Portable game board for playing card games in duel

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable game board (100) that allows to play card games in duel. The portable game board comprises a console (101) fixed on a support (102), at least one strap (103) attached to the console (101) and configured to adjustably secure the portable game board (100) to a player's forearm, and at least one game card case (1025) detachably fixed on the console (101) and configured to receive a game card, wherein the console (101) comprises a main principal circuit board (1011) configured to provide operation of the portable game board (100), a touch screen (1012) configured to display a card game and allow the player to choose his attacks, at least one radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag reader (1018) configured to read a RFID tag provided on the at least one game card case (1025), and at least one LED configured to light up a space on the console (101) provided for the at least one game card case (1025).

Description

[0001] PORTABLE GAME BOARD FOR PLAYING CARD GAMES IN DUEL

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present invention relates to game accessories and more particularly to a portable game board that attaches to the user' s arm and allows to play card games in duel.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] There are a lot of methods in playing card games, which include duel battle card games where two opponents try to win by choosing strategical or logical attacks . To play the duel battle card game, players can prefer using real game cards, plastic or paper ones, to experience the authenticity of the game in the traditional somatosensory way. However, the traditional card games using real game cards often involve assisting accessories such as paper or plastic playing boards, boxes, supplementary cards, etc. which can result in the need for much physical space and much time for preparing for the game. At the same time, with the development of the computer-implemented devices and Internet, digital card games have become popular all over the world due to the interactivity and freedom of movement provided by the computer-implemented device. However, the interaction of such card games is completely based on the digital virtualization, and players cannot use real game cards to experience a realistic game.

[0006] Cited as background of the invention, the document US11383172B1 disclosed a music mash up collectable card game. US11383172B1 fails to disclose how to improve players freedom of movement while playing.

[0007] The invention seeks to improve the situation. Therefore, it is desirable to provide a novel way of playing interactive card games in duel, which could improve player engagement, provide freedom of movement and create a high sense of realism during the duel.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In order to effectively solve the above-mentioned tasks existing in the state of the art, a portable game board allowing to play card games in duel has been developed according to the present invention. The portable game board is adjustably attachable to a player's forearm, can display game options with a possibility for the player to choose a game and his attacks via a touch screen using a free hand, and comprises detachable, interactively illuminable cases for paper or plastic game cards that can be replaced quickly and easily, thereby providing a freedom of movement and ensuring an engaged, realistic experience to the player.

[0010] The present invention is set out in the appended set of claims.

[0011] Particularly, the present invention relates to a portable game board for playing card games, comprising: a console fixed on a support; at least one strap attached to the console and configured to adjustably secure the portable game board to a player' s forearm; and at least one game card case detachably fixed on the console and configured to receive a game card; wherein the console comprises: a main principal circuit board (PCB) configured to provide operation of the portable game board; a touch screen configured to display a card game and allow the player to choose his attacks; at least one radiofrequency identification (RFID) tag reader configured to read a RFID tag provided on the at least one game card case; and at least one LED configured to light up a space on the console provided for the at least one game card case.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the portable game board is configured such that: the at least one LED lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, in the at least one game card case fixed on the console when the at least one game card case is empty; the at least one LED lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, the space on the console provided for the at least one game card case when the at least one game card case is removed from the console; and / or the at least one LED illuminates light corresponding to a color of a game card when the game card is placed in the at least one game card case fixed on the console.

[0013] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the support is made of a foam material. Preferably, a bottom side of the support, which is configured to be in contact with the player's forearm when the portable game board is secured to the player' s forearm, comprises an arch-shaped groove along a whole length of the support to follow the bend of the forearm.

[0014] According to one more embodiment of the portable game board, the at least one strap is a Velcro® strap.

[0015] Preferably, the portable game board comprises at least two straps spaced apart on the console.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the at least one game card case is made of a translucent, preferably transparent, plastic material. Preferably, the at least one game card case comprises a cutout to enable catching of a game card by a finger of the player. According to one more embodiment of the portable game board, the main PCB contains a battery, electronic components, a speaker and a WiFi and Bluetooth chip.

[0017] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the bottom of the console is composed by a base board fixed to the support, the base board integrating the main principal circuit board and the touch screen. Preferably, the base board is waterproof.

