Electronic hand held logic game

Abstract

An electronic game, method and apparatus, is disclosed which includes individually operable electric switches to control the device, and electric light emitting means to provide multi-color displays. The object of the game is for the player to manipulate the switches until all multi-color displays indicate the same color. The device functions by matching electrical operating codes, transmitted from its left and bottom edges, with electrical operating codes stored at its top and right edges, to generate electrical color codes. The electric switches control the routing of the operating codes within the device, and the distribution of the color codes to the multi-color displays. In the preferred embodiment, the device utilizes a microprocessor to control the progress of the game, monitor the position of electric switches, and control the display of multi-color indications. The microprocessor also controls the generation of operating codes, the routing of operating codes from the left and bottom edges to the top and right edges, the determination of color codes at the top and right edges, and the distribution of those color codes from the top and right edges to the multi-color displays. The preferred embodiment also includes multi-color lighted switches to implement the electric control switches and the multi-color displays. The device also comprises an electric control means to select a new game, provisions to varry the level of difficulty of any particular game, and means to generate audible signals.

Description

bRAINBOWXplanviews

In order to activate the multi-color displays, the central processing unit 30, through its control program 32, identifies the selected color code addresses in RAM 34, and over the address and control bus 52 accesses said RAM addresses. The RAM 34, in turn, transfers color codes data over the data bus 50 to the memory decoder driver 36 via the central processing unit 30. The memory decoder driver 36, in turn, activates each of the sixteen (16) multi-color displays such that if the first (left) digit of the selected color code equals to “1”, then if the second and third digits equal to “00”, then the display will indicate “RED”; if the second and third digits equal to “01”, then the display will indicate “YELLOW”; if the second and third digits equal to “10”, then the display will indicate “GREEN” and if the second and third digits equal to “11”, then the display will indicate “BLUE”. Alternatively, if said first digit equals to “0”, then the display will be “DARK

As will be understood by those skilled in the art, many different programs may be utilized to implement the flow charts disclosed in FIG. 5 through FIG. 22. Obviously these programs will vary from one another in some degree. However, it is well within the skill of the computer programmer to provide particular programs for implementing each of the steps of the flow charts disclosed herein. It is also to be understood that the foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only and is intended to be exemplary of the invention while not limiting the invention to the exact embodiment shown. Obviously certain modifications, variations and improvements will occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the foregoing. It is therefore to be understood that all such modifications, variations and improvements have been deleted herein for the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

MATHEMATICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE LOGIC PROBLEM

A RAINBOWX LOGIC PROBLEM

Let the logic game herein be represented by a geometric square, and let the surface of the square be subdivided into N² multi-color sub-squares, where N+1 denotes the number of colors which may be displayed on any sub-square.

Definition Of Operating And Color Codes

Let D denotes a binary operating code of length n, where n=1n N+1.

Then

• • D is a set of all possible values of a binary code of length n.
  • d_i; i=1, . . . ,2N, is the ith code of D.

Let

• • m_i,j; i,j=1, . . . ,2N, denotes the pair (d_i, d_j).
  • M be a set of all possible pairs, m_i,j, of the operating binary code D.
  • C denotes a binary color code of length n.

Then

• • C is a set of all possible values of a binary code of length n.
  • C_k; k=1, . . . ,2N, is the kth code of C.

Let M_k be a subset of M, of all pairs (d_i, d_j) which satisfy; B (d_i, d_j)=C_k, where B is an appropriate b Boolean function.

Then the color assignment on the surface of the square is defined as follows:

• • (i) The nth digit of c_k is used to turn a display “ON” and “OFF”.
  • (ii) The first (n−1) digits of c_k are used to select one out of N colors that may be displayed on the square.

The color assignment for the EXCLUSIVE OR boolean function, and for N=4& N=8, are shown for FIGS. 23 and 24 respectively.

Definition Of Routing Square

The Routing Square, S_i,j, shown in FIG. 2, is defined as a quad routing device which is activated by a two-position (binary) switch, W_i,j. A total of N²² Routing Squares are provided in the logic game herein, and are arranged in a two-dimensional geometric layout. The Routing Square, S_i,j, is then described as follows:

Let

• • S_i,j denotes routing square (i, j).
  • W_i,j denotes binary switch (i, j).
  • t_i,j denotes the TOP edge of S_i,j.
  • l_i,j denotes the LEFT edge of S_i,j.
  • r_i,j denotes the RIGHT edge of S_i,j.
  • b_i,j denotes the BOTTOM edge of S_i,j.
    Two nodes are connected to each edge of the square, a transmitting node (X), and a receiving node (V). The Routing Square functions as follows:

If

• • W_i,j=“1”, then:
  • b_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO t_i,j(V).
  • l_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO r_i,j(V).
  • r_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO b_i,j(V).
  • t_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO l_i,j(V).

If

• • W_i,j=“0”, then:
  • b_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO r_i,j(V).
  • l_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO t_i,j(V).
  • r_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO l_i,j(V).
  • t_i,j(X) CONNECTS TO b_i,j(V).

Definition Of A Rainbowx Logic Game

Having defined the operating & color codes, and the Routing Square, the logic game herein is described as follows:

As stated, the logic game is represented by a geometric square subdivided into N² multi-color sub-squares.

Let

• • T denotes the TOP edge of the Square.
  • R denotes the RIGHT edge of the Square.
  • L denotes the LEFT edge of the Square.
  • B denotes the BOTTOM edge of the Square.

Then for a dimension “N”, each edge is divided into “N” sectors as follows:

Let

• • t_1,j; j=1, . . . , N, denote TOP sectors.
  • r_i,N; i=1, . . . , N, denote RIGHT sectors.
  • l_i,1; i=1, . . . , N, denote LEFT sectors.
  • b_N,j; j=1, . . . , N, denote BOTTOM sectors.
  • X_i; i=1, . . . , 2N, denote Operating Code transmitters.
  • CG_j; j=1, . . . , 2N, denote Color Code generators.
  • CD_i,j; i,j=1, . . . , N, denote Color Code disorders.
    The Operating Code transmitters, X_i, are connected to the left and bottom edges of the Square, and the Color Code generators, CG_j, are connected to the top and right edges of the Square, as follows:
  • X_i; i=1, . . . , N, are connected to l_i,1(X); i=1, . . . , N.
  • X_i; i=N+1, . . . , 2N, are connected to b_N,m(X); j=1, . . . , N.
  • CG_j; j=1, . . . , N, are connected to t_1,j(V); j=1, . . . , N.
  • CG_j; j=N+1, . . . , 2N, are connected to r_i,N(V); i=1, . . . , N.
    The Color Chart decoders, CD_i,j, are connected to S_i,j as follows:

For i, j=1, . . . , N:

If W_ij=“1” then CD_ij is connected to t_ij(X).

If W_i,j=“0” then CD_i,j is connected to r_i,j(X).

Having described the logic game herein, the logic problem is defined as follows:

1. For EACH game, assign the Operating Codes, d_i&d_j, i,j=1, . . . , 2N, to X_i; i=1, . . . , 2N, and CG_j; j=1, . . . , 2N, as follows:

• • d_i; i=1, . . . , N, are RANDOMLY assigned to X_i; i=i, . . . , N.
  • d_j; j=1, . . . , N, are RANDOMLY assigned to CG_j; j=1, . . . , N.
    Similarly,
  • d_i; i=N+1, . . . , 2N, are RANDOMLY assigned to X_i; i=N+1, . . . , 2N.
  • d_j; j=N+1, . . . , 2N, are RANDOMLY assigned to CG_j; j=N+1, . . . , 2N.

2. The Operating Codes, d_i (i=1, . . . , 2N), are then transmitted from X_i to CG_j(i,j=1, . . . , 2N), via the Routing Squares. The actual route for each code, d_i, is dependent on the positions of the binary switches, W_i,j (i,j=1, . . . , N).

3. When the Operating Codes, d_i (i=1, . . . , 2N), are received by the Color Code generators, CG_j (j=1, . . . , 2N), they are matched with Operating Codes, d_j (j=1, . . . , 2N), which were assigned to CG_j; (j=1, . . . ,2N), and the operating Code pairs, m_i,j (i,j=1, . . . , 2N), are then determined.

