METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PLAYING BLOCK-STACKING GAME

Abstract

A method for playing a block-stacking game is executed in an apparatus showing an array and blocks of different types and allowing at least one player to stack the blocks in the array. The blocks are displayed in the array in sequence, and only one block is moved from a top side toward a bottom side of the array in a period of time. After stacking, adjacent blocks of the same type are erased. The apparatus includes an input module allowing at least one player to input control command for executing the method, an operational module receives control command from the input module, and a display module. The operational module includes an operational section that executes operational procedures of the method and a storage section that stores resultant data of the operational procedures. The display module receives result output by the operational module and displays the result to the player.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for playing a block-stacking game and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus for playing a block-stacking game in which a finite number of blocks of certain types is stacked in an array to avoid tediousness.

2. Description of Related Art

With reference to FIG. 1, in “Tetris”, a conventional block-stacking game, a display 9 is used to show stacking of tetrominoes of different shapes each of which is composed of a plurality of square blocks. A random sequence of tetrominoes falls down a playing field 91 of the display 9. Each tetromino can be moved sideways and downward and rotated by 90 degree units. When a horizontal line of blocks without gaps is created, it disappears, and the blocks above (if any) fall whereas the player gains some points. The game ends when the stack of the tetrominoes reaches the top of the playing field 91 and new tetrominoes are unable to enter.

Since scoring in this game is based on elimination of the block lines, the player must spend a long time to gain a high score and to end the game. Namely, the player or other waiting players must experience tedious playing to gain the high score.

The present invention is intended to provide an improved method and apparatus to overcome the above-mentioned problems.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a method and apparatus for playing a block-stacking game by removing remaining blocks in the remaining block sequence N and stacking the blocks in an array A until the blocks reach the top side U of the array A or no blocks exist in the remaining block sequence N. The present invention limits the execution cycle of the game and avoids tedious playing while providing a positive stacking game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention is executed in an apparatus for playing the block-stacking game showing an array and a plurality of blocks of a plurality of types and allowing at least one player to stack the plurality of blocks in the array. The blocks are displayed in the array in sequence, and only one of the blocks is moved from a top side of the array toward a bottom side of the array in a period of time. A player is capable of controlling movement of this block in the period of time. The blocks of the same type adjacent to each other after stacking are erased.

An apparatus for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention comprises an input module, an operational module, and a display module. The input module allows at least one player to input control command for executing a method for playing a block-stacking method. The operational module includes an operational section and a storage section. The operational module receives control command from the input module. The operational section executes operational procedures of the method for playing a block-stacking method, and the storage section stores resultant data of the operational procedures. The display module receives result output by the operational module and displays the result to the player.

Other objects, advantages and novel features of this invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a conventional Tetris game;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an apparatus for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram illustrating a play field of a display after a first step of a method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field while executing a fifth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3c is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field while executing a sixth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3d is another schematic diagram illustrating the play field while executing the sixth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3e is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field while executing an eighth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3f is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field while executing ninth and tenth steps of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3g is a schematic diagram illustrating the play field after the tenth step of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating score calculation of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating score calculation of the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, an apparatus for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention comprises an input module 1, an operational module 2, and a display module 3. The input module 1 includes least one command input for executing a method for playing the block-stacking game. The operational module 2 includes an operational section 21 and a storage section 22. The operational section 21 executes operational procedures of the method for playing the block-stacking game, and the data generated during the operational procedures are stored in the storage section 22.

The display module 3 receives the result of operational output by the operational module 2 and displays it to the player. The display module 3 may be a screen, a flat panel display, or a light-emitting diode (LED) display device. The screen and the flat panel display show the operational result of the operational module 3 by a plurality of figures and a plurality of colored blocks that fill the figures. The LED display device shows the operational result by on/off and the colors of a plurality of LEDs. In any case, the screen, the flat panel display, and the light-emitting diode display device may be displayed by at least two colors.

With reference to FIG. 3a, the display module 3 utilizes a screen or flat panel display (or the LED display device) to show a plurality of location units 31, a plurality of horizontal index lines 32, and at least one input unit 33. The location units 31 and the input unit 33 are represented by colored blocks shown on the screen or flat panel display (or the LED display device). More specifically, the color of the block (or LED) indicates the type of the block at the location unit 31 or input unit 33. Namely, each type of block has a corresponding color. The location units 31 and the input unit 33 together form a W×H array A consisting of W columns of figures (or LEDs) and H rows of figures (or LEDs). Four sides of the array respectively define top side U, bottom side B, left side L, and right side R. The display module 3 may include several input units 33 each of which is in an appropriate position of the top side U of the array A. In the illustrated embodiment, the display module 3 includes only one input unit 33 in a central position of the top side U of the array A.

Each horizontal index line 32 extends horizontally in parallel to the bottom side B across the array A. A distance from a respective horizontal index line 32 to the bottom side B is represented by Y(X), wherein X is the Xth horizontal index line 32, e.g., Y(1) is the distance from the first horizontal index line 32 to the bottom side B.

The first to third steps (S1-S3) of the method in for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now be descried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3a, and 4.

In step 1 (S1), it is initially set that there are no blocks in all of the location units 31 and the input unit 33 in the array A. More specifically, no colored block is filled in all figures of the location units 31 and the input unit 33 (or all LEDs are off).

In step 2 (S2), a remaining block sequence N and a remaining number of blocks Nt are created. The remaining block sequence N includes a plurality of blocks of a plurality of types. Furthermore, the remaining block sequence N is formed by the blocks with a preset ratio in random order. The remaining number of blocks Nt offers a record for the total number of the blocks in the remaining block sequence N.

In step 3 (S3), the operational section 21 identifies whether the remaining number of blocks Nt is greater than zero. If yes, a block N1 is removed from the remaining block sequence N and Nt becomes Nt minus by 1, and step 4 (S4) is then carried out. If not (i.e., Nt=0), the game ends, and score calculation is carried out. The remaining number of blocks Nt must be greater than zero when step 3 (S3) is carried out for the first time.

When executing the method for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention, the blocks are removed from the remaining block sequence N in sequence until the remaining number of blocks Nt becomes zero.

The fourth to sixth steps (S4-S6) of the method in for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now be descried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3b, 3c, 3d, and 4.

In step 4 (S4), the operational section 21 identifies whether each input unit 33 is filled with a block. If one or more input unit 33 has no blocks, step 5 (S5) is carried out. If each input unit 33 is filled with a block, the game ends and score calculation is carried out. Initially, there will be no block in each input unit 33 when step 4 is carried out for the first time.

In step 5 (S5), a block N1 is shown in any one of the input units 32 without blocks, and the input unit 33 filled with the block N1 is given a color corresponding to that of the block N1.

In step 6 (S6), the location units 31 or the input unit 33 is used to represent movement of the block N1. The block N1 moves toward the bottom side B in a direction parallel to the left side L (or the right side R). Furthermore, the player may use the input module 1 to move the block N1 toward the location units 31 or input units 32 that are free of blocks and that are more adjacent and closer to the left side L, the right side R, or the bottom side B. When step 6 (S6) is carried out for the first time, the initial position of the block N1 is the input unit 33.

More specifically, in step 6 (S6), the primary input unit 33 or the primary location unit 31 is given the color the same as that of the block N1. Next, in a case that the player does not move the block N1 within a preset falling time T, another input unit 33 or location unit 31 that is more adjacent to the bottom side B is given the color the same as the block N1 whereas the primary input unit 33 or the primary location unit 31 resumes its original block-free state. In another case that the player moves the block N1 within the preset falling time T, the block N1 is filled into an adjacent input unit 33 or an adjacent location unit 31 whereas the primary input unit 33 or the primary location unit 31 resumes its original block-free state. In this way, the display module 3 shows the movement of the block N1. The falling time T may be decreased when the remaining number of blocks Nt decreases, thereby increasing difficulty of the game.

The seventh and eighth steps (S7-S8) of the method in for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now be descried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3e, and 4.

In step 7 (S7), the operational section 21 identifies whether the block N1 lands at the bottom side B or another block. If yes, step 8 (S8) is carried out. If not, step 6 (S6) is executed again. The block N1 is the only block in the array A shown in FIG. 3c. Hence, the block N1 can only land on the bottom side B.

In step 8 (S8), the operational section 21 identifies whether any side of the block N1 is contact with a block of the same type. If yes, the procedure goes to step 9 (S9). If not, the procedure goes to step 3 (S3). In a case that the block N1 is the only block in the array A, the result of identification is “no”; namely, the block N1 is not in contact with any other blocks.

The ninth and tenth steps (S9-S10) of the method in for playing a block-stacking game in accordance with the present invention will now be descried with reference to FIGS. 2, 3f, 3g, and 4.

In step 9 (S9), the blocks of the same type and adjacent to each other are erased to resume block-free location units 31. In a case that the remaining blocks (if any) between the erased blocks and the top side U are moved toward the bottom side B until they come into contact with the bottom side B or another blocks.

In step 10 (S10), the operational section 21 identifies whether there are blocks of the same type and adjacent to each other exist in the remaining block in the array A. If yes, step 9 (S9) is carried out again. If not, the procedure goes to step 3 (S3).

By the above ten steps (S1-S10), the player may stack all of the blocks of the remaining block sequence N in the array A, and when the remaining number of blocks Nt is identified as zero in step 3 (S3) or a block exists in each input unit 33 in step 4 (S4), the game ends and score calculation is carried out.

With reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, the score calculation is carried out by the operational module 2 to obtain the score gained by the player. The score calculation includes three steps (G1-G3). In step G1, a minimum stacking height Y of the blocks from the bottom side B to the top side U in the array A is calculated. Namely, in the array A, all of the location units 31 between the minimum stacking height Y and the bottom side B are filled with blocks. Furthermore, at least one row of location units 31 between the minimum stacking height Y and the top side U is free of blocks, which row of location units 31 extends from the minimum stacking height Y to the top side U.

In step G2, a scoring height Y(Xn) is calculated, which scoring height Y(Xn) is one of the Xn-th horizontal index lines 32 between the minimum stacking height Y and the top side U and most adjacent to the minimum stacking height Y. The scoring height Y(Xn) in FIG. 6 is Y(2).

