U.S. patent application number 12/107234 was filed with the patent office on 2008-10-30 for "electronic lighted die".
Invention is credited to Craig DeRuyter.
Application Number | 20080268942 12/107234 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39886001 |
Filed Date | 2008-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080268942 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
DeRuyter; Craig |
October 30, 2008 |
"Electronic Lighted Die"
Abstract
A device comprised of: a shell forming a chamber within the
shell; a sphere allowed to freely rotate within the chamber of the
shell and a display unit with multiple light sources within the
sphere. The display unit is weighted such that light sources always
face upward when the device comes to rest. When dropped, the
display unit randomly illuminates at least one of the light sources
to indicate a number, simulating the roll of a die.
Inventors: |
DeRuyter; Craig; (Belgium,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ABSOLUTE TECHNOLOGY LAW GROUP LLC
135 W. WELLS ST., SUITE 518
MILWAUKEE
WI
53203
US
|
Family ID: |
39886001 |
Appl. No.: |
12/107234 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60915111 |
Apr 30, 2007 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/22 ;
273/146 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/0413 20130101;
A63F 9/0468 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/22 ;
273/146 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24; A63F 9/04 20060101 A63F009/04 |
Claims
1. An electronic lighted die comprised of: at least one outer shell
containing a sphere; a display unit contained within said sphere,
said display unit capable of displaying a random number within a
defined range generated by a microprocessor.
2. The electronic lighted of claim 1, wherein said at least one
outer shell contains a viscous liquid surrounding said sphere.
3. The electronic lighted of claim 1, wherein said outer shell is
half-mirrored.
4. The electronic lighted of claim 1, wherein said outer shell has
a surface treatment selected from a group consisting of
transparent, partially transparent, tinted, clouded, reflective, a
film, holographic treatment, embossing and any combination
thereof.
5. The electronic lighted of claim 1, wherein said viscous liquid
is selected from a group consisting of oil, water, spirits, tinted
water, tinted oil, tinted spirits, colloidal mixtures and any
combination thereof.
6. The electronic lighted die of claim 1, wherein said sphere has a
surface selected from a group consisting of transparent, partially
transparent, tinted, clouded, reflective, a film and any
combination thereof.
7. The electronic lighted die of claim 1, wherein said sphere has a
shape selected from a group consisting of a faceted ball,
octagonal, square, rectangular, tetrahedron, hexahedron,
octahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedrons, polyhedron, square,
rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal and combinations
thereof.
8. The electronic lighted die of claim 1, wherein said display unit
has at least one light source for displaying said random
number.
9. The electronic lighted die of claim 8 wherein said at least one
light source are selected from the group consisting of light
emitting diode, organic light emitting diode, electroluminescent
display, incandescent lamp, plasma display, neon tube, cathode ray
tube, and nixie tube.
10. The electronic lighted die of claim 1, which further includes
branding indicia.
11. An electronic lighted die comprised of: at least one six-sided
outer shell containing a viscous liquid; a sphere contained within
said viscous liquid; a a display unit contained within said sphere,
said display unit capable of displaying a random number within a
defined range generated by a microprocessor.
12. The electronic lighted of claim 11, wherein said outer shell is
half-mirrored.
13. The electronic lighted of claim 11, wherein said outer shell
has a surface treatment selected from a group consisting of
transparent, partially transparent, tinted, clouded, reflective, a
film, holographic treatment, embossing and any combination
thereof.
14. The electronic lighted of claim 11, wherein said viscous liquid
is selected from a group consisting of oil, water, spirits, tinted
water, tinted oil, tinted spirits, colloidal mixtures and any
combination thereof.
15. The electronic lighted die of claim 11, wherein said sphere has
a surface selected from a group consisting of transparent,
partially transparent, tinted, clouded, reflective, a film and any
combination thereof.
16. The electronic lighted die of claim 11, wherein said sphere has
a shape selected from a group consisting of a faceted ball,
octagonal, square, rectangular, tetrahedron, hexahedron,
octahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedrons, polyhedron, square,
rectangular, oval, pentagonal, hexagonal and combinations
thereof.
17. The electronic lighted die of claim 11, wherein said display
unit has at least one light source for displaying said random
number.
18. The electronic lighted die of claim 17, wherein said at least
one light source are selected from the group consisting of light
emitting diode, organic light emitting diode, electroluminescent
display, incandescent lamp, plasma display, neon tube, cathode ray
tube, and nixie tube.
19. The electronic lighted die of claim 11, which further includes
branding indicia.
