupied chess squares 110a are chess squares on which chess pieces have been "placed", and the unoccupied chess squares 110b are chess squares in an unoccupied state or an unenabled state, more specifically, the unoccupied chess squares 110b are chess squares on which chess pieces have not yet been placed. It should be noted that in the sense of this article, the expressions "occupied" and "enabled" can be replaced with each other indiscriminately, and the expressions "unoccupied" and "unenabled" can be replaced with each other indiscriminately.

[0158] According to some embodiments, the chess position selection unit 600 is configured to select one chess piece from the non-occupied chess squares 110b for chess placement. More specifically, the chess position selection unit 600 is configured so that its selection operation is only performed on the non-occupied chess squares 110b, and is invalid for the occupied chess squares 110a. In other words, in the game steps of the game link, the chess position selection unit 600 is configured to only "access" or select the non-occupied chess squares 110b when performing the selection operation, and cannot "access" or select the occupied chess squares 110a. More specifically, the occupied chess square 110a is not the selection object of the chess position selection unit 600, so the operation of the chess position selection unit 600 will avoid all enabled chess squares 110a, and only select one chess square within the range of the non-enabled chess squares 110b. This allows the selection operation performed by the user through the chess position selection unit 600 to be more targeted, save unnecessary steps, speed up the progress of the game, and will not make the user feel bored due to the cumbersome selection operation.

[0159] According to some embodiments, Figure 9 , 14-17 schematically shows that the non-enabled chess squares 110b include optional chess squares 110b1. More specifically, in the current game step of the game session, the non-enabled chess squares 110b may include optional chess squares 110b1 and non-optional chess squares 110b2. The optional chess squares 110b1 are non-enabled chess squares 110b that can be selected by the current side to place a chess piece in the current game step, and more specifically can be transformed into the enabled chess squares of the current side. Even more specifically, the non-optional chess squares 110b2 are chess squares that cannot be selected for placing a chess piece in the current game step. According to some embodiments, the chess piece placement position selection unit 600 is configured to select one of the optional chess squares 110b1 for placing a chess piece. According to some embodiments, when the chess piece placement position selection unit 600 performs the selection operation, it can only "access" or select the optional chess squares 110b1 among the non-enabled chess squares 110b, and cannot "access" or select the enabled chess squares 110a in the enabled state and the non-optional chess squares 110b2 among the non-enabled chess squares 110b. Even more specifically, the enabled chess squares 110a and the non-optional chess squares 110b2 are not the selection objects of the chess piece placement position selection unit 600. Therefore, the operation of the chess piece placement position selection unit 600 will avoid all the enabled chess squares 110a and all the non-optional chess squares 110b2, and only traverse at least one of the optional chess squares 110b1 within the range of the optional chess squares 110b1 to select the selected chess square. This further facilitates the user's selection operation, eliminates the user's invalid operations, enhances the user's concentration and interest, and helps to speed up the progress of the game.

[0160] According to some embodiments, in the corresponding game session, the enabled chess squares 110a include the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 and the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 in the enabled state. According to some embodiments, the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 belong to the first party among the two playing parties of the chess device 10, and the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 belong to the second party among the two playing parties. According to an exemplary embodiment, each optional chess square 110b1 is determined by the layout or distribution of the associated first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 and the associated second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 on the chessboard 100 in the current game step. Even more specifically, the optional chess squares 110b1 are variable in different game steps of a game session.

[0161] According to some embodiments, the game modes of the board game device 10 include at least one of a single-player game mode and a two-player game mode. The single-player game mode is also known as the human-machine confrontation mode, and the two-player game mode is also known as the human-human confrontation mode. In the sense of this article, in the single-player game mode, the "first party" or "first chess-playing party" is one of a human and a machine (i.e., the board game device 10 itself), and the "second party" or "second chess-playing party" is the other of the human and the machine; in the two-player game mode, the "first party" or "first chess-playing party" is one of the two players in the confrontation, and the "second party" or "second chess-playing party" is the other of the two players in the confrontation. In the sense of this article, the "current party" is the party that is due to move a chess piece or play a chess move or place a chess piece or perform a related operation in the corresponding game step. In the sense of this article, a "game session" is "one game" or "one round" or "one time" of the game, which may correspond to multiple rounds of alternating operations of the two parties in the confrontation from the start to the end of the game, and a "game step" includes a chess move or a chess play or a placement of a chess piece or a performance of a related operation by one of the parties.

[0162] Display module 300

[0163] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 、 8 shown in FIGS. 10, 18, 24, 25, and 29-30, the board game device 10 further includes a display module 300. The display module 300 may include a chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to each chess grid 110. Each chess grid display unit 310 may be configured to have a lit state and an extinguished state and be capable of providing indication information about the state of the corresponding chess grid 110. According to some embodiments, the display module 300 may be configured to enable the chess grid display unit 310 to display first enabling indication information to indicate that the first party enables the chess grid 110a1, and display second enabling indication information to indicate that the second party enables the chess grid 110a2. The first enabling indication information is different from the second enabling indication information, thereby indicating the corresponding state of the corresponding chess grid. As Figures 5 - 7 shown in FIGS. 9-18, the first enabling indication information is marked with a purple ①, and the second enabling indication information is marked with a yellow ②. According to some embodiments, the display module 300 is configured to synchronously change the state or display information of the corresponding chess grid display unit 310 as the game progresses. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is communicatively connected to the display module 300 to be able to control the operation of the display module 300.

[0164] According to some embodiments, the material forming at least each chess grid 110a of the chessboard 100 is formed of a light-transmitting material so as to be able to display the indication information displayed by the chess grid display unit 310. The setting of the display module 300 allows for enhanced human-computer interactivity and fun, and can provide a clear and intuitive indication of the current game state to enhance the user's interest. According to one embodiment, the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the non-selectable chess grid 110b2 in the non-enabled chess grid 110b is in an off state to indicate a non-enabled state. The setting of the display module 300 allows for enhanced human-computer interactivity, and also allows for the elimination of physical chess pieces, allowing the user to conveniently use the chess device 10 in any location.

[0165] According to some embodiments, the chessboard display unit 310 is configured to have different lighting states to indicate the corresponding states of the corresponding chessboard 110. Exemplarily but not exclusively, the chessboard display unit 310 is configured to display the states of the corresponding chessboard 110 by displaying at least one of brightness, color, pattern, text, letter, number, and flashing mode in the lighting state. More specifically, the chessboard display units 310 can be controlled independently of each other. Figure 4 , 8 , 10 , 18 , 24 , 25 and 29 - 30 , according to an exemplary embodiment, the chessboard display unit 310 includes an LED lamp, for example, the LED lamp is directly disposed on the circuit board 410 of the control module 400 .

[0166] According to some embodiments, Figures 9 - 18 Schematically, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 is configured to control the display module 300 in response to the selection operation of the chess position selection unit 600, more specifically, in response to the generation or reception of the selection sensing signal, so that the chess square display unit 310 corresponding to the selected chess square 110c can display or provide selection indication information (for example, using Figure 9 , 14 -17 is marked with a dark blue mark ④) to indicate that the chess square is the selected chess square 110c, for example, the chess square display unit 310 can display selection indication information to indicate the selected chess square 110c, more specifically, the chess square display unit 310 can switch from another state to display selection indication information, and the selection indication information can indicate that the chess square is the selected chess square 110c, thereby indicating the currently selected chess square in an intuitive manner, enhancing human-computer interaction and user-friendliness. Exemplarily, the "other state" may include an off state, or other lighting states different from the state indicating the selection indication information. More specifically, the selection indication information is different from the above-mentioned first activation indication information and the second activation indication information.

[0167] According to some embodiments, Figures 9 - 10, FIGS. 14-18 schematically show that the chess grid display unit 310 is configured to be able to provide optional indication information (such as Figure 9 , 14 -18 shown in light blue marked with ③) to indicate that the corresponding chess grid is an optional chess grid 110b1, that is, the chess grid that can be selected by the chess placement position selection unit 600 for placing a chess piece in the current game step. More specifically, the control module 400 is configured to control the corresponding chess grid display unit 310 of the display module 300 to display or provide optional indication information at the beginning of each game step to indicate all the optional chess grids 110b1 that can be selected for placing a chess piece in the current game step. More specifically, the optional indication information is different from the above-mentioned first enabled indication information and second enabled indication information. The optional indication information allows the user to quickly identify the chess grids that can be selected for placing a chess piece in the current game step, assists the chess player to quickly lock the positions where a chess piece can be placed, reduces the game difficulty and the entry threshold, and is beneficial to accelerating the game process, enhancing the human-computer interaction and the game interest.

[0168] According to some embodiments, the optional chess grid 110b1 includes the currently selected chess grid 110c and the remaining optional chess grids 110b1, and the optional indication information may include first optional indication information (such as Figures 9 - 10 , 14-18 marked with dark blue marked with ④) indicating the selected chess grid 110c and second optional indication information (such as Figures 9 - 10 , 14-18 marked with light blue marked with ③) indicating the remaining optional chess grids 110b1, where the first optional indication information is different from the second optional indication information. Through the first optional indication information and the second optional indication information, the selected chess grid 110c and the remaining optional chess grids 110b1 are distinguished, facilitating one or both of the chess players to quickly distinguish the positions of the currently selected optional chess grids 110b1, which further enhances the human-computer interaction and the game interest.