[0018] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the base board is covered by a housing board made of durable and scratch-resistant plastic material, wherein the housing board comprises eyelets configured to attach the at least one strap to the console, and is provided with an on / off button (1014) configured to turn the console on and off, and a USC C port configured to charge the console, and wherein the housing board further comprises an opening configured for receiving the touch screen, and at least one opening each configured for receiving one RFID tag reader of the at least one RFID tag reader included in the housing board.

[0019] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the console comprises an outer plate provided on a top surface of the housing board. Preferably, the outer plate is magnetized to allow the at least one game card case to be detachably fixed on the outer plate.

[0020] According to one more embodiment, comprising at least one circular LED and at least one LED stripe, wherein the portable game board is configured such that: the at least one circular LED lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, a corresponding one of the at least one game card case fixed on the outer plate when the corresponding one of the at least one game card ca se i s empty; the at lea st one circular LED lights up with a neutral light , preferably white light , a space on the outer plate provided for the corresponding one of the at least one game card ca se when the corre sponding one of the at least one game card ca se is removed from the outer plate ; and the at least one LED stripe illuminate s light corresponding to a color of a game card when the game card is placed in the corresponding one of the at lea st one game card ca se fixed on the outer plate .

[0021] According to another embodiment of the portable game board, the outer plate is partially painted to comprise transparent portions that include at lea st one longitudinal transparent portion and at least one circular transparent portion , such that the outer plate allows light of the at least one circular LED and at least one LED stripe to shine through the at least one circular transparent portion and the at least one longitudinal transparent portion , respectively . Each of the at lea st one circular transparent portion is aligned with a corresponding one of the at least one opening for the at lea st one RFID tag reader .

[0022] According to one more embodiment of the portable game board , on the top of the console there is provided a durable and scratchresi stant plexiglas s sheet that covers the touch screen .

[0023] According to one more embodiment , the portable game board comprises at least three game card ca se s .

[0024] According to one more embodiment , the portable game board is further configured to use NFC reading technology .

[0025] As can be seen from the above summary, the present invention provide s a novel way of playing interactive card games , enhancing player engagement by providing a greater freedom of movement and creating an improved sense of realism during the duel.

[0026] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which prominent aspects and features of the present invention are illustrated.

[0028] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable game board according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0029] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the portable game board shown in Fig.l, which is secured on the user's forearm when in use.

[0030] Fig. 3 is an exploded view of the portable game board shown in Fig .1 and Fig . 2.

[0031] The present figures relate to schematic drawings so that any dimension of the elements shown in the drawings may deviate from a specifically implemented setup.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] The present invention is now described in more details with reference to non-limiting examples. For example, modifications of specific elements of the preferred embodiments described hereafter may be combined with other modifications so as to provide further embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to an embodiment of the invention, which is a portable game board 100 attachable to a player's arm and allowing to play a card game in duel. The portable game board 100 comprises a console 101 fixed on a support 102, and two spaced straps 103 which allow to adjustably secure the portable game board 100 to the player' s forearm when in use, as particularly shown in Fi . 2.

[0035] The straps 103 can be, for example, Velcro® straps or the like.

[0036] The support 102 can be made of a foam material that comfortably holds the console 101 in place on the player' s forearm. The bottom side of the support 102, which is in contact with the player's forearm when the device is attached to the player's forearm, preferably comprises an arch-shaped groove along the whole length of the support 102 so as to follow the bend of the forearm, and thus ensure a more comfortable experience for the player.

[0037] Main components of the device are illustrated by an exploded view shown in Fig. 3. The bottom of the console 101 is composed by a base board 1010 that is fixed to the support 102. The base board 1010 keeps components of the console 101 in place internally. Preferably, the base board 1010 is waterproof so that the players can continue playing in case it starts raining during a duel. The base board 1010 integrates a main principal circuit board (PCB) 1011 which contains a battery, electronic components, a speaker, a WiFi and Bluetooth chip. The base board 1010 also integrates a touch screen 1012 which is intended for gameplay interaction. The touch screen 1012 particularly can display a game and allows the player to control game conditions, for example, by choosing a game, changing the game settings, choosing his attacks, etc.

[0038] The base board 1010 is covered by a housing board 1013 made of durable and scratch-resistant plastic material. On each of top and bottom lateral sides of the housing board 1013, which constitute top and bottom lateral s ides of the console 101 , there are provided two spaced eyelets 1019 for the corresponding two straps 103 . On the left lateral s ide of the housing board 1013 , which constitutes a left lateral s ide of the console 101 , there are provided an on / off button 1014 to turn the console 101 on and off and a USC C port 1015 to charge the console 101 . The housing board 1013 further comprise s an opening 1016 for receiving the touch screen 1012 and three openings 1017 for receiving corresponding three radio-frequency identification ( RFI D) tag readers 1018 that are included in the housing board 1013 to read RFI D tags (not shown ) af fixed to corresponding three game card cases 1025 that are detachably fixed on an outer plate 1020 of the console 101 .

