U.S. patent application number 14/501546 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-15 for strategy game.
This patent application is currently assigned to TRUCTO LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is Javier Pabon. Invention is credited to Javier Pabon.
Application Number | 20150014931 14/501546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52276523 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150014931 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pabon; Javier |
January 15, 2015 |
STRATEGY GAME
Abstract
A game set and method for playing a strategy game on a playing
surface by one or more persons including a plurality of playing
pieces, each playing piece having a predetermined number of edges,
wherein each edge is at least one of an exterior edge and a
connecting edge; a plurality of playing cards, each playing card
containing an indicia corresponding to the shape of one of the
plurality of playing pieces; and a playing surface. Each player
randomly selects a plurality of playing cards; exchanges each of
the playing cards for a corresponding one of a plurality of playing
pieces, and places each playing piece obtained by the exchange on a
playing surface by (i) orienting an exterior edge according to a
perimeter of the playing surface and (ii) orienting a connecting
edge according to a corresponding connecting edge of an adjacent
playing piece. The strategy game may be played in various
configurations, including without playing cards, without playing
pieces, without a game board, or with a timer.
Inventors: |
Pabon; Javier; (New York,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Pabon; Javier |
New York |
NY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
TRUCTO LLC
New York
NY
|
Family ID: |
52276523 |
Appl. No.: |
14/501546 |
Filed: |
September 30, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13874047 |
Apr 30, 2013 |
8851476 |
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14501546 |
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13039637 |
Mar 3, 2011 |
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13874047 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
273/271 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A63F 9/10 20130101; A63F
2003/00719 20130101; A63F 2250/485 20130101; A63F 3/02 20130101;
A63F 2003/00779 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
273/271 |
International
Class: |
A63F 3/00 20060101
A63F003/00; A63F 9/10 20060101 A63F009/10 |
Claims
1. A strategy game playable by one or more players, comprising: a
plurality of predefined drawings configured to be selected
randomly, each predefined drawing corresponding to a shape having a
predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is at least one of
an exterior edge and a connecting edge, wherein the plurality of
predefined drawings include a plurality of corner drawings, a
plurality of border drawings, and at least one interior drawing;
and a drawing surface having a plurality of types of drawing spaces
corresponding to the plurality of predefined drawings, including a
plurality of corner spaces, a plurality of border spaces, and at
least one interior space, wherein one or more of the predefined
drawings are configured to be drawn on the drawing surface by
orienting an indicia of each exterior edge so as to substantially
align with a perimeter of the drawing surface and orienting an
indicia of each connecting edge so as to connect to a corresponding
connecting edge of another one of the plurality of predefined
drawings.
2. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of corner drawings has two adjacent exterior edges.
3. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of border drawings has one exterior edge.
4. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each interior
drawing has no exterior edges.
5. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each connecting
edge is selected from the group consisting of an edge with an
interlocking design, a straight edge marked with an indicia, a
straight edge marked with a color, and a straight edge marked with
a number.
6. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein the drawing
surface is a grid having a plurality of spaces corresponding to the
plurality of predefined drawings.
7. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein all of the
plurality of predefined drawings are drawn on the drawing surface
at an end of a game.
8. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein one or more
predefined drawings are already on the drawing surface at a
beginning of a game.
9. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein no predefined
drawings are already on the drawing surface at a beginning of a
game.
10. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each of the
plurality of predefined drawings is configured to be drawn on a
corresponding one of the plurality of types of drawing spaces on
the drawing surface in a plurality of orientations.
11. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein the drawing
surface is a grid having a predetermined number of rows and
columns.
12. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein a count
indicates a remaining number of predefined drawings that are
available for drawing on the drawing surface.
13. The strategy game according to claim 1, wherein each of the
predetermined number of rows and columns includes a number
corresponding to a total number of male connectors that are to be
drawn on a row or column.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/874,047, filed on Apr. 30,
2013, which is a CIP of U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/039,637, filed on Mar. 3, 2011, which claims priority to, and
the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/653,043,
filed on May 30, 2012. The entire contents of each of the
above-referenced patent applications are hereby incorporated by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field
[0003] The present invention pertains to the field of games and in
particular to strategy games.
[0004] 2. Related Art
[0005] There are a number of games which integrate the construction
of a puzzle and a board game together. Typical jigsaw puzzles, for
example, have pieces which can be assembled over particular indicia
of a game board. Points can be assigned based on covering or
connecting certain areas of the game board, and by playing a
uniquely shaped piece of the puzzle in a particular manner. Such
puzzles, however, have a predetermined position within the puzzle,
where a player can place a playing piece, and thus, having only one
solution.
[0006] There are other games which allow construction of separate
puzzles for each player. In such games, the players compete with
each other. However, these games do not allow the players to play
in direct competition with each other, whereby a players' moves
affect the other player's ability to utilize his/her turn.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0007] Games can be fun, challenging, and a way to teach children
of all ages about logic and strategic thinking. The embodiments
described herein meet the above-identified needs by providing: a) a
strategy game having multiple solutions; b) a strategy game which
can be played alone, competitively, or cooperatively; c) a strategy
game that can be played together with or without playing cards: d)
a strategy game which can be played in a variety of mediums,
including as a traditional game with physical components or on an
electronic platform.
