Gaming hardware devices, board game kits, and related control methods

Abstract

The gaming hardware device has an interactive gaming platform that can be connected to a multi-purpose central console, and the electronics for making the interactive board game are divided so that the smallest part is in the interactive platform including the game board, while all the logic and processing parts are entrusted to the central console that can be reused for other interactive platforms. A further object of the present disclosure is a game kit having the hardware device of the present disclosure and a plurality of game pieces including passive RFID tags readable by the central console. A method of controlling the board game kit is also disclosed.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to interactive board games, and more particularly to a board game hardware device having a central console interchangeably connectable with an interactive board game platform. [Background technology]

[0002] Interactive board games, in which electronic devices and computer programs executed by microprocessor units interact with the classic elements of board games such as the board and pawns to create new effects that enhance the gaming experience, have become increasingly popular these days. Such games involve the use of a game board or game table that includes multiple antennas or RFID readers configured to identify RFID TAGs embedded in the pawns or pieces that are to be placed on the game board or table during game play.

[0003] An example of this kind of interactive game is described in WO2012033863, which discloses a board game made of a game board, game pieces or pawns, at least one memory device, and a control device. Each of the game pieces has a unique identifier that is associated with information stored in the memory device that defines the characteristics or properties of the corresponding game piece when used. During the game, multimedia events are generated according to the type and movement of the pieces on the board or game table. To identify the position and type of each pawn or game piece, an RFID reader is present on the game board or game table, and the game table has a dedicated electronic device for this purpose that is configured to interact with a computer into which cards containing game software can be inserted.

[0004] Such electronic devices must be carefully designed to be selectively capable of reading each single RFID reader inserted into the game table and avoid problems with interference with other readers. Furthermore, such board games would be expensive since it would require the implementation of a dedicated electronic device for each game table. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] WO2012033863 Summary of the Invention

[0006] One of the objectives of the present disclosure is to at least partially overcome the limitations of the prior art solutions. This objective is achieved by a gaming hardware device as defined in the appended claim 1, in which the electronics for making an interactive board game are divided so that a minimal part is in the interactive platform including the game board, while all the logic and processing parts are located in a central console which can also be used for other interactive platforms.

[0007] A further object of the present disclosure is a game kit having a hardware device of the present disclosure and a number of game pieces including passive RFID tags readable by a central console.

[0008] A method of controlling a board game kit is also disclosed.

[0009] Preferred embodiments are defined in the appended claims. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] A figure showing an exemplary embodiment of a board game kit according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 2]FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the center console shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with an aspect of the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 illustrates an example embodiment of the interactive platform shown in FIG. 1 according to an aspect of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary three-tier structure of an interactive platform game board according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a detailed view of a portion of the game board of FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating how an interactive platform may be connected to a central console of a gaming hardware device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the gaming board having a world map printed thereon. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 illustrates the interactive platform of FIG. 6 connected to a central console of a hardware device for detecting the presence and location of pawns on a game board on which a geographical world map is printed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A schematic diagram of a board game kit according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in Figure 1. It comprises a gaming hardware device having a central console 101 and a removable interactive platform 102 connectable to the central console. As described in detail below, the central console 101 and the interactive platform 102 are configured such that the same central console 101 can be connected to any of the interactive platforms 102 of the present disclosure such that the games can be changed by reusing the same central console 101.

[0012] The interactive platform 102 of the present disclosure includes a game board and an interface 104 operatively connected to the game board. The game board illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 includes a flat, flexible bottom support 402, a layer including a plurality of sensors 103 disposed above the flat, flexible bottom support 402, each sensor being individually accessible through a respective wire leading to a respective electrical terminal of an array of electrical terminals of the game board, and a flat game board 401, made, for example, from paper or cardboard or a flexible material, disposed above the layer including the sensors 103 and configured to cover and sandwich the sensors 103 together with the flat bottom support 402 without covering the array of electrical terminals of the game board. Among the various sensors 103 on the game board is at least one antenna 308 that is configured to read an RFID TAG located on the game board 401 above the antenna 308 and to generate a corresponding response signal available at a respective electrical terminal in an array of electrical terminals on the game board.

[0013] Optionally, among the various sensors 103 there may be a pressure sensor 307, a capacitive touch sensor 309 or even a membrane switch 310 for detecting the presence of a pawn on the game board 401 or for detecting actions performed on the game board by a player, such as pressing a button or adjusting a parameter of a level bar.

