US20100171266A1 - Competitive sudoku board game - Google Patents

Competitive sudoku board game Download PDF

Info

Publication number
US20100171266A1
US20100171266A1 US12/724,122 US72412210A US2010171266A1 US 20100171266 A1 US20100171266 A1 US 20100171266A1 US 72412210 A US72412210 A US 72412210A US 2010171266 A1 US2010171266 A1 US 2010171266A1
Authority
US
United States
Prior art keywords
markers
marker
player
game
game board
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US12/724,122
Inventor
Michael Hohenstein
John F. Hohenstein
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to US12/724,122 priority Critical patent/US20100171266A1/en
Publication of US20100171266A1 publication Critical patent/US20100171266A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/02Chess; Similar board games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/04Geographical or like games ; Educational games
    • A63F3/0415Number games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/04Geographical or like games ; Educational games
    • A63F3/0415Number games
    • A63F2003/0418Number games with a grid, e.g. 'Sudoku'-type games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F3/00Board games; Raffle games
    • A63F3/00643Electric board games; Electric features of board games
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A63SPORTS; GAMES; AMUSEMENTS
    • A63FCARD, BOARD, OR ROULETTE GAMES; INDOOR GAMES USING SMALL MOVING PLAYING BODIES; VIDEO GAMES; GAMES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A63F9/00Games not otherwise provided for
    • A63F9/24Electric games; Games using electronic circuits not otherwise provided for