[0169] According to some embodiments, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 is configured to be able to control the display module 300 when the chess placement position selection unit 600 performs a selection operation to select the optional chess grid 110b1 mentioned above as the selected chess grid 110c, so that the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the selected chess grid 110c is converted from displaying the above-mentioned second optional indication information to displaying the above-mentioned first optional indication information, thereby intuitively indicating the currently selected chess grid 110c. According to a specific implementation manner, the first optional indication information and the second optional indication information are different from each other in terms of color and / or brightness and / or blinking mode. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to control the display module 300 based on the generation or reception of a selection induction signal, so that the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the chess grid selected via the chess placement position selection unit 600 changes its state.

[0170] Chess - dropping position selection unit 600

[0171] According to some embodiments, as Figures 19 - 22 shown, the chess - dropping position selection unit 600 can be set to include a fixed part 610 and a movable part. The movable part is set to be able to move relative to the fixed part 610 between at least two available positions to select one from the non - enabled chess squares 110b, and more specifically, to select one from all the optional chess squares 110b1 for dropping a chess piece. According to some embodiments, the chess - dropping position selection unit 600 further includes a sensing component configured to generate a selection sensing signal when the movable part moves between the at least two available positions, and more specifically, the selection sensing signal as described above. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 can be configured to determine the selection of the corresponding chess square based on the generation or reception of the selection sensing signal, that is, to determine the selected chess square 110c. More specifically, the selected chess square 110c is one of the non - enabled chess squares 110b; more specifically, the selected chess square 110c is one of the optional chess squares 110b1.

[0172] According to one embodiment, the control module 400 is configured to control the display module 300 based on the generation or reception of the selection sensing signal so that the chess - square display unit 310 corresponding to the selected chess square 110c changes its state. Exemplarily but not exclusively, when the movable part moves from the current available position to the next available position, the selected chess square 110c changes from the current selected chess square 110c to the next selected chess square 110c, and at the same time, the sensing component generates a selection sensing signal. The control module 400 then controls the display module 300 based on the generation or reception of this selection sensing signal so that the chess - square display unit 310 corresponding to the current selected chess square 110c, for example, changes from the off state to displaying selection indication information or from displaying the first optional indication information to displaying the second optional indication information, while the chess - square display unit 310 corresponding to the next selected chess square 110c changes from displaying selection indication information to, for example, the off state or from displaying the second optional indication information to displaying the first optional indication information.

[0173] According to some embodiments, the sensing component can include at least one second sensing piece fixedly arranged and at least one first sensing piece arranged to move together with the movable part. The first sensing piece can interact with the corresponding second sensing piece to generate a selection sensing signal. According to some embodiments, the sensing component is configured to sense the moving direction of the movable part relative to the fixed part 610. According to some embodiments, the sensing component can include an electrical and / or magnetic induction component, an optical and / or color sensing component, etc.

[0174] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4, FIGS. 19 - 30 schematically show that the movable part is arranged in the form of a rotating ring 620, and the rotating ring 620 is configured to be able to rotate relative to the fixed part 610 between at least two rotating positions to select one of the chess squares 110. According to some embodiments, the rotating ring 620 is configured to be able to rotate relative to the fixed part 610 about a rotation axis to select one of a plurality of rotating positions, so as to correspondingly select one of the chess squares, more specifically, one of the non - enabled chess squares 110b, and more specifically, one of the selectable chess squares 110b1. More specifically, the rotating ring 620 can have multiple gears, and the rotating ring 620 can be rotated to switch between the multiple gears. Even more specifically, the rotating ring 620 is arranged such that each time it switches between two adjacent gears, it correspondingly selects one of the chess squares 110. According to one embodiment, the rotating ring 620 is arranged to be able to rotate clockwise and / or counter - clockwise for the chess square selection operation.

[0175] According to some embodiments, the chess device 10 can be configured such that, in one game step, there are multiple selectable chess squares 110b1, and the multiple selectable chess squares 110b1 can have a first sorting, and the piece - dropping position selection unit 600 can operate to perform a selection operation according to the first sorting. According to further embodiments, the chess device 10 can also be configured such that, in one game step, the piece - dropping position selection unit 600 can also operate to perform a selection operation according to a second sorting, and the second sorting is the inversion of the first sorting. Even more specifically, the piece - dropping position selection unit 600 is configured to be able to operate to perform a forward selection operation and can also operate to perform a reverse selection operation, and such forward selection operation and reverse selection operation can be switched at any time. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 is configured to sort all the existing selectable chess squares 110b1 at the start of each game step and associate the operation of the piece - dropping position selection unit 600 with this sorting, so that the operation of the piece - dropping position selection unit 600 follows this sorting or the inverted sorting of this sorting to perform the selection operation.

[0176] According to some embodiments, the chess piece placement position selection unit 600 is configured such that, in a game step, when the rotating ring 620 rotates in the clockwise direction to pass through at least one of a plurality of rotation positions and select one of the plurality of rotation positions, it traverses one of the plurality of selectable chess squares 110b1 according to the above-mentioned first sorting of the plurality of selectable chess squares 110b1 and selects the corresponding selectable chess square 110b1; when the rotating ring 620 rotates in the counterclockwise direction to pass through at least one of a plurality of rotation positions and select one of the plurality of rotation positions, it traverses one of the plurality of selectable chess squares 110b1 according to the above-mentioned second sorting of the plurality of selectable chess squares 110b1 and selects the corresponding selectable chess square 110b1. Exemplarily, the rotating ring 620 can occupy 15 - 35 rotation positions, such as 28 rotation positions. It can be understood that the number of rotation positions of the rotating ring 620 can be adaptively increased or decreased according to the diameter size of the rotating ring 620.

[0177] In some embodiments, as Figure 9 and 14 Schematically shown, the chess device 10 is configured such that as the game progresses, the enabled chess squares 110a are enabled to expand from the enabled area, such as the central enabled area, towards the periphery of the enabled area until the outermost chess squares of the chessboard 100. In this case, each selectable chess square 110b1 is located on the periphery of at least one enabled chess square 110a. Therefore, overall, all the selectable chess squares 110b1 are positioned surrounding at least a part of the enabled chess squares 110a. Thus, setting the movable part in the form of the rotating ring 620 conforms to the overall layout of the selectable chess squares 110b1 on the chessboard 100 and is thus ergonomic, because this allows the selectable chess squares 110b1 to be sequentially selected in an overall circumferential direction, such that the operation of the player to "rotate" and select the chess squares corresponds to the selectable chess squares 110b1 on the chessboard 100 being sequentially and cyclically selected along a virtual closed trajectory, that is, achieving a fit between the operation action and the visual observation. It should be noted that the circumferential direction here refers to the direction along the periphery of the enabled chess squares, rather than the strictly circular direction.

[0178] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 2, as shown in FIGS. 25, 29 - 30, the rotating ring 620 is disposed at least partially around the chessboard 100. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 may be configured as a circular chessboard 100, and the rotating ring 620 is disposed around the chessboard 100. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 forms a part of the circular cover plate 30 of the chess game device 10, and the rotating ring 620 is disposed around the cover plate 30. Exemplarily but not exclusively, the chessboard 100 may be inscribed in the rotating ring 620. Exemplarily, the cover plate 30 may be an end face of the chess game device 10. These embodiments have many advantages, including: being ergonomic as described above, facilitating the selection operation for users; enhancing the aesthetic appearance of the chess game device 10; not occupying extra space, being beneficial to the overall structural compactness of the chess game device 10, and so on. According to some embodiments, the chess game device 10 includes a main body 20, and at least a part of the rotating ring 620 is disposed around at least a part of the main body 20 or disposed on an end of the main body 20. According to one embodiment, the chess game device 10 may include a cylindrical main body part, and the rotating ring 620 is mounted on the cylindrical main body part. According to some embodiments, at least a part of the rotating ring 620 is mounted within the receiving cavity 23 defined by the cylindrical main body part. According to a specific implementation manner, the rotating ring 620 is mounted at least partially around the cylindrical main body 20. According to an alternative implementation manner, the rotating ring 620 is mounted at least partially on the axial end of the cylindrical main body 20 and at least partially covers the axial end, and more specifically, the chessboard 100 or the cover plate 30 is disposed at the axial end.

[0179] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 , 19 -24 show, the rotating ring 620 may include a first mating surface 623 and a plurality of first mating portions 624 disposed on the first mating surface 623, and each first mating portion 624 is disposed corresponding to one of the plurality of rotational positions. Correspondingly, the fixing portion 610 is provided with a second mating portion, and the second mating portion is configured to cooperate with the plurality of first mating portions 624 to position the rotating ring 620 at each rotational position. More specifically, the first mating portion 624 and the second mating portion are configured to, on the one hand, allow the rotating ring 620 to be positioned at each rotational position (in other words, the aforementioned gear positions), and on the other hand, allow the rotating ring 620 to rotate relative to the mating portion to select a desired rotational position. According to some embodiments, the plurality of first mating portions 624 are distributed in a ring, and more specifically, are distributed in a ring around the rotation axis. According to some embodiments, the plurality of first mating portions 624 are evenly distributed.