[0008] One example aspect provides a game set for playing a
strategy game on a playing surface by one or more persons. The game
set includes (a) a plurality of playing pieces, each playing piece
having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is at
least one of an exterior edge and a connecting edge, (b) a
plurality of playing cards, each playing card containing an indicia
corresponding to the shape of one of the plurality of playing
pieces, and (c) a playing surface.
[0009] Another example aspect provides a strategy game played by
one or more players. Each player randomly selects a plurality of
playing cards, each playing card containing an indicia
corresponding to the shape of one of the plurality of playing
pieces. Each player exchanges each of the playing cards for a
corresponding one of a plurality of playing pieces, each playing
piece having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is
either one of an exterior edge or a connecting edge. Each player
places each playing piece obtained by said exchanging on a playing
surface by (i) orienting an exterior edge according to a perimeter
of the playing surface and (ii) orienting a connecting edge
according to a corresponding connecting edge of an adjacent playing
piece.
[0010] Still another aspect provides playing a strategy game by one
or more players. Each player randomly selects a plurality of
playing cards, each playing card containing an indicia of a shape
having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is at
least one of an exterior edge and a connecting edge. Each player
places each playing card on a playing surface by (i) orienting the
indicia of an exterior edge according to a perimeter of the playing
surface and (ii) orienting the indicia of a connecting edge
according to a corresponding connecting edge of an adjacent playing
piece.
[0011] According to other example aspects, each player is dealt an
equal amount of playing cards to begin each of a plurality of sets,
and an amount of turns for each player in each set is limited to a
predetermined number. In another example aspect, one or more
playing pieces or playing cards are already on the playing surface
at the beginning of the game. Still another example aspect provides
a storage tray for storing the playing pieces. The storage tray
includes cavities respectively corresponding to different types of
shapes of the playing pieces.
[0012] Yet another example aspect provides playing a strategy game
by one or more players. Each player randomly selects a plurality of
predefined drawings, each predefined drawing corresponding to a
shape having a predetermined number of edges, wherein each edge is
at least one of an exterior edge and a connecting edge. Each player
draws one or more of the predefined drawings on a playing surface
by (i) orienting the indicia of an exterior edge according to a
perimeter of the playing surface and (ii) orienting the indicia of
a connecting edge according to a corresponding connecting edge of
an adjacent predefined drawing.
[0013] Further features and advantages, as well as the structure
and operation, of various example embodiments of the present
invention are described in detail below with reference to the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The features and advantages of the example embodiments of
the invention presented herein will become more apparent from the
detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with
the following drawings.
[0015] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a game board according to
one embodiment of the invention.
[0016] FIG. 2 illustrates corner playing pieces according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates border playing pieces according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates interior playing pieces according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom plan view of a playing card
including an indicia on its lower surface according to one
embodiment of the invention.
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates a top plan view of a playing card
including a logo on its upper surface, and a box for the playing
cards according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0021] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a general and/or special
purpose computer, in accordance with some embodiments.
[0022] FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of storage trays.
[0023] FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a drawing surface
according to one embodiment of game play.
[0024] FIG. 10 illustrates a plan view of a drawing surface
according to another embodiment of game play.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view of a game board 100 according
to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the playing
surface 1 of game board 100 is a grid containing sixty-four square
shaped spaces. In one embodiment, playing surface 1 contains
different types of spaces. For example, playing surface 1 may
include corner spaces 2, border spaces 3 and interior spaces 4. In
this exemplary embodiment, there are four corner spaces 2,
twenty-four border spaces 3, and thirty-six interior spaces 4.
[0026] Playing surface 1 provides a surface on which the playing
pieces are placed during game play. Any flat material can be used
to form playing surface 1 by carving out, drawing, or otherwise
delineating the shaped spaces which form the surface.
[0027] Other shape spaces which facilitate placement of the playing
pieces on the playing surface 1 can be used instead of the square
shaped spaces (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal,
hexagonal, octagonal, etc.).
[0028] Each type of space on the playing surface 1, corner space 2,
border space 3, and interior space 4, contain different indicia,
indicating correct placement of a playing piece during game
play.
[0029] FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 illustrate corner playing pieces 5, border
playing pieces 10 and interior playing pieces 11 according to one
exemplary embodiment. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, each corner
playing piece 5, border playing piece 10, and interior playing
piece 11 contain four edges 6. Each edge 6 is an exterior edge or a
connecting edge. The connecting edge can be a male connector 7 or a
female connector 8. The male connector 7 is a protrusion of an edge
6. The female connector 8 is an indentation of an edge 6.
Alternatively, each edge 6 may have a combination of both male and
female connectors. A male connector 7 and a female connector 8 can
be of any shape or design that matches the edge 6 of one playing
piece 5, 10 and 11 with the corresponding edge of another playing
piece 5, 10 and 11. In another embodiment, the connecting edge can
be an edge matching system. The edge matching system is an indicia
drawn, etched, or otherwise printed on the surface of the edge 6 of
the playing piece 5, 10 and 11. In one embodiment, the indicia is a
color. In another embodiment, the indicia is a design.
[0030] Two adjacent edges 6 of the corner playing pieces 5 contain
a connecting edge, and two adjacent edges 6 are exterior edges. In
the exemplary embodiment, there are four different combinations of
connecting edges and exterior edges 6 for the corner playing piece
5.
[0031] Three adjacent edges 6 of the border playing pieces 10
contain a connecting edge, and one edge 6 is an exterior edge. In
the exemplary embodiment, there are eight different combinations of
connecting edges and exterior edges 6 for the border playing piece
10. There are three duplicates of each of the eight different
border playing pieces 10
[0032] Four edges 6 of the interior playing pieces 11 contain a
connecting edge. In an exemplary embodiment, there are six
different combinations of connecting edges 6. There are six
duplicates of each of the six different interior playing pieces
11.
[0033] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, eighteen different
playing pieces, each playing piece containing a different
combination of four edges: four corner playing pieces 5, eight
border playing pieces 10, and six interior playing pieces 11, are
shown. In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, there are a
total of sixty-four playing pieces, including four corner playing
pieces 5, twenty-four border playing pieces 10, and thirty-six
interior playing pieces 11. A handle 9 for lifting the playing
pieces 5, 10, and 11 protrudes upward from the center of playing
pieces 5, 10, and 11. In one exemplary embodiment the handle 9 is a
cylindrical column. The handle 9 may be any design that provides
aid to a player to lift the playing pieces 5, 10, and 11.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 5, the lower surface of a playing card 12
contains an indicia 13 corresponding to the design of the corner
playing piece 5, the border playing piece 10, or the interior
playing piece 11. There is one playing card 12 corresponding to
each of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11. Playing cards 12 determine
the order in which the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 are placed on
the playing surface 1, or indicate which playing pieces 5, 10 and
11 are available to place on the playing surface 1. In the
exemplary embodiment, there are sixty-four playing cards 12: four
playing cards 12 corresponding to the corner playing pieces 5;
three duplicates of each of eight playing cards corresponding to
the border playing pieces 10; and six duplicates of each of six
playing cards corresponding to the interior playing pieces 11.
[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the upper surface of the playing card 12
contains an indicia 14 drawn on the upper surface of the playing
card 12. A box 15 provides storage for the playing cards 12. The
box is constructed of any suitable material, including but not
limited to paper, plastic, or cardboard. The surface of the box 15
contains an indicia 16 drawn on the surface of the box.
[0036] FIG. 7 is a high-level block diagram of a general and/or
special purpose computer 700, in accordance with some embodiments.
The computer 700 may be, for example, a user device, a user
computer, a client computer and/or a server computer, among other
things.
Exemplary Embodiments of Game Play
[0037] A game for connecting individually or cooperatively all the
playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 is provided. A player wins the game if
he/she is the first player to connect all the playing pieces 5, 10
and 11 corresponding to all his/her playing cards 12 or accumulates
the least amount of points.
[0038] Generally, the type and method of game play is determined by
the number of players and the desired level of competition. A
player may only exchange one playing card 12 at a time for its
corresponding playing piece 5, 10 and 11. If a player cannot make
use of a playing card 12 that the player has in his/her possession,
then the player must keep the playing card 12 in his/her
possession. A playing piece 5, 10 and 11 may be placed on the
playing surface 1 only on the proper space for that type of playing
piece 5, 10 and 11. For example, a corner playing piece 5 may be
placed only on a corner space 2; a border playing piece 10 may only
be placed on a border space 3; and an interior playing piece 11 may
only be placed on an interior space 4.
[0039] Only interior playing pieces 11 and border playing pieces 10
can be placed on the first move of the game. After the first
playing piece 11 or 10 is placed on the playing surface 1, all
subsequent playing pieces 5, 10 or 11 must connect to a playing
piece 5, 10 and 11 that has already been placed on the playing
surface 1. The exterior edges 6 of a border playing piece 10 or
corner playing piece 5 indicate proper orientation on the outer
perimeter of the playing surface 1. A playing card 12 can not be
reused in the same game after a player exchanges the playing card
12 for its corresponding playing piece 5, 10 and 11.
[0040] Generally, there are four types of games that may be played,
depending on the number of players and desired level of
competition: Individual Game With No Sets, Individual Game With
Sets, Cooperative Game With No Sets, Cooperative Game With Sets,
Competitive Game With No Sets, and Competitive Game With Sets.
Table 1 determines the type of game to be played depending on the
number of players and desired level of competition.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 One Person Wins Group Wins Game With Sets
Competitive Game With Sets Cooperative Game Individual Game With
Sets With Sets Game With No Individual Game With No Sets
Cooperative Game, Sets Competitive Game With No Sets With No Sets *
A person can win for himself/herself or for a team.