Definitions

  • the present invention generally relates to board games. More particularly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for playing a board game, as well as an implementation of the board game by an electronic device, by way of computer executable software.
  • a board game is any game played by placing and/or moving markers or pieces on a marked board or other demarcated surface.
  • Relatively simple board games such as Backgammon and Checkers, are often seen as ideal family entertainment as they provide entertainment for all ages.
  • More complex board games such as Chess and RiskTM have well developed strategies and have become classics that are well known.
  • board games that lend themselves to team play provide an opportunity for building communication skills.
  • board games are increasingly implemented in software code for play on these electronic devices. While these games are not board games in the traditional sense, the nature of the game play remains identical to that of a traditional board game, and these electronic implementations of board games are increasingly popular.
  • the present invention is a board game.
  • a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed.
  • a game board having a predetermined number of receptacles organized in rows, columns, and boxes is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers.
  • a board game for team play is disclosed.
  • the board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.
  • FIG. 1 is game board in accordance with the present invention
  • FIG. 2A is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in a single horizontal row according to a first embodiment of the invention
  • FIG. 2B is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers along a diagonal;
  • FIG. 2C is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in a single vertical row;
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 2B showing both proper marker placements and improper marker placements;
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in the positions shown according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device for implementing the board game of the present invention.
  • board game includes, but is not limited to a board game in the traditional sense, but also a game playable on a computer or similar electronic device.
  • the game board 100 is preferably a square board having eighty one (81) receptacles.
  • the receptacles are arranged in nine (9) rows and (9) columns, and are preferably equidistant. Individual receptacles are referred to herein using the coordinate system as shown in FIG. 1 .
  • the upper left most receptacle is receptacle (A, a).
  • the game board 100 is delineated into nine (9) regions 10 , 20 , 30 , 40 , 50 , 60 , 70 , 80 , and 90 , also termed 3 ⁇ 3 boxes, of 9 receptacles.
  • the contents of the board game further include nine distinct groups of nine markers, for a total of eighty one markers; one marker for each receptacle.
  • the distinction between groups of markers is preferably a color, but may be any distinctive treatment that distinguishes markers of a group from other markers of different groups.
  • the eighty one markers are preferably colored as follows: nine white/clear markers, nine red markers, nine orange markers, nine yellow markers, nine green markers, nine aqua markers, nine blue markers, nine purple markers, and nine black markers, for a total of eighty one markers.
  • color is represented by numbers 1 through 9, corresponding to colors as shown in the Legend.
  • the contents of the board game preferably include a pouch or other container for storing the markers.
  • a plurality of shields, one for each player, is also included in the contents of the board game for privacy, which will be discussed in more detail below.
  • the contents and layout of the board game may be varied as desired.
  • a game board having eighty one receptacles is presently preferred, game boards having more or less receptacles, and in turn more or less markers, would be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • a turn-based multiplayer board game that supports game play for up to nine (9) players.
  • a player may be chosen at random.
  • the markers may be arbitrarily assigned a value, and each player may blindly choose a single marker from the pouch.
  • the player with the lowest valued marker plays first.
  • the process is repeated until a starting player is established.
  • the order of game play is preferably assigned in the order the players are seated relative to the starting player, with game play preferably progressing to the starting player's left. Once the game play order is determined, any markers used for game play order determination are returned to the pouch.
  • the game board is initialized for play by placing nine markers, one of each distinction, on the game board in any horizontal row, as shown in FIG. 2A ; diagonal, as shown in FIG. 2B ; or vertical row, as shown in FIG. 2C .
  • the distinctive surface treatment of the markers is color
  • the preferred order for initializing the game board is as follows, referring to FIG. 2A : white/clear (A, e), red (B, e), orange (C, e), yellow (D, e), green (E, e), aqua (F, e), blue (G, e), purple (H, e), and black (I, e).
  • placing the markers in this order reveals the color spectrum. The remaining seventy two markers are placed in the pouch or container.
  • each player blindly chooses a number of stones for game play from the pouch according the number of players, as shown in Table 1. If the board game is played with 5 or 7 players, two markers will remain in the pouch after each player has selected their markers. Preferably, none of the players know which markers remain in the pouch. Additionally, it is preferred that each player maintains his or her markers secretly.
  • the object of the board game is for a player to play as many markers as possible.
  • the board game starts with the starting player placing a marker on the game board 100 , and continues with each player doing the same in turn.
  • the following rules apply:
  • the game board 100 is shown initialized for play by placing nine distinct markers in a diagonal, as described above with reference to FIG. 2B .
  • the game board 100 further shows several markers placed as follows: a yellow marker in receptacle (B, a), a green marker in receptacle (C, a), a black marker in receptacle (A, b), and an aqua marker placed in receptacle (C, b).
  • a player may not place a black marker, a red marker, or an aqua marker in any receptacle in the second horizontal row (b).
  • a player placing a black marker in receptacle (E, a) violates the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each row.