[0180] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 , 19-24 is schematically shown. The first engaging portion 624 is provided as a groove 624, and the groove 624 is configured to receive at least a portion of the second engaging portion to position the rotating ring 620 at a corresponding rotating position. Exemplarily, the first engaging surface 623 may further be provided with teeth 625, and the teeth 625 and the groove 624 are alternately provided on the first engaging surface 623 such that each groove 624 is circumferentially provided between two adjacent teeth 625. According to some embodiments, as Figures 19 - 24 is schematically shown, when the second engaging portion is provided such that at least a portion of the second engaging portion enters the groove 624 from outside the groove 624 as the rotating ring 620 rotates relative to the fixed portion 610, at least a portion of the second engaging portion contacts and impacts the bottom and / or side walls of the groove 624 to give an audible cue and / or a vibratory tactile sensation, such as a click sound for the audible cue. This arrangement allows for an enhanced sense of human-machine interaction and at the same time allows the user to better control the rotation of the rotating ring 620. According to some embodiments, the groove 624 is provided as a trapezoidal groove with an opening cross-section larger than the bottom cross-section. More specifically, the two circumferential end faces of the groove 624 are provided as inclined surfaces that converge towards each other from the opening side to the bottom side of the groove 624. This arrangement is advantageous in that, on the one hand, it allows at least a portion of the second engaging portion (such as the positioning portion 6111 of the reed or the positioning member 613 connected to the elastic member as described below) to more easily slide along these two circumferential end faces of the groove 624 and thus there is no jamming phenomenon when the rotating ring 620 rotates, and on the other hand, it allows at least a portion of the second engaging portion to more easily impact the circumferential end faces of the groove 624 when entering the groove 624 to give an audible cue and / or a vibratory tactile sensation.

[0181] According to some embodiments, as Figures 19 - 24 shown, the second engaging portion includes elastic members 611, 612 connected to the fixed portion 610. According to some embodiments, the elastic members 611, 612 of the second engaging portion are arranged such that when they are opposite to other portions (such as the teeth 625 as described above) of the first engaging surface 623 other than the first engaging portion 624 (such as the groove 624 as described above), at least a portion of the elastic members 611, 612 abuts against the first engaging surface 623 such that the elastic members 611, 612 are compressed, more specifically, compressed between the first engaging surface 623 and the fixed portion 610; while when the elastic members 611, 612 of the second engaging portion are opposite to the groove 624, at least a portion of the elastic members 611, 612 will extend to release elastic stress and enter the groove 624, thereby positioning the rotating ring 620 at a corresponding rotating position.

[0182] According to some embodiments, as Figures 19 - 20As shown, the elastic member includes a leaf spring 611. The leaf spring 611 includes a positioning portion 6111 and a connecting portion 6112. The connecting portion 6112 is connected to the fixing portion 610, and the positioning portion 6111 can abut against the first mating surface 623 (more specifically, against the tooth portion 625) and enter the groove 624. According to some embodiments, the leaf spring 611 is provided as a single piece. Exemplarily, the positioning portion 6111 is provided with a U-shaped structure, which includes a base portion 61110 and a first leg 61111 and a second leg 61112 extending from the base portion 61110. When the positioning portion 6111 is located in the groove 624, its base portion 61110 faces the bottom of the groove 624. Exemplarily, the connecting portion 6112 includes two connecting legs connected to the fixing portion 610, namely a first connecting leg 61121 and a second connecting leg 61122. The first connecting leg 61121 is connected to the first leg 61111, and the second connecting leg 61122 is connected to the second leg 61112. Exemplarily, the first connecting leg 61121 and the second connecting leg 61122 extend away from each other starting from the connecting portion 6112 connected to the first leg 61111 and the second leg 61112 respectively, for example, in a V-shaped form.

[0183] According to some embodiments, as Figures 21 - 23 shown, the second mating portion may include an elastic member 612 connected to the fixing portion 610 and a positioning member 613 cooperating with the elastic member 612. According to some embodiments, the first end of the elastic member 612 is connected to the fixing portion 610, and the positioning member 613 is integrally formed with or connected to or abuts against the elastic member 612, for example, in a form-fit manner, at the second end of the elastic member 612 opposite to the first end. According to some embodiments, the elastic member 612 includes a helical spring or a leaf spring. According to some embodiments, the positioning member 613 is in the form of a bead, more specifically, in the form of a spherical bead. According to some embodiments, the spherical bead-shaped positioning member 613 is arranged to be rollingly engaged with the elastic member 612. According to some embodiments, as Figures 21 - 22As shown, the positioning member 613 is a ball, the elastic member 612 is a reed, and the positioning member 613 and the elastic member 612 are separately arranged. The reed is provided with a recess 6121 for limiting the ball. The maximum cross-section of the recess 6121 is smaller than the maximum cross-section of the ball. Optionally, the recess 6121 is a circular recess 6121 and its diameter is smaller than the diameter of the ball, so that a part of the ball, more specifically, a part less than a hemisphere, can be seated in the recess 6121. This structure allows the positioning member 613 to rollably seat in the recess 6121 when subjected to an external force (such as the frictional force applied by the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620), which can reduce the friction between the positioning member 613 and the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620, so that the rotating ring 620 will not jam when rotating, and the user experience is better. According to some embodiments, the second mating portion is arranged such that when it faces other parts (such as the tooth portion 625 above) of the first mating surface 623 except the first mating portion 624 (more specifically, the groove 624), the positioning member 613 abuts against the first mating surface 623 so that the elastic member 612 is compressed, more specifically, compressed between the first mating surface 623 and the fixing portion 610; and when the second mating portion faces the groove 624, the elastic member 612 will stretch to release the elastic stress and bias the positioning member 613 into the groove 624, thereby positioning the rotating ring 620 at the corresponding rotating position.

[0184] According to an alternative embodiment, contrary to the above embodiment, the second mating portion may be provided in the form of a groove 624 on the fixing portion 610, and the first mating portion 624 is provided to include an elastic member 612 connected to the rotating ring 620 and an optional positioning member 613 connected to the elastic member. For more specific embodiments, reference may be made to the above embodiments, which will not be elaborated here.

[0185] According to some embodiments, as Figures 19 - 23 shown, the second mating portion is located radially inside the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620. More specifically, at least a part of the fixing portion 610 is located radially inside the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620. More specifically, the first mating surface 623 is radially opposite to the second mating portion, that is, the first mating surface 623 is the radially inward-facing surface of the rotating ring 620.

[0186] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 and 24 shown, the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620 may be arranged axially opposite to the second mating portion, that is, the first mating surface 623 is an axially facing surface of the rotating ring 620.

[0187] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4, as shown in FIGS. 24 - 30, the rotating ring 620 includes a first rotating ring portion 621 and a second rotating ring portion 622, and the first rotating ring portion 621 and the second rotating ring portion 622 are connected to each other to rotate together. According to one embodiment, the first rotating ring portion 621 and the second rotating ring portion 622 are snap - connected to each other. Exemplarily, the second rotating ring portion 622 is connected to the main body 20 of the board game device 10.

[0188] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 , 19 -24 shows, the above - mentioned first mating surface 623 is provided on the second rotating ring portion 622, and thus the plurality of first mating portions 624 (such as grooves 624) and teeth 625 are alternately provided on the second rotating ring portion 622. According to some embodiments, the fixing portion 610 is at least partially axially located between the first rotating ring portion 621 and the second rotating ring portion 622. According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 and 24 shows, the first mating surface 623 is provided as at least a part of an axial end face of the second rotating ring portion 622. According to an alternative embodiment, as Figures 19 - 23 shows, the first mating surface 623 is provided as a radially inward - facing surface of the second rotating ring portion 622, and the second mating portion is provided radially inside the first mating surface 623.

[0189] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4 shows, the outer surface 626 of the rotating ring 620 is provided on the first rotating ring portion 621. More specifically, the outer surface 626 of the rotating ring 620 is a touch surface for a user to operate the rotating ring 620. According to some embodiments, the first rotating ring portion 621 is at least partially located outside the main body 20 of the board game device 10, and the second rotating ring portion 622 is at least partially located inside the main body 20 of the board game device 10. According to some embodiments, the second rotating ring portion 622 is arranged to be invisible from the outside of the board game device 10.

[0190] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4As shown, the outer surface 626 of the rotating ring 620 for a user to touch to operate the rotating ring 620 is provided with a roughness increasing structure 6263 to facilitate the user to rotate the rotating ring 620, and visually enable the player to intuitively perceive that the rotating ring is a rotatable component, making it easier for the player to start the game. According to one embodiment, the outer surface 626 of the rotating ring 620 is provided with grooves or other uneven structures. According to some embodiments, the outer surface 626 of the rotating ring 620 includes a first surface 6261 and a second surface 6262 that extend transversely (intersect or perpendicular) relative to each other, and the grooves are provided on the first surface 6261 and / or the second surface 6262. According to some embodiments, the first surface 6261 and the second surface 6262 are respectively at least a part of the circumferential side surface and at least a part of the end side surface on the outside of the rotating ring. Optionally, the first surface 6261 and the second surface 6262 are adjacent to or intersect with each other. Exemplarily, the first surface 6261 may be the outer axial surface 6261 of the first rotating ring portion 621, and the second surface 6262 may be the outer radial surface of the first rotating ring portion 621.