20. An electronic lighted die comprised of: at least outer shell
containing a viscous liquid, said outer shell having a shape
selected from a group consisting of a skull, a nugget, a diamond, a
head, automobile, a jack-o-lantern, a pumpkin, a snowman, Santa
Claus, a cartoon character, a heart, a branded product image, a
celebrity image, a globe, a regular geometric shape, an irregular
geometric shape and any combination thereof; a sphere contained
within said viscous liquid; a a display unit contained within said
sphere, said display unit capable of displaying a random number
within a defined range generated by a microprocessor.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority, in part, to U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/915,111 filed Apr. 30, 2007.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to the field of playing
dice, and in particular to the field of playing dice having an
electronically illuminated display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of one embodiment of the
electronic lighted die according to the instant invention.
[0004] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the
electronic lighted die.
[0005] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the electronic circuit board
assembly of one embodiment of the display unit.
[0006] FIG. 4 shows a top view of one embodiment of the electronic
lighted die with light sources illuminated.
[0007] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of an exemplary embodiment of a
circuit diagram for microprocessor circuit.
BACKGROUND
[0008] Dice are used in various amusement games and games of
chance.
[0009] Dice are available in a variety of different shapes and
sizes. The number of sides (facets or faces) on a die can range
from as little as four (4) to dozens, and the size of a die can
vary widely, from the very minute to the very large.
[0010] Conventional modern gaming dice are cubes having dots or
other markings on their sides representing the numbers one (1)
through six (6). The dots are placed on respective die faces so
that the sum of the dots on opposite sides is always seven (7).
Thus, for example, the numbers one (1) and six (6) appear on
opposite sides of the cube, two (2) is opposite five (5), and three
(3) is opposite four (4). Typically, the dice are rolled across a
surface and the number displayed on the upwardly facing facet of
each cube once they came to rest has some significance or
importance.
[0011] The advent of electronic circuitry and illuminable numeric
displays for use in conjunction, therewith, has created the
opportunity to produce more advanced types of dice. Such
"electronic dice" have been developed to increase the entertainment
value and interest in using dice.
[0012] As used herein, the terms "die" and "dice" refer to any
object capable of displaying a number. A die may have may have any
number of sides or visible surfaces.
[0013] As used herein, the term "microprocessor" shall refer to any
element or system which may compute a random value, and cause the
random value to be displayed.
[0014] As used herein, the term "viscous liquid" shall refer to any
substance having a measurable viscosity, for example water, oil or
other fluid.
[0015] As used herein, the term "half-mirrored" shall refer to any
element or system which partially reflects incident light on a
surface while allowing light from the other side of the surface to
shine through. This effect is also known as half-silvered mirror or
two-way mirror.
[0016] As used herein, the term "face" means the viewable surface
of a die or any object functioning as a die.
[0017] As used herein, the term "sphere" means a structural
component which encloses a display unit. A sphere may have a shape
other than spherical, as this term refers to a functional
structural component for encasing a display unit, including but not
limited to a faceted ball, octagonal, square, rectangular,
tetrahedron, hexahedron, octahedron, dodecahedron, icosahedrons,
polyhedron, square, rectangular oval, pentagonal, hexagonal and
combinations thereof.
[0018] As used herein the term "display unit" shall refer to any
element includes a visible illuminated component, the configuration
of which may be variable and determined by a microprocessor. A
display may include lights, graphical interfaces, reflective
components, LED lights or any other component capable of creating a
viewable surface.
[0019] As used herein the term "spirits" shall refer ethanol,
methanol proponal or any other alcohols.
[0020] As used herein the term "colloidal mixtures" shall refer to
fluids containing undissolved substances such as other fluids or
particles (e.g., glitter, gold flaxes, aluminum powder and
oils).
[0021] As used herein the term "branding indicia" means
trademarking, marking, printing, coloration or other indicia of
brand.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0022] For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the present
invention, references are made in the text hereof to embodiments of
an electronic lighted die, only some of which are depicted in the
figures. It should nevertheless be understood that no limitations
on the scope of the invention are thereby intended. One of ordinary
skill in the art will readily appreciate that modifications such as
the dimensions, size, and shape of the components, alternate but
functionally similar materials from which the an electronic lighted
die is made, and the inclusion of additional elements are deemed
readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art,
and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the
drawings and described in the written description do not depart
from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Some of these
possible modifications are mentioned in the following description.
Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and
as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the
art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately
detailed apparatus or manner.
[0023] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the invention. In addition, in the
embodiments depicted herein, like reference numerals in the various
drawings refer to identical or near identical structural
elements.
[0024] Moreover, the term "substantially" or "approximately" as
used herein may be applied to modify any quantitative
representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a
change in the basic function to which it is related. For example,
one embodiment of the electronic lighted die is disclosed herein as
being a cube, i.e., six (6) sided. The electronic lighted die might
permissibly be somewhat non-cubical or have a number of sides other
than six (6) and still be within the scope of the invention if its
functionality is not materially altered.
