U.S. patent application number 09/902927 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-23 for labyrinth game using parallel correlation for the movement of tracers.
Invention is credited to Ignatiev, Alexander.
Application Number | 20030015839 09/902927 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25416631 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030015839 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Ignatiev, Alexander |
January 23, 2003 |
Labyrinth game using parallel correlation for the movement of
tracers
Abstract
A system and method of parallel correlation of tracers to
enhance challenge of mastering a labyrinth or maze, where from one
side the tracers are restricted in their movement by the pathway of
the labyrinth; and from the other side--by the conditions of the
their mutual correlation. Utilization of this method in labyrinth
games makes the labyrinths more difficult and exciting.
Inventors: |
Ignatiev, Alexander;
(Anchorage, AK) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael Tavella
2051 Brigadier Dr
Anchorage
AK
99507
US
|
Family ID: |
25416631 |
Appl. No.: |
09/902927 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
273/153R |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 7/042 20130101;
A63F 9/0078 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/153.00R |
International
Class: |
A63F 009/08 |
Claims
I claim:
1. A labyrinth game comprising: a) a labyrinth pathway having a
General Direction of the Labyrinth (GDL), having a beginning and an
end; b) a plurality of tracers aligned with and in communication
with said labyrinth pathway; and c) a means for securing said
tracers in said labyrinth pathway, wherein said means for securing
said tracers includes a plurality of tracer planes, and further
whereby said plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular to the
GDL, and further whereby said plurality of tracer planes being held
in fixed positions relative to each of said plurality of tracer
planes and in alignment with the direction of the GDL, such that
said fixed positions remain constant between the plurality of
tracer planes along the direction of the GDL.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said
tracers in said labyrinth pathway further include a means for
moving each of said plurality of tracers in a direction
perpendicular to said GDL.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein each of said plurality of tracers
moves independently of the others in said plurality of tracer
planes.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein means for securing said tracers in
said labyrinth pathway comprise at least one bridge installed on
said labyrinth.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said
tracers in said labyrinth pathway comprises a bridge having a
plurality of parallel tracks, wherein each of said parallel tracks
holds at least one tracer.
6. The device of claim 5 wherein said plurality of parallel tracks
are formed such that each of said parallel tracks is at a fixed
spacing with respect to an adjacent parallel track.
7. The device of claim 1 wherein the means for securing said
tracers in said labyrinth pathway comprises a set of computer
instructions that create a set of boundary conditions whereby said
boundary conditions create a plurality of tracer planes, and
further whereby said plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular
to the GDL, and further whereby said plurality of tracer planes
being held in fixed positions relative to each of said plurality of
tracer planes and in alignment with the direction of the GDL, such
that said fixed positions remain constant between the plurality of
tracer planes along the direction of the GDL.
8. A labyrinth game comprising: a) a first labyrinth pathway having
a first General Direction of a Labyrinth (first GDL), having a
beginning and an end and a second General Direction of a Labyrinth
(second GDL), having a beginning and an end and further having an
angular orientation with respect to said first General Direction of
the Labyrinth; b) a plurality of tracers aligned with and in
communication with said labyrinth pathway; and c) a means for
securing said tracers in said labyrinth pathway, wherein said means
for securing said tracers includes a plurality of tracer planes,
and further having a first operative state whereby said plurality
of tracer planes being perpendicular to the first GDL, and further
whereby said plurality of tracer planes being held in fixed
positions relative to each of said plurality of tracer planes and
in alignment with the direction of the first GDL, such that said
fixed positions remain constant between the plurality of tracer
planes along the direction of the first GDL; and a second operative
state whereby said plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular
to the second GDL, and further whereby said plurality of tracer
planes being held in fixed positions relative to each of said
plurality of tracer planes and in alignment with the direction of
the second GDL, such that said fixed positions remain constant
between the plurality of tracer planes along the direction of the
second GDL.