[0191] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 may include an induction component configured to generate a rotation position induction signal when the rotating ring 620 switches between the plurality of rotation positions, that is, the above-mentioned selection induction signal. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 of the board game device 10 is configured to determine the selection of the corresponding chess grid based on the generation of the rotation position induction signal, that is, to determine which chess grid is the selected chess grid 110c. According to one embodiment, the control module 400 may be configured to configure the display module 300 based on the rotation position induction signal generated by the induction component, so that the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the selected chess grid 110c switches the display state. Exemplarily but not exclusively, when the rotating ring 620 rotates from the current rotation position to the next rotation position, the selected chess grid 110c changes from the current selected chess grid 110c to the next selected chess grid 110c, and at the same time the induction component generates a rotation position induction signal. The control module 400 is configured to control the display module 300 based on the generation or reception of the rotation position induction signal, so that the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the current selected chess grid 110c switches from displaying the selection indication information to, for example, an extinguished state or from displaying the first optional indication information to displaying the second optional indication information, while the chess grid display unit 310 corresponding to the next selected chess grid 110c switches from, for example, an extinguished state to displaying the selection indication information or from displaying the second optional indication information to displaying the first optional indication information to indicate the switching process of the selected chess grid 110c.

[0192] According to some embodiments, the sensing assembly may include at least one second sensing member fixedly arranged and at least one first sensing member arranged to rotate integrally with the rotating ring 620, for example, arranged on the rotating ring 620. The first sensing member can interact with the corresponding second sensing member to generate a rotational position sensing signal. According to some embodiments, the number of the first sensing members or the second sensing members may be the same as the number of rotational positions; alternatively, the number of the first sensing members or the second sensing members may be different from the number of rotational positions. According to some embodiments, the sensing assembly is configured to sense the rotational direction of the rotating ring 620 relative to the fixed portion 610.

[0193] According to some embodiments, the sensing assembly may include an electric and / or magnetic sensing assembly, an optical and / or color sensing assembly, etc.

[0194] According to some embodiments, as Figure 4 , 24 shown in FIG. -26, the first sensing member includes one of a Hall sensor 6321 or a magnet 6311, and the second sensing member includes the other of the Hall sensor 6321 or the magnet 6311. More specifically, the first sensing member includes a plurality of magnets 6311, and the second sensing member includes a Hall sensor 6321. Exemplarily, the number of magnets 6311 is the same as the number of rotational positions. Thus, each time the rotating ring 620 rotates to switch the rotational position, the magnet 6311 rotating integrally with the rotating ring 620 will rotate past the Hall sensor 6321, and the Hall sensor 6321 can accordingly generate a rotational position sensing signal. In some embodiments, the plurality of magnets 6311 and the plurality of grooves 624 are alternately arranged on the rotating ring 620. More specifically, at the first mating surface 623 of the rotating ring 620, there is provided a magnet receiving portion for receiving the magnet 6311, and the magnet receiving portion and the groove 624 are alternately arranged. In some embodiments, each tooth portion 625 is provided with a magnet receiving portion.

[0195] In an alternative embodiment, the first sensing member includes a Hall sensor 6321, and the second sensing member includes a plurality of magnets 6311. Exemplarily, the number of magnets 6311 is the same as the number of rotational positions. According to some embodiments, the Hall sensor 6321 is configured to be communicatively connected to the control module 400. More specifically, the Hall sensor 6321 can be directly arranged on the circuit board 410 of the control module 400.

[0196] According to some embodiments, as Figures 21 - 22As shown in FIGS. 27-28, the second sensing member includes a photoelectric encoder 6322, and the first sensing member includes a plurality of first light sensing portions 6312 and a plurality of second light sensing portions 6313 that can be sensed or detected by the photoelectric encoder 6322. The plurality of first light sensing portions 6312 and the plurality of second light sensing portions 6313 are alternately arranged with each other. Exemplarily, the number of the first light sensing portions 6312 and the second light sensing portions 6313 is the same as the number of rotational positions. Thus, each time the rotating ring 620 rotates to switch the rotational position, the first light sensing portions 6312 and the second light sensing portions 6313 that rotate with the rotating ring 620 will pass by the photoelectric encoder 6322, and the photoelectric encoder 6322 can accordingly generate a rotational position sensing signal. In some embodiments, one of the first light sensing portions 6312 and the second light sensing portions 6313 is a white light sensing portion, and the other is a black light sensing portion. In some embodiments, the plurality of first light sensing portions 6312 and the plurality of second light sensing portions 6313 are disposed on a surface of the rotating ring 620, more specifically, on an axially facing surface of the second rotating ring portion 622 that is radially and / or axially offset from the first mating surface 623; according to some embodiments, the plurality of first light sensing portions 6312 and the plurality of second light sensing portions 6313 are disposed on a first axially facing surface of the rotating ring 620, more specifically, on the second rotating ring portion 622, and the first mating surface 623 is disposed on a second axially facing surface of the rotating ring 620, more specifically, on the second rotating ring portion 622, which is axially opposite to the first axially facing surface; according to some embodiments, the first mating surface 623 is disposed on one of the radially facing surface and the axially facing surface of the rotating ring 620, more specifically, on the second rotating ring portion 622, and the plurality of first light sensing portions 6312 and the plurality of second light sensing portions 6313 are disposed on the other of the radially facing surface and the axially facing surface of the rotating ring 620, more specifically, on the second rotating ring portion 622. According to some embodiments, the photoelectric encoder 6322 is configured to be communicatively connected to the control module 400. More specifically, the photoelectric encoder 6322 can be directly disposed on the circuit board 410 of the control module 400.

[0197] According to some embodiments, as Figures 15 - 17As shown, the board game device 10 can be configured to include a first-party enabled square 110a1 and a second-party enabled square 110a2 at the start of a game session, and the number between the two can be equal or unequal. More specifically, the board game device 10 can be configured such that the first-party enabled square 110a1 and the second-party enabled square 110a2, which are present at the start of the game, are located in the central region of the game board 100, which can be referred to as the "enabled central region", and in this enabled central region, there are no empty squares, and more specifically no non-enabled squares 110b, between the respective enabled squares 110a. In this case, the non-enabled squares 110b, and more specifically the optional squares 110b1, are located on the periphery of the enabled central region. According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 is configured such that as the game session progresses or proceeds, the enabled squares 110a expand from the enabled central region towards its periphery until they reach the peripheral squares of the game board 100.

[0198] According to some embodiments, as Figures 15 - 17As shown, the board game device 10 is configured to automatically display all the selectable squares 110b1 at the start of each game step in the game session, and automatically select one of the selectable squares 110b1 as the currently selected square 110c. Starting from the currently selected square 110c, the corresponding party among the two players can operate the piece placement position selection unit 600 to select, for example, successively select the selectable squares 110b1 it desires to select until it selects the selectable square 110b1 where it desires to place a piece, that is, the "designated square" mentioned above. Of course, the corresponding party among the two players can also not operate the piece placement position selection unit 600 based on confirming that the automatically displayed selectable square 110b1 is the selectable square 110b1 it desires to select. According to a more specific embodiment, considering ergonomics, in order to conform to the viewing habit of the human eye, especially the habit of scanning the target area from left to right and from top to bottom, so as to facilitate the corresponding party among the two players to conveniently and intuitively lock their gaze on the automatically selected "currently selected square 110c", the board game device 10 is configured such that at the start of each game step, the automatically selected "currently selected square 110c" is set as the corresponding occupancy point relative to that corresponding party. The "currently selected square 110c" is one of the selectable squares 110b1 that is farther from the corresponding occupancy point and located in the upper left area of the chessboard 100 among all the selectable squares 110b1. According to a specific implementation manner, the "currently selected square 110c" can be the uppermost selectable square 110b1 located in the upper left area of the chessboard 100 relative to the corresponding occupancy point. If there are no selectable squares 110b1 in the upper left area of the chessboard 100 relative to the corresponding occupancy point, then the uppermost square relative to the corresponding occupancy point is used as the "currently selected square 110c"; in particular, if all the selectable squares 110b1 are arranged in a row, then the leftmost selectable square 110b1 relative to the corresponding occupancy point is used as the "currently selected square 110c".

[0199] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 may further include a conversion module configured to perform a conversion operation during corresponding game steps of a game session. The conversion operation includes converting one of the non-enabled chess squares 110b into a currently-playing-side enabled chess square, where the currently-playing-side enabled chess square is one of the first-side enabled chess squares 110a1 and the second-side enabled chess squares 110a2, and more specifically, is the enabled chess square belonging to the currently-playing chess side. One of the non-enabled chess squares 110b to be converted is referred to as the selected chess square. More specifically, one of the non-enabled chess squares 110b may be selected by the chess-drop position selection unit 600 that is part of the conversion module. For example, one of the non-enabled chess squares 110b may be one of the selectable chess squares 110b1. More specifically, during the current game step, the conversion module may be operated by the "currently-playing side" among the first (chess-playing) side or the second (chess-playing) side to "drop a chess piece" at a non-enabled position, that is, to convert the non-enabled chess square 110b into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side. This chess square among the non-enabled chess squares 110b to be converted may be referred to as the "selected chess square", that is, the non-enabled chess square 110b selected by the user of the board game device 10 to "drop a chess piece" or "convert" into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side.

[0200] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 is configured such that when the conversion module operates to convert the selected chess square into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side, at least one associated other-side enabled chess square associated with the selected chess square is converted into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side. The other-side enabled chess square is opposite in meaning to the "currently-playing-side enabled chess square" and is the other one of the first-side enabled chess squares 110a1 and the second-side enabled chess squares 110a2. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is communicatively connected to the conversion module. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to be able to convert the at least one associated other-side enabled chess square into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side in response to the conversion operation performed by the conversion module. More specifically, during the current game step, when the conversion module is operated by the currently-playing side, on the one hand, one of the non-enabled chess squares 110b itself, that is, the selected chess square, can be converted into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side, and on the other hand, at least one associated other-side enabled chess square associated with the selected chess square is also converted or "flipped" into an enabled chess square of the currently-playing side. The process of converting the selected chess square and the at least one associated other-side enabled chess square into enabled chess squares of the currently-playing side may be referred to as the conversion process or the flipping process.

[0201] According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is further configured to control the display module 300 in response to the conversion operation performed by the conversion module, such that the grid display unit 310 corresponding to the selected grid is converted to display one of the first enabling indication information and the second enabling indication information to indicate the conversion of the selected grid to the currently-enabled grid of the current side, and such that the grid display unit 310 corresponding to the at least one associated opponent-enabled grid is converted from displaying the other of the first enabling indication information and the second enabling indication information to displaying one of the first enabling indication information and the second enabling indication information to indicate the conversion of the at least one associated opponent-enabled grid to the currently-enabled grid of the current side. According to some embodiments, when the conversion module performs the conversion operation, the grid display unit 310 corresponding to the selected grid is converted from displaying the above selection indication information or the above optional indication information or the above first optional indication information to displaying one of the first enabling indication information and the second enabling indication information.

[0202] Occupied positions of the board game device 10

[0203] According to some embodiments, by way of example, as Figure 1 、 3 shown in -4, 25, 29-30, the board game device 10 may include a cover plate 30, and the chessboard 100 may be disposed on the cover plate 30 or form at least a part of the cover plate 30. More specifically, the user input units 500, 700 of the conversion module that can be operated by the user may be disposed on the cover plate 30 and positioned close to the chessboard 100. By way of example, the user input units 500, 700 are arranged in the form of buttons, knobs or touch controls.

[0204] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 is configured to include a single-player game mode and a two-player game mode. More specifically, as Figures 1 - 3 schematically shown, the board game device 10 may include a mode switching member 40, and the mode switching member 40 is configured to switch between the single-player game mode and the two-player game mode. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to be communicatively connected to the mode switching member 40, so as to be able to cause the board game device 10 to enter the corresponding game mode in response to the switching operation of the mode switching member 40. By way of example, the mode switching member 40 may be arranged in the form of a sliding key that can slide between different positions or a lever or knob that can rotate between different angular positions; by way of example, the mode switching member 40 may be arranged in the form of a button or a key; by way of example, the mode switching member 40 may be arranged in the form of a touch screen.

[0205] According to some embodiments, the first-party enabled chess square 110a1 represents the first player or the first party among the two players in the game session of the chess device 10, and the second-party enabled chess square 110a2 represents the second player or the second party among the two players in the game session of the chess device 10.

[0206] According to some embodiments, as Figure 9 , 11 -17 schematically shows that the chess device 10 can define a first occupied position 11 and a second occupied position 12 opposite to each other. The first occupied position 11 is for one of the two players in the game session of the chess device 10. More specifically, this one player can be located on this side of the first occupied position 11 of the chess device 10. The second occupied position 12 is for the other player in the game session of the chess device 10. More specifically, this other player can be located on this side of the second occupied position 12 of the chess device 10.

[0207] According to some embodiments, as Figure 9 , 11 -17 schematically shows that the chessboard 100 can include a chess square area 100a, and the chess square area 100a is the area of the chessboard 100 that can form the plurality of chess squares. The chess square area 100a can have a center point.

[0208] According to some embodiments, as Figure 9 , 11 -17 schematically shows that the chess square area 100a has a first axis X1 passing through its center point. The first end point of the first axis X1 intersecting with the periphery of the chess square area 100a defines the first occupied position 11, and the second end point of the first axis X1 intersecting with the periphery of the chess square area 100a defines the second occupied position 12. According to some embodiments, in the single-player game mode of the chess device 10, the first occupied position 11 can be for the first party, and the second occupied position 12 can be for the second party. According to some embodiments, the first party is the user among the two players in the human-machine mode (in the sense of this article, the user refers to the actual existing entity 20, which can be a human or a robot). The chess device 10 itself as the second party among the two players can be regarded as "virtually" located on this side of the second occupied position 12; vice versa. According to some embodiments, the first party can be the first user among the two players in the two-player game mode, and the second party can be the other user among the two players in the two-player game mode.

[0209] According to some embodiments, the chess device 10 can include two user input units 500, 700. These two user input units 500, 700 are respectively positioned close to the first occupied position 11 and the second occupied position 12 for use by the corresponding parties among the two players especially in the two-player game mode.

[0210] According to an alternative embodiment, the board game device 10 includes a single user input unit 500, 700, which is positioned close to the first occupancy point 11, more specifically, the occupancy point for the user. Exemplarily, the single user input unit 500, 700 is positioned outside the grid area 100a and close to the first occupancy point 11, for example, positioned in an area of the game board 100 other than the grid area 100a or positioned on the cover plate 30, the game board 100 forming at least a part of the cover plate 30, and the cover plate 30 can be an end plate of the board game device 10. Such an arrangement facilitates the user to operate the user input unit 500, 700 and is ergonomic. Exemplarily but not exclusively, if the grid area 100a is square, the first occupancy point 11 and the second occupancy point 12 can optionally be defined on two opposite sides of the grid area 100a; if the grid area 100a is circular, the first occupancy point 11 and the second occupancy point 12 can be radially opposite to each other.

[0211] In some embodiments, such as Figure 9 , 11-17 schematically shows that the board game device 10 can also be configured to include a third occupancy point 13 and a fourth occupancy point 13 that are disposed opposite to each other. Each of the third occupancy point 13 and the fourth occupancy point 13 is different from the first occupancy point 11 and the second occupancy point 12. In some embodiments, the third occupancy point 13 can be circumferentially displaced relative to the first occupancy point 11 by an offset angle of +90° or -90°, and the fourth occupancy point 13 can correspondingly be circumferentially displaced relative to the second occupancy point 12 by an offset angle of +90° or -90°. In some embodiments, the chessboard area 100a has a second axis X2 that is perpendicular to the first axis X1 and passes through the center point. The first end point of the second axis X2 that intersects the perimeter of the chessboard area 100a defines the third occupancy point 13, and the second end point of the second axis X2 that intersects the perimeter of the chessboard area 100a defines the fourth occupancy point 13. Exemplarily but not exclusively, if the chessboard area 100a is square, the third occupancy point 13 and the fourth occupancy point 13 can be defined on two opposite sides of the chessboard area 100a; if the chessboard area 100a is circular, the third occupancy point 13 and the fourth occupancy point 13 can be radially opposite to each other. More specifically, in the two-player game mode of the board game device 10, a first user who is the first party in the game can be located on the side of the third occupancy point 13, while a second user who is the second party in the game can be located on the side of the fourth occupancy point 13. This is particularly advantageous in embodiments where the board game device 10 only includes a single user input unit 500, 700 disposed near the first occupancy point 11, because this can ensure that both the first party and the second party can conveniently reach and operate the single user input unit 500, 700 in the two-player game mode, and the operation of either party can not block the line of sight of the other party to observe the chessboard area 100a. This is also beneficial to reducing the number of components of the board game device 10, and is beneficial to the overall structural compactness and improving the cost effectiveness.

[0212] According to some embodiments, the area of the chessboard 100 is one of the following shapes: circular; rectangular; oval; equilateral polygon, where "polygon" has an even number of sides. According to some examples, the chessboard 100 or the cover plate 30 is one of the following shapes: circular; rectangular; oval; equilateral polygon; more specifically, "polygon" has an even number of sides.

[0213] According to one embodiment, the board game device 10 includes a circular cover plate 30, the chessboard area 100a is rectangular, more specifically square, and the plurality of chess squares are exemplarily distributed in a rectangular array; optionally, the four corners of the chessboard area 100a are on the circular outer contour of the circular cover plate 30. Optionally, the chessboard 100 forms at least a part of the circular cover plate 30.

[0214] In some embodiments, as Figure 15 and 16 shown, whereFigure 15 Schematically shows the power-on state in the human-machine chess-playing mode Figure 16 Schematically shows the power-on state in the two-player chess-playing mode. The control module 400 of the chess device 10 is further configured to control the power-on state of the chess device 10, that is, the state at the start of the game session, to be angularly offset corresponding to the angular offset of the occupancy points of the two players in the chess game as the game mode is switched, so as to ensure that regardless of which game mode, it can meet the user's ergonomic requirements and the requirements for observing the chessboard and operating conveniently, and can also facilitate the player to intuitively perceive the game mode in which the chess device 10 is located without having to know the currently enabled game mode by observing the position of the mode switching member 40. The state at the start of the game session may include, in some embodiments, the layout or positioning of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 and the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 on the chessboard 100. In some embodiments, the state at the start of the game session may include the layout or positioning of the optional chess squares 110b1 on the chessboard 100.

