U.S. patent application number 13/339371 was filed with the patent office on 2013-07-04 for color falling shapes computer game.
The applicant listed for this patent is Alex IOSILEVSKY, Len MUGIN. Invention is credited to Alex IOSILEVSKY, Len MUGIN.
Application Number | 20130172061 13/339371 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48695227 |
Filed Date | 2013-07-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130172061 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
IOSILEVSKY; Alex ; et
al. |
July 4, 2013 |
COLOR FALLING SHAPES COMPUTER GAME
Abstract
The invention relates to a falling-shapes computer games of the
type known under trademark "Tetris". The purpose of the game is to
score as many points as possible by creating a matching set of
three or more colored blocks of the same color vertically or
horizontally. Blocks can disintegrate during the fall once the
falling shape is partially blocked by the settled blocks. The
unblocked portion of the shape separates from the rest of the shape
and resumes the fall to the floor of the game frame till blocked or
stopped by other blocks or the floor. The game also offers special
blocks that, when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to
its side--whichever option would produce more points. Other special
blocks convert all blocks they share the border with to the blocks
of the same color as themselves clearing all qualifying shapes in
the process.
Inventors: |
IOSILEVSKY; Alex; (San
Francisco, CA) ; MUGIN; Len; (San Francisco,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IOSILEVSKY; Alex
MUGIN; Len |
San Francisco
San Francisco |
CA
CA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48695227 |
Appl. No.: |
13/339371 |
Filed: |
December 28, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
463/9 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 13/80 20140902;
A63F 13/005 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
463/9 |
International
Class: |
A63F 9/24 20060101
A63F009/24 |
Claims
1. A color falling shapes computer game comprising: a game frame
having an upper margin and a floor; a plurality of falling shapes
that are composed of a plurality of configurations from colored
unit elements that are colored or represent colors and that fall in
an arbitrary sequence one by one from the upper margin to the floor
of the game frame where the falling shape is either settled down or
is partially blocked by the colored unit elements of the preceding
falling shape and wherein unblocked colored unit elements separates
from the rest of the falling shape and slide down until they
contact the colored unit elements of the preceding falling shape;
each color being assigned a predetermined number of points,
different colors appearing with different frequencies, and the
higher the frequency the lower is the number of points assigned to
the colors; points being also awarded when a predetermined number
of colored unit elements of the same color is combined into a set
in which the neighboring colored unit elements share the borders
and when, as a result of such an arrangement the entire set clears;
after the set clears, the remaining colored unit elements continue
to fall down if a gap is formed between the remaining colored unit
elements and the settled colored unit elements; the game consisting
of multiple levels of difficulty.
2. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the sets may have different configurations.
3. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the levels of difficulty is based on the number of blocks
fallen on a fixed time limit associated with each level.
4. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the colored unit elements are selected from the group
consisting of colored cubes, colored circles, letters that
designate different colors, and colored graphic images.
5. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the colored unit elements are selected from the group
consisting of colored cubes, colored circles, letters that
designate different colors, and colored graphic images.
6. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored bombs, which,
when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to its side,
whichever option would produce more points.
7. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored bombs, which,
when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to its side,
whichever option would produce more points.
8. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 3,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored bombs, which,
when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to its side,
whichever option would produce more points.
9. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored bombs, which,
when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to its side,
whichever option would produce more points.
10. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 4,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored bombs, which,
when landed, clear out all the blocks underneath or to its side,
whichever option would produce more points.
11. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored converter that
converts all the blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of
the same color as itself and clears all qualifying shapes in the
process.
12. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 2,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored converter that
converts all the blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of
the same color as itself and clears all qualifying shapes in the
process.
13. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 5,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored converter that
converts all the blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of
the same color as itself and clears all qualifying shapes in the
process.
14. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 6,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored converter that
converts all the blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of
the same color as itself and clears all qualifying shapes in the
process.
15. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 9,
wherein the colored unit elements contain colored converter that
converts all the blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of
the same color as itself and clears all qualifying shapes in the
process.
16. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 1,
wherein the predetermined number of colored unit elements of the
same color is combined into a set is three.
17. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 10,
wherein the predetermined number of colored unit elements of the
same color is combined into a set is three.
18. The color falling shapes computer game as claimed in claim 15,
wherein the predetermined number of colored unit elements of the
same color is combined into a set is three.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to computer games, and, more
particularly to falling-block or falling-shapes computer games of
the type known under trademark "Tetris" wherein objects are falling
from the upper portion of a display area and clear the row when
this row is completely filled.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
[0002] Computer games in a category of so called "falling shapes
games" are known under trademark Tetris, Columns, and the like that
are available in the game market. The "falling shapes game" is a
kind of computer game in which objects, such as shapes composed of
individual blocks are falling from the upper portion of a display
area. For example, in Tetris, when one row is fully filled with
blocks, it is indicated that the blocks to be cleared are settled,
and the blocks arranged in one row are then immediately cleared. On
the other hand, in Columns, when three or more blocks of the same
color run on in the vertical, horizontal, or oblique direction, it
is indicated that blocks to be cleared are settled, and the blocks
are then immediately cleared.
[0003] However, the conventional "falling shapes games" are lacking
in thrills, since blocks to be cleared are immediately cleared
after it is indicated that they are settled. Especially, since no
next shape begins to fall until blocks to be cleared are settled
and cleared, if blocks line up, the player feels easy, and is
deprived of a chance of enjoying further thrills.
[0004] In order to provide more thrill, some games additionally
involve color matching. In other words, some of these games are
based on clearing or other action by matching the blocks of the
same color.
[0005] For example, Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication Kokai H10-156044 (A) (Inventors: Masao Yamamoto, et
al.) discloses a game in which the user operates drug capsules of
two colors that are falling automatically onto virus capsules
arranged in advance, and when three or more virus and drug capsules
with the same color run on vertically or horizontally, the blocks
are immediately cleared. According to the inventors, the invention
provides a great variety of games by displaying a plurality of
objects respectively in the vertical and lateral directions and
varying the display condition irrespective of the operating
condition of an operating means by a player and the operation of
the player on the basis of data generated automatically and
irregularly. When the sets of the objects movably displayed in the
vertical direction are moved to a region having the preceding
objects fixedly displayed, the moving display of the sets of the
objects is stopped to erase the display of objects chained in piles
and vary the display condition of objects of the kinds other than
the erased kinds of the objects. As mentioned above, the moveable
objects are drug capsules of two colors.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 7,775,866 issued Aug. 17, 2010 to T.
Mizuguchi, et al. discloses a falling block game with display
control made so that meteor blocks falling from the outer space are
piled up on the surface of earth. When the player operates a cursor
for piled up meteor blocks to designate them as objects to be
operated and presses a button, the meteor blocks are vertically
re-arranged. The display control may be made so that the collided
objects are cleared only when they are of the same color.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,259,710 issued Aug. 21, 2007 to A. Kisliakov
discloses a fall block computer game that uses a card that includes
user interface elements. Five of the user interface elements are
labeled with symbols representing functions performed during the
game (e.g. rotating a graphical object clockwise in the case of the
element). Further, four of the user interface elements are labeled
with colors. Each of the color user interface elements have
associated user interface element objects stored on the card
including data representing one of the colors blue, red, yellow and
green. Therefore, a user of the card can select one of the colors
as identifying the particular user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The purpose of the game is to score as many points as
possible within a given time limit by creating a matching set of
three or more colored unit elements (hereinafter referred to as
blocks) of the same color vertically or horizontally. Blocks can
disintegrate during the fall once the falling shape is partially
blocked by the settled blocks. The unblocked portion of the shape
separates from the rest of the shape and resumes the fall to the
floor of the game frame till blocked or stopped by other blocks or
the floor. Points are awarded for arranging a set of three or more
blocks of the same color in any configuration which is not
necessarily linear. Colors vary by frequency of use. Color
frequencies are inversely related to the number of points awarded
for placing a matching set of three or more blocks--the less
frequently used colors result in more points being awarded while
more frequently used colors will result in less points being
awarded. The game consists of multiple levels. Some versions are
based on the number of blocks that have fallen, others versions use
a fixed time limit associated with each level.