In addition to the rules in the exemplary embodiments of game play,
any method of game play may be played without a game board, without
playing cards, and/or with a timer.
Individual Game With No Sets
[0041] In one exemplary embodiment, an individual game with no sets
for connecting all the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11, is provided.
The player wins if the player can connect all of the playing pieces
5, 10 and 11. The player loses if the player is unable to connect
all of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11.
[0042] Rules: Before beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10
and 11 are separated and organized by type (e.g., corner, border,
or interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a
stack, facing down. In a game with no sets, the player picks a
playing card 12 from the top of the stack, and exchanges the
playing card 12 for the corresponding playing piece 5, 10 and 11.
If the player cannot make use of a playing card 12, the player must
keep the playing card 12 in his/her possession and continue
selecting additional playing cards 12 until the player selects a
playing card 12 that can be exchanged for a playing piece that can
be placed on the playing surface 1. The player must use a playing
card 12 in the player's possession before picking another playing
card 12 if possible.
Individual Game With Sets
[0043] In one exemplary embodiment, an individual game with sets
for connecting all the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11, is provided.
The player wins if the player can connect all of the playing pieces
5, 10 and 11. The player loses if the player is unable to connect
all of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11.
[0044] Rules: Before beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10
and 11 are separated and organized by type (e.g., corner, border,
or interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a
stack, facing down.
[0045] In a game with sets, the player gets an equal amount of
playing cards 12 during each set. Any unused playing cards 12 are
retained by the player for use in the following set, in addition to
the playing cards 12 that are dealt during each consecutive
set.
Cooperative Game With No Sets
[0046] In another exemplary embodiment, a cooperative game with no
sets for connecting all of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 is
provided. All players win if they connect all of the playing pieces
5, 10 and 11 on the playing surface 1. All players lose if the
players are unable to connect all the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11
on the playing surface 1. Any number of players from two to eight
can play.
[0047] Rules: Before beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10
and 11 are separated and organized by type (e.g., corner, border,
or interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a
stack, facing down. The players alternate turns in the game with
two players. The player with possession of a turn rotates clockwise
in the game with more than two players. Each player selects one
playing card 12 from the top of the stack on his/her turn. The
players may not share information about their playing cards 12. If
a player cannot make use of a playing card 12, then the player
looses his/her turn and must retain the playing card 12, but during
the player's subsequent turn, the player must play any playing card
12 in the player's possession before picking another playing card
12 if possible.
Cooperative Game With Sets
[0048] In another exemplary embodiment, a cooperative game with
sets for connecting all of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 as a
group is provided. A set begins when each player receives eight
playing cards 12. All players win the game as a group if they
connect all the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11. All players lose if
they cannot connect all of the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11.
[0049] Rules for a cooperative game with sets with two players:
Before beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 are
separated and organized by type (e.g., corner, border, or
interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a
stack, facing down. The player with possession of a turn first must
alternate between players at the beginning of each set. The game is
played with four sets. Each player is dealt eight playing cards 12
per set.
[0050] At the beginning of the set, eight playing cards 12 are
dealt to each player. The players may not share information about
their playing cards 12. Turns are mandatory, but if a player cannot
place any of his/her playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 on the playing
surface 1, then the player must forfeit his/her turn. Once a turn
has been forfeited, it can not be recovered. Each player is limited
to eight turns in each set, except the last set, which continues
until the game is concluded. Any unused playing card 12 is retained
by the player for use in the following set, in addition to the
playing cards 12 distributed during the following set.
[0051] Rules for a cooperative game with sets with four players:
Before beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 are
separated and organized by type (e.g., corner, border, or
interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a
stack, facing down. The game is played with two sets. Each player
is dealt eight playing cards 12 per set. Players choose which
player will have a turn first. The player with a turn first on the
first set should have a turn first on the second set also.
Possession of the turn should rotate left (clockwise). At the
beginning of the set, the playing cards 12 are dealt. Players can
not share information about their playing cards 12. Turns are
mandatory, but if the player cannot place any of his/her playing
pieces 5, 10 and 11 on the playing surface 1, then the player must
forfeit his/her turn. Once a turn has been forfeited, it may not be
recovered. Each player is limited to eight turns in each set except
the last set, which continues until the game is concluded. Any
unused playing cards 12 are retained by the player for use in the
following set, in addition to the playing cards 12 distributed
during the following set.
Competitive Game (With Sets; With No Sets)
[0052] In another exemplary embodiment, a competitive game is
provided. The game is won by the first player to connect all the
playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 corresponding to all of his/her playing
cards 12, or the first team in which a player connects all of the
playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 corresponding to all his/her playing
cards 12. The game can be divided into sets. A set begins when each
player is dealt eight playing cards 12. A point value is assigned
to each type of playing piece 5, 10 and 11 (or playing card 12),
with corner playing pieces 5 having the highest point value, border
playing pieces 10 having the second highest point value, and
interior playing pieces 11 having the lowest point value. At the
beginning of the set, the playing cards 12 are dealt to each
player. The first player to connect all of the playing pieces 5, 10
and 11 corresponding to his/her playing cards 12 wins the game for
himself/herself or for his/her team. If neither player or team
places all of their playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 by the end of the
last set, then the player or team with the lowest accumulated total
number of points wins the game.