  • a player placing a green marker in receptacle violates the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each 3 ⁇ 3 box. It should be noted that either a blue or purple marker may be placed in either vacant receptacle, as neither of these placements would violate the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each row, column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box.
  • the player who plays all of their markers first wins the game. If no player is able to play all of their markers, the player with the fewest markers remaining is the winner. If more than one player has the fewest number of markers remaining, the player who played their markers in the fewest number of rounds is deemed the winner. If a tie still exists, the player with the fewest number of colors remaining is the winner. The game results in a tie if the players have played the same number of markers in the same number of rounds and the same number of colors remaining. In determining the winner, the term ‘round’ means each player's turn plus any extra turns awarded for completion of row, column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box, in accordance with rule 3.
  • a turn based, multiplayer cooperative board game is disclosed.
  • the amount and type of communication between the players is limited or restricted altogether.
  • communication and team-working skills may be developed.
  • Each group of players determines the level of communication allowed to achieve the goal of placing all eighty one (81) markers on the game board. Communication can vary from none at all, to solely body language, to an open discussion, as desired. By varying the level of communication, the same group of players can face different teamwork challenges with each game.
  • the board is initialized in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A , 2 B, and 2 C.
  • the remaining 72 markers are collected in a pool visible to all players.
  • the first player is preferably chosen by consensus, or by selecting one stone blind from the pool, lowest number going first, as described above.
  • the object of the board game of this embodiment is to place all 81 markers on the board so that each row, column, and 3 ⁇ 3 box has exactly one of each distinct marker.
  • the first player chooses one stone from the pool and places it on the board. Only one distinct marker may be played in any horizontal row, vertical column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box. Play then proceeds to the next player. As play proceeds, care must be taken not only to avoid placing a marker in a row, column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box of an identical marker, but also that the placement of a marker does not force a later impasse.
  • the player may use their turn to remove the offending marker to the pool. Where the players of the game have permitted verbal communication, the player may wish to explain why the offending stone would prevent placement of all 81 stones on the board. Play then proceeds until all eighty one (81) of the stones are placed on the game board according to the rules of the game.
  • the board game is initialized by randomly choosing nine markers and placing them in the following receptacles on the game board: (A, a), (E, a), (I, a), (A, e), (E, e), (I, e), (A, i), (E, i), and (I, i).
  • FIG. 4 several markers of the same group are randomly selected and placed on the game board in the above order. If any of the randomly selected markers violates the rule of only one of each distinct marker in any row, column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box, then that marker is returned to the pool and another is selected.
  • a player initializes the game board according to a predetermined arrangement, such as purely by way of example, a player's favorite Sudoku puzzle.
  • a predetermined arrangement such as purely by way of example, a player's favorite Sudoku puzzle.
  • Each number of a typical Sudoku puzzles is assigned to a group of distinct markers.
  • the markers are distinguished by color, however, any distinguishing feature may be used. Using colors rather than numbers offers a unique challenge.
  • two players may cooperatively solve the puzzle. Only one distinct marker may be placed in any horizontal row, vertical column, or 3 ⁇ 3 box on the game board.
  • the predetermined arrangement of the markers for initializing game play results in the appearance of the colors of the spectrum. Alternatively, the colors of the spectrum may appear when the puzzle is solved.
  • the present invention may also be implemented by an electronic device, such as a computer, by way of computer executable software code.
  • an electronic device 500 for implementing the board game of the present invention is shown.
  • a processor 510 is configured to execute software code stored in memory 520 .
  • a display 530 preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), displays the game board to a player.
  • a player uses input device 540 to manipulate and place markers represented graphically on the display 530 .
  • the input device 500 is a personal computer
  • the input device 540 is preferably a keyboard or a mouse.
  • the input device 540 may be action keys, or the display 530 may incorporate a pressure sensitive touch screen.
  • the distinctive markers may be represented graphically on the display 530 using icons.
  • Players would interface with the electronic board via a user interface. Selection of markers and locations for a player's turn may be selected by way of the user interface.
  • the present invention can be implemented in a computer program tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for execution by a processor or a general purpose computer; and method steps of the invention can be performed by a processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output data.
  • Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose processors.
  • a processor will receive instructions and data from a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), and/or a storage device.
  • Storage devices suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs).
  • non-volatile memory including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs).
  • the illustrative embodiments may be implemented in computer software, the functions within the illustrative embodiments may alternatively be embodied in part or in whole using hardware components such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other hardware, or in some combination of hardware components and software components.
  • ASICs Application Specific Integrated Circuits
  • FPGAs Field Programmable Gate Arrays