[0025] Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows an exploded view
of one embodiment of electronic lighted die 100 according to the
instant invention. In the embodiment shown, electronic lighted die
100 is comprised of shell 110 (consisting of upper shell portion
110a and lower shell portion 110b), sphere 120 (including upper
sphere portion 120a and lower sphere portion 120b), display unit
130, and a viscous liquid 140 (not visible in this drawing).
Display unit 130 is positioned within sphere 120. Sphere 120 is
surrounded by viscous liquid 140. Viscous liquid 140 is contained
within shell 110 to allow sphere 120 to rotate freely within shell
110. In the embodiment shown, shell 110 is configured to form a six
(6) sided chamber (in the shape of a die), into which the viscous
liquid and sphere are positioned. However, as discussed infra,
shell 110 may be produced in alternative configurations, sizes and
shapes which may be representational of other objects (e.g., a
skull, a nugget, a diamond, a head, an automobile, a
jack-o-lantern, a pumpkin, a snowman, Santa Claus, a cartoon
character, a heart or any other shape or representation capable of
being molded.)
[0026] In the embodiment shown, shell 110 is comprised of upper
shell portion 110a and lower shell portion 110b. Upper shell
portion 110a and mates with lower shell portion 110b to form shell
110. In the embodiment shown, upper shell portion 110a and lower
shell portion 110b are each three (3) sides of a cube such that
when mated with its counterpart they form a six (6) sided cube. In
other embodiments, upper shell portion 110a and lower shell portion
110b may have different mating configurations to conform to their
molded shapes. It should be understood that in the embodiment
shown, upper shell portion 110a and lower shell portion 110b each
have three (3) faces, but in other embodiments, the resulting shell
110, as provided supra, can have fewer or more faces, dimensions,
sides or mated components. Furthermore, shell 110 can be formed by
any number of components to achieve the desired number of faces.
For example, six (6) individual pieces can be pieced together,
three (3) L-shaped pieces can be fitted together, or a five (5)
sided piece can be mated with a single sided piece.
[0027] In the embodiment of electronic lighted die 100 shown in
FIG. 1, upper shell portion 110a and lower shell portion 110b are
half-mirrored, allowing the display unit 130 to be visible
(particularly when illuminated). In the embodiment shown, upper
shell portion 110a and lower shell portion 110b are clear,
scratch-resistant plastics, composites or polymers, compatible with
mirror coatings, compatible with gluing operations, and accept
printing thereon. However, other embodiments may not be scratch
resistant, or may be alternate materials capable of being molded or
machined to form upper shell portion 110a and lower shell portion
110b
[0028] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the half-mirrored faces
of upper shell portion 110a and lower shell portion 110b allow the
lights contained within electronic lighted die 100 (described in
greater detail infra) to be visible or apparent to a user, while
minimizing the appearance of other components contained within
shell 110.
[0029] It should be understood, however, that upper shell portion
110a and lower shell portion 110b need not be constructed of
half-mirrored material, but rather may be transparent, partially
transparent, tinted, clouded, reflective, textured or treated with
a material such as a varnish or film to produce a desired visual
effect.
[0030] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, upper shell portion 110a
and lower shell portion 110b form a chamber to contain viscous
liquid 140 when mated and/or sealed together prevent viscous liquid
140 from escaping. In the embodiment shown, upper shell portion
110a and lower shell portion 110b, may be sealed by means commonly
known and used in the art (i.e., ultrasonic weld or gluing
operation) so as to form a chamber to effectively contain a viscous
liquid.
[0031] The embodiment shown in FIG. 1, includes a single shell 110.
Other embodiments may include multiple shells or layers of shells,
forming various chambers of inner layers and compartments, which
may or may not function to enclose viscous liquid 140.
[0032] Also visible in FIG. 1 is sphere 120. Sphere 120 is formed
of two (2) upper sphere portion 120a, and lower sphere portion 120b
which mate to form sphere 120. Sphere 120 may be made of any
substantially or partially transparent material that is capable of
being molded to form upper sphere portion 120a, and lower sphere
portion 120b which may be connected or mated together. In the
embodiment shown, upper sphere portion 120a, and lower sphere
portion 120b are mated by an ultra-sonic weld to form a
substantially watertight sphere. It should be understood that upper
sphere portion 120a and lower sphere portion 120b can be made of
any suitable material. Additionally, in other embodiments, upper
sphere portion 120a, and lower sphere portion 120b may be of a
shape that is other than spherical.
[0033] Display unit 130 is positioned within sphere 120, and sphere
120 and a viscous liquid 140 are contained within shell 110 to
allow sphere 120 to rotate freely within shell 110. The viscous
liquid 140 maintains sphere 120 positioned substantially within the
center of the chamber formed by upper shell portion 110a and lower
shell portion 110b. The viscous liquid 140 within shell 110 allows
sphere 120 to rotate freely, positioning the center of gravity
below the centerline of sphere 120 to ensure that sphere 120 is
always positioned with the display facing upward.
[0034] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment
of lighted die 100. In this embodiment, shell 120 is surrounded by
viscous liquid 140 inside shell 110. Power source 133 being placed
on the underside of PCB 131 causes the center of gravity of sphere
120 to be below PCB 131. This arrangement causes the display side
of PCB 131 containing light sources 135a-g to be displayed upward
when sphere 120 is allowed to move freely within liquid 140.
[0035] In the embodiment shown, sensor 137 activates microprocessor
132 when dropped. Thus, when electronic lighted die 100 is rolled
or thrown, electronic lighted die 100 randomly generates a number
between one (1) and six (6) (or another number if electronic
lighted die 100 is programmed to simulate a die with an alternate
number of faces) and show the randomly generated number using the
light sources 135a-g positioned on PCB 131.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows a top view of the electronic circuit board
assembly of one embodiment of the display unit 130. In the
embodiment shown, display unit 130 is comprised of printed circuit
board (PCB) 131, microprocessor 132, power source 133 (as shown in
FIG. 2), light sources 135a-g, and sensor 137. Microprocessor 132,
power source 133, and sensor 137 may positioned on either the top
surface or bottom surface of PCB 131. Light sources 135a-g are
positioned on the top surface of PCB 131.
[0037] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of one embodiment of display
unit 130. In the embodiment shown, visible on display unit 130 a
value of six (6), as represented by six (6) illuminated LED lights
(i.e., light sources as discussed infra.). Light sources 135a-f are
clearly visible through the top of shell 110 forming the display of
the value six (6). In this embodiment of lighted die 100, with
shell 110 formed of half-mirrored material, unlit light source
135g, and other components of display unit 130 are not visible.
[0038] FIG. 5 shows a schematic of one exemplary embodiment of a
circuit diagram for display unit 130. In the embodiment shown,
microprocessor 132 is a six (6) pin, eight (8) bit flash
microcontroller, part number PIC10F202 as manufactured by Microchip
Technologies. However, microprocessor 132 can be any equivalent
microprocessor 132 with similar capabilities. Microprocessor 132 is
activated when electronic lighted die 100 dropped. When electronic
lighted die 100 comes to a rest microprocessor 132 randomly
generates a number between one (1) and six (6). Microprocessor 132
then displays the resulting number by illuminating between one (1)
and six (6) of light sources 135a-g. In the embodiment shown, light
sources 135a-g are each a red Light Emitting Diode (LED), but can
be any other light source commonly used in the art.
[0039] Also visible in FIG. 5 is power source 133. In the
embodiment, shown power source 133 is a 3V, 230 mAh high energy
lithium battery in a button cell configuration. However, any
alternate power source commonly known and used in the industry can
be used. In the embodiment shown, power source 133 is mounted to
the bottom of PCB 131. This creates a center of gravity of display
unit 130 below PCB 131, ensuring that when rotated within the
sphere (not shown) light sources 135a-g will face upward, allowing
light sources 135a-g to be viewed.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment shown, light sources 135a-g are
Light Emitting Diodes (LED's). An LED has an anode (positive side)
and a cathode (negative side). Current flows easily from the anode,
to the cathode, but not in the reverse direction. An LED can only
operate when a greater voltage is applied to its anode than its
cathode. When the voltage of the anode is not greater than the
cathode, the LED does not illuminate, and conducts substantially
zero current. It is therefore possible to construct a circuit using
LED's wherein LED's may be selectively illuminated by applying
various combinations of positive voltage and ground to a matrix of
LED's. An LED in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 will only
illuminate when a positive voltage is present on its anode and a
lower voltage or ground is present on its cathode. To create the
desired pattern of lit and unlit light sources 135a-g,
microprocessor 132 alternately applies positive voltage and ground
to each LED in the circuit shown in FIG. 5.
[0041] In the embodiment shown, after a predetermined time,
microprocessor 132 ceases displaying the desired pattern of lit and
unlit light sources 135a-g. Microprocessor 132 subsequently powers
down until electronic lighted die 100 is moved and sensor 137
activates microprocessor 132 again.
[0042] While electronic lighted die 100 has been shown and
described with respect to several embodiments and uses in
accordance with the present invention, it is to be understood that
the same is not limited thereto, but is susceptible to numerous
changes and modifications as known to a person of ordinary skill in
the art, and it is intended that the present invention not be
limited to the details shown and described herein, but rather cover
all such changes and modifications obvious to one of ordinary skill
in the art.
* * * * *