[0009] In other words, what is offered is a color falling shapes
computer game comprising: a game frame having an upper margin and a
floor; a plurality of falling shapes that are composed of a
plurality of configurations from colored unit elements that are
colored or represent colors and that fall in an arbitrary sequence
one by one from the upper margin to the floor of the game frame
where the falling shape is either settled down or is partially
blocked by the colored unit elements of the preceding falling shape
and wherein unblocked colored unit elements separates from the rest
of the falling shape and slide down until they contact the colored
unit elements of the preceding falling shape; each color being
assigned a predetermined number of points, different colors
appearing with different frequencies, and the higher the frequency
the lower is the number of points assigned to the colors; points
being also awarded when a predetermined number of colored unit
elements of the same color is combined into a set in which the
neighboring colored unit elements share the borders and when, as a
result of such an arrangement the entire set clears; after the set
clears, the remaining colored unit elements continue to fall down
if a gap is formed between the remaining colored unit elements and
the settled colored unit elements; the game consisting of multiple
levels of difficulty.
[0010] The game also offers special shapes including "bombs" and/or
"color converters". Having landed, the bomb block will clear out,
"blow up", all the blocks underneath or to its side--whichever
option would produce more points. A bomb block is used to identify
the whole shape as a bomb. The "Color Converter" converts all
blocks it shares the border with to the blocks of the same color as
itself and clearing all qualifying shapes in the process.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIGS. 1A to 1D shows examples of the falling shapes that are
composed of unit elements and are suitable for the present
invention.
[0012] FIGS. 2, 3, and 4 show an example of a computer screen with
images of falling shapes and examples of their conversions in cases
of collision with the blocks of the preceding falling shapes.
[0013] FIG. 5.0 through 9.0 are simplified drawings that illustrate
different types of falling shapes, blocks, and landing
scenarios.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The present invention relates to a computer game, and, more
particularly to a falling-shapes computer game of the type known
under trademark "Tetris" wherein objects are falling from the upper
portion of a display area and clear the row when this row is
completely filled.
[0015] The purpose of the game is to score as many points as
possible within a given time limit by creating a matching set of
three or more colored unit elements, e.g., blocks, of the same
color vertically or horizontally. The unit elements may be colored
or may represent colors. The blocks are formed into shapes that are
dropped from the top of the game container and placed by the player
on top of other shapes or on the floor of the game container.
According to the invention, the shapes may be selected from a great
variety of forms such as monomino, domino, trimino, tetramino,
regular-L shapes, inverted-L shapes, etc. For the sake of example
only, the shapes shown herein are composed of blocks in the form of
cubes. Examples of the shapes are shown in FIGS. 1A to 1D, where
FIG. 1A shows a monomino, FIG. 1B shows a domino, FIG. 1C shows an
example of a trimino, and FIG. 1D shows examples of a tetramino.
The shapes can be rotated using the navigation keys on the input
device clockwise or counterclockwise as in a conventional
falling-block game known as Tetris. Although for convenience of
designation and perception the colored unit elements or blocks are
shown as cubes, they may comprise circles, or figures of other
configurations, as shown in FIG. 1E. Furthermore, although for the
sake of simplicity and better perception in the following drawings
the unit elements are shown as color cubes, it should be noted
that, as shown in FIG. 1F, in the actual game the colors may be
designated by letters, e.g., as shown in FIG. 1F.
[0016] An example of presentation of the Tetro Colors game of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 2. The image of FIG. 2 is one
that can be shown on the screen of a computer monitor. The image
contains a field of the game limited by the frame 20 that has an
upper margin 22, from which the falling shapes, such as the
tetramino 24, and a lower margin 26 toward which the shapes fall in
the direction of arrow A. Among other things, the game presentation
image shows the next shape, which in the case of FIG. 1 is the
tetramino 24, ready to fall down from the upper margin 22, the time
30, the score 32, and the level of game difficulty 34.