4. The Color Codes, C_j (j=1, . . . , 2N), are then generated, by the Boolean Function “B”, from m_i,j (i,j=1, . . . , 2N).

5. The Color Codes, C_j (j=1, . . . , 2N), are transmitted from CG_j (j=1, . . . , 2N) and received by Color Code decoders, CD_i,j (i,j=1, . . . , N), via the Routing Squares, where they are decoded and displayed on the multi-color sub-squares. The actual color displayed at each sub-square is dependent on the position of the binary switches, W_i,j (i,j=1, . . . , N).

6. The object of the logic game is for the player to continue to manipulate the binary switches, until all the Operating Code pairs generated belong to the same subset M_k. At such time, all the multi-color sub-squares will display the color corresponding to the Color Code, c_k.

7. By changing the positions of the binary switches, the player can continue to play the game until a different color is displayed on all sub-squares. A total of N colors can be displayed in each game, in addition to the color reflected from the surface of the sub-squares when all the displays are “dark”.

8. For a new game, change the assignments of d_i and d_j (i,j=1, . . . , 2N) to X_i and CG_j (i,j=1, . . . , 2N).

Claims

1. An electronic game device comprising:

a. a housing for the device,

b. means for generating a plurality of codes hereinafter refered to as operating codes,

c. plurality of entry control means,

d. plurality of routing means defining a respective plurality of playing positions on the surface of said housing, each of said routing means being actuable by said entry control means to route said operating codes within the device,

e. means to generate a plurality of codes, hereinafter refered to as color codes, from said plurality of operating codes,

f. plurality of multi-color light emitting means,

g. means to route said color codes to said light emitting means in accordance with the determination of said routing means,

h. means to decode said plurality of color codes and activate said plurality of multi-color light emitting means,

i. means for varying the level of difficulty of any particular game, and

j. sensorially perceptible indicating means responsive to said entry control means for generating a first sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to each activation of the entry control means, a plurality of sensorially perceptible and distinct indications each of which is corresponding to each of a plurality of predetermined colors being displayed at al multi-color light emitting means and a sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to the successful completion of a game.

2. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means to flash said multi-color light emitting means.

3. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein said entry control means and multi-color light emitting means include a plurality of multi-color lighted switches.

4. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means to generate a plurality of color codes includes means to implement a plurality of logic boolean functions.

5. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein said operating codes and color codes are binary.

6. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of light emitting means is associated with each of said playing positions.

7. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein said means to vary the level of difficulty of any particular game includes means for changing the apparent positions of said entry control means, the apparent positions of said multi-color light emitting means or both.

8. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of color codes corresponds to either each of a plurality of predetermined colors or to a dark indication.

9. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means to provide a plurality of games.

10. An electronic game device as recited in claim 9 wherein said means to provide a plurality of games includes a microprocessor which generates sets of random operating codes of each new game.

11. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of entry control means includes a key pad switch.

12. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein said sensorially perceptible indications are aural.

13. An electronic game device as recited in claim 12 wherein at least one of said aural outputs comprises a combination of successive tones of different frequencies.

14. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 further comprising means to conserve electrical energy.

15. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein the shape of said housing can be any three dimensional geometric configuration and wherein said plurality of playing positions are mapped on the surface of said geometric configuration.

16. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 further comprising mode means for controlling said electronic game device to operate in a predetermined number of different levels of difficulty, said controlling means comprising manually operable means for selecting each of said predetermined number of different operating difficulty levels, said difficulty levels include changing the apparent positions of said entry control means and/or changing the apparent positions of said multi-color light emitting means.

17. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 including a microprocessor which comprises:

a. programming means to control the progress of the game,

b. programming means to generate said sets of operating codes,

c. programming means to monitor the actuation of said entry control means,

d. programming means to simulate the operation of said routing means to route said operating codes within the device,

e. programming means to compute said color codes from said operating codes by executing a plurality of predetermined boolean functions,

f. programming means to randomly map the actual positions of said entry control means into a respective plurality of apparent entry control means in order to vary the difficulty of the game,

g. programming means to randomly map the actual positions of said multi-color light emitting means into a respective plurality of apparent multi-color light emitting means in order to further vary the the difficulty of the game,

h. programming means to address each of said multi-color light emitting means to automatically route each of said color codes to its respective multi-color light emitting means in accordance with the determination of said routing means,

i. programming means to control the flashing of said multi-color light emitting means, and

j. programming means to generate a sequence of audio tones to produce said sensorially perceptible indications.