9. A method of solving a labyrinth game having a labyrinth pathway
having a General Direction of the Labyrinth (GDL), having a
beginning and an end; a plurality of tracers aligned with and in
communication with said labyrinth pathway; and a means for securing
said tracers in said labyrinth pathway, wherein said means for
securing said tracers includes a plurality of tracer planes, and
further whereby said plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular
to the GDL, and further whereby said plurality of tracer planes
being held in fixed positions relative to each of said plurality of
tracer planes and in alignment with the direction of the GDL, such
that said fixed positions remain constant between the plurality of
tracer planes along the direction of the GDL, comprising the steps
of: a) aligning the plurality of tracers to the labyrinth pathway;
b) moving the means for securing said tracers along the GDL until
the direction of labyrinth pathway prevents further movement along
the GDL; c) relocating the plurality of tracers along the labyrinth
pathway until the tracers are aligned with the labyrinth pathway
such that movement along the GDL is permitted; d) moving the means
for securing said tracers along the GDL until the direction of
labyrinth pathway prevents further movement along the GDL; and e)
repeating steps a-d until the labyrinth game is solved.
10. The method of solving a labyrinth game having a first labyrinth
pathway having a first General Direction of a Labyrinth (first
GDL), having a beginning and an end, and a second General Direction
of a Labyrinth (second GDL), having a beginning and an end and
further having an angular orientation with respect to said first
General Direction of the Labyrinth; a plurality of tracers aligned
with and in communication with said labyrinth pathway; and a means
for securing said tracers in said labyrinth pathway, wherein said
means for securing said tracers includes a plurality of tracer
planes, and further having a first operative state whereby said
plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular to the first GDL,
and further whereby said plurality of tracer planes being held in
fixed positions relative to each of said plurality of tracer planes
and in alignment with the direction of the first GDL, such that
said fixed positions are equal between the plurality of tracer
planes along the direction of the first GDL; and a second operative
state whereby said plurality of tracer planes being perpendicular
to the second GDL, and further whereby said plurality of tracer
planes being held in fixed positions relative to each of said
plurality of tracer planes and in alignment with the direction of
the second GDL, such that said fixed positions remain constant
between the plurality of tracer planes along the direction of the
second GDL comprising the steps of: a) aligning the plurality of
tracers to the labyrinth pathway; b) moving the means for securing
said tracers along the first GDL until a player decides to move the
tracers along the second GDL; c) reorienting the means for securing
said tracers along the second GDL; d) moving the means for securing
said tracers along the second GDL until a player decides to move
the tracers along the first GDL; e) reorienting the moving the
means for securing said tracers along the first GDL; f) moving the
means for securing said tracers along the first GDL until a player
decides to move the tracers along the second GDL; and g) repeating
steps b-f until the labyrinth game is solved.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND
DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] This invention relates to an amusement devices, and more
particularly to a labyrinth or maze puzzle-games.
[0005] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0006] The prior art is shown in the following U.S. Patents: U.S.
Pat. Nos. 5,884,912, 5,732,945, 5,560,606, 5,509,656, 5,441,260,
5,281,039, 4,974,848, 4,805,910, 4,738,451, 4,667,960, 4,545,577,
4,340,217, 4,065,132, 3,819,187, 3,594,005, 3,820,793 2,541,411,
1,071,874.
[0007] A review of those patents, and the art in general, shows
that all labyrinth games may be divided on three major
categories:
[0008] First--labyrinth games with a single tracer;
[0009] Second--labyrinth games with several tracers that are not
correlated with each other;
[0010] Third--labyrinth games with a set of tracers that are
correlated to each other.
[0011] Because of their nature, the two first categories are not
relevant to the current application.
[0012] The third category of the labyrinth games can be found in
U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,874 by L. S. Burbank and U.S. Pat. No.
5,884,912 by A. G. Ignatiev.
[0013] The device, described in the U.S. Pat. No. 1,071,874 by L.
S. Burbank, is a circular labyrinth game with a group of four
tracers that are correlated to each other. The type of correlation
of the tracers, used in that game, may be described as a "polar"
type. This device has rigid bounds between tracers when they move
across the General Direction of the Labyrinth (GDL), as described
below. However, in the direction along the GDL, the tracers move
independently from each other.
