GAME PIECE DETECTOR

摘要

Game apparatus comprises a playing surface defining an array of playing positions (2); and a playing piece detector (3) positioned behind at least one of the playing positions (2), the or each detector including a pair of capacitor plates (4, 6) electrically insulated from each other. A monitoring system (20) is connected to the or each detector (3) for monitoring the value of a resistance in proximity to the capacitor plates (4, 6) and for providing a corresponding output. A set of one or more playing pieces (12) each have an electrically resistive surface (13) which is placed on or adjacent to the playing surface in use. When a playing piece (12) is placed on a playing position (2) associated with the detector (3), the resistive surface (13) is insulated from the detector but capacitively coupled with it so that the monitoring system (20) can monitor the playing piece resistance.