18. An electronic game device as recited in claim 17 further comprising controlling means for terminating the current game and initiating a new game, said controlling means comprising manually operable means to cause said device to reset its memory and generate a new set of operating codes.

19. An electronic game device as recited in claim 17 wherein said sensorially perceptible indications are synchronized with said multi-color light emitting means.

20. An electronic game device as recited in claim 17 further comprising addressing means to sequentially activate said multi-color light emitting means, for a predetermined time duration and in accordance with a predetermined activation sequence, in response to each activation of said entry control means.

21. An electronic game device as recited in claim 17 wherein said programming means provide the routing functions of a plurality of routing means each of which is depicted as a geometric square and comprises binary switching means and further comprises eight (8) ports (four input ports and four output ports) which are depicted to be located at the four (4) edges of the corresponding geometric square such that one input port and one output port are located at each edge of said square to provide eight (8) possible internal routes within the geometric square as follows:

a. if said binary switching means is set to “1”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square, or

b. if said binary switching means is set to “0”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

22. An electronic game device as recited in claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of routing means is depicted as a geometric square and comprises binary switching means and further comprises eight (8) ports (four input ports and four output ports) which are depicted to be located at the four (4) edges of the corresponding geometric square such that one input port and one output port are located at each edge of said square to provide eight (8) possible internal routes within the geometric square as follows:

a. if said binary switching means is set to “1”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the input port at the left edge of the square, or

b. if said binary switching means is set to “0”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square.

23. An electronic game device comprising:

a. a housing for the device,

b. means for generating a plurality of codes hereinafter refered to as operating codes,

c. plurality or entry control means,

d. plurality of routing means defining a respective plurality of playing positions on the surface of said housing, each of said routing means being actuable by said entry control means to route said operating codes within the device,

e. means to pictorially represent a plurality of images wherein each of said plurality of playing positions is indicated to provide a plurality of display positions, each of said display positions is used to indicate any of said plurality of images,

f. means to generate a plurality of codes, hereinafter refered to as display codes, from said plurality of operating codes,

g. means to route said display codes to said display positions in accordance with the determination of said routing means,

h. means to activate each of said plurality of display positions to provide a pictorial representation of the received display code,

i. means for varying the level of difficulty of any particular game, and

j. sensorially perceptible indicating means responsive to said entry control means for generating a first sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to each activation of entry control means, a plurality of sensorially perceptible indications each of which is different from said first sensorially perceptible indication and corresponding to each of said plurality of images being displayed at all display positions, and a sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to the successful completion of a game.

24. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 further comprising means to flash said display positions.

25. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein said means to generate a plurality of display codes includes means to implement a plurality of logic boolean functions.

26. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 where said operating codes and display codes are binary.

27. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein said means to vary the level of difficulty of any particular game includes means for changing the apparent positions of said entry control means, the apparent positions of said display positions or both.

28. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein each of said plurality of display codes corresponds to either each of said plurality of predetermined images or to a blank display.

29. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 further comprising means to provide a plurality of games.

30. An electronic game device as recited in claim 29 wherein said means to provide a plurality of games includes a microprocessor which generates sets of random operating codes for each new game.

31. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein each of said plurality of entry control means includes a key pad switch.

32. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein said sensorially perceptible indications are aural.

33. An electronic game device as recited in claim 32 wherein at least one of said aural outputs comprises a combination of successive tones of different frequencies.

34. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 further comprising mode means for controlling said electronic game device to operate in a predetermined number of different levels of difficulty, said controlling means comprising manually operable means for selecting each of said predetermined number of different operating difficulty levels.

35. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 including a microprocessor which comprises:

a. programming means to control the progress of the game,

b. programming means to generate said sets of operating codes,

c. programming means to monitor the actuation of said entry control means,

d. programming means to simulate the operation of said routing means to route said operating codes within the device,

e. programming means to compute said display codes from said operating codes by executing a plurality of predetermined boolean functions,

f. programming means to randomly map the actual positions of said entry control means into a respective plurality of apparent entry control means in order to vary the difficulty of the game,

g. programming means to randomly map the actual positions of said display positions into a respective plurality of apparent display positions in order to further vary the difficulty of the game,

h. programming means to generate a plurality of graphic symbols, each of said graphic symbols corresponds to each of said plurality of images,

i. programming means to address each of said plurality of display positions to automatically route each of said display codes to its respective display positions, in accordance with the determination of said routing mean, to provide said pictorial displays,

j. programming means to control the flashing of said display positions, and

k. programming means to generate a sequence of audio tones to produce said sensorially perceptible indications.

36. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 further comprising controlling means for terminating the current game and initiating a new game, said controlling means comprising manually operable means to cause said device to reset its memory and generate a new set of operating codes.

37. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 further comprising means for producing video signals, wherein each of said plurality of entry control means includes a key pad switch and wherein said plurality of display positions are provided on a video monitor.

38. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 wherein said plurality of images include a geometric shape depicted in various colors.

39. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 wherein said means for pictorially representing said plurality of images comprises an LCD display.

40. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 wherein said means for pictorially representing said plurality of images comprises an LED display.

41. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 wherein said sensorially perceptible indications are synchronized with said pictorially display means.

42. An electronic game device as recited in claim 35 wherein said programming means provide the routing functions of a plurality of routing means each of which is depicted as a geometric square and comprises binary switching means and further comprises eight (8) ports (four input ports and four output ports) which are depicted to be located at the four (4) edges of the corresponding geometric square such that one input port and one output port are located at each edge of said square to provide eight (8) possible internal routes within the geometric square as follows:

a. if said binary switching means is set to “1”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the input port at the left edge of the square, or

b. if said binary switching means is set to “0”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square.

43. An electronic game device as recited in claim 23 wherein each of said plurality of routing means is depicted as a geometric square and comprises binary switching means and further comprises eight (8) ports (four input ports and four output ports) which are depicted to be located at the four (4) edges of the corresponding geometric square such that one input port and one output port are located at each edge of said square to provide eight (8) possible internal routes within the geometric square as follows:

a. if said binary switching means is set to “1”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the input port at the left edge of the square, or

b. if said binary switching means is set to “0”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square.

44. An electronic game device comprising:

a. a housing for the device,

b. means for generating 2N codes hereinafter referred to as operating codes wherein N represents an integer and N is greater than 1,

c. N² entry control means,

d. N² routing means defining a respective N² playing positions on the surface of said housing, each of said routing means being actuable by said entry control means to route said operating codes within the device,

e. means to generate 2N codes, hereinafter referred to as color codes, from said operating codes, each of N of said color codes corresponds to each of N predetermined colors, the remaining N color codes correspond to a dark display,

f. N² multi-color light emitting means, each of said light emitting means is associated with each of said N² playing positions,

g. means to route said color codes to said light emitting means in accordance with the determination of said routing means,

h. means to decode said color codes and activate said multi-color light emitting means,

i. means for varying the level of difficulty of any particular game, and

j. sensorially perceptible indicating means responsive to said entry control means for generating a first sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to each activation of the entry control means, N sensorially perceptible and distinct indications each of which corresponds to each of said N predetermined colors being displayed at all N² multi-color light emitting means and a sensorially perceptible indication corresponding to the successful completion of a game.

45. An electronic game device as recited in claim 44 wherein each of said N² routing means is depicted as a geometric square and comprises binary switching means and further comprises eight (8) ports (four input ports and four output ports) which are depicted to be located at the four (4) edges of the corresponding geometric square such that one input port and one output port are located at each edge of said square to provide eight (8) possible internal routes within the geometric square as follows:

a. if said binary switching means is set to “1”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square, or

b. if said binary switching means is set to “0”, then:

(i) the input port at the bottom edge of the square connects to the output port at the right edge of the square,

(ii) the input port at the left edge of the square connects to the output port at the top edge of the square,

(iii) the input port at the right edge of the square connects to the output port at the left edge of the square,

(iv) the input port at the top edge of the square connects to the output port at the bottom edge of the square.