In step G3, the display module 3 shows the scoring height Y(Xn) or a result of the game that is obtained by an algorithm based on the scoring height Y(Xn).

As mentioned above, the player and/or other waiting players must experience tedious playing/waiting to gain the high score and to end the game in the conventional block-stacking game shown in FIG. 1. By removing remaining blocks in the remaining block sequence N and stacking the blocks in an array A until the blocks reach the top side U of the array A or no blocks exist in the remaining block sequence N, the method and apparatus of the present invention limit the execution cycle of the game and avoid tedious playing while providing a positive stacking game.

While the principles of this invention have been disclosed in connection with specific embodiments, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and that any modification and variation without departing the spirit of the invention is intended to be covered by the scope of this invention defined only by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for playing a block-stacking game, the method being executed in an apparatus for playing the block-stacking game showing an array and a plurality of blocks and allowing at least one player to stack the plurality of blocks in the array;

wherein the plurality of blocks are displayed in the array in sequence, and only one of the plurality of blocks is moved from a top side of the array toward a bottom side of the array in a period of time, and a player is capable of controlling movement of said one of the plurality of blocks in the period of time; and

wherein the plurality of blocks are of a plurality of types, and the blocks of the same type adjacent to each other after stacking are erased.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the method comprises the following steps of:

(1) displaying the array by a plurality of location units and at least one input unit of the apparatus, with the plurality of location units and said at least one input unit being initially set to be block-free, and with the plurality of blocks forming a remaining block sequence;

(2) identifying whether a remaining number of blocks of the remaining block sequence is greater than zero, wherein step (3) is carried out if the remaining number of blocks of the remaining block sequence is greater than zero, and wherein the game ends and score calculation is carried out if the remaining number of blocks of the remaining block sequence is equal to zero;

(3) identifying whether each said at least one input unit is filled with a block, wherein the game ends and score calculation is carried out if each said at least one input unit is filled with a block, and wherein step (4) is carried out if one or more of said at least one input unit are not filled with a block;

(4) removing one of the plurality of blocks from the remaining block sequence and displaying said one of the plurality of blocks in one of said at least one block input unit that is free of block;

(5) showing movement of said one of the plurality of blocks by said plurality of location units and said at least one input unit, with said one of the plurality of blocks being moved through an input module by a player, and with said one of the plurality of blocks being moved toward the bottom side of the array to an adjacent location unit within a falling time if said one of the plurality of blocks is not moved;

(6) identifying whether said one of the plurality of blocks lands on the bottom side or is in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks, wherein step (7) is carried out if said one of the plurality of blocks lands on the bottom side or is in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks, and wherein step (5) is carried out if said one of the plurality of blocks does not land on the bottom side nor is in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks;

(7) identifying whether said one of the plurality of blocks is in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks of a type the same as that of said one of the plurality of blocks, wherein step (8) is carried out if said one of the plurality of blocks is in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks of the same type, and wherein said step (2) is carried out if said one of the plurality of blocks is not in contact with another one of the plurality of blocks of another type;

(8) erasing the blocks adjacent to each other and of the same type, and moving the remaining blocks between the erased blocks and the top side toward the bottom side until the remaining blocks come in contact with the bottom side or another block; and

(9) identifying whether adjacent blocks in the remaining blocks in the array are of the same type, wherein said step (8) is carried out if said adjacent blocks in the remaining blocks in the array are of the same type, and wherein said step (2) is carried out if said adjacent blocks in the remaining blocks in the array are of different types.

3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein said at least one input unit is at the top side of the array.

4. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the remaining block sequence is formed by the plurality of blocks of the plurality of types with a preset ratio in random order.

5. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the falling time is decreased when the remaining number of blocks decreases.

6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the score calculation includes the following steps of:

(a) calculating a minimum stacking height of the blocks from the bottom side to the top side in the array;

(b) obtaining a scoring height and a horizontal index line most adjacent to the scoring height; and

(c) displaying one of the scoring height and a result of the game by the display module.

7. An apparatus for playing a block-stacking game, comprising:

an input module allowing at least one player to input control command for executing a method for playing a block-stacking method;

an operational module including an operational section and a storage section, the operational module receiving control command from the input module, the operational section executing operational procedures of the method for playing a block-stacking method, and the storage section storing resultant data of the operational procedures; and

a display module receiving result output by the operational module and displaying the result to said at least one player.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the display module is a screen, a flat panel display, or a light-emitting diode display device.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the screen includes a plurality of figures and a plurality of colored blocks filling the figures for representing operational result of the operational module.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the flat panel display includes a plurality of figures and a plurality of colored blocks filling the figures for representing operational result of the operational module.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein the light-emitting diode display device includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes that are turned on and off and that emit lights of different colors to represent operational result of the operational module.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the colored blocks of the screen include a plurality of colors corresponding to those of the types of the blocks.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein the colored blocks of the flat panel display include a plurality of colors corresponding to those of the types of the blocks.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lights emitted by the light-emitting diodes include a plurality of colors corresponding to those of the types of the blocks.