The present invention relates to a reader participation type electronic book system using a module including a module assembly configured by assembling a plurality of modules, and a user terminal connected to the module assembly through a network, which includes: a story providing unit transmitting an electronic book database including at least one story to the user terminal; an assembly information reception unit receiving module assembly information based on at least one quest performing information generated with respect to scenes constituting the story and generated for a story progress; and a score generation unit generating a score for module assembling of a user for each scoring condition with respect to the module assembly information.

Improved techniques for identifying objects, such as toy objects, are presented herein. In particular, a play system (e.g., game, doll playset, track set, etc.) includes a probed surface for use in obtaining electrical tomography measurements when toy objects are placed on the probed surface. The play system is configured to analyze the electrical tomography measurements to determine an identity of the toy object placed on the probed surface.

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.

A handheld projector for visually defining an event zone on a grid mat of a tabletop game to obviate the need to manually make proximity calculations during game play to determine whether players indicated on a game board are located in sufficient proximity to a virtual event to be effected.

A board game in which game action is initiated by the use of easy-to-hit buttons, switches or joysticks incorporated into the game, which stimulate board interaction and motion. The board game pieces need not be directly manipulated and cannot move about the board unintentionally. Rather, the pieces are lights or illuminated icons which are fixed to the playing surface, and which are controlled to advance in a pattern.

A game medium identification system applied to a game in which each of physical game media, that includes an appearance element characterizing appearance, is used in combination with an additional thing, and identifying the game media, the game medium identification system includes: an information medium provided on the additional thing and holding identification information; a medium image identification device identifying the game medium based on an image of the game medium; an association setting device associating an identification result by the medium image identification device with an identification information of the information medium in accordance with correspondence relationship between one game medium and the additional thing to be used in the game in combination with the one game medium; and a medium identification device detecting the identification information from the information medium and identifying the game medium based on the identification information and association set by the association setting device.

An augmented reality (AR) game system is disclosed wherein real-world objects are transformed into AR terrain elements and AR events generate real-world impact. The game environment is set up using real-world objects that include everyday objects and game pieces on a field of play. When viewed on the screen of a computing device executing the modules of the game system, the everyday objects are transformed into elements of an AR terrain while the game pieces can be augmented with various controls. Multiple viewing modes, for example, a third person view, a first person view or POV view from a selected game piece or a split screen view are contemplated for viewing the field of play. A subset of the augmented controls can be activated by the user to execute AR events some of which can have real-world impact. The AR events are executed based on game rules.

A game utilizes a multi-surface play surface having a plurality of locations defined thereon. A plurality of topographical features are removably attachable to selected ones of the locations to further alter the game play surface. A surface base supports a plurality of light source nodes interconnected by pluralities of light transmitting elements. Light is directed upwardly through the light source nodes. Additionally, selected portions of the game play surface which overlay on top of a light source node define surface locations which include light transmissive elements constructed to avoid blocking the light therefrom. Selected surface features also include light transmissive elements to further avoid blocking light from the light source node and game play surface location. The surface base is formed in two segments and is supported upon a book-like housing which includes a mechanism for raising and lowering one of the surface base segments within the housing to facilitate complete closure thereof.

A physical-virtual gaming platform comprising a game board overlay including logical locations for the placement of game pieces, where the overlay is placed in relationship to the combination of a game board and game pieces. The combination of the game board and game pieces include electronic means that are in communication with a computing device. The computing device processes the information provided by the electronic means to determine the logical location of a game piece with respect to the game overlay and then provides a sensory output to gamers based at least upon the determined locations. The game overlay can be active and in communication with the computing device such that the overlay is operated to alter one or more logical locations thereby changing game play in response to determined game piece movements. The platform includes visualization and audio devices for providing customized visual and audio experiences.

An electronic gaming tile includes a lighting system so that the tile emits light which can be seen during game play in low-light conditions. The tile may be for example, a domino or other gaming tile type (for example, mahjong). The tile includes a shell with a removable rear cover, which define a shell interior cavity that houses a tile power source, a tile controller board, and a light source. Some aspects include a storage case configured with a charging system that charges the tile power source of each tile to provide power to the light source when the tile is to be used for game play.