[0215] Advantage and disadvantage indication module

[0216] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 further includes an advantage and disadvantage indication module configured to provide advantage and disadvantage information indicating the advantage and disadvantage between the number of enabled squares 110a1 of the current first party and the number of enabled squares 110a2 of the second party, and thereby indicate the advantage and disadvantage of the first party and the second party among the two players in the game, provide the current advantage and disadvantage indication for the user, and remind the user whether they are in an advantageous or disadvantageous position. This allows the user to intuitively understand the advantage and disadvantage situation between the two players in the current game and enhance the tension and excitement of the player's participation in the game, that is, enhance the game experience. In some embodiments, the advantage and disadvantage are embodied as a quantitative relationship. Exemplarily but not exclusively, the quantitative relationship may be: the ratio of the number of enabled squares 110a1 of the first party to the number of enabled squares 110a2 of the second party; and / or the proportion of the number of enabled squares 110a1 of the first party among all enabled squares 110a, where all enabled squares 110a is the sum of the number of enabled squares 110a1 of the first party and the number of enabled squares 110a2 of the second party; and / or the proportion of the number of enabled squares 110a2 of the second party among all enabled squares 110a; and so on. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to be communicatively connected to the advantage and disadvantage module and configured to be able to control the advantage and disadvantage module to update the advantage and disadvantage information in response to the conversion operation of the conversion module. In some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to control the advantage and disadvantage indication module to provide the advantage and disadvantage information in a real-time manner. It should be noted that in the sense of this article, "real-time" means that during the game session, for each game step, that is, each time one of the two players in the game finishes moving a piece, more specifically, when the above flipping process is completed, the advantage and disadvantage indication module will provide the current advantage and disadvantage indication information according to the number of enabled squares 110a1 of the first party and enabled squares 110a2 of the second party on the current chessboard 100 and can be set to remain until the other party finishes moving a piece, that is, completes one flipping process. According to some embodiments, the advantage and disadvantage indication module is configured to continuously provide the advantage and disadvantage information during each game session. According to an alternative embodiment, the advantage and disadvantage indication module may be configured to provide the advantage and disadvantage information in a non-continuous manner.

[0217] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4 shown in FIGS. 10, 9-18, 24-25, 27, 30, the advantage and disadvantage indication module includes an indicator light assembly 800, and the indicator light assembly 800 includes a plurality of indicator light units 810, which may be referred to as "light beads 810" herein. The indicator light unit 810 exemplarily includes an LED light. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is capable of controlling the operation of the indicator light assembly 800. According to some embodiments, the light beads 810 may be set such that at least one of its switch state, lighting brightness, lighting color, lighting blinking mode, etc. can be changed. According to some embodiments, the plurality of light beads 810 can be independently controlled from each other.

[0218] According to some embodiments, as Figures 9 - 18 shown, during the game of the board game device 10, the plurality of lamp beads 810 of the indicator light assembly 800 include a first-state lamp bead 811 in a first state and a second-state lamp bead 812 in a second state, and the second state is different from the first state. The indicator light assembly 800 can be configured to provide advantage and disadvantage information by at least one of the following: the number of the first-state lamp beads 811 and the number of the second-state lamp beads 812; the proportion of the number of the first-state lamp beads 811 in the plurality of lamp beads 810, and / or the proportion of the number of the second-state lamp beads 812 in the plurality of lamp beads 810; the ratio of the area occupied by the first-state lamp beads 811 to the total area of the indicator light assembly 800, and / or the ratio of the area occupied by the second-state lamp beads 812 to the total area of the indicator light assembly 800; and so on. More specifically, when using the indicator light assembly 800 to provide advantage and disadvantage information, the plurality of lamp beads 810 of the indicator light assembly 800 are divided into a first-state lamp bead 811 and a second-state lamp bead 812. According to some embodiments, each of the first state and the second state is manifested as at least one of the following: the lit or unlit state of the lamp bead 810; the lit color when the lamp bead 810 is in the lit state; the lit brightness when the lamp bead 810 is in the lit state; the lit blinking mode when the lamp bead 810 is in the lit state. According to some embodiments, the plurality of lamp beads 810 of the indicator light assembly 800 can be divided into a first-state lamp bead 811 and a second-state lamp bead 812 that do not mix with each other, that is, the first-state lamp beads 811 are continuously distributed, and the second-state lamp beads 812 are continuously distributed. More specifically, the indicator light assembly 800 is divided into a first section and a second section. The first section can be a distribution section of the first-state lamp beads 811, and the second section can be a distribution section of the second-state lamp beads 812. This allows the human eye to clearly judge the advantage and disadvantage situation of the two players in the current game in a more intuitive manner.

[0219] According to some embodiments, as Figures 9 - 16As shown, the first state is the lit state and the second state is the extinguished state. That is, the first-state lamp beads 811 are the lit lamp beads, and the second-state lamp beads 812 are the extinguished lamp beads. This allows for indicating advantages and disadvantages in a power-saving manner. According to some embodiments, during the game session, the control module 400 is configured to control the indicator light assembly 800 to alternately light the corresponding first-state lamp beads 811 in the first lit state and the second lit state between respective game steps. The first lit state and the second lit state are different from each other. The proportion of the first-state lamp beads 811 lit in the first lit state among the plurality of lamp beads 810 represents the proportion of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 among all the enabled chess squares, and the proportion of the first-state lamp beads 811 lit in the second lit state among the plurality of lamp beads 810 represents the proportion of the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 among all the enabled chess squares 110a. Alternatively or additionally, the ratio of the area occupied by the first-state lamp beads 811 that can be lit in the first lit state to the total area of the indicator light assembly 800 represents the proportion of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 among all the enabled chess squares 110a, and the ratio of the area occupied by the first-state lamp beads 811 that can be lit in the second lit state to the total area of the indicator light assembly 800 represents the proportion of the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 among all the enabled chess squares 110a. According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 is configured to indicate the player taking the turn in the corresponding game step through the first lit state and the second lit state of the first-state lamp beads 811. More specifically, if the current first-state lamp beads 811 are lit in the first lit state, it indicates that the player taking the turn in the current game step is the first party; conversely, if the current first-state lamp beads 811 are lit in the second lit state, it indicates that the player taking the turn in the current game step is the second party. According to some embodiments, when the first-state lamp beads 811 are lit in the first lit state, it indicates that the currently enabled chess square is the first-party enabled chess square 110a1, and when the first-state lamp beads 811 are lit in the second lit state, it indicates that the currently enabled chess square is the second-party enabled chess square 110a2. These embodiments allow the indicator light assembly 800 to have the dual functions of indicating the advantages and disadvantages of both players in the game and indicating the corresponding player taking the turn, enhancing user interaction and user-friendliness such as Figures 9 - 13 shows the state of the indicator light assembly 800 in a game step, Figure 14 shows the state of the indicator light assembly 800 in the next game step. It can be seen that in these two game steps, the first-state lamp beads 811 are lit in purple and yellow respectively, Figures 9 - 13 The purple-lit first-state lamp beads 811 in can be used, on the one hand, to indicate the proportion of the purple-square (first-party) enabled chess squares among all the enabled chess squares 110a, that is, to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the purple side, and on the other hand, to indicate that the player taking the turn in the current game step is the purple side; Figure 14The first state light bead 812 that is lit yellow can, on the one hand, be used to indicate the proportion of the yellow squares (the second party) among all the enabled squares 110a, that is, to indicate the advantages and disadvantages of the yellow party, and on the other hand, be used to indicate that the player of the current game step is the yellow party.

[0220] According to some embodiments, such as Figures 9 - 14 shown, the first lit state is the first color, and the second lit state is the second color different from the first color.

[0221] According to some embodiments, such as Figures 9 - 13 shown (representing a complete game step), each game step may include two phases, namely, the first phase before the start of the flipping process ( Figures 9 - 10 ) and the second phase (11 - 13) after the start of the flipping process. In the first phase, the board game device 10 is configured to be able to indicate the player of the corresponding game step through the first lit state of the first state light bead 811, more specifically the first color, and the second lit state, more specifically the second color. Exemplarily, if the current first state light bead 811 is lit in the first color, it means that the player of the current game step is the first party; conversely, if the current first state light bead 811 is lit in the second color, it means that the player of the current game step is the second party. At the same time, the quantity proportion or area proportion of the current first state light bead 811 among all the light beads 810 is used to represent the current advantages and disadvantages information ( Figure 13 ). In the second phase, the control module 400 controls the advantages and disadvantages indication module, more specifically the indicator light assembly 800, to update the advantages and disadvantages information. More specifically, after the flipping process is completed, as described above, the selected square and the associated opponent's enabled squares will all be converted into the current party's enabled squares, so the quantity of the first party's enabled squares 110a1 and the quantity of the second party's enabled squares 110a2 on the chessboard 100 will change, and the control module 400 is configured to control the advantages and disadvantages indication module to update the advantages and disadvantages information based on this change and display the updated advantages and disadvantages information ( Figure 13 ). According to one embodiment, the presentation manner of the updated advantages and disadvantages information is the same as that of the advantages and disadvantages information before the update. For example, if the player of the current game step is the first party, then in the first phase, the advantages and disadvantages information can be represented by the quantity proportion of the first state light beads 811 lit in the first color among all the light beads 810; in the second phase, the updated advantages and disadvantages information is still represented by the quantity proportion of the first state light beads 811 lit in the first color among the light beads 810; and vice versa.

[0222] It should be noted that according to some embodiments, the game step may not have the stage of updating and displaying the advantages and disadvantages information, but directly display the updated advantages and disadvantages information compared with the previous game step at the start of each game step.