[0017] The right side of the image is exemplified with the
following data: a menu button 36, the name and/or the picture of
the player 38, the value 40 of color blocks cleared from the screen
as a result of matching specified by the game rules, and shape move
buttons 42 on the computer keyboard (not shown). Functions of other
buttons, such as "Rotate Clockwise", "Rotate Counterclockwise",
etc. are self-explanatory. The game rules may specify a certain
amount of blocks in the shape at which the falling shape may affect
the base shapes at collision. For example, matching of the colors
that form only two matched blocks does not clear the color-matched
blocks and the blocks are considered matched only if three or more
colored unit elements or blocks of the same color are combined into
a figure.
[0018] Here are some other rules specified for the Tetro Colors
game of the present invention. Shapes can disintegrate during the
fall once the falling shape is partially blocked by the laying
block. The unblocked portion of the shape separates from the rest
of the shape and resumes the fall to the floor 26 of the frame 20
till blocked or stopped by other shapes or the floor 26.
[0019] Values or points 40 shown as example in FIG. 2 are awarded
for arranging a set of three or more blocks of the same color.
Colors vary by frequency of use. Color frequencies are inversely
related to the number of points awarded for placing a matching set
of three or more blocks--the less frequently used colors result in
more points being awarded while more frequently used colors will
result in less points being awarded.
[0020] The game consists of multiple levels. Some versions are
based on the number of blocks that have fallen, others versions use
a fixed time limit associated with each level. Let us consider, for
example, that the level allowed for accumulation of score is
limited by the time. The shorter the allowed time, the higher is
level of complexity. For example, the time may be limited by 4
minutes. The time 01:18 shown in FIG. 2 designates the time spent
from the initiation of the game and corresponds to 1 min. 18
sec.
[0021] A player is required to accumulate a certain number of
points in order to move from one level to the next. The progress of
the level is shown by a solid black bar 34 under the lower margin
26 of the frame 20. Points 32 (FIG. 2) are saved within each level
allowing a player to use as many sessions as needed in order to
score the required number of points in order to move on to the next
level.
[0022] Level 1 starts with a blank frame 20. However, with each
higher level the frame 20 will have one row or more of blocks on
the lower margin 26 of the frame 20 increasing the game's
complexity with each level.
[0023] The game also offers special shapes including "bombs" (a
bomb block with a small circle inside that is designated in FIGS.
2, 3, and 4 by reference numeral 44) and/or "color converters" (a
bomb block with a small square inside that is designated in FIG. 2
by reference numeral 46).
[0024] Having landed, the bomb block will clear out, "blow up", all
the blocks underneath or to its side--whichever option would
produce more points. A bomb block 44 is used to identify the whole
shape as a bomb. See FIGS. 3 and 4 where bomb shapes are shown
encased in black rectangles. These rectangles are shown for
demonstration purposes only.
[0025] The "Color Converter" 46 will convert all blocks it shares
the border with to the blocks of the same color as itself and
clearing all qualifying shapes in the process.
[0026] FIG. 4 demonstrates the "Color Converter" 46 in action. More
specifically, the "Color Converter" 46 with the little teal square
inside will convert the two adjacent blocks 48 and 50 (encased in
the black rectangle 52 for demonstration purposes only) to the same
color as the little embedded teal colored square.
[0027] FIG. 5.0 through 9.0 are simplified drawings that illustrate
different types of falling shapes, blocks, and landing
scenarios.
[0028] FIG. 5.0 through 5.2 illustrate a "No Color Match" dropped
block scenario. This is the situation where the blocks fall and
land on the base shape or the floor of the game frame and do not
land on blocks that match in color with any block or multiple
blocks that that are contained in the falling shape. The blocks of
the falling shape will land and lock into place on top of the
blocks in the base shape or the floor of the game frame. The
sequence of play will automatically continue when the next round of
shapes falls from the top of the game play frame.
[0029] More specifically, FIG. 5.0 illustrates the falling shape 54
that consists of four blocks of different colors and the base shape
56. The falling shape 54 is in a free movement in the direction of
the arrow B. FIG. 5.1 illustrates the falling shape 54 lands on the
base shape 56. The block 54a of the falling shape 54 is stopped by
the block 56a of the base shape 56 that is settled on the floor 57,
but the gap 55 still exists. According to the game rules, the right
side of the shape 54 continues to slide down in the direction of
the arrow B and stops and when the yellow block 54b comes into
contact with the red block 56b of the base shape 56. However, none
of the blocks clears since no color match is established.