[0014] According to one embodiment, among the sensors 103 are multiple antennas 308 disposed above a flat bottom support 402, with each antenna 308 configured to be individually activated by a respective electrical terminal of the array of electrical terminals of the display game board and to read an RFID TAG disposed on the game board 401 above the antennas 308 and generate a corresponding response signal available at a respective electrical terminal of the array of electrical terminals of the game board.

[0015] The advantage of the hardware device of the present disclosure lies in the fact that the antennas 308 are arranged according to the boxes provided in the game graphics, in sufficient numbers to cover the working positions required by the game, as described in the above-mentioned prior document WO2012033863, with the game board according to the present disclosure the creativity of the game designer is not limited, since it is possible to follow the game graphics instead of binding it to a matrix of rows and columns.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the layer having the sensor 103 is made of a flexible printed circuit board, and the flat bottom support 402 is made entirely of a flexible material with a thickness determined so that it can be rolled up by hand together with the layer having the sensor 103 and the game board 401.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the game board 401 has a printed exterior and is of the same material as the flat bottom support 402, preferably the same flexible material as the flat bottom support 402, with a thickness such that the game board can be rolled up by bare hands. In the example shown in Figures 6 and 7, a world map is printed on the exterior of the game board 401. Pawns 105 that are identifiable, i.e. equipped with an RFID tag therein, and / or other types of elements 106 (shown in Figure 1) that do not have an RFID tag and are therefore not identifiable, may be placed on the game board during play.

[0018] The interactive platform 102 has an interface 104 operatively connected to the game board, configured to allow the game board to be removably connected to the central console 101, so that the central console 101 can be reused to play interactive platforms 102 associated with the same but different games. According to one embodiment, the interface has a first electrical connector 301 operatively connected to the array of electrical terminals of the game board, a memory 305, which may be, for example, a ROM memory, a flash memory, or even another type, containing information identifying a game that may be played on the game board, identifying associated software 107 downloadable to the external microprocessor device, and identifying each of the sensors 103 connected to a respective electrical terminal of the array of electrical terminals of the game board, and a second electrical connector 302 having a standard number of electrical input / output terminals operatively connected to the memory 305 and the first electrical connector 301. The second electrical connector 302 is configured to be electrically connected to the central console 101 and to allow the console control unit 101 to read information contained in the memory 305 and to send / receive signals to / from the array of electrical terminals of the game board. The memory 305 allows the central console 101 to recognize the game and understand how to access the individual sensors incorporated in the game board and what they represent on the game board. This information is sufficient for the interactive platform 102 to connect to the central console 101, so that the latter recognizes the game and knows how to read / control each of the sensors 103 and recognizes their nature (antenna, pressure sensor, capacitive touch sensor, etc.).

[0019] According to an optional embodiment, the first electrical connector 301 of the interface 104 is permanently connected to an array of electrical terminals on the game board. Alternatively, the interface 104 may be disconnected from the game board to allow for low-cost replacement of the board in the event of damage.

[0020] According to an optional aspect, the interface 104 may be equipped with a processing unit MCU 303 and game-specific auxiliary circuits 306 to enable game creators to provide additional game-specific functionality. The processing unit MCU 303 and auxiliary circuits 306 are accessible by and interfaced with the central console 101 when the interactive platform 102 is connected to the central console 101.

[0021] In the gaming hardware device of the present disclosure, the central console 101 is configured to be reused with the interactive platform 102 for the same type of game but different games as described above. According to one embodiment, the central console 101 includes a third electrical connector 201 having a number of electrical input / output terminals for removably connecting with the second electrical connector 302 of the interface 104, one or more multiplexers 207 and an RFID reader 205 operatively connected with the third electrical connector 201 for receiving / transmitting signals from / to each respective sensor 103 of the interactive platform 102 when the third electrical connector 201 is connected to the second electrical connector 302, a wireless connection circuit 209 configured to receive / transmit signals from / to an external microprocessor device for executing software 107 related to the game, and a microprocessor unit 203, - reading the memory 305 of the interface 104 when the third electrical connector 201 is connected to the second electrical connector 302; - a microprocessor unit 203 configured to control the multiplexer 207 and the RFID reader 205 to control the sensor 103 according to information read from the memory 305 and to receive / send signals from / to an external microprocessor device running the game software 107 through a wireless connection circuit 209.

[0022] In practice, this antenna 308 is directly connected to the central console 101 through the interface 104. For example, if the layer 103 has 25 antennas, there are 26 tracks (25 antennas and one GND terminal) leading from the layer 103 to the interface 104, simply reconnecting these terminals correctly to the central console 101. The processing of the individual antennas 308 is done inside the central console 10. By processing to the multiplexer 207, the microprocessor unit 203 of the console control unit 101 connects the single antenna 308 to the RFID reader 205, which tells whether there is a pawn 105 above the antenna 308 or not. By periodically interrogating the antenna 308 on the game board, it is possible to read the state of the board during the progress of the game. Any other sensor 103 of different types will be connected to the central console 101 in a similar manner.