Abstract

The present invention is a board game. In a preferred embodiment, a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. The game board is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
  • This application claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/622,913, filed Jan. 12, 2007, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,677,570, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/763,215, filed Jan. 30, 2006, which are both incorporated herein by reference as if fully set forth.
  • FIELD OF INVENTION
  • The present invention generally relates to board games. More particularly, the present invention is a method and apparatus for playing a board game, as well as an implementation of the board game by an electronic device, by way of computer executable software.
  • BACKGROUND
  • A board game is any game played by placing and/or moving markers or pieces on a marked board or other demarcated surface. Relatively simple board games, such as Backgammon and Checkers, are often seen as ideal family entertainment as they provide entertainment for all ages. More complex board games such as Chess and Risk™ have well developed strategies and have become classics that are well known. In addition to entertainment value, board games that lend themselves to team play provide an opportunity for building communication skills.
  • In recent times, with the advent of computers and other electronic gaming consoles and the like, board games are increasingly implemented in software code for play on these electronic devices. While these games are not board games in the traditional sense, the nature of the game play remains identical to that of a traditional board game, and these electronic implementations of board games are increasingly popular.
  • SUMMARY
  • The present invention is a board game. In a preferred embodiment, a competitive board game for two to nine players is disclosed. A game board having a predetermined number of receptacles organized in rows, columns, and boxes is initialized by placing markers on the game board in a specified fashion. Distinct markers are distributed, and play progresses in turn by each player placing a marker on the game board such that each row, column, and box does not contain two identical markers. In an alternative embodiment, a board game for team play is disclosed. The board game may also be implemented in a computer or other electronic device.
  • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • A more detailed understanding of the invention may be had from the following description of preferred embodiments, given by way of example and to be understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
  • FIG. 1 is game board in accordance with the present invention;
  • FIG. 2A is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in a single horizontal row according to a first embodiment of the invention;
  • FIG. 2B is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers along a diagonal;
  • FIG. 2C is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in a single vertical row;
  • FIG. 3 is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 2B showing both proper marker placements and improper marker placements;
  • FIG. 4 is an illustration of the game board of FIG. 1 initialized for game play by placing distinctive markers in the positions shown according to a third embodiment of the present invention; and
  • FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an electronic device for implementing the board game of the present invention.
  • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
  • The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein like numerals represent like elements throughout. As used herein, the term “board game” includes, but is not limited to a board game in the traditional sense, but also a game playable on a computer or similar electronic device.
  • Referring to FIG. 1, an illustration of the game board 100 of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. The game board 100 is preferably a square board having eighty one (81) receptacles. The receptacles are arranged in nine (9) rows and (9) columns, and are preferably equidistant. Individual receptacles are referred to herein using the coordinate system as shown in FIG. 1. For Example, the upper left most receptacle is receptacle (A, a). The game board 100 is delineated into nine (9) regions 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80, and 90, also termed 3×3 boxes, of 9 receptacles.
  • The contents of the board game further include nine distinct groups of nine markers, for a total of eighty one markers; one marker for each receptacle. The distinction between groups of markers is preferably a color, but may be any distinctive treatment that distinguishes markers of a group from other markers of different groups. Where color is selected as the distinction, the eighty one markers are preferably colored as follows: nine white/clear markers, nine red markers, nine orange markers, nine yellow markers, nine green markers, nine aqua markers, nine blue markers, nine purple markers, and nine black markers, for a total of eighty one markers. In the drawing figures, color is represented by numbers 1 through 9, corresponding to colors as shown in the Legend.
  • The contents of the board game preferably include a pouch or other container for storing the markers. A plurality of shields, one for each player, is also included in the contents of the board game for privacy, which will be discussed in more detail below.
  • It should be noted that the contents and layout of the board game may be varied as desired. For example, although a game board having eighty one receptacles is presently preferred, game boards having more or less receptacles, and in turn more or less markers, would be apparent to those skilled in the art.
  • In a first embodiment, a turn-based multiplayer board game is disclosed that supports game play for up to nine (9) players. To determine which player will play first, a player may be chosen at random. Alternatively, the markers may be arbitrarily assigned a value, and each player may blindly choose a single marker from the pouch. The player with the lowest valued marker plays first. In the case of a tie between two player's selected markers, the process is repeated until a starting player is established. The order of game play is preferably assigned in the order the players are seated relative to the starting player, with game play preferably progressing to the starting player's left. Once the game play order is determined, any markers used for game play order determination are returned to the pouch.
  • Referring to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, the game board is initialized for play by placing nine markers, one of each distinction, on the game board in any horizontal row, as shown in FIG. 2A; diagonal, as shown in FIG. 2B; or vertical row, as shown in FIG. 2C. Where the distinctive surface treatment of the markers is color, the preferred order for initializing the game board is as follows, referring to FIG. 2A: white/clear (A, e), red (B, e), orange (C, e), yellow (D, e), green (E, e), aqua (F, e), blue (G, e), purple (H, e), and black (I, e). Coincidentally, it is noted that placing the markers in this order reveals the color spectrum. The remaining seventy two markers are placed in the pouch or container.
  • Next, each player blindly chooses a number of stones for game play from the pouch according the number of players, as shown in Table 1. If the board game is played with 5 or 7 players, two markers will remain in the pouch after each player has selected their markers. Preferably, none of the players know which markers remain in the pouch. Additionally, it is preferred that each player maintains his or her markers secretly.
  • TABLE 1
    Marker Distribution
    Number of Markers
    Number of Players to Start
    2 Players 36 Markers each
    3 Players 24 Markers each
    4 Players 18 Markers each
    5 Players 14 Markers each
    6 Players 12 Markers each
    7 Players 10 Markers each
    8 Players  9 Markers each
    9 Players  8 Markers each
  • The object of the board game is for a player to play as many markers as possible. The board game starts with the starting player placing a marker on the game board 100, and continues with each player doing the same in turn. The following rules apply:
      • 1. Only one distinct marker may be played in any horizontal row, vertical column, or 3×3 box.
      • 2. Once a player removes their hand from a marker that has been placed in a receptacle on the game board, their turn is completed.
      • 3. If a player places a marker in any row, column, or 3×3 box, such that the row, column, or 3×3 contains one of each distinct marker, that player receives an extra turn for each row, column, and 3×3 box completed. For example, if a marker completes a row, column, or 3×3 box, the player may place one additional marker on the game board. If a marker completes both a row and a column, the player may place two additional markers on the game board. If a marker placed completes a row, column, and 3×3 grid, the player may place three additional markers on the game board. Before the extra turn is taken all players must agree that the extra turn is valid.
      • 4. If a player places a marker on the game board in violation of rule 1, any other player may call a misplay. If this occurs, the player calling the misplay must explain why the stone cannot be placed in that position on the board. If the player calling the misplay is correct, the misplayed marker is removed from the game board and returned to the player who misplayed it. The player who misplayed the marker may not place another marker on the game board. If the player calling the misplay is incorrect, as determined by the remaining players, then that player forfeits their next turn. If a misplay is not caught before the next completed turn, then the misplayed marker remains on the game board, thus preventing certain rows, columns, or 3×3 boxes from being eligible for an extra turn.
