Electronic board game creator

Abstract

This invention fills the gap between traditional board games played on cardboard with pawns, playing cards, and dice and electronic game consoles and PC games. The invention introduces the possibility to create a board game on the fly with the invention of underlying systems and methods and hard and software. With a contactless communication unit (CCU) at the heart of the system, it allows players to play board games on cardboard, stationery, touch screen device on the go (mobile), or online with users across the globe or at least one virtual player (software).

1 . Systems and methods for creating or playing interactive electronic-supported board games 
     
     
         2 . A contactless communication unit (CCU) that stores and provides content or controls movements of players or pawns, dice, or other items. 
     
     
         3 . Software for creating board/handheld/PC or online games at the same time 
     
     
         4 . Systems or methods to store scripts or content created into a CCU according to  claim 2   
     
     
         5 . A surface containing conductive or resistive flat material like printable paint, ink, or wires to be attached visibly or invisibly on the board game cardboard. 
     
     
         6 . A detector according to  claims 1  and  2  that can identify players, dice, pawns, playing cards, or other items used in a board game or play set. 
     
     
         7 . According to  claim 1 , a contactless positioning system that works three-dimensionally over a printed circuit (in the board, playset, etc.) or contactless communication unit (CCU) according to  claim 2  or other items where the invention or a part of invention is attached. 
     
     
         8 . A generator for at least one alternating electric field, which can be spread out over the air, over at least one player's skin (dermis), or over a game board or a play set. 
     
     
         9 . Electronic according to  claim 1  for harvesting energy out of forced media such as electric, magnetic or electromagnetic field, light, sound, or vibration. 
     
     
         10 . Integration as a circuit on silicon or printed on polymer on or into a pawn or a dice or playing card or other items. 
     
     
         11 . Electronic circuit powered by a harvester according to  claim 1  for various functions signaling or positioning purposes. 
     
     
         12 . Simulation software for playing created or stored board game or play set scripts or functions according to  claim 1  on screen. 
     
     
         13 . According to  claim 11 , simulation by using the means from  claim 1  or  2 . 
     
     
         14 . A gamepad for playing simulated or real board games or reaction through the use of the device (CCU) on other content. 
     
     
         15 . An electronic player equipped with a player unit according to  claim 1  for informing one player about play, game situations, or other relevant information. 
     
     
         16 . An electronic player unit according to  claim 14 , which can send back commands or vital signs from at least one player into the CCU, according to  claim 2  or into networks or other devices. 
     
     
         17 . System or methods for generating random numbers or events according to  claims 1  and  2 . 
     
     
         18 . Devices used in a board game or play set that contain the invention related to technology, harvester, or electronics powered by such harvester (e.g., pawns, dice, playing cards, action figures, game or other accessories, and feedback devices). 
     
     
         19 . According to  claim 2 , an additional display on the CCU or means to interact with the CCU from at least one player using keys, touch, multi-touch, gesture, or other vital signs from at least one user. 
     
     
         20 . Software that generates presentations or user guides out of the invention related to data like play scripts or function tables. The results can be in the form of text, pictures, graphical sequences, videos, movie sequences, sound, light, or other effects. 
     
     
         21 . A wireless communication system between CCU, networks, other toys or games, or other devices. 
     
     
         22 . Software that can create or print a game play-relevant structure on a surface including coupling electrodes for electric fiends (alternating) or for gesture commands from at least one player and lines that can be conductive or resistive between electrodes or spaces, printed capacitors or resistors using at least one layer of the surface. The printout of this software is related to designer's input using the invention underlying systems and methods according to  claim 3  or scripts or function tables. 
     
     
         23 . A mnemonic or reacted script language that is visible by humans as well as hard or software, containing statements or game play-related function codes. 
     
     
         24 . Means to use or interpret the mnemonic scripts or function tables either from the CCU according to  claim 2  or other devices, networks, or external sources. 
     
     
         25 . So-called virtual player software that can support real player as a partner or opponent with access to the game and play-related scripts or functions. 
     
     
         26 . An interactive printed board game or play set where at least one CCU according to  claim 2  is placed nearby where players can play interactive board games by using or moving pawns, dice, event cards, accessories, or other items on or near the game board that are attached with the inventions systems, and methods according to  claim 1 . 
     
     
         27 . Means to store player data for internal or external use. Such data can also be integrated in the invention-related scripts, function, or other tables to alter or react depending on player's skills or play levels or other situation-relevant events.