[0223] According to some embodiments, such as Figures 13 - 14 shown, the control module 400 of the board game device 10 is configured to control the board game device 10 to automatically switch to the next game step after the completion of the second stage, and thus can automatically switch the display of the advantage and disadvantage information ( Figure 13 for the end of a game step, Figure 14 for the start of the next game step). For example, if the player of the current game step is the first party, the advantage and disadvantage indication module of the current game step represents the proportion of the number of the first state light beads 811 lit in the first lit state (more specifically, the first color) in all the light beads 810 or the proportion of the area relative to the entire indicator light assembly 800 as the proportion of the number of the enabled chess squares 110a1 of the first party in all the enabled chess squares 110a. Then, in the next game step, the player becomes the second party, and the advantage and disadvantage indication module switches to representing the proportion of the number of the second state light beads 812 lit in the second lit state (more specifically, the second color) in all the light beads 810 or the proportion of the area relative to the entire indicator light assembly 800 as the proportion of the number of the enabled chess squares 110a2 of the second party in all the enabled chess squares 110a.

[0224] According to some embodiments, such as Figures 9 - 18As shown, the first state of the lamp beads 810 is represented by a first lighting state, and the second state of the lamp beads 810, i.e., the lamp beads 812, is represented by a second lighting state, which is different from the first lighting state. That is, the first-state lamp beads 811 are the lamp beads 810 lit in the first lighting state, and the second-state lamp beads 812 are the lamp beads 810 lit in the second lighting state. The first lighting state may be a first lighting color, and the second lighting state may be a second lighting color different from the first lighting color. Further, the proportion of the number of the first-state lamp beads 811 among the plurality of lamp beads 810 represents the proportion of the number of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 in the enabled chess squares 110a; the proportion of the number of the second-state lamp beads 812 among the plurality of lamp beads 810 represents the proportion of the number of the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 in the enabled chess squares 110a. Alternatively or additionally, the ratio of the area occupied by the first-state lamp beads 811 to the total area of the indicator lamp assembly 800 may represent the proportion of the number of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 in the enabled chess squares 110a, and the ratio of the area occupied by the second-state lamp beads 812 to the total area of the indicator lamp assembly 800 may represent the proportion of the number of the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 in the enabled chess squares 110a. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 of the chess device 10 is configured to indicate the chess-playing party in the corresponding game step by highlighting one of the first lighting color and the second lighting color. Exemplarily but not exclusively, the control module 400 is configured to highlight one of the first lighting color and the second lighting color by adjusting the brightness and / or lighting frequency of the first lighting color and the second lighting color. For example, if in the current game step, the brightness of the lamp beads 810 lit in the first lighting color gradually is higher than that of the lamp beads 810 lit in the second lighting color, it indicates that the current chess-playing party is the first party. Such a configuration allows the indicator lamp assembly 800 to have the dual functions of indicating the advantages and disadvantages of both players and indicating the corresponding chess-playing party, improving user interaction and user-friendliness.

[0225] According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is further configured to control the indicator lamp assembly 800 to be able to provide victory party indication information indicating the winning party at the end of the game session. According to some embodiments, at the end of the game session, all the lamp beads 810 are lit, optionally accompanied by flashing. According to some embodiments, at the end of the game session, the entire indicator lamp assembly 800 is lit in the first lighting state or the second lighting state, optionally accompanied by flashing, to indicate that the winning party is the first party or the second party.

[0226] According to some embodiments, such as Figures 1 - 4, as shown in FIGS. 10, 9 - 18, 24 - 25, 27, 30, the indicator light assembly 800 is arranged to surround the chessboard 100. More specifically, the plurality of lamp beads 810 are evenly distributed around the chessboard 100. According to some embodiments, the indicator light assembly 800 is arranged as a light strip 800 having a closed shape. Exemplarily but not exclusively, the light strip 800 is arranged to have one of the following shapes: circular; rectangular; oval; equilateral polygon; more specifically, the "polygon" has an even number of sides. According to some embodiments, the light strip 800 is arranged as a circular or oval light strip 800, and the chessboard 100 is at least partially inscribed in the light strip 800. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 can be arranged as a circular chessboard 100. According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 has a cylindrical overall shape or is at least partially cylindrical. According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 includes a control module 400 configured to be communicatively connected to the indicator light assembly 800 to be able to control the operation of the indicator light assembly 800. According to some embodiments, the plurality of lamp beads 810 are arranged on the circuit board 410 of the control module 400 and located in the peripheral area of the circuit board 410. According to an embodiment, the circuit board 410 is arranged to have one of the following shapes: circular; rectangular; oval; equilateral polygon; more specifically, the "polygon" has an even number of sides.

[0227] In some embodiments, as described above, the board game device 10 may have a first occupancy point 11 and a second occupancy point 12. Exemplarily, the board game device 10 can use the above - mentioned first occupancy point 11 and second occupancy point 12 in the single - player game mode. In some embodiments, as described above, the board game device 10 may have a third occupancy point 13 and a fourth occupancy point 13. Exemplarily, the board game device 10 can use the above - mentioned third occupancy point 13 and fourth occupancy point 13 in the two - player game mode. According to some embodiments, as described above, during the game session, the first status lamp bead 811 is the lamp bead 810 in the lit state, and the second status lamp bead 812 is the lamp bead 810 in the extinguished state. In some embodiments, as Figure 9 , 14, as shown in FIGS. 16, the control module 400 is configured to control the light strip 800 such that during the game session, the first status light beads 811 are alternately distributed corresponding to the first occupancy point 11 and the second occupancy point 12 or alternately corresponding to the third occupancy point 13 and the fourth occupancy point 13 between each game step to indicate the corresponding chess-playing party of the current game step. For example, during the game session, if in the current game step, the first status light beads 811 are distributed corresponding to the first or third occupancy point 13, it indicates that the current chess-playing party is the first party; if the first status light beads 811 are distributed corresponding to the second or fourth occupancy point 13, it indicates that the current chess-playing party is the second party. Thus, in these embodiments, the light strip 800 can very intuitively indicate the current chess-playing party, especially in combination with the first status light beads 811 in different lighting states as described above; more specifically, the current chess-playing party and the advantage and disadvantage information can be clearly and intuitively indicated through the following combinations: the occupancy point where the first status light beads 811 are located; the lighting state of the first status light beads 811 (e.g., the first color or the second color).

[0228] It should be noted that in the sense of this article, as Figures 9 - 18 shown, "corresponding to a certain occupancy point distribution" can be understood as the corresponding light beads 810 being distributed along two opposite circumferential directions with the intersection of the corresponding axis passing through the occupancy point and the center line of the chess grid area 100a and the light strip 800 as the midpoint.

[0229] According to an alternative embodiment, as described above and as Figures 17 - 18 shown, during the game session, the first status light beads 811 are the light beads 810 in the first lighting state, and the second status light beads 812 are the light beads 810 in the second lighting state, and the second lighting state is different from the first lighting state. Exemplarily, the first lighting state is the first color, and the second lighting state is the second color. In such an embodiment, it can be further set that the first status light beads 811 always correspond to the first or third occupancy point 13 distribution, and the second status light beads 812 always correspond to the second or fourth occupancy point 13 distribution.

[0230] According to some embodiments, as described above, as Figures 9 - 14As shown, the advantage and disadvantage module may include an indicator light assembly 800, and a plurality of lamp beads 810 of the indicator light assembly 800 may include a first status lamp bead 811 and a second status lamp bead 812. According to some embodiments, as described above, the lighting states of the lamp beads 810 include a first lighting state and a second lighting state. According to some embodiments, as described above, the first lighting state may be represented by a first color, and the second lighting state may be represented by a second color. According to further embodiments, the first enabling indication information for indicating the enabling of the first-party enabling square 110a1 is also represented by the first lighting state, such as the first color, and the second enabling indication information for indicating the enabling of the second-party enabling square 110a2 is also represented by the second lighting state, such as the second color. That is, the lighting state of the advantage and disadvantage lamp beads 810 representing the proportion of the enabling squares of the corresponding party among all the enabling squares 110a is consistent with the enabling indication information for indicating the enabling squares of the corresponding party, which allows the proportion of the lamp beads 810 lit in the corresponding lighting state among all the lamp beads 810 or the proportion in the total area of the indicator light assembly 800 to represent the proportion of the enabling squares of the corresponding party among all the enabling squares 110a to be indicated very intuitively. More specifically, the current chess-playing party and the advantage and disadvantage information can be clearly and intuitively indicated by the following combinations: the occupancy points where the first status lamp bead 811 and / or the second status lamp bead 812 are located; the lighting state (such as the first color or the second color) of the first status lamp bead 811 and / or the second status lamp bead 812; optionally, the representations of the first enabling indication information and the second enabling indication information, that is, the lighting states of the first-party enabling square 110a1 and the second-party enabling square 110a2.

[0231] According to some embodiments, the indicator light assembly 800 is arranged as a circular light strip 800, and more specifically, it is arranged around the periphery of the circular cover plate 30 of the chess device 10, and the chessboard 100 forms at least a part of the cover plate 30. According to some embodiments, the ratio of the radial width of the light strip 800 to the maximum radius of the cover plate 30 is 1 to 10%, preferably 2 to 6%, thereby ensuring that the light strip 800 clearly displays the advantage and disadvantage indication information, while not disturbing the display of the first-party enabling square 110a1 and the second-party enabling square 110a2 on the chessboard 100, and at the same time not causing visual fatigue to the user.