[0053] Rules for the competitive game with two players: Before
beginning the game, all playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 are separated
and organized by type (e.g., corner, border, or interior). The
playing cards 12 are shuffled, and placed in a stack, facing down.
Players choose which player will have a turn first. In a game with
sets, the player with possession of a turn first must alternate
between players at the beginning of each set. In a game with sets,
the game is played with four sets. Each player is dealt eight
playing cards 12 per set. In a game with no sets, each player
receives a playing card 12 when it is his/her turn. The players can
not share information about their playing cards 12. Turns are
mandatory, but if a player cannot place any of his/her playing
cards 12 then the player must forfeit his/her turn. Once a turn has
been forfeited, it can not be recovered. In a game with sets, each
player is limited to eight turns in each set except the last set,
which continues until the game is concluded. In a game with sets,
any unused playing card 12 is retained by the player for use in the
following set, in addition to the playing cards 12 distributed
during the following set. Any playing cards 12 remaining in a
player's possession are kept by that player until the end of the
game.
[0054] Rules for the competitive game with four players playing
individually or in teams: Before beginning the game, all playing
pieces 5, 10 and 11 are separated and organized by type (e.g.,
corner, border, or interior). The playing cards 12 are shuffled,
and placed in a stack, facing down. Players choose which player
will have a turn first. In a game with sets, the player with a turn
first on the first set should have a turn first on the second set
also. Possession of the turn should rotate clockwise among the
players. The game with sets is played with two sets. Each player is
dealt eight playing cards 12 per set. In a game with no sets, each
player receives a playing card 12 when it is his/her turn. The
players can not share information about their playing cards 12.
Turns are mandatory, but if a player cannot place any of his/her
playing cards 12 on the playing surface 1, then the player must
forfeit his/her turn. Once a turn has been forfeited, it can not be
recovered. In a game with sets, each player is limited to eight
turns per set except the last set, which continues until the game
is concluded. In a game with sets, any unused playing card 12 is
retained by the player for use in the following set, in addition to
the playing cards 12 dealt during the following set. Any playing
card 12 remaining in a player's possession are kept by that player
until the end of the game.
Strategy Game with only Playing Cards
[0055] In another embodiment, a strategy game with only playing
cards is provided. The game can be played individually or
competitively with two or more players. The game can be played with
or without the playing surface 1.
[0056] In one embodiment, the cards have to connect to another card
except for the first card played. The player to play the first card
in the game has the option to play a border card or an interior
card. After the first player plays the first card, all subsequent
cards must connect to any card previously played.
[0057] Rules of game play for strategy game with only playing cards
on an 8.times.8 grid: In one embodiment, the game is played with
all 64 playing cards. A total of 8 cards are placed on a row or
column. There can only be 6 border cards consecutively on a row or
a column. At each extreme side of 6 consecutive border cards in a
row or a column there can only be a corner card, or, between two
corner cards in opposite sides of a row or a column there can only
be 6 border cards. There can only be 6 interior cards consecutively
on a row or a column. At each extreme side of 6 consecutive
interior cards in a row or a column there can only be a border
card, or, between two border cards in opposite sides of a row or a
column there can only be 6 interior cards. In the first turn a
player can play a border card or interior card. After the first
card is played all subsequent cards most connect to any card
previously played.
[0058] Additional rules for strategy game with only playing cards
on a 3.times.3 grid, 4.times.4 grid, 5.times.5 grid, 6.times.6
grid, or 7.times.7 grid: The corner playing cards have a higher
ranking than the border playing cards; therefore, the border
playing cards should connect to corner playing cards adjacent to
them and not necessarily vice versa; and the border playing cards
have a higher ranking than the interior playing cards; therefore,
the interior playing cards should connect to border playing cards
adjacent to them and not necessarily vice versa. Border playing
cards should connect to other border playing cards adjacent to
them. Interior playing cards should connect to other interior
playing cards adjacent to them.
[0059] In another embodiment, a strategy game with only playing
cards is provided. The game can be played individually or
competitively with two or more players. The game can be played with
or without the playing surface 1.
[0060] Rules for individual strategy game with only playing cards:
The objective of the individual game is to place all of the
interior playing cards 12 on the playing surface 1. The player
begins the game with eight playing cards 12. At the beginning of
the game, four border playing cards 12 should be placed on each of
the four spaces designated for border playing cards 12. If the
player does not have four border playing cards 12, the player must
select additional playing cards 12 until the player possesses four
border playing cards 12. The player can place four border playing
cards 12 if the player has at least one interior playing card 12
that contains indicia of a connecting edge corresponding to the
indicia of the connecting edge to the four border playing cards 12.