      • 5. If a player is unable to play any of their markers, they must pass.
  • Referring to FIG. 3, the game board 100 is shown initialized for play by placing nine distinct markers in a diagonal, as described above with reference to FIG. 2B. The game board 100 further shows several markers placed as follows: a yellow marker in receptacle (B, a), a green marker in receptacle (C, a), a black marker in receptacle (A, b), and an aqua marker placed in receptacle (C, b). To illustrate the first rule of the game, a player may not place a black marker, a red marker, or an aqua marker in any receptacle in the second horizontal row (b). Therefore, a player placing a black marker in receptacle (E, a) violates the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each row. Nor may a player place a yellow marker or a red marker in any receptacle in the second vertical row (B). Therefore, a player placing a yellow marker in receptacle (B, f) violates the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each column. In 3×3 box 10, a player may only place a blue or a purple marker in the two remaining vacant receptacles (A, c) and (B, c). Therefore, a player placing a green marker in receptacle (A, c) violates the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each 3×3 box. It should be noted that either a blue or purple marker may be placed in either vacant receptacle, as neither of these placements would violate the rule that only one distinct marker may be placed in each row, column, or 3×3 box.
  • The player who plays all of their markers first wins the game. If no player is able to play all of their markers, the player with the fewest markers remaining is the winner. If more than one player has the fewest number of markers remaining, the player who played their markers in the fewest number of rounds is deemed the winner. If a tie still exists, the player with the fewest number of colors remaining is the winner. The game results in a tie if the players have played the same number of markers in the same number of rounds and the same number of colors remaining. In determining the winner, the term ‘round’ means each player's turn plus any extra turns awarded for completion of row, column, or 3×3 box, in accordance with rule 3.
  • In a second embodiment of the present invention, a turn based, multiplayer cooperative board game is disclosed. Preferably, the amount and type of communication between the players is limited or restricted altogether. In this manner, communication and team-working skills may be developed. Each group of players determines the level of communication allowed to achieve the goal of placing all eighty one (81) markers on the game board. Communication can vary from none at all, to solely body language, to an open discussion, as desired. By varying the level of communication, the same group of players can face different teamwork challenges with each game.
  • The board is initialized in the same manner as described above with reference to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C. The remaining 72 markers are collected in a pool visible to all players. The first player is preferably chosen by consensus, or by selecting one stone blind from the pool, lowest number going first, as described above. The object of the board game of this embodiment is to place all 81 markers on the board so that each row, column, and 3×3 box has exactly one of each distinct marker.
  • The first player chooses one stone from the pool and places it on the board. Only one distinct marker may be played in any horizontal row, vertical column, or 3×3 box. Play then proceeds to the next player. As play proceeds, care must be taken not only to avoid placing a marker in a row, column, or 3×3 box of an identical marker, but also that the placement of a marker does not force a later impasse.
  • If any player notices that any of the markers already placed on the game board prevents the object of the game from being achieved, the player may use their turn to remove the offending marker to the pool. Where the players of the game have permitted verbal communication, the player may wish to explain why the offending stone would prevent placement of all 81 stones on the board. Play then proceeds until all eighty one (81) of the stones are placed on the game board according to the rules of the game.
  • Besides a player explaining why a particular stone must be removed, the mode and extent that team players may communicate is best left to the consensus of the players. This will vary according to the relative skill, experience, and personalities of the individual players, and also the context in which the game is being played, for example a party, a work training session, or a schoolroom.
  • While the board game of this second embodiment is not competitive in the traditional sense, a team could measure its performance against other teams or its own previous efforts using the following very simple scoring system. Since 72 correct placements are required to meet the object of the game, 72 is the perfect score. One point is added for each removal of a stone, whether that removal was necessary or ill-advised.
  • Referring to FIG. 4, in a third embodiment, which is a variation of the second embodiment previously described, the board game is initialized by randomly choosing nine markers and placing them in the following receptacles on the game board: (A, a), (E, a), (I, a), (A, e), (E, e), (I, e), (A, i), (E, i), and (I, i). As shown in FIG. 4, several markers of the same group are randomly selected and placed on the game board in the above order. If any of the randomly selected markers violates the rule of only one of each distinct marker in any row, column, or 3×3 box, then that marker is returned to the pool and another is selected.
  • In a fourth embodiment, a player initializes the game board according to a predetermined arrangement, such as purely by way of example, a player's favorite Sudoku puzzle. Each number of a typical Sudoku puzzles is assigned to a group of distinct markers. Preferably, the markers are distinguished by color, however, any distinguishing feature may be used. Using colors rather than numbers offers a unique challenge. Alternatively, two players may cooperatively solve the puzzle. Only one distinct marker may be placed in any horizontal row, vertical column, or 3×3 box on the game board. Preferably, the predetermined arrangement of the markers for initializing game play results in the appearance of the colors of the spectrum. Alternatively, the colors of the spectrum may appear when the puzzle is solved.
  • The present invention may also be implemented by an electronic device, such as a computer, by way of computer executable software code. Referring to FIG. 5, an electronic device 500 for implementing the board game of the present invention is shown. A processor 510 is configured to execute software code stored in memory 520. A display 530, preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), displays the game board to a player. A player uses input device 540 to manipulate and place markers represented graphically on the display 530. Where the electronic device 500 is a personal computer, the input device 540 is preferably a keyboard or a mouse. Where the electronic device 500 is a stand-alone game unit, the input device 540 may be action keys, or the display 530 may incorporate a pressure sensitive touch screen. The distinctive markers may be represented graphically on the display 530 using icons. Players would interface with the electronic board via a user interface. Selection of markers and locations for a player's turn may be selected by way of the user interface.
  • The present invention can be implemented in a computer program tangibly embodied in a computer-readable storage medium containing a set of instructions for execution by a processor or a general purpose computer; and method steps of the invention can be performed by a processor executing a program of instructions to perform functions of the invention by operating on input data and generating output data. Suitable processors include, by way of example, both general and special purpose processors. Typically, a processor will receive instructions and data from a ROM, a random access memory (RAM), and/or a storage device. Storage devices suitable for embodying computer program instructions and data include all forms of non-volatile memory, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices, magnetic media such as internal hard disks and removable disks, magneto-optical media, and optical media such as CD-ROM disks and digital versatile disks (DVDs). In addition, while the illustrative embodiments may be implemented in computer software, the functions within the illustrative embodiments may alternatively be embodied in part or in whole using hardware components such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), or other hardware, or in some combination of hardware components and software components.
  • Although the features and elements of the present invention are described in the preferred embodiments in particular combinations, each feature or element can be used alone without the other features and elements of the preferred embodiments or in various combinations with or without other features and elements of the present invention.