[0039] The outer plate 1020 is provided on a top surface of the housing board 1013 . The outer plate 1020 es sentially is a top surface of the console 101 , which functions a s a game board and i s magneti zed to allow the game card cases 1025 to remain detachably fixed on the outer plate 1020 .

[0040] Each game card case 1025 comprises a s lot for receiving a game card that the player has decided to put into play for the active duel , the game card case 1025 being configured to enable replacing the game card quickly and easily . The game card case 1025 consists of a flat top side and a flat bottom s ide with the slot formed therebetween providing a space for a game card . The top edge of the top f lat side of the game card case 1025 can be provided with a cutout 1026 to enable easy catching of a game card by a finger of the player when retracting or inserting the same .

[0041] Each game card case 1025 is made of a trans lucent , preferably transparent , plastic material so as to make a game card placed therein sufficiently visible through the game card case 1025 . The outer plate 1020 is partially painted so as to comprise transparent portions 1021 that include longitudinal transparent portions , and three circular transparent portions , such that the outer plate 1020 allows light of LEDs compris ing circular LEDs

[0042] 1022 and LED stripes 1023 , which are provided in the console 101 , to shine through the respective circular and longitudinal transparent portions 1021 . The three circular transparent portions are aligned with the re spective three openings 1017 provided in the housing board 1013 for receiving RFID tag readers 1018 .

[0043] The portable game board 100 is conf igured such that the circular LEDs 1022 light up , preferably with a neutral light , such as white light , an empty game card case 1025 when the game card i s fixed on the outer plate 1020 of the console 101 and / or an empty space provided for a game card ca se 1025 on the outer plate 1020 of the console 101 when the game card case 1025 is removed therefrom, as shown in Fig . 2 which illustrates that a game card case 1025 is removed from the middle of the game board and the empty space is illuminated by the circular LED 1022 . The portable game board 100 can also be configured such that the LED stripes

[0044] 1023 illuminate light according to the color of a game card placed in a game card ca se 1025 when the game card case 1025 with the game card therein is fixed on the outer plate 1020 of the console 101 , as shown in Fig . 2 which illustrates two game card cases 1025 provided on the left and right side s from the empty space , each of which containing a game card therein .

[0045] On the top of the console 101 there is provided a durable and scratch-resistant plexiglas s sheet 1024 that covers the touch screen 1012 to protect the same . The console 101 can be configured to provide space for placing more or less than three game card cases 1025, for example, one, two, four or five game card cases 1025 depending on a card game for which the portable game board 100 can be specifically designed. The number of the openings 1017 in the housing board 1013 for the RFID tag readers 1018, the number of the RFID tag readers 1018 and the number of the circular LEDs 1022 and LED stripes 1023, which are provided in the console 101, corresponds to the number of game card cases 1025 that can be fixed on the console 101, and can be different of three, for example, one, two, four or five, depending on the number of the game card cases 1025 enabled by the portable game board 100.

[0046] Preferably, the portable game board 100 in assembly is configured such that the touch screen 1012 is arranged in the left part of the console 101 adjacent to the left side of the console 101, which is provided with the on / off button 1014 and USB-C port 1015, and the outer plate 1020 is provided adjacent to the touch screen 1012, in the right part of the console 101, with the game card cases 1025 preferably attachable to the outer plate 1020 in a row, as particularly shown in Figs. 1 and 2. Such configuration of the portable game board 100 assembly provides a comfortable use experience for the player.

[0047] The orientation of an imaged display of the touch screen 1012 can be provided adaptable for right-handed and left-handed persons .

[0048] The number of straps 103 to secure the portable game board 100 to the player's forearm can be different of two, for example, one, three or more straps. Where only one strap 103 is provided it should be wide enough to reliably secure the portable game board 100 to the player's forehand. The device can be configured to use NFC reading technology .

[0049] In summary, the pre sent invention revolutionize s traditional card gaming by offering a portable and interactive device providing immersive experience to players .

[0050] The above disclosed subj ect-matter i s to be considered illustrative , and not restrictive , and serves to provide a better understanding of the present invention set out in the appended set of claims .

