Light-reflecting board game

Abstract

A board-type game to be played by two or more players. The game includes lasers where players selectively divert the path of the laser beams. The board apparatus comprises a surface, bounded by a frame, over which laser beams are directed down symbolic rows and columns which constitute a matrix of squares. Each square is a subregion of the surface piece, and is bounded along its four sides by raised edges which are parallel and perpendicular rows and columns of the board. The raised edges, creating recessed squares, assist in orienting the playing pieces. Playing pieces may contain no mirror, one mirror, or two mirrors (oriented back-to-back to produce separate surfaces reflecting in opposite directions). Playing pieces are placed in a predetermined “starting” configuration on the squares of the gridded surface piece. Depending on whether a playing piece contains a mirror or not, said piece may reflect an incident laser beam from a row to a column or from a column to a row. A laser is placed in a predetermined position, in front of each player. The players alternate in moving pieces from square to square or rotating pieces in place, on the gridded surface, with the object of either directing their laser beam toward the opponent's “key” piece or preventing their opponent's laser beam from reaching their own “key” piece.

1 . A method for playing a game comprising: 
 arranging multiple sets of objects on a playing surface in pre-determined starting positions, each set being controlled by a player and each set including a key object, at least one object capable of diverting a light beam and at least one object incapable of diverting a light beam; and    causing a movement of one of the objects controlled by the player, followed by activation of a light beam, the light beam being diverted when striking the at least one object capable of diverting a light beam of any set and stopped when striking either the key object of any set or the at least one object incapable of diverting a light beam of any set,    wherein the movement of one of the objects controlled by the player includes either rotating the object or changing the position of the object.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein arranging multiple sets of objects on a playing surface in pre-determined starting positions includes selecting the pre-determined starting positions.  
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein arranging multiple sets of objects on a playing surface in pre-determined starting positions includes arranging two sets of objects.  
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 3 , wherein the game ends if the light beam strikes the key object of any set.  
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of spaces and changing the position of the object includes moving the object from a space to an adjacent space in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction.  
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 5 , wherein diverting a light beam includes splitting the light beam into a plurality of light beams.  
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 3 , further comprising waiting for an opposing player to cause a movement of one of the objects controlled by the opposing player, followed by activation of another light beam.  
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 4 , wherein a player includes a team of players.  
   
   
       9 . A method for playing a game using multiple sets of objects arranged in a pre-determined starting configuration on a playing surface, each set being controlled by a player and each set including a key object, at least one object capable of diverting a light beam and at least one object incapable of diverting the light beam, the method comprising: 
 causing a movement of one of the objects controlled by the player, followed by activation of a light beam, the light beam being diverted when striking the at least one object capable of diverting a light beam of any set and stopped when striking either the key object of any set or the at least one object incapable of diverting a light beam of any set,    wherein the movement of one of the objects controlled by the player includes either rotating the object or changing the position of the object.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 9 , further comprising selecting the pre-determined starting configuration.  
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 9 , wherein two sets of objects are arranged in a pre-determined starting configuration on a playing surface.  
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the game ends if the light beam strikes the key object of any set.  
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 12 , wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of spaces and changing the position of the object includes moving the object from a space to an adjacent space in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction.  
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 13 , wherein diverting a light beam includes splitting the light beam into a plurality of light beams.  
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising waiting for an opposing player to cause a movement of one of the objects controlled by the opposing player, followed by activation of another light beam.  
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein a player includes a team of players.  
   
   
       17 . A method for facilitating playing a game comprising: 
 providing a playing surface including at least one light beam source;    providing multiple sets of objects, each set capable of being controlled by a player and each set including: 
 a key object;  
 at least one object capable of diverting a light beam; and  
 at least one object incapable of diverting a light beam;  
   providing rules for playing the game including: 
 arranging the objects into at least one pre-determined starting configuration selecting starting positions for the objects on the playing surface;  
 moving one of the objects capable of being controlled by the player, the movement including either rotating the object or changing the position of the object; and  
 alternating turns, a turn including causing a movement of one of the objects capable of being controlled by the player, followed by activation of a light beam from the at least on light beam source, the light beam being diverted when striking the at least one object capable of diverting a light beam of any set and stopped when striking either the key object of any set or the at least one object incapable of diverting a light beam of any set.  
   
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , wherein providing rules for playing the game further comprises ending the game if the light beam strikes the key object of any set.  
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the playing surface comprises a plurality of spaces and changing the position of the object includes moving the object from a space to an adjacent space in a horizontal, vertical or diagonal direction.  
   
   
       20 . The method according to  claim 19 , wherein diverting a light beam includes splitting the light beam into a plurality of light beams.