[0023] According to an optional embodiment, the interface 104 has an identification circuit 304 that includes an anti-counterfeiting code that uniquely identifies the interface 104. When the third electrical connector 201 is connected to the second electrical connector 302, the identification circuit 304 is connected to be read by the microprocessor unit 203 of the central console 101. If the anti-counterfeiting code is not recognised by the central console 101, it effectively prevents the execution of any multimedia effects.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the central console 101 has a rechargeable battery 202 configured to power a microprocessor unit 203. Optionally, the central console 101 may be equipped with a touch surface control device 208, and / or auxiliary components 204 (LEDs, displays, etc.) for providing information to a user regarding the operation of the central console 101, and / or auxiliary memory 206 available to the microprocessor unit 203.

[0025] A complete game kit according to the present disclosure is illustrated in Figure 1 and includes a central console 101, at least one interactive platform 102, and several pawns 105 that may be positioned above a game board 401. Each pawn 105, which may represent a player representative, a game character, or any other game piece that may be used in conjunction with the game board, has a respective passive RFID TAG that identifies the pawn 105, and the passive RFID TAG is configured to be read by a bottom antenna 308 in the layer containing the sensor 103 when placed on the game board 401.

[0026] In order to play a board game using this kit, it is necessary to obtain an external microprocessor device, such as a smartphone, tablet or PC, wirelessly connected to the microprocessor unit 203 of the central console 101. When the third connector 201 of the central console 101 is connected to the second connector 302 of the interface 104 (FIG. 6), the microprocessor unit 203 reads the information contained in the memory 305 of the interface 104, thereby identifying the games that can be played on the game board, identifying the associated game software 107 that can be downloaded to the external microprocessor device (e.g. the smartphone of each player), identifying the sensors 103 connected to each electrical terminal of the array of electrical terminals of the game board to understand which of them are RFID TAG sensing antennas, which are capacitive touch sensors, etc., and interrogating them and / or recognizing the signals coming from each of them. At this point, the game software 107 identified by the information in the memory 305 is downloaded to the external microprocessor device and the game software 107 is executed, so that the external microprocessor device interacts with the central console 101 during the progress of the game.

[0027] While the player places the pawn 105 or other unidentifiable (i.e., without RFID tag) game piece 106, the central console 101 controls the sensor 103 of the game board through the microprocessor unit 203 and the multiplexer 207 to detect the presence of at least one pawn 105 above the game board 401 (FIG. 7). The microprocessor unit 203 reads the RFID tag of at least one pawn 105 placed above the game board 401 through the RFID reader 205, identifies the pawn and its position above the game board 401, and transmits the identification information of the pawn 105 and the position information of the antenna 308 above which the pawn 105 is placed, via the wireless communication circuit 209, to an external microprocessor device connected to the central console 101. Based on this information, the game software 107 running on the external microprocessor device is updated about the position and type of the pieces physically present on the game board 401 and generates corresponding multimedia game effects that change during the progress of each batch.

[0028] This organization allows the production of low-cost and game-specific interactive platforms 102, since the most powerful and expensive circuits are in the central console 101 that can be reused for different games. Furthermore, the gaming hardware device of the present disclosure is easy to prepare, since it is sufficient to connect the interface 104 of the interactive platform 102 to the central console 101, which recognizes the game by reading the ROM memory 305, identifies the software 107 to be downloaded to the player's smartphone or tablet (or even PC), and automatically configures itself to control the sensor 103. In effect, the game board with the interface 104 acts as a cartridge for the multi-purpose gaming central console 101.