Claims

CLAIMS1. A portable game board (100) for playing card games, comprising :- a console (101) fixed on a support (102) ;- at least one strap (103) attached to the console (101) and configured to adjustably secure the portable game board (100) to a player' s forearm; and- at least one game card case (1025) detachably fixed on the console (101) and configured to receive a game card; wherein the console (101) comprises: a main principal circuit board (1011) configured to provide operation of the portable game board (100) ;- a touch screen (1012) configured to display a card game and allow the player to choose his attacks;- at least one radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag reader (1018) configured to read a RFID tag provided on the at least one game card case (1025) ; and at least one LED configured to light up a space on the console (101) provided for the at least one game card case (1025) .

2. The portable game board (100) according to claim 1, wherein the portable game board (100) is configured such that: the at least one LED lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, the at least one game card case (1025) fixed on the console (101) when the at least one game card case (1025) is empty; the at least one LED lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, the space on the console (101) provided for the at least one game card case (1025) when the at least one game card case (1025) is removed from the console (101) ; and / orthe at least one LED illuminates light corresponding to a color of a game card when the game card is placed in the at least one game card case (1025) fixed on the console (101) .

3. The portable game board (100) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the support (102) is made of a foam material, and preferably a bottom side of the support (102) , which is configured to be in contact with the player's forearm when the portable game board (100) is secured to the player' s forearm, comprises an arch-shaped groove along a whole length of the support (102) to follow the bend of the forearm.

4. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one strap (103) is a Velcro® strap.

5. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least two straps (103) spaced apart on the console (101) .

6. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one game card case (1025) is made of a translucent, preferably transparent, plastic material, and preferably comprises a cutout (1026) to enable catching of a game card by a finger of the player.

7. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the main principal circuit board (1011) contains a battery, electronic components, a speaker and a WiFi and Bluetooth chip.

8. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bottom of the console (101) is composed by a base board (1010) fixed to the support (102) , the base board (1010) integrating the main principal circuitboard (1011) and the touch screen (1012) , the base board (1010) preferably being waterproof.

9. The portable game board (100) according to claim 8, wherein the base board (1010) is covered by a housing board (1013) made of durable and scratch-resistant plastic material, wherein the housing board (1013) comprises eyelets (1019) configured to attach the at least one strap (103) to the console (101) , and is provided with an on / off button (1014) configured to turn the console (101) on and off, and a USC C port (1015) configured to charge the console (101) , and wherein the housing board (1013) further comprises an opening (1016) configured for receiving the touch screen (1012) , and at least one opening (1017) each configured for receiving one RFID tag reader (1018) of the at least one RFID tag reader (1018) included in the housing board (1013) .

10. The portable game board (100) according to claim 9, wherein the console (101) comprises an outer plate (1020) provided on a top surface of the housing board (1013) , the outer plate (1020) preferably being magnetized to allow the at least one game card case (1025) to be detachably fixed on the outer plate (1020) .

11. The portable game board (100) according to claim 10, comprising at least one circular LED (1022) and at least one LED stripe (1023) , wherein the portable game board (100) is configured such that: the at least one circular LED (1022) lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, a corresponding one of the at least one game card case (1025) fixed on the outer plate (1020) when the corresponding one of the at least one game card case (1025) is empty, the at least one circular LED (1022) lights up with a neutral light, preferably white light, a space on the outerplate (1020) provided for the corresponding one of the at least one game card case (1025) when the corresponding one of the at least one game card case (1025) is removed from the outer plate (1020) , and the at least one LED stripe (1023) illuminates light corresponding to a color of a game card when the game card is placed in the corresponding one of the at least one game card case (1025) fixed on the outer plate (1020) .

12. The portable game board (100) according to claim 11, wherein the outer plate (1020) is partially painted to comprise transparent portions (1021) that include at least one longitudinal transparent portion and at least one circular transparent portion, such that the outer plate (1020) allows light of the at least one circular LED (1022) and at least one LED stripe (1023) to shine through the at least one circular transparent portion and the at least one longitudinal transparent portion respectively, wherein each of the at least one circular transparent portion is aligned with a corresponding one of the at least one opening (1017) for the at least one RFID tag reader (1018) .

13. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein on the top of the console (101) there is provided a durable and scratch-resistant plexiglass sheet (1024) that covers the touch screen (1012) .

14. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least three game card cases (1025) .

15. The portable game board (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, which is further configured to use NFC reading technology.

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