If the player does not have an interior playing card 12 that
contains indicia of a connecting edge corresponding to the indicia
of the connecting edge of four border playing cards 12 in his
possession, the player must obtain additional playing cards 12
until the player possesses an acceptable interior playing card 12.
All interior playing cards 12 in a player's possession that can be
played, must be played consecutively. Once a player does not have
any remaining interior playing cards 12 that can be placed, the
player must play a border playing card 12. The player must have at
least one interior playing card 12 in his possession to play a
border playing card 12. A player can play a border playing card 12
if it would allow the player to play an interior playing card 12 in
his possession. A border playing card 12 can be placed on top of an
already placed border playing card 12 if the interior facing edge
of the border playing card 12 has the opposite connector as the
already placed border playing card 12. Corner playing cards 12 in
the player's possession must be played before any other playing
card 12. After a corner playing card 12 is placed on the playing
surface 1, only border playing cards 12 that contain indicia of a
connecting edge corresponding to the indicia of a connecting edge
of the corner playing cards 12 may be placed on the playing surface
1. A corner playing card 12 must be removed from the game when six
interior playing cards 12 of the same type have been placed on the
playing surface 1. Two border playing cards 12 with opposite
interior facing edge connectors can be swapped with each other
immediately after an interior playing card 12 having two pairs of
different connectors has been played. A corner playing card 12 can
be removed before swapping two cards.
[0061] Additional rules for competitive play: Every player receives
eight playing cards 12. A border playing card 12 may only be placed
on the playing surface if it contains an indicia of a connecting
edge corresponding should connect to an indicia of a connecting
edge of a corner playing card 12 that has been previously placed on
the playing surface. An interior playing card 12 may only be placed
on the playing surface if it contains an indicia of a connecting
edge corresponding to the indicia of a connecting edge a border
playing card 12 that has been previously placed on the playing
surface. At the beginning of the game, four border playing cards 12
are placed on each of the four spaces designated for border playing
cards 12. If a player does not possess a border playing card, the
player can play a corner playing card 12. After a corner playing
card 12 is placed on the playing surface 1, a border playing card
12 may only be played if it contains an acceptable indicia
corresponding to the indicia on the corner playing cards that have
already been played. If a player does not have a corner playing
card 12 in his possession, the player looses his turn. After four
border playing cards 12 have been played, an interior playing card
that contains an acceptable indicia corresponding to the indicia on
the four border playing cards. If a player does not possess an
acceptable interior playing card 12, the player may play any border
playing card 12 on any of the spaces designated for border playing
cards 12. If a player does not possess a border playing card 12,
the player may play a corner playing card 12. If a player does not
possess a corner playing card 12, the player looses his turn. Game
play should continue until one player plays all of his playing
cards 12. In the exemplary embodiment, the objective of the game is
to be the first player to play all his playing cards 12. If no
players are able adjacent to play all of their playing cards 12,
the player or team with the least accumulated playing cards wins
the game. In another exemplary embodiment, the player with the turn
preceding the player who played all of his playing cards 12 wins
the game. If no players are able to play all of their playing cards
12, the player or team with the most accumulated playing cards wins
the game.
Strategy Game with Playing Pieces on Board Prior to Play
[0062] In another exemplary embodiment, a game for connecting
individually, cooperatively, or competitively all the playing
pieces 5, 10 and 11 is provided when any amount of playing pieces
5, 10 and 11 are already on the playing surface 1 at the beginning
of the game. When any amount of playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 are
already on the playing surface 1 at the beginning of the game, the
rules of play for each of the respective types of games remain the
same as described above.
Strategy Game with the Option of Connecting Playing Pieces
[0063] In another exemplary embodiment, the game may start with or
without any amount of playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 on the playing
surface 1. At any point in the game, each player has the option of
connecting or not connecting playing pieces 5, 10 and 11 to another
playing piece 5, 10, and 11 that is already on the playing surface
1.
Storage Trays for Playing Pieces
[0064] FIG. 8 illustrates a plan view of Trays #1 and #2. As shown
in FIG. 8, Tray #1 includes 12 cavities for storing the playing
pieces interior 11. Tray #2 similarly includes twelve cavities for
storing the playing pieces corner 5 and border 10. FIG. 8 also
shows a 3-dimensional view of Tray #1. The 12 different cavities in
each storage tray correspond to the shape of each type of playing
piece 5, 10, or 11 that fits in them. There are a total of 12
different types of shapes that form the cavities in each storage
tray. Each cavity for the playing pieces corner 5 stores one
playing piece. Each cavity for the playing pieces border 10 and
interior 11 stores three playing pieces. Each cavity of the trays
is open at the top. The storage trays are meant to effectively
store the playing pieces 5, 10 and 11, organize each playing piece
5, 10 and 11 by type to improve the strategy game playing process,
and aid the players in knowing how many playing pieces 5, 10 and 11
of each type are left during a game.
Strategy Game Played on Paper
[0065] In another embodiment, a strategy game played on a drawing
surface with only predefined drawings is provided. The game can be
played individually or competitively with two or more players.
[0066] FIG. 9 illustrates a plan view of a drawing surface
according to one embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 9,
the drawing surface 30 is a grid containing sixty-four square
shaped spaces. In one embodiment, the drawing surface 30 contains
different types of spaces. For example, playing surface 30 may
include corner spaces 40, border spaces 50, and interior spaces 60.
In this exemplary embodiment, there are four corner spaces 40,
twenty-four border spaces 50, and thirty-six interior spaces
60.
[0067] Drawing surface 30 provides a surface on which a set of
predefined drawings are drawn during game play. Any flat drawing
surface and/or material can be used to form the drawing surface 30
by drawing or otherwise delineating the shaped spaces which form
the surface.
[0068] Other shaped spaces which facilitate drawing of the
predefined drawings on the drawing surface 30 can be used instead
of square shaped spaces (e.g., triangular, rectangular, pentagonal,
hexagonal, octagonal, etc.).
[0069] Each type of space on the drawing surface 30, corner space
40, border space 50, and interior space 60, contain different
indicia, indicating correct drawing of a predefined drawing during
game play.
[0070] FIG. 9 also provides a set of predefined drawings
illustrating the drawings interior 17, the drawings border 18, and
the drawings corner 19 according to one exemplary embodiment. As
shown in FIG. 9, each drawings interior 17, drawings border 18, and
drawings corner 19 contain four sides 20. Each side 20 is an
exterior side or a connecting side. The exterior side has no
connector 21. The connecting side can be either a male connector 22
or a female connector 23. The male connector 22 is a line drawing
on a side 20. The female connector 23 is a circle drawing on a side
20. Alternatively, each side 20 may have a combination of both male
and female connectors. A male connector 22 and a female connector
23 can be of any shape or design that matches the side 20 of one
predefined drawing 17, 18, and 19 with the corresponding side 20 of
another predefined drawing 17, 18, and 19. In another embodiment,
the connecting side 20 can be a side 20 matching system. The side
matching system is an indicia drawn, etched, or otherwise printed
on the surface of the side 20 of the predefined drawing 17, 18, and
19. In one embodiment, the indicia is a color. In another
embodiment, the indicia is a design.
[0071] Two adjacent sides 20 of the drawings corner 19 contain a
connecting side, and two adjacent sides 20 are exterior sides. In
the exemplary embodiment, there are four different combinations of
connecting sides and exterior sides 20 for the drawings corner
19.
[0072] Three adjacent sides 20 of the drawings border 18 contain a
connecting side, and one side 20 is an exterior sides. In the
exemplary embodiment, there are eight different combinations of
connecting sides and exterior sides 20 for the drawings border 18.
There are three duplicates of each of the eight different drawings
border 18.
[0073] Four sides 20 of the drawings interior 17 contain a
connecting side. In the exemplary embodiment, there are six
different combinations of connecting sides 20 for the drawings
interior 17. There are six duplicates of each of the six different
drawings interior 17.
[0074] Rules for strategy game with only drawing surface and
predefined drawings: The objective of the game is to complete the
grid on the drawing surface 30 with a set of predefined drawings
17, 18, and 19. Each section of the drawing surface 30 is divided
into subsections to facilitate the process of drawing the
predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19 on them.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 10, a count may be provided to keep track
of a remaining number of predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19 that
are available for drawing on the drawing surface 30. For example, a
set of unmarked numbers (e.g., FIG. 10 at 24) may be marked off
(e.g., FIG. 10 at 25) each time a predefined drawing is drawn
(e.g., FIG. 10 at 28) on the drawing surface 30.
[0076] The grid on the drawing surface 30 includes a number at an
end of each row 26 and at an end of each column 27. Each number
indicates a total number of male connectors 22 that are to be drawn
on a row or column when each space in that row or column is filled
with a predefined drawing 17, 18, and 19.
[0077] In one exemplary embodiment, a game may start with any
quantity of predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19 already drawn on the
drawing surface 30. In another exemplary embodiment, a game may
start with no predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19 already drawn on
the drawing surface 30.
[0078] The player has the option of connecting or not connecting
the predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19 to other predefined drawings
17, 18, and 19 already drawn on the drawing surface 30. Only
opposite connectors of different predefined drawings 17, 18, and 19
may be adjacent on the drawing surface 30. Drawings interior 17 can
be drawn on the drawing surface 30 in any possible orientation.
Exemplary Computer Readable Medium Implementation
[0079] The example embodiments described above, or any part(s) or
function(s) thereof, may be implemented by using hardware, software
or a combination thereof and may be implemented in one or more
computers or other processing systems. The operations may be
completely implemented with machine operations. Useful machines for
performing the operation of the example embodiments presented
herein include general purpose digital computers or similar
devices.
[0080] The computer 700 preferably includes without limitation a
processor device 710, a main memory 725, and an interconnect bus
705. The processor device 710 may include without limitation a
single microprocessor, or may include a plurality of
microprocessors for configuring the computer 700 as a
multi-processor system. The main memory 725 stores, among other
things, instructions and/or data for execution by the processor
device 710. If the system is partially implemented in software, the
main memory 725 stores the executable code when in operation. The
main memory 725 may include banks of dynamic random access memory
(DRAM), as well as cache memory.
