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Board game and method of playing the sameRelated Patent Categories: Amusement Devices: Games, Board Games, Pieces, Or Boards Therefor, Game Board Having Pattern Separable Into SectionsBoard game and method of playing the same description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060273513, Board game and method of playing the same. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
BACKGROUND [0001] The present invention relates to a game. More particularly, the present invention relates to a critical thinking game in which one or more players exchange game pieces on a board until a predetermined arrangement of game pieces is realized. [0002] Games played out on boards comprising grids defining a plurality of spaces are well known. Checkers, chess, OTHELLO.RTM. and Go are well known examples. The object of the game in many such board games comprising grids of spaces is to capture an opponent's game pieces or position, or move all of one's own playing pieces to an opposing side of the board, or both. [0003] Such board games typically require a minimum of at least two individual players, as the object of the game is to capture or outflank an opposing player's playing pieces. [0004] The rules of such games may be difficult to initially learn and require years of playing until the game is mastered. Difficult rules can significantly decrease mass appeal of a game. [0005] Games requiring a minimum of one player are of a growing popularity. This is especially true because of the growing popularity of portable gaming systems as well as devices, such as, for example, mobile phones and personal data assistants (PDA) on which games can be a secondary function. Often, individuals may play the games on such systems and devices to pass short periods of time, break up monotony of a job, keep one's mind fresh, and to be intellectually challenged. [0006] Thus, what is desired is a board game that can be played at least individually, is easy to learn, can provide critical thinking challenges, while also providing entertainment. SUMMARY [0007] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a game board apparatus. The game board apparatus comprises a board and a set of individual game pieces. The board comprises a two or three dimensional grid of playing spaces in a fixed area. The individual game pieces of the set each comprise at least a first predetermined characteristic and a second predetermined characteristic. None of the individual game pieces comprise both an identical first predetermined characteristic and an identical second predetermined characteristic as any other of the individual game pieces of the set. The number of individual game pieces in the set is preferably equal to a number of playing spaces on the board. It is preferred that each of the individual game pieces is positioned on the board such that each of the individual game pieces singly occupies a related playing space. Individual game pieces are exchanged with other individual game pieces positioned on the board until one or more predetermined winning configurations of game piece arrangements are evident on the board. [0008] The various exemplary embodiments further include a method of playing a game board apparatus. The game board apparatus comprises a board and a set of individual game pieces. The board comprises a two or three dimensional grid of playing spaces in a fixed area. The individual game pieces of the set each comprise at least a first predetermined characteristic and a second predetermined characteristic. None of the individual game pieces comprise both an identical first predetermined characteristic and an identical second predetermined characteristic as any other of the individual game pieces of the set. The number of individual game pieces in the set is equal to a number of playing spaces on the board. The method of playing the board game apparatus comprises positioning the individual game pieces on the board such that each of the individual game pieces singly occupies a related playing space. Then, the individual game pieces are exchanged with one another on the board until one or more predetermined winning configurations of game piece arrangements are evident on the board. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0009] Various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, which will become more apparent as the description proceeds, are described in the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing, in which: [0010] FIG. 1 is an illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a game board comprising the game board apparatus of the present invention. [0011] FIGS. 2a and 2b are illustrations of exemplary embodiments of game pieces comprising the game board apparatus of the present invention. [0012] FIG. 3 is a graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the game board apparatus of the present invention with the individual game pieces of the set positioned on the game board. [0013] FIG. 4 is a graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing two individual game pieces exchanged for one another's position on the game board. [0014] FIG. 5 is another graphic representation of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing another two individual game pieces exchanged for one another's position on the game board. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include a method and a board game apparatus and a method of playing with the board game apparatus. [0016] The game board apparatus of the various exemplary embodiments herein includes a board on which the game is played. As shown in FIG. 1, the board 10 is preferably a two or three dimensional grid of individual playing spaces 20. The playing spaces of the grid are preferably significantly identical in size and shape from one another. [0017] In exemplary embodiments, the board 10 may comprise multiple playing levels (not shown) perpendicular to a surface plane of the grid shown in FIG. 1. Such multiple playing levels may significantly increase the challenge of the game as it would be played within three dimensions rather than two dimensions as shown in FIG. 1. [0018] The grid in the various exemplary embodiments comprises multiple rows 22 and multiple columns 24 comprised of the playing spaces. It is preferred that the number of columns and the number of rows are equal. In the various exemplary embodiments, there are at least four rows of playing spaces. In other exemplary embodiments, there are at least four columns of playing spaces. [0019] Although the playing spaces in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 display the playing spaces as being significantly square in shape, the playing spaces may comprise any shape, with the preferred caveat that the playing spaces overall form a grid shape. For example, the playing spaces may be circular in shape and be formed in a grid of four rows of circular playing spaces and four columns of circular playing spaces. [0020] The board of the various exemplary embodiments need not be of traditional board game composition. That is, although the board of the various exemplary embodiments herein may be of cardboard, plastic, wood, metal, cloth, or similar material, the board may be electronically generated and displayed such that the game may be played on a computing device such as, for example, a computer, a mobile phone, a personal data assistant (PDA), a gaming device, and similar. If the board is metal, the game pieces may be magnetic in order to more substantially remain positioned on the board. Continue reading about Board game and method of playing the same... Full patent description for Board game and method of playing the same Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Board game and method of playing the same patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Board game and method of playing the same or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Method and apparatus for playing blackjack with a side wager Next Patent Application: Board game Industry Class: Amusement devices: games ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Board game and method of playing the same patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.0753 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Novartis , Pfizer , Philips , Polaroid , Procter & Gamble , 174 |
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