[0030] FIG. 6.0 through 6.2 show the situation for a "Color Match."
This is the scenario when a multiple-block falling shape 58 of the
same type as the falling shape 54 shown in FIG. 5.0 lands on the
base shape which, although has the same configuration as the base
shape 56 of FIG. 5.0, is composed of different blocks one of which,
i.e., the block 60a, is of the same color as the facing block 58a
of the falling shape 58.
[0031] FIG. 6.1 shows that the falling shape 58 lands and shifts,
with a column of blocks separating and settling into the gap 63 in
the base shape. FIG. 6.2 illustrates a match between three blocks
58a, 60a, and 60b of the same color between the base shape and the
falling shape, in this case, yellow. FIG. 6.3 shows a condition
that occurs after the match is activated and the matched blocks
dissolve. As a result, only unmatched blocks 58c, 58d, 60c, 60d,
60e, and 60f of this scenario remain and are ready to interact with
the next falling block (not shown).
[0032] FIG. 7.0 through 7.2 illustrate the situation of a falling
shape that contains a "Bomb" within it. This scenario will feature
a "Bomb" within the falling shape 62. FIG. 7.0 shows the falling
shape 62 with the bomb 62a. FIG. 7.1 shows that the falling shape
62 lands on the base shape 64 of blocks, shifts, and settles into
the gaps of the base 64. FIG. 7.2 illustrates the "bomb" block 62a
settles and then activates, eliminating the vertical and horizontal
row of the base-shape blocks it has settled on. FIG. 7.3 shows how
the remaining, undestroyed blocks 62b, 62c, 64a, 64b, and 64c fall
into the open space and settle in the gaps or on the floor 57 of
the game frame 59.
[0033] FIG. 8.0 through 8.2 illustrate the "Color Converter"
falling sequence. The "Color Converter" is a feature that will
transform the base shape it touches on any and all of the 4 borders
into the color it designates by the blinking light within the
shape. FIG. 8.0 shows the falling shape 66 with the "Color
Converter" 68 included. FIG. 8.1 shows the falling shape 66 lands,
shifts, and settles into the gap of the base shape 70. FIG. 8.2
illustrates the "Color Converter" 68 settles and activates,
transforming the color of the blocks it touches on any side into
the representative color of the bomb itself (example color is green
as shown in FIG. 8.3 when all the blocks that touch the "Color
Converter" 68 are transformed into the same color). FIG. 8.4
illustrates that the remaining, unchanged blocks 72 fall into the
open space left behind and settle atop the remaining blocks in the
base shape or onto the floor of the game play frame 59.
[0034] FIG. 9.0 through 9.1 illustrate the process of a "Coin
Drop." This scenario is when a "Coin Block" 74' is falling. This
situation will also depend on a match of three or more "Coin
Blocks" 74. The coin block object 74' will activate when a match of
three or more "Coins Blocks" 74', 74, 74 is established between the
falling "Coin Block" 74' and any "Coin Blocks" 74 in the base shape
78. FIG. 9.0 shows the falling shape 76 including the "Coin Block"
74'. FIG. 9.1 shows the falling shape 76 lands, shifts, and settles
into the base shape 78 and any gaps. FIG. 9.2 shows the "Coin
Block" 74' activates when settling into the base shape 78 and
establishing a match with other "Coin Blocks" 74 within the base
shape 78. FIG. 9.3 shows how the remaining blocks 80 left behind
the Coin Match fall into the open spaces left behind and settle on
the rest of the base shape or the floor 57 of the game play
frame.
[0035] Although the invention is described with reference to
specific embodiments, these embodiments should not be construed as
limiting the areas of application of the invention and that any
changes and modifications are possible provided that these changes
and modifications do not depart from the scope of the attached
patent claims. For example, the blocks can contain individual
letters that may be used to build words. The unit elements may be
comprised of any geometrical figures such as circles, squares,
rectangles, etc. Letters, numbers, or other identifiable items can
be used instead of colors or in combination with colors.
* * * * *