[0232] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 4, as shown in FIGS. 25 and 29 - 30, the board game device 10 further includes an indicator light assembly cover 820, and the indicator light assembly cover 820 covers the indicator light assembly 800, and more specifically covers the arrangement of a plurality of lamp beads 810. More specifically, the indicator light assembly cover 820 includes a plurality of lamp bead light-transmitting portions 821 and lamp bead light-blocking portions 822. In other words, the indicator light assembly cover 820 is divided into a plurality of lamp bead light-transmitting portions 821 by the lamp bead light-blocking portions 822, and each lamp bead light-transmitting portion 821 is arranged corresponding to one lamp bead 810, so that the indication information provided by the lamp bead 810 can be displayed through the light-transmitting portion. According to some embodiments, the indicator light assembly cover 820 has a plurality of cavities, and the side surfaces surrounding each cavity are all formed by the lamp bead light-blocking portions 822, and one end of each cavity is constituted by the corresponding lamp bead light-transmitting portion 821, and the lamp bead light-transmitting portion 821 can be exemplarily a material missing portion. When the indicator light assembly cover 820 covers the light strip 800, each lamp bead 810 is located in the corresponding cavity, the lamp bead 810 is surrounded by the lamp bead light-blocking portion 822, and the side of the lamp bead 810 opposite to the first axial side of the holding member faces the lamp bead light-transmitting portion 821. According to some embodiments, the indicator light assembly cover 820 is provided as an integral part.

[0233] According to some embodiments, when the indicator light assembly 800 is a light strip 800, the ratio of the radial width of the indicator light assembly cover 820 to the maximum radius of the cover plate 30 is 1 - 10%, preferably 2 - 6%, thereby ensuring that the light strip 800 clearly displays the advantage and disadvantage indication information, and at the same time will not interfere with the display of the first-party enabled chess squares 110a1 and the second-party enabled chess squares 110a2 on the chessboard 100, and will not cause visual fatigue to the user.

[0234] According to some embodiments, the main body 20 of the board game device 10 is a housing member, which includes a bottom wall 21 and a peripheral wall 22, and the end opposite to the peripheral wall 22 can be an open end, and the cover plate 30 and / or the chessboard 100 can be arranged to cover the open end.

[0235] According to some embodiments, as Figures 1 - 2 shown in FIGS. 29, the indicator light assembly 800 is arranged as a light strip 800 and can be radially located between at least a part of the rotating ring 620 and the chessboard 100. According to some embodiments, the chessboard 100 constitutes at least a part of the cover plate 30 of the board game device 10, and the light strip 800 can be radially located between at least a part of the rotating ring 620 and the cover plate 30; optionally, the rotating ring 620, the light strip 800 and the cover plate 30 all have a circular shape; optionally, at least a part of the cover plate 30, the light strip 800 and the rotating ring 620 are arranged one by one in the radial direction, and at least a part of the rotating ring 620 is arranged on the outermost side in the radial direction.

[0236] According to some embodiments, as Figure 30As shown, at least a part of the rotating ring 620 axially covers the light strip 800. For example, the light strip 800 is disposed axially inside this at least part of the rotating ring 620, and this at least part of the rotating ring 620 is light-transmissive. According to some embodiments, the light strip 800 may be axially located between the aforementioned first rotating ring part 621 and the second rotating ring part 622. More specifically, the light strip 800 has a holder, and the plurality of lamp beads 810 are held by the holder. The holder is axially located between the first rotating ring part 621 and the second rotating ring part 622. More specifically, the holder may have a first axial side and a second axial side opposite to each other, the first axial side faces the first rotating ring part 621, the second axial side faces the second rotating ring part 622, and the plurality of lamp beads 810 are disposed on the first axial side. According to some embodiments, the holder is an integral part of the circuit board 410 of the control module 400. According to some embodiments, the first rotating ring part 621 includes an outer axial end plate, and the outer surface 626 for the user to touch to operate the rotating ring 620 mentioned above includes the outer axial surface 6261 of this outer axial end plate, that is, the first surface 6261 mentioned above. According to some embodiments, the outer axial end plate 627 of the first rotating ring part 621 is provided as transparent or semi-transparent and axially covers the plurality of lamp beads 810, so that the lit lamp beads 810 can be displayed through this axial end plate. According to some embodiments, the fixing part 610 mentioned above and the holder may be a single piece. This allows a very compact overall structure of the board game device 10. According to some embodiments, the aforementioned second mating part, more specifically the elastic members 611, 612 and the positioning member 613, may be disposed on the second axial side of the holder. According to some embodiments, the aforementioned second sensing member may be disposed on the second axial side of the holder.

[0237] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 further includes a switch mechanism member. According to an alternative embodiment, the switch mechanism member may be integrally provided with the mode switching member 40.

[0238] According to some embodiments, the board game device 10 includes a sound generating module. According to some embodiments, the control module 400 is configured to be communicatively connected to the sound generating module to be able to control the operation of the sound generating module. According to some embodiments, the sound generating module is configured to be able to give a selection sound prompt along with the selection operation of the piece placement position selection module. According to some embodiments, the selection sound prompt appears synchronously with the above-mentioned selection indication information or the first optional indication information. According to some embodiments, the sound generating module is configured to be able to provide a flipping sound prompt during the flipping process. According to some embodiments, the flipping sound prompt is synchronized with the conversion of the selected chess square and the at least one associated opponent-enabled chess square to the current player-enabled chess square. According to some embodiments, the sound generating module is configured to be able to provide an update sound prompt when the advantage and disadvantage information is updated. According to some embodiments, the update sound prompt is synchronized with the change of the light beads 810 of the indicator light assembly 800. According to some embodiments, the sound generating module can give a victory prompt to cheer when one of the two players in the game wins.

[0239] According to some embodiments, as Figures 29 - 30 shown, the board game device 10 includes a battery module 900, and the battery module 900 is arranged to be able to supply power to the control module 400, the display module 300, the input detection module, the advantage and disadvantage indication module, the sound generating module, etc. The battery module 900 may include a rechargeable battery; alternatively or additionally, the battery module 900 may include a disposable battery.

[0240] The exemplary embodiments of the board game device 10 proposed by the present invention have been described in detail above with reference to the preferred embodiments. However, those skilled in the art can understand that, without departing from the concept of the present invention, various modifications and variations can be made to the above specific embodiments, and various combinations can be made to the various technical features and structures proposed by the present invention, without exceeding the protection scope of the present invention.

[0241] The scope of the present disclosure is not limited by the embodiments described above, but is defined by the appended claims and their equivalent scope.

Claims

1. A chess equipment, comprising: A chessboard, capable of forming a plurality of chess grids; A chess position selection unit is configured to select one of the chess squares, the selected chess square being referred to as a selected chess square; and A control module, configured to be in communication connection with the chess piece drop position selection unit; Wherein, the chess position selection unit comprises a fixed part and a rotating ring, and the rotating ring is configured to be able to rotate between at least two rotating positions relative to the fixed part to select one of the chess squares; in: At least a portion of the rotating ring is arranged around the chessboard; and / or The chess equipment comprises a main body, and at least a portion of the rotating ring is arranged around at least a portion of the main body or on an end of the main body.

2. The chess equipment according to claim 1, wherein: The rotating ring is configured to be rotatable relative to the fixed portion about a rotation axis to select one of a plurality of rotation positions, thereby correspondingly selecting one of the chess squares.

3. The chess equipment according to claim 2, wherein: A first matching surface and a plurality of first matching portions arranged on the first matching surface are arranged on one of the rotating ring and the fixing portion, and each first matching portion corresponds to one of the plurality of rotating positions; A second matching portion is disposed on the other of the rotating ring and the fixing portion, and the second matching portion is configured to match with the plurality of first matching portions to position the rotating ring at each rotating position.

4. The chess equipment according to claim 3, wherein: The first matching portion is a groove, and the groove is configured to receive at least a portion of the second matching portion to position the rotating ring at a corresponding rotating position.

5. The chess equipment according to claim 4, wherein: The second mating portion is configured such that when the rotating ring rotates relative to the fixed portion so that at least a portion of the second mating portion enters the groove from outside the groove, the at least a portion of the second mating portion contacts and hits the bottom and / or side wall of the groove.

6. The chess equipment according to claim 5, wherein: The two circumferential end surfaces of the groove are configured as inclined surfaces that converge toward each other from the opening side to the bottom side of the groove.

7. The chess equipment according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein: The second matching portion is disposed on the fixing portion and includes an elastic member connected to the fixing portion.

8. The chess equipment according to claim 7, wherein: The first matching surface is arranged on the rotating ring, and the elastic member is arranged as follows: When facing the other part of the first mating surface except the groove, at least a part of the elastic member abuts against the first mating surface so that the elastic member is compressed; When facing the groove, at least a portion of the elastic member stretches to release the elastic force and enters the groove to position the rotating ring at a corresponding rotating position.

9. The chess device according to claim 8, wherein: The elastic member includes a leaf spring, the leaf spring includes a positioning portion and a connecting portion, the connecting portion is connected to the fixing portion, and the positioning portion is configured to: abutting against the first mating surface to compress the leaf spring; and The groove is entered to position the rotating ring in a corresponding rotational position.

10. The chess equipment according to claim 9, wherein: The positioning portion is configured to have a U-shaped structure and includes a base and a first leg and a second leg extending from the base; The connecting portion includes a first connecting leg and a second connecting leg connected to the fixing portion; Wherein, the first connecting leg is connected to the first supporting leg, and the second connecting leg is connected to the second supporting leg.

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