Claims (17)

1. A method for playing a board game comprising:
providing a game board having a plurality of receptacles, the receptacles aligned in rows and columns, and the receptacles further grouped into a plurality of predetermined regions;
providing a plurality of markers, one for each receptacle, for placing into the receptacles of the game board, wherein the markers comprise a plurality of groups of identical markers;
initializing the game board by placing several markers on the game board;
distributing the remaining markers equally among the players; and
placing, in turn, a marker in any vacant receptacle, wherein only one type of distinct marker may be placed in any row, column, or box.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the markers are distinguished by color.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the colors are selected from the following list of colors: clear, white, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and black.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the markers are stones.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein if a player places a marker that completes a row, column, or predetermined region, the player receives an extra turn for each row, column, or box completed.
6. The method of claim 2, wherein if a player places a marker on the game board that is not distinct within its row, column, or box, the marker is removed from the game board, returned to the player, and the player loses a turn.
7. The method of claim 1, wherein the method is implemented in an electronic device.
8. A method of playing board game by at least one player comprising:
providing a game board having eighty one receptacles, the receptacles aligned in nine rows, each row containing nine receptacles, and the playing surface further segmented into nine regions of nine receptacles;
providing eighty one markers for placing into the receptacles of the playing surface, wherein the eighty one markers are comprised of nine distinct groups of nine;
placing by the at least one player in turn a plurality of markers on the game board to initialize game play;
distributing the remaining markers equally among the players; and
placing, in turn, one marker in any vacant receptacle, wherein only one distinct marker may be placed in any row, column, or box.
9. The method of claim 8, wherein the markers are distinguished by color.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the colors are selected from the following list of colors: white, red, orange, yellow, green, aqua, blue, purple, and black.
11. The method of claim 8, wherein the markers are stones.
12. The method of claim 8, wherein if a player places a marker that completes a row, column, or predetermined region, the player receives an extra turn for each row, column, or box completed.
13. The method of claim 8, wherein if a player places a marker on the game board that is not distinct within its row, column, or box, the marker is removed from the game board, returned to the player, and the player loses a turn.
14. The method of claim 8, wherein one of each group of distinct markers is placed in a single row, column, or diagonal line to initialize game play.
15. The method of claim 8, wherein the game board is initialized by placing a marker in each corner receptacle of the game board, a marker in each receptacle located equidistant from the corners on the periphery of the game board, and one marker in the center receptacle of the game board.
16. The method of claim 8, wherein the player who plays the most markers is the winner.
17. The method of claim 8, wherein the board game is implemented in an electronic device.
US12/724,122 2006-01-30 2010-03-15 Competitive sudoku board game Abandoned US20100171266A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US12/724,122 US20100171266A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2010-03-15 Competitive sudoku board game

