User Interface

Abstract

A user interface including a board representation surface, a symbol generator to provide a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols, and a potential move indicator to indicate at least one potential move of one of the symbols, the potential move indicator being actuated by the determined propinquity of a user selection indicator location to a current location of the one symbol. Related apparatus and methods are also described.

1 - 21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . A user interface comprising:
 a board representation surface;   a symbol generator to provide a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols;   a propinquity sensor to determine the propinquity of a user selection indicator to a current location of one of the symbols; and   a potential move indicator to provide at least one potential move of the one symbol, based on the determined propinquity, for display on the board representation surface.   
   
   
       23 . The user interface according to  claim 22 , further comprising:
 a dice throw generator to generate a plurality of dice throw results.   
   
   
       24 . The user interface according to  claim 23 , further comprising:
 a dice throw indicator display to display the generated dice throw results, the dice throw indicator display being associated with a plurality of selectable locations; and   a controller to select one of the locations to display the dice throw results adjacent to the current location of the one symbol.   
   
   
       25 . The user interface according to  claim 24 , further comprising a move module such that, when the user selection indicator selects one of the generated dice throw results indicated by the dice throw indicator display, the move module is operative to move the one symbol by the selected one of the generated dice throw results. 
   
   
       26 . The user interface according to  claim 23 , wherein the potential move indicator is operative to indicate a plurality of potential moves of the one symbol, each of the potential moves being based on one of the generated dice throw results. 
   
   
       27 . The user interface according to  claim 22 , further comprising a double throw potential move indicator to indicate potential moves of exactly one of:
 the one symbol;   two of the symbols;   three symbols; and   four of the symbols,   
     when the generated dice throw results indicate a double throw. 
   
   
       28 . The user interface according to  claim 27 , further comprising a move module which is operative to move exactly one of:
 the one symbol;   two of the symbols;   three of the symbols; and   four of the symbols,   
     in accordance with the generated dice throw results. 
   
   
       29 . The user interface according to  claim 28 , wherein the board representation surface is a backgammon board representation surface comprising a backgammon point and the user interface further comprises a plurality of selectors of:
 one move;   two moves;   three moves; and   four moves,   
     and wherein, when the one symbol is the only symbol located in the backgammon point, and the location of the user selection indicator is determined to be in propinquity to one of the selectors, the double throw potential move indicator is operative to indicate potential moves of exactly one of:
 one move of the one symbol; 
 two moves of the one symbol; 
 three moves of the one symbol; and 
 four moves of the one symbol, 
 
     corresponding to one of the selectors. 
   
   
       30 . The user interface according to  claim 29 , wherein the move module is operative to move the one symbol by exactly one of:
 one move;   two moves;   three moves: and   four moves,   
     in accordance with a selected one of the selectors, the selected one selector being operative for selection by the user selection indicator. 
   
   
       31 . The user interface according to claim  1 , wherein the symbol is a checker symbol. 
   
   
       32 . The user interface according to claim  1 , wherein the symbols are differently colored. 
   
   
       33 . A method for interfacing with a user using electronic apparatus, the method comprising:
 providing a board representation surface;   providing a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols;   determining the propinquity of a user selection indicator to a current location of one of the symbols; and   providing at least one potential move of the one symbol, based on the determined propinquity, for display on the board representation surface.   
   
   
       34 . A computer software product, comprising a computer-readable medium in which computer program instructions are stored, which instructions, when read by a computer, cause the computer to operate a game by performing:
 providing a board representation surface;   providing a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols;   determining the propinquity of a user selection indicator to a current location of one of the symbols; and   providing at least one potential move of the one symbol, based on the determined propinquity, for display on the board representation surface.   
   
   
       35 . A game comprising:
 a board representation surface;   a symbol generator to provide a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols;   a propinquity sensor to determine the propinquity of a user selection indicator to a current location of one of the symbols; and   a potential move indicator to provide at least one potential move of the one symbol, based on the determined propinquity, for display on the board representation surface.   
   
   
       36 . A user interface comprising:
 means for providing a board representation surface;   means for providing a multiplicity of selectively positionable symbols;   means for determining the propinquity of a user selection indicator to a current location of one of the symbols; and   means for providing at least one potential move of the one symbol, based on the determined propinquity, for display on the board representation surface.