Apparatus for Playing a Game

Abstract

The present invention provides apparatus for playing a game. The apparatus comprises one or more multi-faceted playing pieces, each playing piece comprising six game sides arranged in a substantially cube-like orientation relative to one another. Each playing piece comprises two like game indicia only, and the two like game indicia are arranged or formed so as to be visible on or through two game sides which are substantially perpendicular to one another. The present invention also provides electrical and/or electronic means for simulating and manipulating one or more playing pieces according to the present invention.

1 . Apparatus for playing a game, the apparatus comprising at least one multi-faceted playing piece, the at least one multi-faceted playing piece comprising:
 six game sides arranged in a substantially cube-like orientation relative to one another; and   two like game indicia only, wherein:   the two like game indicia are configured so as to be visible on or through two game sides which are substantially perpendicular to one another.   
     
     
         2 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the two like game indicia are configured so as to be visible on or through only two game sides which are substantially perpendicular to one another. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one playing piece is substantially cube shaped. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one playing piece is a polyhedron comprising at least six sides. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the the at least one playing piece is a solid. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the the at least one playing piece is hollow. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the at least one playing piece is formed of a at least one planar element. 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 7  wherein at least one game side is formed by one of the at least one planar element. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one playing piece is formed of six planar elements and wherein each of the six game sides of the at least one playing piece formed of six planar elements is formed by one of the six planar elements and the six game sides are arranged together by a connecting means in the substantially cube-like orientation. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein four of the game sides of each playing piece remain blank or are otherwise visibly distinct from the two game sides conveying the like game indicia. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 10  wherein at least one of the four game sides of each playing piece which remain blank or otherwise visibly distinct from the two game sides conveying like game indicia is itself visibly distinct from at least one of the other four game sides. 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one playing piece is configured to be laid down on any one of its six game sides. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  comprising a plurality of playing pieces wherein each playing piece is configured to be laid down adjacent to or stacked on another playing piece. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the like game indicia are used to score in a game played using the at least one playing piece. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the two like game indicia of each playing piece are arranged in the same vertical orientation relative to one another. 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the two like game indicia of each playing piece are substantially similar in size and shape. 
     
     
         17 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the two like game indicia of each playing piece differ in (a) orientation, or (b) size, or (c) shape or (d) orientation and size or (e) orientation and shape or (f) size and shape or (g) orientation and size and shape. 
     
     
         18 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each playing piece comprises further indicia different from the like game indicia. 
     
     
         19 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each playing piece is formed as a cube-like structure having (a) truncated and/or beveled and/or rounded edges, and/or (b) truncated and/or beveled and/or rounded corners and/or (c) at least one hollowed-out game side. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the game sides of each playing piece is substantially flat and smooth. 
     
     
         21 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein at least one of the game sides of each playing piece is provided with temporary attachment means. 
     
     
         22 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the temporary attachment means is effected using releasable attachment means, including hook and loop material or magnetic material. 
     
     
         23 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each playing piece is of at least partly open form. 
     
     
         24 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each playing piece is substantially opaque. 
     
     
         25 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each playing piece is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         26 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one or more of the game sides of each playing piece is at least partially opaque. 
     
     
         27 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the like game indicia are alphabetic characters. 
     
     
         28 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the like game indicia are numeric characters. 
     
     
         29 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the like game indicia are alphanumeric characters. 
     
     
         30 . Apparatus as claimed in  1  wherein the like game indicia represent a spoken or written language and/or one or more characters thereof. 
     
     
         31 . Apparatus as claimed in  1  wherein the like game indicia are taken from those indicia commonly found on typewriter or computer keyboards. 
     
     
         32 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the like game indicia are mathematical symbols, musical notes, colours, animals or the indicia of playing cards. 
     
     
         33 . Apparatus for playing a game comprising at least one multi-faceted playing piece, the at least one multi-faceted playing piece comprising:
 six game sides arranged in a substantially cube-like orientation relative to one another; and   two like game indicia only, wherein: the two like game indicia are each configured so as to be visible on or through one of two game sides which are substantially perpendicular to one another.   
     
     
         34 . Use of the apparatus as claimed in  claim 1  or  claim 33  by one or more players to play the game. 
     
     
         35 . Apparatus for playing a game comprising electrical or electronic means or both electrical and electronic means for generating an electronic representation of at least one multi-faceted playing piece, each playing piece comprising:
 six game sides arranged in a substantially cube-like orientation relative to one another; and   two like game indicia only, wherein:   the two like game indicia are arranged or formed configured so as to be visible on or through two game sides which are substantially perpendicular to one another.   
     
     
         36 . (canceled) 
     
     
         37 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  further comprising memory means for storing game data. 
     
     
         38 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the memory means is programmable or reprogrammable or both. 
     
     
         39 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 37  wherein the memory means is portable and interchangeable for use in other electrical or electronic means or both. 
     
     
         40 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  further comprising electrical or electronic processing means or both electrical and electronic means for reading the memory means and generating the at least one playing piece based on data stored in the memory means. 
     
     
         41 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  further comprising input means. 
     
     
         42 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  further comprising output means. 
     
     
         43 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 41  or  42  wherein (a) the input or output means is usable by a player or players of a game or (b) both the input and output means are usable by a player or players of. 
     
     
         44 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a computer means or (b) the electrical and electronic means are computer means. 
     
     
         45 . Apparatus as claimed in  claims 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a personal digital assistant (PDA) or (b) the electrical and electronic means are a PDA. 
     
     
         46 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a telephone or (b) the electrical and electronic means are a telephone. 
     
     
         47 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a mobile telephone or (b) the electrical and electronic means is a mobile telephone. 
     
     
         48 . Apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a television or (b) the electrical and electronic means is a television. 
     
     
         49 . Apparatus as claimed  claim 35  wherein (a) the electrical or electronic means is a games console or (b) the electrical and electronic means is a games console. 
     
     
         50 . Apparatus as claimed  claim 35  wherein the apparatus is configured such that a player or manipulates the at least one playing piece to play the game. 
     
     
         51 . Use of the apparatus as claimed in  claim 35  by one or more players to play the game.