Modular Flash Pad Gaming System

Abstract

A computerized method for operating a plurality of computerized flash pads is disclosed. The flash pads are communicatively and physically coupled together in an array. The flash pads are connected to a computer that operates software for game play on the flash pads. The computer identifies the flash pads that are connected together and designates one or more of the flash pads as “node” flash pads. The node flash pads transmit instructions and queries from the computer to the other flash pads.

1 . A computerized method for operating a modular light pad array to be performed by a plurality of computerized flash pads, each comprising one or more microprocessors and one or more nonvolatile memory units, and a server computer comprising one or more microprocessors and one or more nonvolatile memory units, wherein each of said nonvolatile memory units store instructions which, when executed by one or more microprocessors perform operations comprising
 a) determining, by said microprocessor in said server computer, the number of computerized flash pads communicatively coupled to said server computer;   b) assigning, by said microprocessor in said server computer, one or more of said plurality of computerized flash pads as a node flash pad for transmitting messages to other computerized flash pads communicatively coupled to said node flash pad;   c) transmitting, by said microprocessor in said server computer, a light instruction to said node flash pad said light instruction being intended for a target flash pad that is not said node flash pad;   d) receiving, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, said light instruction;   e) transmitting, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, said light instruction to said target flash pad;   f) wherein each of said plurality of computerized flash pads further comprises
 i) a base; 
 ii) a translucent top disposed on said base; 
 iii) one or more lights disposed between said translucent top and said base; and 
   g) wherein each of said plurality of computerized flash pads is configured to bear the weight of an adult human being without breaking.   
     
     
         2 . The computerized method as in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of computerized flash pads further comprises a respective unique identification number stored on said one or more nonvolatile memory units of said computerized flash pad. 
     
     
         3 . The computerized method as in  claim 2  wherein the step of determining the number of computerized flash pads further comprises
 a) transmitting, by said microprocessor in said server computer, an identification query to each of said plurality of computerized flash pads; 
 b) receiving, by said microprocessors in each of said plurality of computerized flash pads, said identification query; 
 c) determining, by each of said plurality of computerized flash pads, said respective unique identification number; and 
 d) transmitting, by said microprocessor in each of said plurality of computerized flash pads, said respective unique identification number to said server computer. 
 
     
     
         4 . The computerized method as in  claim 3  further comprising generating, by said microprocessor in said target flash pad, a status identifier, wherein said status identifier incorporates information as to whether said one or more lights in said target flash pad are in an “on” configuration or an “off” configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The computerized method as in  claim 4  further comprising transmitting, by said microprocessor in said target flash pad, said status identifier to said node flash pad. 
     
     
         6 . The computerized method as in  claim 5  further comprising determining, by said microprocessor in said server computer, the physical location of one or more of said target flash pads relative to said one or more node flash pads. 
     
     
         7 . The computerized method as in  claim 6  further comprising
 a) generating, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, a transmission error when said microprocessor in said node flash pad is unable to transmit said light instruction to said target flash pad; 
 b) transmitting, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, said transmission error to said server computer; and 
 c) receiving, by said microprocessor in said server computer, a transmission error from said microprocessor in said node flash pad. 
 
     
     
         8 . The computerized method as in  claim 1  further comprising generating, by said microprocessor in said target flash pad, a status identifier, wherein said status identifier incorporates information as to whether said one or more lights in said target flash pad are in an “on” configuration or an “off” configuration. 
     
     
         9 . The computerized method as in  claim 8  further comprising transmitting, by said microprocessor in said target flash pad, said status identifier to said node flash pad. 
     
     
         10 . The computerized method as in  claim 1  further comprising determining, by said microprocessor in said server computer, the physical location of one or more of said target flash pads relative to said one or more node flash pads. 
     
     
         11 . The computerized method as in  claim 1  further comprising
 a) generating, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, a transmission error when said microprocessor in said node flash pad is unable to transmit said light instruction to said target flash pad; 
 b) transmitting, by said microprocessor in said node flash pad, said transmission error to said server computer, and 
 c) receiving, by said microprocessor in said server computer, a transmission error from said microprocessor in said node flash pad.