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US76321506P 2006-01-30 2006-01-30
US11/622,913 US7677570B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-01-12 Competitive Sudoku board game
US12/724,122 US20100171266A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2010-03-15 Competitive sudoku board game

Related Parent Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/622,913 Continuation US7677570B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-01-12 Competitive Sudoku board game

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US20100171266A1 true US20100171266A1 (en) 2010-07-08

Family

ID=38321285

Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/622,913 Expired - Fee Related US7677570B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-01-12 Competitive Sudoku board game
US12/724,122 Abandoned US20100171266A1 (en) 2006-01-30 2010-03-15 Competitive sudoku board game

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US11/622,913 Expired - Fee Related US7677570B2 (en) 2006-01-30 2007-01-12 Competitive Sudoku board game

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (2) US7677570B2 (en)
WO (1) WO2007089782A2 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170197150A1 (en) * 2015-09-23 2017-07-13 Michael John Nuell Multiplayer partisan sudoku (sudoku chess)

Families Citing this family (17)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7677570B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-03-16 Michael Hohenstein Competitive Sudoku board game
US20090278312A1 (en) * 2008-05-06 2009-11-12 Eric Steven Bower Game system with cooperative and competitive boards
US20090278311A1 (en) * 2008-05-06 2009-11-12 Eric Steven Bower Sudoku board game
US20090278310A1 (en) * 2008-05-06 2009-11-12 Eric Steven Bower Sudoku board game
CN100509097C (en) * 2008-09-01 2009-07-08 超天才技术开发(北京)有限责任公司 Digital chess
US7887055B2 (en) * 2008-10-14 2011-02-15 Douglas Daniel Gardner Logic and mathematical puzzle
US20100207325A1 (en) * 2008-10-14 2010-08-19 Douglas Daniel Gardner Logic and mathematical puzzle
US20100109243A1 (en) * 2008-10-30 2010-05-06 Mark Bain Three-dimensional game
US20100171264A1 (en) * 2008-12-05 2010-07-08 Norbert Louis Zarumba Zudokuz
US20100148438A1 (en) * 2008-12-12 2010-06-17 Amos Douglas R Apparatus and method to solve sudoku
US8419432B2 (en) * 2009-06-08 2013-04-16 William Lewis Duke Tactile Sudoku Game Display for the Blind
US9129541B2 (en) * 2011-03-24 2015-09-08 Mkn Services, Llc System for a play caller to display calls to participants in an athletic competition
US20120248698A1 (en) * 2011-04-04 2012-10-04 Spencer Robert F Game and method of playing the same and structures for a game board and other utilizations
US9669290B2 (en) 2011-12-08 2017-06-06 Perrin Isaac Reid Board for strategic game
US20130147115A1 (en) * 2011-12-08 2013-06-13 Perrin Isaac Reid Strategic board game
US8308539B1 (en) 2012-02-29 2012-11-13 Cleghorn Jefferson W Letter placement game
US11207603B2 (en) * 2019-06-13 2021-12-28 Nintendo Co., Ltd. Information processing system and information processing apparatus that allow diversified game development, method of controlling information processing system, and information processing program in puzzle game using defensive and offensive paramaters

Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3747932A (en) * 1971-11-23 1973-07-24 V Grissino Board game apparatus
US4131281A (en) * 1977-11-21 1978-12-26 Taylor Samson R Game board apparatus
US4131282A (en) * 1977-06-17 1978-12-26 Boyer Robin L Board game apparatus
US4541634A (en) * 1985-02-04 1985-09-17 Nolan Richard H Board game
US4569528A (en) * 1984-07-13 1986-02-11 Roy Fanti Dot game device
US4728107A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-03-01 Dvorak Robert E Board game apparatus and method
US4884819A (en) * 1987-02-06 1989-12-05 Lambert W Clark Multi-dimensional games and playing boards
US5286061A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-02-15 Scientific Games, Inc. Lottery ticket having validation data printed in developable invisible ink
US5961118A (en) * 1997-12-31 1999-10-05 Chie; Nancy K. Strategy board game
US6254098B1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2001-07-03 Francis H Kirkpatrick Practical four-dimensional tic-tac-toe
US6431547B1 (en) * 2000-06-26 2002-08-13 Rachel M. Arkoosh Game using playing pieces
US6581935B1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-06-24 Karaway Gaming, Inc. Electronic bingo game and method
US6702288B1 (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-03-09 Frances M. Ohman Color game
US20050077681A1 (en) * 2003-02-26 2005-04-14 Kowalczyk Patrick Michael Method and apparatus for orthography board game
US20070105077A1 (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-05-10 Pechter Edward A Worksheet for solving number logic based placement puzzles
US7677570B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-03-16 Michael Hohenstein Competitive Sudoku board game