[0014] One problem with the Burbank's system in patent U.S. Pat.
No. 1,071,874 is that it does not allow the solution of several of
different shaped labyrinths simultaneously because of wrong
orientation of the planes of the tracers toward the GDL. Burbank's
method of tracer correlation also does not allow the solution of
labyrinths with several tracers placed in the same pathway.
[0015] The device described in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,884,912 by A. G.
Ignatiev is a labyrinth game with an impression of maze on a
surface of a cylinder. In this game a method, named "Parallel
Correlation of the Tracers" (PCT) has been implemented. Here, in
contrast to the Burbank patent, the device uses rigid bounds
between tracers when they move along the GDL, and allows
independent movement of the tracers when they move across the
GDL.
[0016] The PCT method is not limited by shape of an object, or by
the shape of a labyrinth itself, especially when it is implemented
in computer games.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] In the current application, a very specific type of the
correlation of the tracers for a labyrinth game and a method of
correct orientation of tracers toward the GDL are disclosed.
[0018] Some essential terms are now defined:
[0019] PCT method--the method of organization of a group of tracers
in a labyrinth game. The method provides simultaneous movement of
the whole group of tracers in a pathway of a labyrinth when they
move parallel to the GDL, and allows the tracers to move
independently from each other when the movement of the tracers is
perpendicular to the GDL.
[0020] A Tracer--a means to navigate a labyrinth. A tracer can be a
physical element or can be represented by software in a computer
game.
[0021] GDL--The General Direction of the Labyrinth. Every labyrinth
game has a GDL. The GLD represents the general direction of the
maze from a beginning point to an end point. A GDL may have a
vertical orientation, a horizontal orientation, or a combination of
both orientations.
[0022] The Plane of a Tracer--a plane perpendicular to the GDL
within which any individual tracer can be moved independently from
the rest of the group of tracers.
[0023] To apply the PCT method successfully, two conditions must be
realized: First--the tracers must have mutual correlation as it is
described; Second--the planes of the tracers must be oriented
correctly toward General Direction of the Labyrinth. Otherwise, the
game may not have a positive solution, as it has happened in the
case with the Burbank device.
[0024] The PCT method, submitted in current application allows a
user to solve a labyrinth with a group of correlated tracers placed
in the same pathway. It also allows solutions for several different
shape labyrinths by passing a group of correlated tracers through
the labyrinths simultaneously from start to finish.
[0025] The implementation of the PCT method significantly increases
the challenge of solving labyrinth games. This method is equally
applicable to two or three-dimensional labyrinths made in hard form
or in computer software.
[0026] The level of complexity of the game can be adjusted by
changing number of tracers involved into the game. The more tracers
in the labyrinth--the harder is the game to solve.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1a is a detail view of a labyrinth game with a single
maze having a vertical GDL.
[0028] FIG. 1b is a detail view of a labyrinth game with a single
maze having a horizontal GDL.
[0029] FIG. 1c is a detail view of a labyrinth game with a single
maze having both vertical and horizontal GDLs.
[0030] FIG. 1d is a detail view of a labyrinth game where vertical
and horizontal GDLs are substituted with a resultant GDL.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a detail view of the implementation of the PCT
method applied to several labyrinths to be solved simultaneously (a
multiple maze).
[0032] FIG. 3a is a perspective view of a labyrinth game with a
cylinder-alike shape.
[0033] FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a labyrinth game with a
square plate-alike shape.
[0034] FIG. 3c is a perspective view of a labyrinth game with a
prism-alike shape.
[0035] FIG. 3d is a perspective view of a labyrinth game with a
disk-alike shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The following is a list of the reference characters used in
this description:
[0037] A and B--the ends of a maze of a labyrinth;
[0038] 1 to 6--names of the tracers;
[0039] 10--a object with an impression of a maze of a labyrinth on
its surface;
[0040] 11--a maze;
[0041] 12--tracers;
[0042] 13--bridges;
[0043] 14--the planes of the tracers, a set of parallel planes
within which the tracers are allowed to move.
[0044] 15--the planes of the tracers, a set of intersected planes
within which the tracers are allowed to move.
[0045] 21, 22, 23--mazes of a labyrinth game with multiple
maze;
[0046] h--the distance between parallel planes of the tracers
14;
[0047] .omega.--the angle between the intersecting planes of the
tracers.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 1, The objective of the invention is
to make solving labyrinth games more challenging by navigating set
of several tracers that are correlated to each other.
[0049] The PCT method is equally applicable to a two or
three-dimensional labyrinth games realized in hard or software.
[0050] The system of a labyrinth game with the PCT is comprised of:
a pathway of a labyrinth 11 (FIG. 3) or 21, 22, and 23 of FIG. 2; a
set of tracers 12, placed on the pathway(s) of the labyrinth 11;
and a set of bridges 13.
[0051] The bridges 13 have a number of purposes. First, they are
used to keep the tracers 12 within the pathway of the labyrinth 11.
Second, they are also used to keep each tracer within its plane 14,
or 15. Third, to keep planes of the tracers parallel to each other.
Fourth, to keep distance (h or .omega.) between parallel planes
constant (although not necessarily equal). Fifth, to orient
parallel planes perpendicular to the GDL.
[0052] In computer versions of the labyrinth game with the PCT, the
bridges may be substituted by preprogramming conditions.
[0053] To apply the PCT method correctly, it is very important to
know the orientation of the General Direction of the Labyrinth
(GDL).
[0054] Every labyrinth, whether two or three-dimensional, has its
GDL which is defined by positions of its ends (A and B). For a
labyrinths, having one end on left side and the other end on right
side, GDL will be horizontal, X-GDL (FIG. 1b). For a labyrinth,
having one end on the top and other end on the bottom, GDL will be
vertical Y-GDL (FIG. 1a). For a labyrinth with one end on the top
or bottom and the other end on right or left side will have two
GDLs: X-GDL and Y-GDL (FIG. 1c). Two such GDLs may be substituted
with a resultant single XY-GDL (FIG. 1d), which is oriented
diagonally to X and Y coordinate axies. Finally, three-dimensional
labyrinths may have a Z-GDL, oriented perpendicular to both X-GDL
and Y-GDL. Three GDLs may be substituted with a single resultant
XYZ-GDL oriented diagonally to all three coordinate axies.
[0055] Once the GDL is defined, the planes of the tracers 14 or 15,
and therefore, the bridges 13, must be oriented perpendicular to
it.
[0056] A labyrinth game with more than one GDL may be certainly
realized in a computer game, although it can be hard to realize it
in hardware. Typically, therefore, games performed in hardware have
a single GDL.
[0057] Labyrinth games made in hardware form are shown on FIG. 3 a,
b, c. All of them have a single GDL. A labyrinth game with a disk
shape has a single circular GDL (FIG. 3d).
[0058] As the game is played, each tracer is moved across the GDL
until it aligns with a portion of the labyrinth, which is parallel
to the GDL. When all of the tracers are positioned in labyrinth
paths that move along the GDL, the entire set of tracers may be
moved by moving the bridges along the GDL until the next lateral
movement path is reached. At that point, the tracers can be moved
again to the next lateral movement. These movements are repeated
until the game is solved.
[0059] In the case of the multiple GDL games, the tracers may be
moved along either GDL as desired. Thus, a player may move along a
vertical GDL in one movement and then switch to a horizontal GDL in
the next movement and then the player can switch back again as
needed to solve the labyrinth. The only requirement is that the
bridges, or the planes of the tracers, must move consistent with
the GDL selected.
[0060] The present disclosure should not be construed in any
limited sense other than that limited by the scope of the claims
having regard to the teachings herein and the prior art being
apparent with the preferred form of the invention disclosed herein
and which reveals details of structure of a preferred form
necessary for a better understanding of the invention and may be
subject to change by skilled persons within the scope of the
invention without departing from the concept thereof.
* * * * *