Multi-touch surface extension using conductive traces and pads

Number: 10035067
Published: 2018-07-31
Filed: 2015-10-26
Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
Inventors: Christen; Benjamin; Smithwick; Quinn; Jarchafjian; Harout; Voris; Jeffrey; Alted; Jorge
CPC: G06F3/0393; A63F13/55; G06F3/044; G06F1/1605; A63F13/2145; A63F3/00643
Verdict: Medium Hardware
Source: Google Patents · FreePatentsOnline

The keeper's note

Multi-touch interactive surface hardware.

Abstract

There is provided an interactive board for use with a plurality of game pieces and a user device having a touch screen. The interactive board has a space for placing one of the plurality of game pieces thereon. The space includes a rotation code sense pad array connected to a first plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying one of a plurality of rotation positions of the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device, a ground for grounding the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, and an identification code sense pad array connected to a second plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device.

Background

BACKGROUND(1) Board games continue to serve as a source of entertainment for families, friends, and individuals. Over the years, board games have attempted to integrate electronics into game play. However, in order to offer the board games at prices that are attractive to consumers, the board games often have had limited electronic integration, and have included the electronics as part of the board game itself.(2) At the same time, touch screen devices have become increasingly prevalent in the marketplace, and people of all ages have come to enjoy game play experiences offered on touch screen devices. These touch screen devices offer a touch sensitive surface over a display and can detect the presence and position of touch input, opening up the possibility of new ways to interact with electronic devices.(3) However, most board game simulations on touch screen devices include the entire board game on the touch screen device as an electronic board game. For example, games like Monopoly® can be played entirely on touch screen devices. However, despite such advancements, there is still a strong market for more traditional board game experiences, yet there is a shortage of inexpensive, hybrid game play experiences, that capitalize on the traditional physical board game experience while integrating the electronic board game with touch screen devices.SUMMARY(4) The present disclosure is directed to a multi-touch surface extension using conductive traces and pads, substantially as sh

Claims

1. An interactive board for use with a plurality of game pieces and a user device having a touch screen, the interactive board comprising: a space for placing one of the plurality of game pieces thereon, wherein the space includes: a rotation code sense pad array connected to a first plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying one of a plurality of rotation positions of the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device; a ground for grounding the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space; and an identification code sense pad array connected to a second plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device. 7. A game piece for use with an interactive board and a user device having a touch screen, the game piece comprising: a rotation code trace for placement in a space of the interactive board having a rotation code sense pad array connected to a first plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying one of a plurality of rotation positions of the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device; a ground for grounding the game piece when placed in the space of the interactive board having a board ground; and a plurality of identification code traces for placement in the space of the interactive board having a second plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device. 13. A game system for use with a user device having a touch screen, the game system comprising: a plurality of game pieces; and an interactive board having a space for placing one of the plurality of game pieces thereon, wherein the space includes: a rotation code sense pad array connected to a first plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying one of a plurality of rotation positions of the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device; a board ground for grounding the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space; and an identification code sense pad array connected to a second plurality of conductive traces connectable to the touch screen of the user device for identifying the one of the plurality of game pieces placed in the space, by the user device; each of the plurality of game pieces includes: a rotation code trace for placement in the space of the interactive board having the rotation code sense pad array; a game piece ground for grounding the game piece using the board ground; and a plurality of identification code traces for placement in the space of the interactive board having the second plurality of conductive traces.