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3588112A (en) * 1968-08-20 1971-06-28 Stelledar Inc Board game involving the matching of a randomly arrayed group of pieces

Patent Citations (16)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3747932A (en) * 1971-11-23 1973-07-24 V Grissino Board game apparatus
US4131282A (en) * 1977-06-17 1978-12-26 Boyer Robin L Board game apparatus
US4131281A (en) * 1977-11-21 1978-12-26 Taylor Samson R Game board apparatus
US4569528A (en) * 1984-07-13 1986-02-11 Roy Fanti Dot game device
US4541634A (en) * 1985-02-04 1985-09-17 Nolan Richard H Board game
US4728107A (en) * 1986-05-30 1988-03-01 Dvorak Robert E Board game apparatus and method
US4884819A (en) * 1987-02-06 1989-12-05 Lambert W Clark Multi-dimensional games and playing boards
US5286061A (en) * 1992-10-09 1994-02-15 Scientific Games, Inc. Lottery ticket having validation data printed in developable invisible ink
US5961118A (en) * 1997-12-31 1999-10-05 Chie; Nancy K. Strategy board game
US6254098B1 (en) * 1998-03-02 2001-07-03 Francis H Kirkpatrick Practical four-dimensional tic-tac-toe
US6581935B1 (en) * 2000-04-24 2003-06-24 Karaway Gaming, Inc. Electronic bingo game and method
US6431547B1 (en) * 2000-06-26 2002-08-13 Rachel M. Arkoosh Game using playing pieces
US6702288B1 (en) * 2002-11-14 2004-03-09 Frances M. Ohman Color game
US20050077681A1 (en) * 2003-02-26 2005-04-14 Kowalczyk Patrick Michael Method and apparatus for orthography board game
US20070105077A1 (en) * 2005-11-10 2007-05-10 Pechter Edward A Worksheet for solving number logic based placement puzzles
US7677570B2 (en) * 2006-01-30 2010-03-16 Michael Hohenstein Competitive Sudoku board game

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20170197150A1 (en) * 2015-09-23 2017-07-13 Michael John Nuell Multiplayer partisan sudoku (sudoku chess)
US10807007B2 (en) * 2015-09-23 2020-10-20 Michael John Nuell Multiplayer partisan Sudoku (Sudoku Chess)

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20070176362A1 (en) 2007-08-02
WO2007089782A3 (en) 2007-12-13
US7677570B2 (en) 2010-03-16
WO2007089782A2 (en) 2007-08-09

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US7677570B2 (en) Competitive Sudoku board game
US7708279B2 (en) Logical board game and game of chance on a star-shaped board
US20150151188A1 (en) Playing Cards and Method for Playing Card Games Therewith
US20130072272A1 (en) Board game
US20180147480A1 (en) Card-based three-in-a-row game
US20080136100A1 (en) Board game
US8210537B1 (en) Multi-grid tic-tac-toe game
US20200054934A1 (en) Casino table game apparatus and method
US20050046107A1 (en) Method for playing a game
JP4937402B1 (en) Piece game
JP5604466B2 (en) Piece game
JP7169506B2 (en) Play expansion equipment and board play equipment
US6082735A (en) Method of playing game
US20120220357A1 (en) Method and kit of tools for playing lotto games
KR20100103980A (en) Device and method of board game with simultaneous action
US20140131949A1 (en) Tile game and method of game play
JP2007160064A (en) Five-in-a-row game using cursor to rotate table-tennis ball
KR102494173B1 (en) Method for puzzle game using symmetry puzzle and apparatus for performing the method
US10881947B2 (en) Game
US10471338B2 (en) Word forming game for large words
US20200175808A1 (en) Method for playing lotto games
US20110018201A1 (en) Lotto game
JP2023161530A (en) Board game tool
WO2023275868A1 (en) Game kits and methods for playing the same
AU2013100821A4 (en) A board game

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
STCB Information on status: application discontinuation

Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION