US 4,103,895 A · Concealed pattern detection game

Abstract

A game or test of skill which is comprised of three principal components: a playing surface that either conceals or suggests a secret pattern of paths, a probe for selecting points on the playing surface, and an indicator that reveals whether a selected point belongs on the pattern of paths. In a preferred form of the game the playing surface is a small card on which is marked a grid that indicates the possible positions and orientations of the concealed paths in the pattern. A start point is indicated on the grid; the player places a hand-held pencil-like probe at the start point and tries to find a continuous path from the start point to the end point. The probe leaves no mark on the card, but the player is aided by the indicator which provides a signal when the probe is on-path--the signal ceases abruptly if the probe is moved off-path. The end-point is reached when the probe arrives at a designated end-point line of the grid without an off-path indication, or a separate end-point signal (for example, a bell) can sound when the end-point is reached. The object of the game is to traverse the grid from start to end without once leaving a pattern path, and to do this in the fewest possible attempts.

Claims13

Dependent claims

A game or test of skill comprising:

a playing surface concealing a pattern of paths;
a means for selecting areas or points on said playing surface;
electronic circuit means connected to said selecting means and said pattern of paths, wherein said selecting means and said pattern of paths, during said selection of areas or points, comprise electronic circuit coupling for said electronic circuit means, and said circuit coupling is effected by electromagnetic fields between said selecting means and said pattern of paths;
and
an indicator means, activated by said electronic circuit means in response to said electronic circuit coupling, for revealing whether the selected point on said surface corresponds to a point on said pattern of paths;
in which the object of the game is to discover properties of the concealed pattern.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Concealed pattern detection game

Life of this patent

Concealed pattern detection game

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims13