A board game comprises one or more game objects such as a game board and game pieces, at least one memory device and at least one controller. Each of the game objects comprise a globally unique identifier and dynamic characteristic values associated with the unique identifier, stored in the memory device, that define the characteristics/attributes of the corresponding game object when used in the game. A user is able to play the game by utilizing the game objects according to their characteristic values. During the course of game play, the events of the game are able to dynamically change the characteristic values of each game object affected by the event. Similarly, outside of game play, external events are also able to dynamically change the characteristic values of a game object. These characteristic values are able to be kept and updated during and in between games.

A game board device is provided for carrying and identifying game pieces that are divided into different piece types. The game board device includes a board, a plurality of optically identifying modules, and a processing module electrically coupled to the optically identifying modules. The optically identifying modules respectively correspond in position to detection regions of the board. Each of the optically identifying modules includes a light emitter that can emit light toward the corresponding detection region and a light receiver that can receive light reflected by the corresponding detection region. When any one of the detection regions is in an unoccupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module can emit an unoccupied signal. When any one of the detection regions is in an occupied mode, the corresponding optically identifying module enables an identification signal that corresponds to the piece type of the corresponding game piece to be emitted therefrom.

Methods and apparatus are described for preserving and improving board games by changing the game board from a passive cardboard board to a dynamic computer controlled board while keeping the other tangible parts of the game unchanged—dice, game pieces, etc. The inherent values of board games are preserved, while improving the attractiveness of board games by using computing systems and advanced technologies.

A communications pathway between a data handling system and a physical input device can be established. The system can include one or more processors, memories, and program instructions. The device can be a physical object having N faces along an axis of rotation. The N faces can include a display. A content item from an ordered dataset of content items can be presented within a field of a graphical user interface of the display. A number of discrete items in the ordered dataset of content items is M, where M is greater than N. Rotations of the object can be detected along the axis of rotation. Each rotation of one of the N faces can results in navigation through the dataset of content items. Responsive to each navigation through the dataset of items can result in a corresponding presentation of the navigated to one of the items within the field.

A map system is provided whereby a plurality of individual puzzle pieces have a first upper planar surface and a second lower planar surface and are arranged in either a first unassembled configuration or a second assembled configuration to form a complete map, whereby at least one of complementary magnet pairs, complementary electronic sensors, complementary printed indicia, or combinations thereof are positioned on said lower planar surface for assembling into the assembled configuration.

Systems and methods for generating an augmented reality interface for generics activities are disclosed. The systems and methods may be directed to creating an augmented reality display for an activity performed on a surface. Given an image of the activity, an activity solver library and associated configuration information for the activity may be selected. The surface of the activity from the image may be rectified, forming a rectified image, from which activity state information may be extracted using the configuration information. The activity state information may be provided to the activity solver library to generate solution information, and elements indicating the solution information may be rendered in a perspective of the original image. By providing the configuration information associated with an activity solver library, an augmented reality interface can be generated for an activity by capturing an image of the activity.

A control system to locate a motorized entity on a display having an electronic device with a display is provided. The electronic device may include a microphone and an electronic device integrated circuit with a set of entity locating software instructions with a capability to generate and display a sequence of pixels in a location pattern, and to further receive an audio output detection signal from the microphone. The entity may include a speaker and one or more sensors in communication with an entity integrated circuit including a set of entity control software instructions. The one or more sensors may be capable of detecting pixels and to send a pixel detection signal to the entity integrated circuit upon detection thereof.

A cooperative board game played by a group of players includes a customizable playhouse, a game board having a plurality of defined areas each defined by a shape on the game board, a plurality of activities including Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 activities, wherein each level corresponds to one of the defined areas, a plurality of decks of dramatic play cards, wherein each of the plurality of decks corresponds to one of the levels, and an online map that can be accessed after completing a final activity in Level 4. Each player in the group of players completes each of the Level 1, Level 2, Level 3, and Level 4 activities in order, wherein the game is complete after each player completes the Level 4 final activity. The unique value propositions include self-discovery, a bird's eye view of the world, flexible and repeatable activities for endless outcomes, and an online community providing hindsight learning and real-world connection with others.

A tile game system is provided that includes a plurality of two-dimensional and three-dimensional components. The two-dimensional components can include a plurality of modular tiles provided in various sizes and configurations that can be joined together to form a grid-based gameplay area. The three-dimensional components can include external boundaries for the gameplay area, internal boundaries, terrain elements such as columns and staircases, and game figures. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the external and internal boundaries can be provided with recessed sections that allow a game figure to be contained within a single grid square and prevent the grid of the gameplay area from becoming warped. According to some aspects of the present disclosure the internal and external boundaries can be illuminated and provided with removable and interchangeable light-permeable skins that allow a user to switch between various illuminated designs.

An multi-dimensional game comprises a physical component including a game board and game pieces and a virtual component including a virtual environment displayed on a display device. A user is able to play the game by interacting with the virtual or physical component, wherein in order to complete tasks in the game the user must transition between interacting with the virtual component and the physical component. The physical component comprises game blocks, which are able to couple to each other and form objects that are then represented in the virtual component.