[0029] The present invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, it being understood that there may be other embodiments which refer to the same inventive core as defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A gaming hardware device having a central console (101) and at least one interactive platform (102) removably connectable to the central console (101), The at least one interactive platform (102) 1. A game board device comprising: flat bottom support part (402), a layer including a plurality of sensors (103), said layer being disposed above said flat bottom support (402), each sensor of said plurality of sensors being individually accessible through a respective electrical wire leading to a respective electrical terminal of an electrical terminal array of said game board apparatus; and a game board (401) disposed above the layer containing the plurality of sensors (103), the game board (401) being configured to cover and sandwich the plurality of sensors (103) together with the flat bottom support (402) without covering the electrical terminal array of the game board device; the plurality of sensors having at least one antenna (308) configured to read an RFID tag located on the game board (401) above the antenna (308) and generate a corresponding response signal available at a respective electrical terminal of the electrical terminal array of the game board device; A game board device; an interface (104) operatively connected to the game board device, a first electrical connector (301) connected to the electrical terminal array of the game board device; a memory (305) containing information identifying games that may be played on the game board apparatus, identifying associated software (107) downloadable to an external microprocessor device, and identifying the plurality of sensors (103) connected to the respective electrical terminals of the electrical terminal array of the game board apparatus; and a second electrical connector (302) having a number of electrical input / output terminals operatively connected to the memory (305) and the first electrical connector (301), the second electrical connector (302) configured to be electrically connected to a central console (101) and to enable the central console (101) to read the information contained in the memory (305) and to transmit / receive signals to / from the electrical terminal array of the game board device; an interface (104); The center console (101) a third electrical connector (201) having the specified number of electrical input / output terminals, the third electrical connector (201) being configured to be detachably connected to the second electrical connector (302) of the interface (104); at least one multiplexer (207) and an RFID reader (205) operatively connected to the third electrical connector (201) to receive / transmit signals from / to each single sensor of the plurality of sensors when the third electrical connector (201) is connected to the second electrical connector (302); a wireless connection circuit (209) configured to receive / transmit signals from / to the external microprocessor device; and a microprocessor unit (203) configured to read the memory (305) of the interface when the third electrical connector (201) is connected to the second electrical connector (302), to control the at least one multiplexer (207) and the RFID reader (205) to control the plurality of sensors (103) depending on the information read from the memory (305), and to receive / transmit signals from / to the external microprocessor device through the wireless connection circuit (209), Gaming hardware devices.

2. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of sensors comprises a plurality of antennas (308) disposed above the flat bottom support (402), each antenna (308) of the plurality of antennas configured to be individually activated by a respective electrical terminal of the electrical terminal array of the game board device and to read an RFID TAG disposed on the game board (401) above the antenna (308) and generate a corresponding response signal available at the respective electrical terminal of the electrical terminal array of the game board device.

3. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the layer including the plurality of sensors is made of a flexible printed circuit board, and the flat bottom support (402) is made entirely of a flexible material and has a thickness determined so that it can be rolled up by bare hand together with the layer including the plurality of sensors (103) and the game board (401).

4. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the central console (101) comprises a rechargeable battery (202) configured to power the microprocessor unit (203).

5. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface (104) has an identification circuit (304) including a code that uniquely identifies the interface (104), the identification circuit (304) being connected to be read by the microprocessor unit (203) of the central console (101) when the third electrical connector (201) is connected to the second electrical connector (302).

6. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the first electrical connector (301) of the interface (104) is permanently connected to the electrical terminal array of the game board apparatus.

7. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the game board (401) is flat, has a printed exterior surface, and is made of the same material as the flat bottom support (402).

8. A board game kit comprising: A gaming hardware device according to any one of claims 1 to 7; and a plurality of pawns (105) that may be placed on the game board (401), each pawn (105) of the plurality of pawns having a respective passive RFID tag that identifies the pawn (105), the passive RFID tag being configured such that when placed on the game board (401), the RFID tag is read by an antenna (308) of the plurality of sensors (103) on which it is placed.

9. A method for controlling the board game kit according to claim 8, comprising: providing an external microprocessor device wirelessly connected to said microprocessor unit (203) of said central console (101); connecting the third connector (201) of the central console (101) to the second connector (302) of the interface (104); reading, at the microprocessor unit (203) of the central console (101), information contained in the memory (305) of the interface (104) thereby identifying games that may be played on the game board apparatus, identifying associated game software (107) downloadable to the external microprocessor device, and identifying the plurality of sensors (103) connected to the respective electrical terminals of the electrical terminal array of the game board apparatus; downloading said game software (107) to said external microprocessor device, thereby executing said game software (107) on said external device; reading the plurality of sensors (103) of the game board device by the microprocessor unit and the at least one multiplexer of the central console, thereby detecting the presence of at least one of the pawns above the game board device; reading, with said microprocessor unit (203) and said RFID reader (205), an RFID tag of at least one of said pawns (105) placed above said game board (401), thereby identifying said at least one pawn (105); transmitting information identifying said at least one pawn (105) and a position of said at least one antenna (308) above which said pawn (105) is located to said external microprocessor device through said microprocessor unit (203) and said wireless communication circuitry (209); executing said game software (107) using said identification and location information to thereby generate corresponding multimedia game effects on said external microprocessor device; The control method includes:

Images