[0081] The computer 700 may further include a mass storage device
730, peripheral device(s) 740, portable storage medium device(s)
750, input control device(s) 780, a graphics subsystem 760, and/or
an output display 770. For explanatory purposes, all components in
the computer 700 are shown in FIG. 7 as being coupled via the bus
705. However, the computer 700 is not so limited. Devices of the
computer 700 may be coupled through one or more data transport
means. For example, the processor device 710 and/or the main memory
725 may be coupled via a local microprocessor bus. The mass storage
device 730, peripheral device(s) 740, portable storage medium
device(s) 750, and/or graphics subsystem 760 may be coupled via one
or more input/output (I/O) buses. The mass storage device 730 is
preferably a nonvolatile storage device for storing data and/or
instructions for use by the processor device 710. The mass storage
device 730 may be implemented, for example, with a magnetic disk
drive or an optical disk drive. In a software embodiment, the mass
storage device 730 is preferably configured for loading contents of
the mass storage device 730 into the main memory 725.
[0082] The portable storage medium device 750 operates in
conjunction with a nonvolatile portable storage medium, such as,
for example, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), to input and
output data and code to and from the computer 700. In some
embodiments, the software for storing an internal identifier in
metadata may be stored on a portable storage medium, and may be
inputted into the computer 700 via the portable storage medium
device 750. The peripheral device(s) 740 may include any type of
computer support device, such as, for example, an input/output
(I/O) interface configured to add additional functionality to the
computer 700. For example, the peripheral device(s) 740 may include
a network interface card for interfacing the computer 700 with a
network 720.
[0083] The input control device(s) 780 provide a portion of the
user interface for a user of the computer 700. The input control
device(s) 780 may include a keypad and/or a cursor control device.
The keypad may be configured for inputting alphanumeric and/or
other key information. The cursor control device may include, for
example, a mouse, a trackball, a stylus, and/or cursor direction
keys. In order to display textual and graphical information, the
computer 700 preferably includes the graphics subsystem 760 and the
output display 770. The output display 770 may include a cathode
ray tube (CRT) display and/or a liquid crystal display (LCD). The
graphics subsystem 760 receives textual and graphical information,
and processes the information for output to the output display
770.
[0084] Each component of the computer 700 may represent a broad
category of a computer component of a general and/or special
purpose computer. Components of the computer 700 are not limited to
the specific implementations provided here.
[0085] Portions of the invention may be conveniently implemented by
using a conventional general purpose computer, a specialized
digital computer and/or a microprocessor programmed according to
the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to
those skilled in the computer art. Appropriate software coding may
readily be prepared by skilled programmers based on the teachings
of the present disclosure.
[0086] Some embodiments may also be implemented by the preparation
of application-specific integrated circuits, field programmable
gate arrays, or by interconnecting an appropriate network of
conventional component circuits.
[0087] Some embodiments include a computer program product. The
computer program product may be a storage medium or media having
instructions stored thereon or therein which can be used to
control, or cause, a computer to perform any of the processes of
the invention. The storage medium may include without limitation a
floppy disk, a mini disk, an optical disc, a Blu-ray Disc, a DVD, a
CD-ROM, a micro-drive, a magneto-optical disk, a ROM, a RAM, an
EPROM, an EEPROM, a DRAM, a VRAM, a flash memory, a flash card, a
magnetic card, an optical card, nanosystems, a molecular memory
integrated circuit, a RAID, remote data
storage/archive/warehousing, and/or any other type of device
suitable for storing instructions and/or data.
[0088] Stored on any one of the computer readable medium or media,
some implementations include software for controlling both the
hardware of the general and/or special computer or microprocessor,
and for enabling the computer or microprocessor to interact with a
human user or other mechanism utilizing the results of the
invention. Such software may include without limitation device
drivers, operating systems, and user applications. Ultimately, such
computer readable media further includes software for performing
aspects of the invention, as described above.
[0089] Included in the programming and/or software of the general
and/or special purpose computer or microprocessor are software
modules for implementing the processes described above.
[0090] While various example embodiments of the present invention
have been described above, it should be understood that they have
been presented by way of example, and not limitation. It will be
apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art(s) that various
changes in form and detail can be made therein. Thus, the present
invention should not be limited by any of the above described
example embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with
the following claims and their equivalents.
[0091] In addition, it should be understood that the figures are
presented for example purposes only. The architecture of the
example embodiments presented herein is sufficiently flexible and
configurable, such that it may be utilized and navigated in ways
other than that shown in the accompanying figures.
[0092] Further, the purpose of the Abstract is to enable the U.S.
Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and
especially the scientists, engineers and practitioners in the art
who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to
determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence
of the technical disclosure of the application. The Abstract is not
intended to be limiting as to the scope of the example embodiments
presented herein in any way. It is also to be understood that the
procedures recited in the claims need not be performed in the order
presented.
* * * * *