An apparatus includes a movement mechanism, a sensor, a microphone, a speaker, a processor and a memory. The processor selects a target region, controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move to the target region, and causes a speaker to output a first sound. When counting a predetermined number, the processor causes the sensor to trace a movement locus of a user. In a case where the processor has determined that an acquired sound contains a predetermined speech, the processor controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move through a predetermined space. When the processor has determined that the apparatus is not to intentionally lose in a game of hide-and-seek, the processor controls the movement mechanism to cause the apparatus to move to a target blind spot within the predetermined space, and causes the speaker to output a second sound.

A device that is an accessory for or a component of games, such as tabletop games, board games, card games and the like includes an actuator, a microprocessor and a power source, and one or more of a timer, sound sensor, light emitter, sound emitter, orientation sensor, motion sensor, optical sensor, communicator, charger and randomizer. The device is programmed through sound transmitted from an external source, such as a computer. The device responds to sounds such as voice commands, hand claps, or other types of sound by a series of programmed behaviors that include rolling, jumping, bouncing and/or displaying one or more lights. When embodied as a die or other sided object, the actuator is mounted at an angle with respect to the device sides. Alternate embodiments could be configured in the shape of a character, such as an animal, person, design of a fictional character or the like.

A portable, handheld game console includes a main body incorporating a touch-sensitive display screen and a variety of input devices. The input devices can include shoulder buttons located on a peripheral side surface of the main body, as well as input devices located on the main body adjacent the touch-sensitive display screen.

A computing system of an electronic puzzle includes a memory, an electronically controlled lock, and a plurality of sensors to generate sensor data. The computing system controls the electronically controlled lock to regulate access to an inner chamber of the electronic puzzle and monitors the sensor data generated by the plurality of sensors. The computing system generates an input password based on the monitored sensor data, compares the input password to a puzzle password stored in the memory, and unlocks the electronically controlled lock to permit access to the inner chamber in response to a determination that the input password matches the puzzle password.

A dice scanner for assisting in electronic gaming is disclosed which comprises a flat scanner with a scanning surface and a processor. The scanning surface is adapted for the rolling of one or more thrown dice and the flat scanner is configured for acquiring images of the scanning surface and the dice rolling or resting on that scanning surface in real time. The processor is configured for receiving one or more acquired images of the scanning surface and deriving therefrom data relating to the dice. The dice scanner also comprises a video acquisition system and/or an audio acquisition system which are arranged relative to the scanning surface such that at least a user face and/or at least a user voice can be recorded while gaming.

The present invention relates to a block toy. Provided is a technology in which a block toy includes a finishing block or a control block together with general blocks having their own information so that a user can freely define a completion step, can express completion, and can check configuration information during a process of combining and arranging the blocks, and thus the technology is effective in understanding a structure, a principal and a concept for language or operation learning, the acquisition of knowledge or information, or the like. Furthermore, principal components, such as a memory device, a control device, a speaker, a screen, a power source, a communication module and a recording module, are provided, and thus the configurations of combinations of general blocks can be checked and notification of the configurations can be provided using only a small number of blocks, thereby considerably reducing manufacturing costs.

A computing system of an electronic puzzle includes a memory, an electronically controlled lock, and a plurality of sensors to generate sensor data. The computing system controls the electronically controlled lock to regulate access to an inner chamber of the electronic puzzle and monitors the sensor data generated by the plurality of sensors. The computing system generates an input password based on the monitored sensor data, compares the input password to a puzzle password stored in the memory, and unlocks the electronically controlled lock to permit access to the inner chamber in response to a determination that the input password matches the puzzle password.

A device that is an accessory for or a component of games, such as tabletop games, board games, card games and the like includes an actuator, a microprocessor and a power source, and one or more of a timer, sound sensor, light emitter, sound emitter, orientation sensor, motion sensor, optical sensor, communicator, charger and randomizer. The device is programmed through sound transmitted from an external source, such as a computer. The device responds to sounds such as voice commands, hand claps, or other types of sound by a series of programmed behaviors that include rolling, jumping, bouncing and/or displaying one or more lights. When embodied as a die or other sided object, the actuator is mounted at an angle with respect to the device sides. Alternate embodiments could be configured in the shape of a character, such as an animal, person, design of a fictional character or the like.