46. A method of defining and solving a logic problem in an electronic logic game comprising the steps of:

a. matching a plurality of predetermined objects placed at the left and bottom edges of a square with identical objects placed at its top and right edges,

b. using a plurality of playing pieces defined as routing squares and activated by binary switches to determine the internal routes within the square which interconnect all pairs of objects that belong to a predetermined subset of all possible pairs of said plurality of predetermined objects,

c. designating a color or an image to each of said predetermined subsets,

d. causing the color or image associated with each subset to be pictorially indicated at display locations associated with said plurality of playing pieces, as determined by said routing squares and in accordance with the positions of said binary switches,

e. observing said displays for various combinations of binary switches whereby a combination associated with one subset may be discovered resulting in the same color or image being pictorially indicated at all display positions, and

f. repeating the aforestated steps until all the combinations associated with all predetermined colors or images have been discovered.

47. An electronic game device, having a predefined objective, comprising:

a housing,

a playfield that includes a plurality of playing positions, wherein each playing position includes a display that provides a plurality of visual indications, and a keypad switch to activate the playing position,

a microprocessor to control the operation of the device, and

a control program executed on the microprocessor that assigns a first set of binary numbers to playing positions on the playfield; routes at least two binary numbers linked to the playing position activated by the player to each other, wherein at least one of the routed binary numbers is also associated with other playing position; generates a second set of binary numbers from said first set of binary numbers using a boolean function, or a lookup table; assigns said second set of binary numbers to displays on the playfield to provide visual indications; and determines when a predefined objective of the game is met.

48. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47 wherein said keypad switch and display at each playing position are provided by an illuminated keypad switch.

49. An electronic game device as recited in claim 48 wherein the keypad switch is illuminated using light emitting means.

50. An electronic game device as recited in claim 49 wherein said light-emitting means is provided using multi-colored light emitting diodes.

51. An electronic game device as recited in claim 48, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes at least one illuminated color, and a color reflected from the surface of the display when it is dark.

52. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47 wherein said indicator is provided by at least one of a Liquid Crystal display (LCD) screen, and a Cathode Ray Tube (CRT) screen.

53. An electronic game device as recited in claim 52, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes at least one image, and a visual indication resulting from the absence of an image at a playing position.

54. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, further comprising means for generating visual and audible effects during game play, and at the conclusion of a game.

55. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, further comprising a segment of the control program executed on the microprocessor that provides a plurality of games by varying the assignment of the first set of binary numbers to playing positions.

56. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, further comprising means for varying the difficulty level of play.

57. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, further comprising a plurality of games stored in a data section of the control program, wherein each game is defined by a different assignment of predefined binary numbers to playing positions.

58. An electronic game device as recited in claim 57, wherein said plurality of games is in various levels of difficulty.

59. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, wherein the shape of said housing is in the form of a three-dimensional configuration, and wherein said plurality of playing positions are mapped on the surface of the three-dimensional configuration.

60. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, wherein said control program includes a plurality of segments, and wherein the segment of control program that routes binary numbers to each other includes an algorithm that routes binary numbers assigned to the playing positions at the top, bottom, left, and right of the keypad switch activated by the player, to each other.

61. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, wherein said first set of binary numbers is generated randomly.

62. An electronic game device as recited in claim 60, wherein said algorithm simulates the operation of a geometric configuration that comprises a plurality of internal routes to route binary numbers to each other, and wherein the geometric configuration has two states such that the first state is associated with at least one route, and the second state is associated with at least one alternate route.

63. An electronic game device as recited in claim 47, wherein said first set of binary numbers is predefined, and is stored as program data in a data section of the control program.

64. An electronic game device, having a predefined objective, comprising:

a playfield that includes a plurality of playing positions, wherein each playing position includes a display that provides a plurality of visual indications,

control means for activating any playing position,

a microprocessor to control the operation of the device,

means for assigning a first set of binary numbers to playing positions on the playfield,

means for routing at least two binary numbers respective to the playing position activated by the player to each other,

means for generating a second set of binary numbers from said first set of binary numbers,

means for assigning said second set of binary numbers to displays on the playfield to provide visual indications, and

means for determining if a predetermined objective of the game is met.

65. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64 further comprising a housing.

66. An electronic game device as recited in claim 65, wherein said control mechanism that activates any playing position includes keypad switches.

67. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, further comprising means for generating a plurality of games.

68. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said means for generating a second set of binary numbers employs a boolean function, or a lookup table.

69. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said first set of binary numbers is generated randomly.

70. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said first set of binary numbers is predefined, and is stored in a data section of the control program.

71. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said means for assigning said second set of binary numbers to displays includes an algorithm that employs the dynamic routes of the routing squares on the playfield.

72. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said predetermined objective of the game is to reach a state during which all the indicators produce the same visual indication, and wherein said means for assigning said second set of binary numbers to displays is based on any permutation of assigning the elements of the second set of binary numbers to the displays.

73. An electronic game device as recited in claim 64, wherein said means for routing at least two binary numbers to each other includes an algorithm that simulates the operation of a geometric configuration that comprises a plurality of internal routes to route the binary numbers to each other, and wherein the geometric configuration has two states such that the first state is associated with at least one route, and the second state is associated with at least one alternate route.

74. An electronic game device, having a predetermined objective, comprising:

a playfield that includes a plurality of playing positions, wherein each playing position includes a display that provides a plurality of visual indications,

a switch control mechanism to enable a player to select and activate any playing position on the playfield,

a microprocessor to control the operation of the device,

a control program executed on the microprocessor that assigns a first set of binary numbers to playing positions on the playfield, routes at least two binary numbers linked to the playing position activated by the player to each other wherein at least one of the routed binary numbers is also associated with other playing position, generates a second set of binary numbers from said first set of binary numbers using a boolean function or a lookup table, assigns said second set of binary numbers to displays on the playfield to provide visual indications, and determines if a predetermined objective of the game is met.

75. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74 further comprising a housing.

76. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74 further comprising a control program segment that provides a plurality of games by varying the assignment of binary numbers to playing positions on the playfield.

77. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said control program includes a plurality of segments, and wherein the program segment that assigns the second set of binary numbers to displays is based on any permutation of assigning said second set of binary numbers to the displays.

78. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein the displays are implemented by light emitting means.

79. An electronic game device as recited in claim 78, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes at least one illuminated color, and one reflected color when a display is dark.

80. An electronic game device as recited in claim 78, wherein said light emitting means includes one, or a plurality of light emitting diodes at each playing position.

81. An electronic game device as recited in claim 80, wherein said plurality of light emitting diodes have different colors.

82. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein the displays are implemented using at least one of LCD screen, and CRT screen.

83. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes a geometric shape in different colors.

84. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes of at least one image, and a visual indication resulting from the absence of an image at a playing position.

85. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said plurality of visual indications includes a plurality of images.

86. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said first set of binary numbers is generated randomly.

87. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said first set of binary numbers is predefined, and is stored in a data section of the control program.

88. An electronic game device as recited in claim 74, wherein said housing is in the form of a three-dimensional configuration, and wherein the plurality of playing positions is mapped on the surface of said three-dimensional configuration.

89. A method for an electronic game device, having a predefined objective, controlled by a microprocessor, having a playfield that includes a plurality of playing positions, wherein each playing position includes a display that provides a plurality of visual indications, and wherein the microprocessor performs the steps of:

assigning a first set of binary numbers to the playing positions,

routing at least two binary numbers linked to the playing position activated by the player to each other wherein at least one of the routed binary numbers is also associated with other playing position,

generating a second set of binary numbers from said first set of binary numbers,

assigning said second set of binary numbers to displays, and

determining if a predefined objective of the game is met.

90. A computer program embedded on a computer readable media, and performing the following steps:

assigning a first set of binary numbers to playing positions on a playfield,

routing at least two binary numbers linked to a selected playing position to each other wherein at least one of the routed binary numbers is also associated with other playing position,

generating a second set of binary numbers from said first set of binary numbers,

assigning said second set of binary numbers to displays associated with playing positions, and

determining if a predefined objective of the game is met.