Dice Angle Game Apparatus with Barriers and Scoring Zones

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Solution Overview

Problem

There is a demand for a new board game that requires physical skill and rewards proficiency, specifically a dice angle game where players must throw dice to land in a scoring area, as existing games often rely on chance or mental skills rather than physical prowess.

Innovation Solution

A board game apparatus with a rectangular playing surface, side and end walls, barriers, and demarcated scoring areas, where players throw dice to land in scoring areas, requiring physical skill and incorporating a scoring algorithm to determine points.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a board game uses dice and random number generators to select play options, then the game can be played with simple mechanics, but the game lacks physical skill requirements and becomes less attractive to players seeking proficiency development

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegame mechanics simplicityVSAvoidphysical skill requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of dice interaction from passive rolling to active throwing with controlled trajectory. Players must physically throw dice along the playing surface, utilizing parameters such as throwing angle, force, and spin to navigate dice around barriers and into scoring areas. This transforms the game from chance-based to skill-based while maintaining the core dice mechanic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If a board game requires physical skill to throw dice accurately, then player proficiency can be developed and rewarded, but the game complexity and difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvephysical skill developmentVSAvoidgame apparatus complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The playing surface is segmented into distinct zones including scoring areas, barriers, and neutral regions. This segmentation creates clear targets and obstacles that define the skill requirements without adding complex rules. The barriers are positioned to create challenging but achievable throwing paths, allowing skill development through repeated practice.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The game adds a spatial dimension to dice throwing by requiring players to navigate dice around barriers and into specific scoring areas rather than simply rolling toward a target. This dimensional complexity challenges players to control multiple aspects of the throw (angle, force, spin) while maintaining an accessible board layout.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Measurement precision

If scoring areas are positioned behind barriers to require precise throwing, then skill-based scoring is achieved, but the probability of landing in scoring areas decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethrowing accuracy requirementVSAvoidscoring frequency
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Different scoring areas are assigned different point values based on their difficulty and position relative to barriers. High-value scoring areas are positioned behind more challenging barriers, while lower-value areas are more accessible. This local differentiation maintains skill-based gameplay while ensuring players can achieve points through various throwing strategies, balancing challenge with achievable scoring frequency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS9993720B1Dice angle game
Publication Date: 2018.06.12 CARROLL CHRISTOPHER J

AI summary

A dice angle game is played on an apparatus that preferably has a flat playing surface, two side walls, two end walls, two barriers, scoring areas between the barriers and the adjacent end walls, and a plurality of dice. The game is played by rolling a dice against a side wall and trying to have it land in a scoring area.