Domino score keeper

Abstract

A domino score keeper comprises a rectangular frame, a plurality of rigid wires spanning between two opposite sides of the rectangular frame, a plurality of beads strung on each rigid wire, and a control circuit coupled to the plurality of beads configured to communicate with a remote controller and operable to effect positional displacement of at least one bead along the rigid wire under the control of the remote controller.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION

The present disclosure claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/963,407, filed on Dec. 3, 2013.

FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to the field of gaming devices, and more particularly to a domino score keeper.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a domino score keeper according to the present disclosure; and

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another exemplary embodiment of a domino score keeper according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a domino score keeper 10 according to the present disclosure. The domino score keeper 10 includes a sturdy rectangular frame 12 that holds a plurality of rigid wires 14 that span two opposed sides of the frame 12. Each of the wires 14 includes a plurality of beads 16 strung thereon. In a preferred embodiment, ten beads 16 are strung on each wire 14, where five adjacent beads are of one color and another five adjacent beads are of a different color. The beads may be constructed of plastic, glass, semi-precious stones, metal, and another of other suitable materials. The domino score keeper 10 may include beads strung on four or five rigid wires, but the number can be varied according to personal preferences.

The domino score keeper 10 may be sized for handheld or tabletop applications, or be constructed of larger sizes for wall-mounted remote-viewing applications (e.g., suitable for spectators).

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of another exemplary embodiment of an electronic domino score keeper 20 according to the present disclosure. The electronic domino score keeper 20 comprises the domino score keeper 10 coupled to a control circuit 22. The domino score keeper 10 may comprise one or more light sources such as light emitting diodes (LED) that are also coupled to the control circuit 22. For example, each bead may include an LED that may emit a steady light or turn on/off according to a pattern. The frame 12 may also include one or more LEDs. The LEDs may emit one or a number of different color light. The control circuit 22 is in wireless communication with a remote control 24 such as a mobile telephone according to a known communication protocol. An app on the mobile telephone may be used to control several aspects of the domino score keeper 10. For example, the user may use the app to remotely move the beads 16 on the domino score keeper 10. The app may display an image of the domino score keeper, and the user may use the touch screen to select and move particular beads on the domino score keeper. The user may further instruct the control circuit 22 to light up one or more of the LEDs in the domino score keeper 10.

In addition to keeping score for dominos and other games, the device disclosed herein may also be used for other purposes, including educational and therapeutic uses. School children may use the device to learn to count, for example. Physical therapists may use the device to develop and improve a patient's motor skills in the hands and fingers, for example. Other uses are also contemplated herein.

The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth below with particularity in the appended claims. However, modifications, variations, and changes to the exemplary embodiments described above will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and domino score keeper described herein thus encompass such modifications, variations, and changes and are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein.

Claims

1. A domino score keeper comprising:

a rectangular frame;

a plurality of rigid wires spanning between two opposite sides of the rectangular frame;

a plurality of beads strung on each rigid wire; and

a control circuit coupled to the plurality of beads configured to communicate with a remote controller and operable to effect positional displacement of at least one bead along the rigid wire under the control of the remote controller.

2. The domino score keeper of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of LEDs coupled to and under the control of the control circuit.

3. The domino score keeper of claim 1, wherein the remote controller comprises a mobile telephone executing an app configured to wirelessly transmit instructions to the control circuit.

4. The domino score keeper of claim 1, wherein ten beads are strung on each rigid wire.

5. The domino score keeper of claim 1, wherein five adjacent beads of a first color and five additional beads of a second color are strung on each rigid wire.

6. A domino score keeper comprising:

a rectangular frame;

a plurality of rigid wires spanning between two opposite sides of the rectangular frame;

a plurality of beads strung on each rigid wire; and

a control circuit coupled to the plurality of beads configured to communicate with an app executing on a mobile telephone and operable to effect positional displacement of at least one bead along the rigid wire under the control of the remote controller.

7. The domino score keeper of claim 6, further comprising a plurality of LEDs coupled to the control circuit, and being configured to turn on/off being controlled by the app executing on the mobile telephone.